Scotland is hosting a plethora of events this year - The Commonwealth Games (23 July-3 August) and The Ryder Cup (26-28 September) being a couple of them.
Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow has started and will run through February 2nd.
Close to my home will be Bannockburn Live in June, celebrating the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn. I used to walk to the site fairly regularly via one of the wee back roads.
The Forth Road Bridge is 50 years old this year and there will be a festival 4th thru 13 September. A new one is being built to accommodate the heavy traffic and should open in 2016.
The Highland Homecoming in September and October will feature the World Sheepdog Trials and the Royal National Mod.
John Muir, the founder of America's National Parks, was a Scotsman. The John Muir Festival 17-26 April will be along the new John Muir Way between Dunbar and Helensburgh.
There will also be lots of Heritage events. Pick a region that you have family in and find out what's happening. In my previous post I wrote about Aberdeenshire. Their heritage event will be at Haddo House and Country Park 8th-10th August
http://www.visitscotland.com/en-us/
I am also looking at how to involve children in family research and the Education Scotland site at http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/studyingscotland/ is excellent.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Routes to Your North East Roots
If you have ancestry in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire this web site might be useful for you http://www.northeastscotlandroots.com/
To quote their blurb "The purpose of this website is to give you an initial steer on your journey, acting as a directory to the organisations and institutions in the City of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire which hold original records or secondary sources of information that you may find useful in the quest for your ancestors."
As an example - I found an interesting case study about researching lighthouse keepers in the Stories of North East Families section which led me to the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses in the resources section.
The Taylor family case study
The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses has a large collection of archives related to the work of the Northern Lighthouse Board in Scotland and the Isle of Man.
Light keeper service records
Visitor books from various lighthouses
Returns books, including meteorological, light, supplies and letter books, from various lighthouses
Personal memoirs and oral history testimony from keepers and their families.
Photographic archive including all lighthouses in Scotland and the Isle of Man
If you want to visit the museum they recommend you plan ahead. Visit http://lighthousemuseum.org.uk/ for more details.
To quote their blurb "The purpose of this website is to give you an initial steer on your journey, acting as a directory to the organisations and institutions in the City of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire which hold original records or secondary sources of information that you may find useful in the quest for your ancestors."
As an example - I found an interesting case study about researching lighthouse keepers in the Stories of North East Families section which led me to the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses in the resources section.
The Taylor family case study
The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses has a large collection of archives related to the work of the Northern Lighthouse Board in Scotland and the Isle of Man.
Light keeper service records
Visitor books from various lighthouses
Returns books, including meteorological, light, supplies and letter books, from various lighthouses
Personal memoirs and oral history testimony from keepers and their families.
Photographic archive including all lighthouses in Scotland and the Isle of Man
If you want to visit the museum they recommend you plan ahead. Visit http://lighthousemuseum.org.uk/ for more details.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
William Robertson Lindsay - obituary 1914
1914 Obituary
WILLIAM ROBERTSON LINDSAY was born at Pitlour,
Fifeshire, on 18th May 1849.
He was educated at the public school in Inverkeilor
and at Arbroath High School.
In 1866 he commenced his apprenticeship in the
shops of Messrs. Pearce Brothers, Lilybank Foundry, Dundee, the latter part of
which he spent in the drawing office of the same firm. Subsequently he was
promoted to be chief draughtsman, a position he held for 10 years.
In 1885 he joined the firm of Messrs. Hick,
Hargreaves and Co., Engineers, Bolton, as their chief draughtsman, a position
he vacated in 1889 to take over the situation as engineering manager for Messrs.
W. B. Thompson and Co., Limited, Lilybank Engine Works and Foundry, Dundee.
In 1895 he started in business as consulting
engineer in Dundee. During the latter part of his life he carried on an
extensive practice, which was of a varied description, embracing steam-engines,
boilers, textile mills and factories in the jute and flax trade and the
machines pertaining thereto.
His death took place in Dundee on 24th September
1914, in his sixty-sixth year.
In 1884 he organized the Dundee Mechanical Society,
now the Dundee Institute of Engineers, and was elected the first president.
He was elected a Member of this Institution in
1891.
Found at http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/William_Robertson_Lindsay
(a link to the 1914 Institute of Mechanical Engineers: Obituaries.)
