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The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy

@theurbanhistorian.bsky.social

1.1K followers 1.3K following 52 posts

See the history around you... One-time archaeologist now delivering Heritage Walks, Talks, History Cafes & Genealogy services in Paisley, Renfrewshire 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 www.theurbanhistorian.co.uk www.renfrewshireancestors.uk www.discoverrenfrewshireheritage.com

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The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Nov 15

So, who is the Urban Historian?
I graduated from Glasgow Univeristy after studying Scottish history with as many joint archaeology courses as possible. I went on to work seasonal in archaeology and then moved back into teaching local history and archaeology at Uni of the West of Scotland.

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The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · 5d

Our local history cafe for aoctober will be looking at 'Views in Renfrewshire' which will explore the early 19th century. We will make use of a book by Philip Ramsey that includes line engravings by W H Lizar.

Book here theurbanhistorian.co.uk/product/hist...

History Cafe – 18th October 2025 – The Urban Historian

Our History Cafe for October will look at views in Renfrewshire, stimulating discussion on the mansions of the county and other places .

theurbanhistorian.co.uk

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The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · 9d

Something is happening...

The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · 11d

Do you have an interest in Graveyards? Our Family History Cafe will be look at graveyards today. There is a great potential to rediscover the history connected to the sites and those who now reside within.
shorturl.at/Eams6

#graveyards #Genealogy #renfrewshire #Paisley #Scotland #archaeology

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The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · 18d

Our events for October and into November 2025.

Full details at www.theurbanhistorian.co.uk

The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · 25d

This coming Saturday, we have our Local History Cafe at Blend Coffee Lounge in Paisley Arts Centre. See theurbanhistorian.co.uk for details. Later in the day I'll be @ @govanstones.bsky.social for Glasgow Doors open Day with a Renfrewshire Historic Graveyards Dispaly

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The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Aug 1

Saturday 6th September 2025
I am giving free tours of the Laigh Kirk Graveyard at Paisley Arts Centre.
Tours will be at 10am, 12noon and 2.30pm. Booking is essential as only 15 places are available on each tour.

Each time slot has its own booking page at
theurbanhistorian.co.uk/book-an-event/

The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Jun 30

We will be at Sma' Shot Day in Paisley this Saturday 5th July. Our stall will be on Abbey Close with local history books for sale, information on our 2025 events, and a local history display.

#SmaShotDay #renfrewshireevents #paisley #renfrewshire #history #heritage #seethehistoryaroundyou

Reposted by The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy

Brian Mackie @brianmackie.bsky.social · May 18

This Dutch delft plaque is on display at St Bartholomew’s in Gourock, Scotland. It memorializes the hospitality bestowed on “sailors, soldiers and airmen” from 1940-47.

But what is the wartime history of the Dutch military on the Clyde?

#maritimehistory #navalhistory #coastalhistory

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A decorated plaque made from blue and white Dutch delft tile, encased in a gilded frame. The words say:

To The Glory of God
and in grateful remembrance of generous hospitality bestowed on the Netherlands Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen during their stay in the United Kingdom Annis Domini 1940-47, this tablet was presented by the Protestant churches of the Netherlands.
"I was a stranger and ye took me in"

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The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Apr 22

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The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Mar 29

#Inchinnan4 a 10th to early 12th century carved stone fragment of the Govan School. It is seen here where it was discovered in 2009. The stone is now in the care of Paisley Museum. There are three Govan School Stones on displayat Inchinnan Parish Church.

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The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Mar 26

The image looks all the way down to Cotton Street with Cochrans Department Store (later Arnotts, now Pendulum Scottish Kitchen & Bar) window canopies open and the original spire of Sherwood Greenlaw Church visible in the distance.
Image: Studio Orchard

The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Mar 13

Out and about in Paisley today and grabbed a shot of the War Memorial in the Paisley Abbey Cloister Garden.

The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Mar 5

Rev Dr George G Cameron, 2nd minister of Glenburn Parish Chuch in Paisley and later assistant at @londonkirk.bsky.social and author of The Scots Kirk in London (St Columba's) a history of the church. He is seen here in the Vestry at Glenburn.

The Rev Dr George G Cameron in the Vestry at Glenburn Parish Church .

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The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Feb 24

There are still a few places left for Saturday's Family History Cafe. If you're close to Paisley, why not come along and talk #Genealogy

The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Feb 2

The next Family History Cafe will be on Sat 1 March, again at Blend Cofee Lounge in Paisley Arts Centre. Full details on the link below.
#Genealogy #FamilyHistory #Paisley #Rwnfrewshire #Scotland

renfrewshireancestors.uk/family-histo...

The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Feb 21

See the history around you.

Image of the week this week is of some traditional houses close to Renfrew Cross around 1900.

#Renfrew #renfrewshire #history #heritage #scotland

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The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Feb 20

Our History Cafe sessions are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month in Blend Coffee Lounge Paisley within Paisley Arts Centre on New Street Paisley PA1 1EZ
For March, our topic is Paisley's early thread industry

theurbanhistorian.co.uk/history-cafe...

History Cafe Booking Form 15th Feb 2025 10am – The Urban Historian

Our history Cafe sessions are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month in Blend Coffee Lounge, Paisley within Paisley Arts Centre on New Street, Paisley PA1 1EZ.

theurbanhistorian.co.uk

The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Feb 9

Oakshaw East UP Church #Paisley graveyard at Meeting House Lane... can you spot some of the headstones? This is probably the best time of the year to see them before the spring growth hides them again.

#FamilyHistory #Genealogy #Renfrewshire #Scotland

Reposted by The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy

Understanding King James VI & I Conference @kingjamesconf.bsky.social · Feb 3

Hello BlueSky! This is the official page for the upcoming conference on James VI & I that will be held in July to mark the quatercentenary of his death👑

Please follow us here for updates & news ...

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The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Feb 2

The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Jan 26

In 1877 he was giving a lecture to Paisley Philosophical Institution on "The telephone, with illustrations" I do wonder what he would make of our mobile phones today, capable of capturing images as well!

The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Jan 26

Thomas was an Outfitter and his window dispay of hats and stiff collars can be clearly seen in the image.

Image was taken by Matthew Morrison, an amateur photographer and a plumber in Paisley.

The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Jan 26

See the history around you!

Paisley High Street during the 1880's. This image shows Thomas Graham's shop at No 21 (where No 31 is today), High Street with Thomas standing at the front door and presumably a staff member behind him.

#Paisley #Renfrewshire #history

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The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Jan 20

Join us on the 15th February 2025 at 10am in Blend Coffee Lounge at Paisley Arts Centre for our first in-person history Cafe of 2025.

There are only 6 places available for this event.

discoverrenfrewshireheritage.com/history-cafe...

The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Jan 16

Join us on Sat 1 Feb at 10am for a free Family History Cafe at BLEND Coffee Lounge in Paisley Arts Centre. Booking is essential. Visit www.renfrewshireancestors.uk to book.
#FamilyHistory #Genealogy #Paisley #Renfrewshire #Scotland

The Urban Historian- Stephen Clancy @theurbanhistorian.bsky.social · Jan 14

I've been rather quet since before Christmas as i picked up Norovirus. With my weakened immune system, it's still hanging about, but im gradually getting back into the occasional bits of research and adding the odd postcard to my #Paisley collection. I hope to hold some history cafes shortly.

Okd postcard, greetings from Paisley featuring an image of Paisley Abbey and lots of early 20th Century ladies of the town.