So many of my family served and were forever affected by the Great War. Today I'm thinking of three young men who never came home. You can read their stories using the links below. Archibald Dickson 1898-1918 Thomas Dickson 1891-1917 Wilson Armstrong 1886-1916
Learning From My Mistakes – Robert Armstrong Rae 1879-1952
My great grandfather, Robert Armstrong Rae was born on 26 December 1879 in the picturesque village of Dalserf in Lanarkshire. He was my father’s paternal grandfather. The first record I found for Robert was his marriage record which showed his parents as Thomas Rae and Ann Symington. Through further research it appeared that Robert was … Continue reading Learning From My Mistakes – Robert Armstrong Rae 1879-1952
Newmains – Ancestry of a Village
On a recent visit to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea in Northumberland I spotted this poster in the Maritime Heritage Centre. It's an ambitious project that aims to trace the ancestry of every person who has lived in the village. The Maritime Centre is a great wee museum tells the story of the village and how the people made … Continue reading Newmains – Ancestry of a Village
Daniel Brawley 1888-1948
Daniel Brawley was my cousin twice removed. His father was my great great uncle John Brawley. Daniel was born on 26 September 1888 in Newmains, Lanarkshire. He was the 3rd child of John and his wife Roseanne McGuinness. I have previously told the story of how John was killed in an accident at work. At … Continue reading Daniel Brawley 1888-1948
Patrick Mullervy Born 1906
Above is the death record for Patrick Mullervy. His great grandfather was my great great great grandfather, Owen Mullervy. This record makes me really sad. Look at the age at death. He was just two minutes old. And there's yet another family connection to Furnace Row in Newmains. The name Mullervy was one I had … Continue reading Patrick Mullervy Born 1906
James Keenan 1832-1889
James Keenan was the brother of my great, great grandfather, Patrick Keenan. Patrick’s daughter, Ellen Keenan, was my mother’s paternal grandmother. James was born in County Down, Ireland about 1932. He was one of at least 8 children of Hugh Keenan and Hannah McCarten. I've found records for siblings born in Clonallon so it may … Continue reading James Keenan 1832-1889