From
Hugh Docherty, 12 Feb 05: My father's family, Dochertys
& McHargs, were born and raised in the village of Birnieknowe
in Auchinleck parish. They were iron and coal miners. I am interested
in photos of this villiage, and any info on the people who lived
and worked there.
From David McClure: Rev. James Chrystal (NSA,
1837) listed two collieries in the parish of Auchinleck - Birnieknowe
and Common. You will find a description of Common
Row in Ayrshire Miners' Rows, 1913 on this site. See also the
reference to Birnieknowe in the account of Busbie
Rows.
From David Gibson, 30 Mar 05: This village also
known as Commondyke, is situated between Auchinleck& Lugar.
In Auchinleck we produce a small monthly newsletter and have at
least one photograph available showing the 3 rows taken from the
pit bing. A copy is available. A lady of 86 who lived there is a
very helpful source of information, so I`ll make enquiries about
Docherty & McHarg. Is there any possibility that we could have
your permission to include some of your material in our newsletter
e.g.the descriptions of miners rows in our disrict, as there still
some of our elderly readers remember staying in them, as some of
the rows were not demolished until the late 30s.
From anon 16 August 06: I would be most interested
in a copy of the photo. Please advise the cost and an address, and
I will respond.
If you are located in Auchinleck, I would be interested in stopping
by, when I visit there in 2007.
From David Colville, 5 June 2006: Trying to do
some family history, and your site came up when I put Birnieknowe
into Google. My great-grandfather was a miner in Birnieknowe (from
1870) and I would love to see any pictures or any other info on
it. Is it possible to pass on a request to David Gibson to see a
copy of the photos he has?
From Patricia Sherrington, 18 April 2006: I am
researching the Birnieknowe community. As an old pupil of the convent
school in the 50's and early 60's I am particularly interested in
the life of the school. I remember a little about a mine/pit disaster
which affected several pupils. I am keen to know the story behind
the monument to a nun by the pond. It was a marvellous place to
go to school. So wild and beautiful.
From Bert Stevenson, 16 March 2006:I am looking
for any photographs on the old miners rows in the Auchinleck area.
Of particular interest would be the Common Long Row, where my father
was born in 1913 and where he grew up, and Birnieknowe, where he
lived, with my mother and my two brothers, from 1941 to 1948. Your
help would be much appreciated.
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