The Gregg Group was founded 22 May 2004, prompted by the lack of online shorthand resources. As the primary use for shorthand — business and legal recording — has waned in recent decades, we generally acclaim the skill as a hobby or personal tool. The purpose of the group is to promote the use of Gregg systems of shorthand by providing advice to beginners, support for students, and an association of users of this efficient, attractive, and enjoyable method of writing.
This is a small booklet by Louis Leslie which summarizes the history of Gregg Shorthand until the appearance of the Diamond Jubilee Series.
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What a wonderful read!
It really is astounding that Dr. Gregg was still in his teens when he devised his system. (And I had wondered what the S.C.D. after his name meant.)
Hmm… Gregg wasn't born in Rockcorry, I'm pretty sure. I am pretty sure he moved there when he was a child.
You're right. From the foreword of "The Story of Gregg Shorthand" by Louis Leslie:
"This volume, as its title indicates, is The Story of Gregg Shorthand rather than the life of its inventor. Nevertheless, it seems pertinent here to include some information about his birthplace. The clipping containing this information was sent to the editor by an Irish correspondent living in the area in which Gregg was born, Mr. Patrick J. Creigham, of Monaghan, Ireland. The clipping is from the Northern Standard, the local newspaper, and is dated August 23, 1957.
Plenty of information is available as to Gregg's later life, but for some time facts about his childhood were rather difficult to ascertain. His exact birthplace gave rise to the greatest speculation, and at one time it was believed that he first saw the light in the Clones area. In later years it has been stated and thought that he was born at Bushford Railway Station, Rockcorry. Regarding his birthplace, however, and other interesting details, the air can now be cleared as a result of information received by our Ballybay correspondent on Tuesday of this week, where he was visited by a local resident who has his facts accurately compiled.
The interview revealed that John Robert Gregg was born in Shantonagh, Ballybay, in June 1867. The boy's father, George Gregg, was then stationmaster at Bushford Railway Station, Rockcorry, and held the position from 1864. The family resided at Shantonagh, as there was then no living accomodation at the station. John Gregg lived at Shantonagh until he was five years of age, and the family then moved to Bushford, Rockcorry. His first day in school was at Rockcorry N.S., on 19th August 1872. The family emigrated to Scotland in 1878, and John Gregg later traveled to Boston, U.S.A. After he invented his shorthand system, he sent one of the first books to the man then in charge of Shantonagh Railway Junction, but unfortunately this book has not been preserved. Gregg came on holidays to Ballybay district in 1939 and here met the man who has furnished these details to our correspondent. They traveled to Shantonagh, where Gregg pointed out the house where he was born.
For the record, this is a three-roomed house which is vacant at the moment but it is good condition.
"In Part 2 (Gregg Shorthand — Its Early History), Gregg mentions in the first paragraph of his talk, 'Rockcorry, the little village in the north of Ireland where we lived.' Our Irish correspondent informs us that Rockcorry is now part of the Irish Republic, which at the time did not exist.