University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

Scope and Contents

'He is a dirty rat, often out of work, poaches, a horrible man, low type. Wife a better type but loose morally. 10 children. Daughter frequently off school with scabs. Other children have impetigo. Housing: Condemned house, two rooms, appalling conditions. They are always having illness, chiefly catarrh and bronchitis. Relationships inharmonious. Have been on PA.'

Scope and Contents

Irresponsible, used to send the children to school without lunch. Plausible and sensible to talk to but unreliable, didn't tell the truth. Said to drink. Used to go and have a good time and leave the children. Husband deserted. [Male informant] says they left 2-3 years ago. Mother drank.

Relatives in survey: children 24.29, 24.30, 24.31, 24.33

Scope and Contents 'Mentally defective, simple and soft. [Male informant] says she has a wild look in her eye. Mother dead, father used to be a quarryman. All the children suffered from glands and worms. Housing: dirty. No siblings known. she is maintained by her father. Minister confirms, soft but has improved, some of the children are OK. Nurse confirms, a yes body, couldn't say no to a man. House overcrowded, not so dirty and verminour as it used to be.'Relatives in survey: Children 24.38,...

Scope and Contents '[Female informant] describes her as a bad bitch. PAO confirms: Hypochondrial and nervy. No PA. Nurse confirms, fond of life and gallivanting, keen on money, worldly. Keeps a fairly clean house. PC confirms. Difficult, quarrelsome and a mischief maker. Spends most of her time on the buses. Children dirty and neglected, are allowed to stay out late. Minister: excitable. They live in a careless fashion, and he hopes they will leave. Husband is nice. Children are too...

Scope and Contents

'Notorious in the district because of her immoral behaviour. Was going with an old man. Mother worked in munitions "wears a fur coat and has a young man". Father died. Nurse says she has always been a problem. Difficult at school. Used to lock herself in a room with [other children], thought to have taught them bad habits, trailed them about the roads.'

Relatives in survey: Sibling 24.5

Scope and Contents

"This woman is described as "awfu' dirty", bad-tempered and a loose liver; goes to a lot of dances with soldiers. Big, blousy woman. She was in trouble with the RSSPCC for leaving her children unattended, but was able to make good her case."

Relatives in survey: Children 25.17, 25.18, 25.19, niece 2.33

Scope and Contents

"This woman is lazy but capable, just doesn't bother. Is an awful looking mess, goes on the spree with her boyfriend a herd, goes with him to [area] every Saturday night, gets so drunk she cannot get out of the car. Is in danger of having the SSPCC on her track. Dr confirms that she is not bright."

Relatives in survey: daughter 45.41