In 1926 my maternal grandfather's sister Sarah left Scotland for a new life in Canada. She set sail from Greenock in July 1926 on the White Star Line ship "Doric". She had married Matthew Sanford in Newmains in 1916. The couple had four children. Times were hard in Scotland after the Great War and there … Continue reading Some Scottish Hospitality
Local History
What Happened To Hannah Kane?
There are a few brick walls in my research that I revisit from time to time to see if I can make any progress. Sometimes I discover new records that were previously unavailable online and in a couple of cases DNA has helped me make the breakthrough. In the case of Hannah Kane, my great, … Continue reading What Happened To Hannah Kane?
Hugh Keenan 1901-1928
As part of my lockdown routine I like to go for an early morning walk. My route often takes me through the local cemetery where this morning I spotted this headstone. The name Unity caught my eye as it’s quite unusual and I remembered having her somewhere on my family tree. Her maiden name is … Continue reading Hugh Keenan 1901-1928
My Granny’s Other Dad – Edward Cooper 1862-1939
My maternal grandmother Catherine Cosgrove was just 7 months old when she lost her father. Patrick Cosgrove was just 38 years old when he died of smallpox in Belvedere Hospital in Glasgow. Patrick and his wife, Sarah Helferty were married in 1888 and Catherine was their only child. Sarah remarried and her second husband was … Continue reading My Granny’s Other Dad – Edward Cooper 1862-1939
Bernard Helferty 1884-1916
There are some branches of the family that I have researched way less than others. I recently realised that I knew very little about the family of my great, great grandfather Arthur Helferty. He was my maternal grandmother's maternal grandfather. I have never found a birth record for Arthur but I know that he was … Continue reading Bernard Helferty 1884-1916
Hannah Keenan 1860-1938
Hannah Keenan was the third child of my great great grandparents Patrick Keenan and Agnes Haughey. Her sister Helen, who was always known as Ellen, was my mother’s paternal grandmother. Hannah was born on 29 September 1860 in the town of Cleland in Shotts Parish, Lanarkshire. Her father was originally from Clonallon in County Down. … Continue reading Hannah Keenan 1860-1938
Shaking The Branches 