Find out more about the history of Scottish working men and women

The National Library of Scotland is featuring in my blog again with a mention for their upcoming exhibition entitled:  Scottish working people's history.

The display promises to give a fascinating insight into the lives of ordinary Scots workers who involved themselves in the development of the early trade union movement.  Highlights of the exhibition are:

• The original deed of establishment in 1761 of the Fenwick Weavers' Society in Ayrshire which is regarded as the world’s first ever co-operative society  
• A membership card issued almost two centuries ago to one of the first ever trade unionists in Scotland  
• The service and pay book for John Dunlop who fought against fascism in the Spanish Civil War

Finding out more about ordinary folk rather than the 'great and the good' is always a challenge when using documentary sources, but exhibitions like this can at least give us a glimpse into aspects of the lives of our more 'humble' ancestors.

The exhibition runs from 2nd September until the end of October at George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, and should be well worth a visit.  More details can be found at: http://www.nls.uk/exhibitions/treasures

Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net