University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

Scope and Contents "This woman is a "dirty old slut", never washes her face has a "notorious smell". The Parish Council have tried unsuccessfully to get her to clean up her house, but as it is her own property they can't do anything. Widow. Parents dead was brought up by aunts who spoilt her and were senile before they died. One daughter has two illegitimate children. One daughter has three illegitimate children. All verminous. Housing "two ends" for 8, filthy. [Male informant] used to visit them because the...

Scope and Contents

"This woman is described as mental and a bit soft. "She doesn't keep well in hot weather". She has a tongue like a tinker. She is feckless and useless, would talk the hind legs off a donkey. Always complaining. Dr confirms that this woman is a dirty and hypochondrial old pest with an awful tongue. Nurse confirms that this woman is queer; sometimes very clean however."

Relatives in survey: Brother 34.3

Scope and Contents "After-care case. Now on farm work but can't settle, is talking about re-joining the army. Was in the far East. Fine lad, was good at school. Parents dead, father was an alcoholic. Sister died recently. Another sister - Dr says she used to be anybody's meat. Very decent people. Diagnosis: Hebephrenic Schizophrenia, recovered. Was an agricultural worker until he joined up. Very overcrowded - patient, his borhter in law and sister and 6 children in two rooms. Was working at [farm] and doing...

Scope and Contents

"A dirty woman, a helpless creature, but has a tongue "that wad cut cloots". This family are all soft."

Scope and Contents

"This woman is a wee bit soft. She lives in a filthy little house, full of hens and cats. She has an illegitimate son. Lives rent free. Is deteriorating. The son "nothing in him" earns 25/- a week. No sibs know. Has always been queer - soft, untidy, slovenly. The house is so dirty you daren't sit down. Always on P.A. Nurse confirms - very dirty. Dr confirms - a slut, filthy. Son has been utterly spoilt, soft, no home training."

Scope and Contents

"Looks funny, has a wee bit of a want. Her people were tinkers and basket makers, clever with their hands. She is rough looking and queer, lives alone. Hoes turnips, etc., a very hard worker, but peculiar. Dr confirms - she is a real tinker type, looks almost Chinese. Clean house. PAO confirms that she is very queer."

Sibling: 18.71

Scope and Contents

"Used to write love letters to the doctor's predecessor. Very dirty, told the nurse lately that a "wean wasna' healthy unless it had a loose in its heid"."