2.3.2. Charles Findlay (c1847-1927)

Charles Findlay was born about 1847 in East Kilbride Parish to Charles and Mary (Russell) Findlay. His father was a hand loom weaver and by the age of 14 Charles was also weaving cotton on the looms in the family home. Charles lived his entire life in the parish of East Kilbride in the villages of Kirkton and East Kilbride. Looms powered by steam idled many weavers in what previously had been a cottage industry. By 1881 Charles was a general laborer and no longer weaving cotton.

He married Henrietta Riddell just weeks after her father's death on 17 February 1888 in the village of Kirkton according to the forms of the Free Church of Scotland. He was 41 years old and working as a road surface man.

In 1891 the family lived on Main Street in the village of East Kilbride and had two children, Charles and Martha. They followed the Scottish convention for naming children:

Four years later Charles Findlay paid 2 pounds 10 shillings annual rent for their cottage on Main Street. The owner was a stationer who lived in Berwick. By 1901 the family had moved to Strathaven Road. Charles continued to work as a road surface man.

Martha Riddell died in 1904, leaving Charles with three children under 10 years old. In 1911 Charles and four of his children were living at 10 Main Street. He continued to live there until his death on 28 October 1927 at the age of 80 years old. The cause of death was listed simply as senility. He was retired at the time of his death.