I think I struck gold with this obituary. It confirmed some information that I already have and gave me some new details to look at. I was able to use this in a class I helped teach recently about writing your family history.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Hiring a Schoolmaster
School Board of the Parish of Drymen - 7 March 1891
Minute of meeting of the School Board of the Parish of Drymen, held in the Public School Drymen on Saturday the 7th March 1891 at 3-30 p.m. convened by circulars addressed to the members of the Board.
Present
Mr. Brown Chairman
Mr. Fraser
Mr. Edmond
Mr. Archibald
Mr. Bauchop
The minutes of last meeting were read approved of and signed.
The meeting being chiefly called to draw a short list from the testimonials of the teachers applying for the Mastership of Drymen School which had been under the consideration of the Members of the Board for over a week, the Board agreed that each member should lay before the Clerk (according to his judgement) the names of the four best candidates and in order of merit, it was found in summing up that there were the names of nine candidates in the list but ultimately the Board resolved to reduce it to the following seven candidates as a short list viz.
Mr. William Erskine - Bainsford P. School Falkirk
Mr. Chas. G. Greig - Ladyloan P School Arbroath
Mr. Jas Harvie - Thomson St. P. School Dennistoun Glas.
Mr. William Martin Burt - Lesmahago (cannot read the last previous two words very well)
Mr. John Hall - Hutchisons Grammar School Glasgow
The Board instructed the Clerk to write to the foregoing Candidates to know if it would be convenient for them to come to Drymen School on Tuesday the 17th so that the Board might have an opportunity of seeing their teaching.
Who was hired? My great-grandfather John Hall. He stayed there till he retired in 1926.
Minute of meeting of the School Board of the Parish of Drymen, held in the Public School Drymen on Saturday the 7th March 1891 at 3-30 p.m. convened by circulars addressed to the members of the Board.
Present
Mr. Brown Chairman
Mr. Fraser
Mr. Edmond
Mr. Archibald
Mr. Bauchop
The minutes of last meeting were read approved of and signed.
The meeting being chiefly called to draw a short list from the testimonials of the teachers applying for the Mastership of Drymen School which had been under the consideration of the Members of the Board for over a week, the Board agreed that each member should lay before the Clerk (according to his judgement) the names of the four best candidates and in order of merit, it was found in summing up that there were the names of nine candidates in the list but ultimately the Board resolved to reduce it to the following seven candidates as a short list viz.
Mr. William Erskine - Bainsford P. School Falkirk
Mr. Chas. G. Greig - Ladyloan P School Arbroath
Mr. Jas Harvie - Thomson St. P. School Dennistoun Glas.
Mr. William Martin Burt - Lesmahago (cannot read the last previous two words very well)
Mr. John Hall - Hutchisons Grammar School Glasgow
The Board instructed the Clerk to write to the foregoing Candidates to know if it would be convenient for them to come to Drymen School on Tuesday the 17th so that the Board might have an opportunity of seeing their teaching.
Who was hired? My great-grandfather John Hall. He stayed there till he retired in 1926.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Fun Genealogy Activities for Children
A few days ago (Thursday) I had the opportunity to share some ideas about getting young children interested in family history and genealogy. As usual I had more ideas than time so I plan on sharing some of my thoughts here (over a period of time).
One thing I learned is that there is not a whole lot available on-line and some of it was not really for children. Some things that looked interesting had broken links.
The main thought I shared right at the start was keep any activities short and fun. Most children have short attention spans (as do many adults nowadays). It is also good to ask them what they would like to learn. This part would be useful after introducing the subject.
Children often like gory details so a trip to a cemetery can be fun IF the adult chaperones keeps their own anxieties about "dead bodies rising out of the graves and becoming zombies" to themselves :)
Some cemetery ideas
Get permission ahead of time to do grave marker rubbings.
Count the number of headstones with the same surname.
Count the number of baby headstones
Take photographs of fancy inscriptions
Find the oldest head stone
Find the oldest dead person
Scavenger hunt - you will have to work out ahead of time what you want the kids to look for e.g. specific letters of the alphabet, fruit carvings, skull and crossbows.
Bird watching
Get permission to tidy up some plots - i.e. pull weeds
Find out if there are historical cemetery tours geared toward children.
