My Ancestors Stories

I remember my maternal grandfather as being a larger than life character. In trying to think of a word to describe him, the word adventurous comes to mind. The characteristics of an adventurous personality include: throwing caution to the wind venturing where most fear to tread not being bound by the same terrors and worries that limit others living on the edge challenging boundaries and restrictions pitting yourself against your own mortality As I've looked back on his life, I think that was pretty accurate! Early Life Robert Conway Martin was born on 10 May 1914 in the small coastal town of Stevenston, Ayrshire the second son of Irish immigrants, James Martin and Margaret Jane Conway who had married in 1912. Believed to be Robert (in middle) with his mother, Margaret Jane Conway, brother Willie, grandmother, Maggie Moore and sister, Sarah. c1916. Colourised courtesy MyHeritage. Stevenston, is one of the 'Three Towns' along with Ardrossan and Saltc...

The opportunity to present on the subject of “Money and property matters” at a SAG Hang Out during COVD-19 prompted me to document the story of my 2 x great grandfather, Robert Cornelius Hails. Southwick, Durham, England Early Life Robert was born on 9 November 1855 in Southwick, County Durham, the fifth child of Robert Hails, a shipwright and Mary Ann McKenzie, who had married in Sunderland in 1849. Birth Certificate - Robert Hails - 1855 Sadly, four of his brothers died in infancy and his mother Mary Ann passed away on 12 November 1860 in Sunderland, as a result of complications following the birth of a daughter, Ann. Death Certificate - Mary Hailes -  1860 In 1861 Robert was living at 24 Cottage Row, East Murton with his father, Robert, now described as a joiner, brother John, aged 11, a coal miner, and sister, Annie, aged 2. Also living with the family was his maternal aunt, Ann, who was recorded as his father’s wife. 1861 Census - East Murton, Durham, ...