Many of my ancestors lived in the area around Falkirk. In the early 19th century, like many Scots, most of them were working as agricultural labourers. As the 19th century progressed, industrial jobs replaced agricultural labour for many people in central Scotland. The Falkirk area became a centre for iron smelting and associated industries after the establishment and growth of the Carron Company and the building of the Forth and Clyde, and Union canals that followed. My ancestors were were boatmen, iron moulders and carters, and a few were publicans. Their stories will be told here.
