Do you have a hobby that makes people laugh? Like many people who research their ancestors, I enjoy wandering around graveyards. That always gets a giggle from people. I love reading old gravestones with partially obscured lettering. There's always more to find than names and dates. Many stones tell their own stories of children lost…
People have often left Scotland for economic and political reasons. They have sailed to destinations across the globe. Many Scots sailed to the coast of Australia, with the hope of a better life. Scots had been making the long and dangerous voyage to Australia from 1787. Eleven convict ships known as the First Fleet arrived at…
Scottish agricultural changed dramatically in the second half of the nineteenth century. There was a move away from the runrig system with land being enclosed. Farming techniques were improved as the demand for produce increased from urban towns and cities. Many cottars and farmers in the lowlands of Scotland were displaced during this period. People…
What if you could travel back in time to meet a person from the past? Who would you choose? Robert Burns? Marie Antoinette? Florence Nightingale? There is so much written and recorded about these people. It is fairly easy to learn about their lives. What if you wanted to meet one of the millions of…
Scotland's women have particularly important stories to tell but, sadly, many of their voices have been wiped out from history. The experiences of working-class women can teach us much about forbearance. They can also teach us about stoicism and determination. These are qualities developed in circumstances few would wish to endure today. One such woman…
The author reflects on the challenges of tracing female ancestors in family history, exemplified through Catherine Henderson Campbell's life. Catherine faced hardships, including her husband's early death, while raising five children. Despite obstacles, she maintained resilience, became a caretaker, and ultimately led a remarkable life, reflecting the strength of women in history.
Discovering My Family 