Did your family live close to the cemetery - take photographs of the house. We did this one when we visited Scotland. My children had a great time looking at the family headstones and visiting the houses of the people mentioned.
If you decide to go at night remember to take flashlights. You can stand around an ancestors grave and look at the stars. They may have looked at the same ones all those years ago.
Rainy day activity
Instead of a visit to a cemetery go on-line to http://findagrave.com/ and ask your children to find a deceased relative. Some names have photographs and obituaries, other just dates. You never know it may take them on a journey of discovery and they can share the information with other relatives.
One thing I learned is that there is not a whole lot available on-line and some of it was not really for children. Some things that looked interesting had broken links.
The main thought I shared right at the start was keep any activities short and fun. Most children have short attention spans (as do many adults nowadays). It is also good to ask them what they would like to learn. This part would be useful after introducing the subject.
Children often like gory details so a trip to a cemetery can be fun IF the adult chaperones keeps their own anxieties about "dead bodies rising out of the graves and becoming zombies" to themselves :)
Some cemetery ideas
Get permission ahead of time to do grave marker rubbings.
Count the number of headstones with the same surname.
Count the number of baby headstones
Take photographs of fancy inscriptions
Find the oldest head stone
Find the oldest dead person
Scavenger hunt - you will have to work out ahead of time what you want the kids to look for e.g. specific letters of the alphabet, fruit carvings, skull and crossbows.
Bird watching
Get permission to tidy up some plots - i.e. pull weeds
Find out if there are historical cemetery tours geared toward children.
Did your family live close to the cemetery - take photographs of the house. We did this one when we visited Scotland. My children had a great time looking at the family headstones and visiting the houses of the people mentioned.
If you decide to go at night remember to take flashlights. You can stand around an ancestors grave and look at the stars. They may have looked at the same ones all those years ago.
Rainy day activity
Instead of a visit to a cemetery go on-line to http://findagrave.com/ and ask your children to find a deceased relative. Some names have photographs and obituaries, other just dates. You never know it may take them on a journey of discovery and they can share the information with other relatives.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Death in the Family
I am back in Scotland due to the death of my mother Margaret Lindsay nee Hall, and will be here for a while. She had been sick with cancer for a while but actually died suddenly and peacefully from something else at Forth Valley Royal Infirmary, Larbert on Monday 9th July. The funeral service will be on Monday 16th at St.Ninians Old Parish Church and cremation at Falkirk. Her remains will be interred next to her mother Jean Hall.
She was ever a lady, diginified but with a silly sense of humor, stubborn, hard working, extremely talented at all she attempted. Totally devoted to her family and much loved by many people. She dedicated most of her life to the Girl Guides being on numerous committes and holding many leadership positions. and was also a member of the Tuesday Group (church). Professionally she had worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland in many capacities and was always quietly efficient.
Mother was an only child and raised with much fondness by my grandparents. They were a close knit little family and grandpa was very protective of the two ladies in his life till his sudden demise in 1965. He steered mother toward banking, and while it was not her first choice of career, she did well with it. While working at Drummonds in London she met my father and for us the rest is personal history :)
She loved her back stone walled garden and devoted numerous hours to tending it and making it beautiful. Dad increased his flower photography skills as a result. She spent even more hours chatting to everyone that passed by while she was in the front garden :) She also welded a paint brush with great ease and spent many an hour painting walls in our home.
She loved to get grubby in the dirt but was always immaculately dressed when leaving through the front door. (I don't have her fabulous dress sense unfortunately.)
Strict but fair and caring as a mother, caregiver to our father through his many health battles, much adored grandmother and loyal friend to those that knew her well. She will be missed but we know she is at peace with the Lord and enjoying the eternities with her beloved parents and son David.
She was ever a lady, diginified but with a silly sense of humor, stubborn, hard working, extremely talented at all she attempted. Totally devoted to her family and much loved by many people. She dedicated most of her life to the Girl Guides being on numerous committes and holding many leadership positions. and was also a member of the Tuesday Group (church). Professionally she had worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland in many capacities and was always quietly efficient.
