Article Source: East Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 19 November 2012 21:40
Copies have been gifted to Busby Community Library and Giffnock Heritage Centre and are sure to become the definitive reference resource for anyone researching Busby local and family history for many years to come.
At a presentation at Giffnock Heritage Centre, Libraries Convenor, Councillor Mary Montague, was delighted to receive the books on behalf of East Renfrewshire Heritage Service, and thanked all concerned for their hard work and contributions to the project. Both she and John agreed that what makes local history so addictive is the stories of real local characters.
Councillor Montague explained, “Each year, East Renfrewshire Heritage Service receives hundreds of enquiries from people from all over the world about local and family history, many of which relate to Busby. The Heritage Service consider themselves very lucky to have John McVicar’s books, and indeed the man himself, to help answer them.”
John, born in Busby, at Durham Terrace, remembers writing up all his notes in his school jotters as a young lad. Later in life he started to research his family history, which took him to Cathcart Cemetery. Fascinated by the number of memorials to local people who had lost their lives in World War I, he decided to widen his scope from personal history to the local history of the Busby area.
Busby Parish Church approached him to write a history of the church. Busby: Religion, Church and Village, From Earliest Times to 1919 was produced in 2005. This wide-ranging work quickly became the go-to reference book for all Busby-related enquiries at the Heritage Service and at Busby Library.
A display highlighting various stories from John’s research will be on show at Giffnock Community Library and then at Busby Community Library over the coming weeks.
If you would like help with a local or family history enquiry, contact the Heritage Service at Giffnock Community Library, 0141 577 3872 or localstudies@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk.
You can also find out more via the website, Portal to the Past:
www.portaltothepast.co.uk
A new training course has been lined up for aspiring swim teachers who want to dive into a new career, learn new skills and support the next generation of swimmers.
READ MORECelebration of the iconic late Beatle's life and music will be performed at 26 venues nationwide.
READ MOREThis June, Dobbies Garden Centres is presenting a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day, combining a hearty Sunday roast with a hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop.
READ MORENominations for the Blue Light Awards Scotland, recognising the courage, commitment and community spirit of our Blue Light Services, are now open.
READ MOREThe Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees.
READ MORENewly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!
READ MORETo celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.
READ MOREPavilion Festival 2025: From Big Top, live music to secret gigs - here's what to expect!
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.
READ MOREBluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef Collection will be playing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is hosting a new hands-on planting and afternoon tea experience inspired by the RHS Chelsea Garden Show and Dobbies' 160-year heritage.
READ MOREThe Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its tenth annual 30 Under 30 list.
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival returns on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April for its biggest event yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before!
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have teamed up to give an insight into the complexity of the Battle of Culloden in a pair of podcasts this April.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is hosting a very special FREE Grow How event in stores across the UK this May in partnership with Alzheimer's Research UK to mark Dementia Action Week.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres are celebrating National Children's Gardening Week by welcoming families along to its Children's Planting and Afternoon Tea experience on Saturday 31st May.
READ MOREA festival for Glasgow's littlest revellers is launching this summer, and it's set to be a treat for the whole family!
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure has announced the launch of a brand-new adult art class this month.
READ MORERockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has announced the BBC Introducing Stage, previously River Stage, will showcase 20 of the most exciting emerging artists in the country.
READ MOREFirst Bus is making minor service updates to 33 routes across Glasgow from Sunday 20th April as its new AI-driven timetables continue to improve reliability for customers across the city.
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire Council has launched a new 'Love Local' focused marketing campaign showcasing and celebrating the wide range of amazing local businesses across the area.
READ MOREFitness members are benefitting from brand new gym equipment at two local fitness centres.
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland is hopping into spring as it hosts 40 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care in April!
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire Council has confirmed a revised estimated completion date of spring 2026 for its Aurs Road improvement project.
READ MOREInnis & Gunn joins forces with top Scottish comedian Marc Jennings to find Scotland's funniest pub stories for 'The Book of Pub Banter & Confessions'.
READ MOREGarden Centre invites gardeners to get hands-on with wildflowers and springtime celebrations.
READ MORERockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has revealed five new artists to the Glasgow Green billing, including two of the hottest UK acts right now, JADE and Myles Smith!
READ MOREMore than 30 historic seasonal sites across the country will reopen to visitors from Tuesday 1st April, as Historic Environment Scotland marks the start of its spring/summer season.
READ MORETo coincide with World Theatre Day this Thursday (27 March), Vue venues in Scotland are bringing a selection of British productions to the big screen this spring.
READ MORE