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Last summer I started my journey in local history , especially the Laird family and relating it to family history. My mum has in the past hinted at a link.. but i have no idea what this is.

Here are some of my observations and notes from that time.

It starts with a book on Shipping History by Robert F. Stockton

1833 a paddle steamer was built for Charles Wye Williams’ Irish Inland Navigation Company
Laird’s first vessel was a 60ft prefabricated iron lighter
The Wye-iron lighter http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/macslog/CammelLairdShipbuildersat.html Jacksons.. early impact in birkehead

In 1839 Laird built its first screw propelled steamer, a 63ft tug for use on North American waterways callled: Lady Lansdowne
Politics
William laird
Moved down from /scotland 1824 first took interest in Birkehead at the Birkehead Ironworks
John Laird
(14/7/1805- 29/10/ 1874)
While there were many names involved in Birkenhead’s early history,
the Laird’s stand out as being the most significant contributors only narrowly followed by the Jacksons. Partners in so many committees and public enterprises, John Laird (Conservative) and William Jackson (Liberal) became bitter political rivals who regularly opposed each other in many elections over the years.
In the first parliamentary election for the town in 1863, Laird opposed Thomas Brassey and won to become Birkenhead’s first MP. Two years later he defeated one of Jackson’s sons to retain the seat, as he did on two further occasions.

John Laird
Lived 63, Hamilton Sq
1st Mayor of Birkehead
John Laird took a leading role in may aspects of the town,
churches, Borough Hospital - Paid for the erection of the Borough Hospital (conway st?)almost entirely himself
First Cheshire Rifle Volunteers,
George Francis Train ,Street tramway.
Birkenhead becoming the first place in Europe to adopt a street tramway.
Improved ferry services Laird St School of Art.

Macgregor laird (1808 -9/1/1861)
scottish merchant of british trade on river niger)
I admit these notes seem a bit potted, about but they do all link in and make some kind of sense.. In time, may be my jumble will become more structured.

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