Mother was an only child and raised with much fondness by my grandparents. They were a close knit little family and grandpa was very protective of the two ladies in his life till his sudden demise in 1965. He steered mother toward banking, and while it was not her first choice of career, she did well with it. While working at Drummonds in London she met my father and for us the rest is personal history :)
She loved her back stone walled garden and devoted numerous hours to tending it and making it beautiful. Dad increased his flower photography skills as a result. She spent even more hours chatting to everyone that passed by while she was in the front garden :) She also welded a paint brush with great ease and spent many an hour painting walls in our home.
She loved to get grubby in the dirt but was always immaculately dressed when leaving through the front door. (I don't have her fabulous dress sense unfortunately.)
Strict but fair and caring as a mother, caregiver to our father through his many health battles, much adored grandmother and loyal friend to those that knew her well. She will be missed but we know she is at peace with the Lord and enjoying the eternities with her beloved parents and son David.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The Tribes of Galway
I mentioned Eyre Square in my last posting. We noticed a number of banners with coats of arms and surnames on them and wondered what they were. Our tour bus guide told us what they represented.
From the mid 13th onwards 14 merchant families basically dominated the area through politics, commerce and social life. The families were Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, D'Arcy, Deane, Ffont, Ffrench, Joyce, Kirwan, Lynch, Martyn, Morris and Skerrett. The families traded with continental Europe. "The Tribes of Galway" was a derogatory term given by Oliver Cromwell but it was later adopted as a mark of defiance.
I have to say that the banners are a very colorful and striking way to introduce non-locals to the history of the town. The doorway to the old Browne family resident is now preserved as a monument on Eyre Square.
If you want to find out more about each family visit http://www.galway-ireland.ie/galway-tribes.htm
Later on our tour the bus guide told us that the number 14 shows up in other areas of Galway. 14 roundabouts and 14 childrens playgrounds being two examples he cited.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
I went to Ireland
Indeed I did. With my husband and out two youngest offspring. We got back late on Tuesday evening. It was wonderful. The scenery is gorgeous and we saw a lot of it :)
While I did not physically sit down and do any paper genealogy or research we were in areas that some of my ancestors and other relatives came from which was great. We were not able to visit the area that some of my husband's ancestors came from (Co. Sligo) but that gives us an excuse for another visit :)
We did a number of bus tours which proved very interesting and learned a lot about Irish history and local customs.
"The Quiet Man" starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara got a lot of Americans with Irish ancestry in Connemara interested in their genealogy. Our bus stopped at the famous cottage, drove by the bridge and we also saw the village of Cong.
My great uncle came from Galway. We stayed at a B&B about 15 minutes outside of town for a couple of days. While the hubbie spent a day at the local office we explored the town. Lovely place and fairly simple to walk around once you get Eyre Square stuck in your brain as the center.
I'll share some photographs later.
While I did not physically sit down and do any paper genealogy or research we were in areas that some of my ancestors and other relatives came from which was great. We were not able to visit the area that some of my husband's ancestors came from (Co. Sligo) but that gives us an excuse for another visit :)
We did a number of bus tours which proved very interesting and learned a lot about Irish history and local customs.
"The Quiet Man" starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara got a lot of Americans with Irish ancestry in Connemara interested in their genealogy. Our bus stopped at the famous cottage, drove by the bridge and we also saw the village of Cong.
My great uncle came from Galway. We stayed at a B&B about 15 minutes outside of town for a couple of days. While the hubbie spent a day at the local office we explored the town. Lovely place and fairly simple to walk around once you get Eyre Square stuck in your brain as the center.
I'll share some photographs later.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
USA 1940 census
On this side of "the pond" there is much excitement about the newly released 1940 census (2nd April). Lots of people are re-visiting their genealogy and family history while others are being inspired to start for the first time. For many the idea of possibly finding living relatives or themselves is exciting.
I took a look yesterday and was happy with what I found. The images are large and, on the whole, easy to read. Yes it is a disadvantage if you have no idea where your relative lived and you don't want to plow through page after page of images but I look on it as "the thrill of the hunt" type task :) Indexing is in process to make the process easier but will take a while.
Found my father-in-law with his parents and the family story about the surname being spelled differently is true. Does that mean we should switch back ?
I have a lot of cousins that came to the USA from Scotland so this census is relevant in my search. Looked for three so far. One stayed put, one moved within the town, another appears to have moved elsewhere.
Hints -
If you have relatives in the 1930 census type in the enumeration district number to get the 1940 one and see what happens.
