University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

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"This woman is a bad lot, immoral, just a bitch. Husband has had an awful time with her - on one occasion he threw a teapot at her. She had an affair with their lodger, husband had to sleep in the shed. Just a randy."

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"This man is said to be strong-tempered, threatened his wife with a knife, ran after [widow]. PC says he has a lot of ill-wishers, is not so black as he is painted. Drinks a little. Wife died and he married [widow]."

Relatives in survey: Son 3.13

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"This man is ploughman. He drinks, abuses his wife, has been to prison for poaching. Dr confirms - a persistent poacher."

Relatives in survey: wife 11.33 children 11.34, 11.35, 11.36, 11.78

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"This man is very bad tempered to his workmen, who never stay with him. Very strict, elder in the kirk, no alcohol. They keep their byres cleaner than their house. Prosperous. This man has a terrible temper - takes it out on his wife and animals - kicks them. Can be very nice, or a coarse uncouth brute. House passably clean, family life miserable. No. P.A."

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"This man, a grocer, is very mean and peculiar, is cruel to his wife and daughter, very repressive, won't let the girl go out at night. Very unhappy home life. [Male informant] says he is definitely very crusty and odd. [Male informant] confirms he is mean."

Relatives in survey: wife 16.57, sister 16.58

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"Nurse says this man looks weedy and syphilitic. Has been in Court for stealing, also for fighting with his wife."

Relatives in survey: Son 16.71

Scope and Contents 'This man is a famous poacher and ne'er-do-well, has had convictions for poaching and assault. Considered a waster. Used to live on his wits and PA, has worked for ICI and the Air Ministry as a labourer. Denounced by the rest of his family. Father, dead, old soldier and innkeeper. Twice married, second wife an intelligent woman. Housing: 2 rooms for 5 adults and child. Clean. Dr confirms - a pleasant rogue, used to poach for excitement, used to pay the doctor in salmon. Had been very...

Scope and Contents 'This man, a ploughman tractor driver, is a bad lot, gave his wife dog's abuse, is now living with his mother and chasing round after a divorcee. Father dead. Nurse agrees that this is an awful man. His wife is slovenly, always smoking, only gets 25/- a week and the kids don't get a chance. PAO wife gets 35/- a week separation allowance, but 9/6 comes off for rent and milk. She has applied for relief but was referred to her husband. [Female informant] says this man is a real bad egg, would...

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'This man served a prison sentence for rape. Sacked from where he had been a farm worker - tried to tell his boss his business. He is now working for a coal merchant. Very bad temper, knocks his wife about, not alcoholic. Wife, a poor sort of woman in bad health, fainted recently in a shop, had a black eye. Has a nasty nagging tongue but is a good mother, methodical. They are very short of money. This man is various described as lazy, hard-working, not a good card.'

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'[Male informant] says this man is queer. A farmer, was in a very poor way before the war, now well off. Wants to divorce his wife and marry his housekeeper. He was very stingy and unsympathetic about his wife's illness, would not allow her any pocket money etc. Home conditions: OK. Minister says there is something very much wrong with him. Has a terrific temper.'

Relatives in survey: Wife 24.76