The clocks went back at the weekend. Suddenly, there are hints of winter in the air, as the last of the autumn leaves fall to the ground. It's dark early and traveling around at night is all going to be more difficult until spring arrives. Like many people, I've been having a moan about this.…
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…
Alexander Gavin was my great granny, Grace Govans’ cousin. This article is about his son, Frederick Charles Gavin MRCVS, DSO, was born on 19th February 1868 at Waterside, Dalmellington. His father was the manager of the Dalmellington Ironworks. Following a remarkable life, Frederick died at the age of eighty-two years in Kloof, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, on 16th October 1950. His life story deserves to be remembered.
Throwing light on the life of an ancestor can often reveal an experience so different from anything known today. Suffering and poverty were common in the nineteenth century. The life story of my great grand-uncle is shocking, but one that would be shared by so many other miners. His life was indeed one of those…
John Campbell was born in 1827 and lived until 1907. Margaret Blair was born in 1832 and also lived until 1907. They are my 2x great grandparents on my mother's paternal side of the family. He was a miner who worked at the Forth Ironworks near Dunfermline. Most probably, to try to build a better…
Fergushill 1871 Census By the time of the 1871 census, John and Margaret Campbell had moved the short distance to Fergushill with their growing family. Andrew, my great grandfather, was now seven years old and attended Fergushill School. The school closed in 1950. In 1871, the family lived at 6, Burn Row, Fergushill and in…
Researching family history can be a bit of a challenging puzzle. With such a common name as Campbell, the puzzle can often lead to false information and many dead ends. After much research, here is my Campbell line showing the move the family made from Fife to Ayrshire. 4x great grandparents: John Campbell, born 14…
Discovering My Family 