Where to go? http://1940census.archives.gov/ Click on "getting started" and scroll down to "convert 1930 to 1940".
Try a smaller town first just to get your exploring feet wet and then graduate up to something larger. My large one will be Manhattan, New York.
If you find someone you can bookmark, download, or print.
Try not to use the site at peak viewing times.
Enjoy.
I took a look yesterday and was happy with what I found. The images are large and, on the whole, easy to read. Yes it is a disadvantage if you have no idea where your relative lived and you don't want to plow through page after page of images but I look on it as "the thrill of the hunt" type task :) Indexing is in process to make the process easier but will take a while.
Found my father-in-law with his parents and the family story about the surname being spelled differently is true. Does that mean we should switch back ?
I have a lot of cousins that came to the USA from Scotland so this census is relevant in my search. Looked for three so far. One stayed put, one moved within the town, another appears to have moved elsewhere.
Hints -
If you have relatives in the 1930 census type in the enumeration district number to get the 1940 one and see what happens.
Where to go? http://1940census.archives.gov/ Click on "getting started" and scroll down to "convert 1930 to 1940".
Try a smaller town first just to get your exploring feet wet and then graduate up to something larger. My large one will be Manhattan, New York.
If you find someone you can bookmark, download, or print.
Try not to use the site at peak viewing times.
Enjoy.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Barry Ewell of MyGenShare.com
I'm excited ....... Barry now has a blog ........ a good one. Lots of fun short videos to watch and learn from. It will be interesting to see what he shares over time about his journey through genealogy.
Go check it out.
http://barrysblog.mygenshare.com/
Go check it out.
http://barrysblog.mygenshare.com/
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Ancestry.com - a plethora of leaves
I've been using Ancestry.com since it was a free site. Family trees for each of my grandparents are stored there on the public free section.
On a fairly regular basis I have been getting the leafy hints in my e-mail but could not attach the sources. Any research I've done at the site has been at the Franklin FHC, our local library, or through a couple of very kind, generous friends.
My husband recently surprised me with a subscription to Ancestry and I have been plowing my way through all the leaves attached to my ancestors. It will probably take months to get that all sorted out.
Major find - a descendant of my great great grandfather's sister Jane Fowler Lindsay. I'd about given up on ever finding her, or her daughter. It turns out she got married briefly, then moved to Australia and died a few weeks later. Her daughter was wooed over to Australia. It took her besotted intended two years or so to get her there :)
Once I knew what Jane's married name was it was fairly simple to find records for her at Scotlands People and some of her descendants through the Australian Electoral Rolls.
So some family names on my old calligraphy main line tree have now gloriously come to life and I finally feel at peace. I hope my newly found cousins and I can keep in contact.
Biggest surprise - most of my ancestors are not being researched by other Ancestry subscribers. A few of my "twiggy" cousins have worked hard at their research and I am impressed with their efforts. I won't be putting my BMD images or sources on my trees (which now includes one for my uncle's father). The BMD sources will remain at my web site or people can contact me for the info. I have not made up my mind about photographs yet.
On a fairly regular basis I have been getting the leafy hints in my e-mail but could not attach the sources. Any research I've done at the site has been at the Franklin FHC, our local library, or through a couple of very kind, generous friends.
My husband recently surprised me with a subscription to Ancestry and I have been plowing my way through all the leaves attached to my ancestors. It will probably take months to get that all sorted out.
Major find - a descendant of my great great grandfather's sister Jane Fowler Lindsay. I'd about given up on ever finding her, or her daughter. It turns out she got married briefly, then moved to Australia and died a few weeks later. Her daughter was wooed over to Australia. It took her besotted intended two years or so to get her there :)
Once I knew what Jane's married name was it was fairly simple to find records for her at Scotlands People and some of her descendants through the Australian Electoral Rolls.
So some family names on my old calligraphy main line tree have now gloriously come to life and I finally feel at peace. I hope my newly found cousins and I can keep in contact.
Biggest surprise - most of my ancestors are not being researched by other Ancestry subscribers. A few of my "twiggy" cousins have worked hard at their research and I am impressed with their efforts. I won't be putting my BMD images or sources on my trees (which now includes one for my uncle's father). The BMD sources will remain at my web site or people can contact me for the info. I have not made up my mind about photographs yet.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Georgia Family History Expo Nov 11-12, 2011
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