My Ancestors Stories

Our latest Blogging challenge was to have a Christmas theme...so what could I write about?  Something that came to mind was the number of December weddings we seemed to have so thought I'd provide a little snapshot of some of my ancestors who married at Christmas time. Many I've written about before so I have included a link to those earlier stories for more information.  During the 18th and 19th centuries, getting married on Christmas Day itself was a popular tradition in Britain, with churches holding festive nuptials every 25 December. Whilst it sounds romantic, Christmas weddings usually occurred out of necessity as Christmas and Boxing Day were often the only days of the year that young working-class couples were guaranteed to get off work. In the 1800s, most people worked six days a week and didn't get paid when they didn't work. It was only with the rise of the trade unions in the 20th century that working conditions and employee rights started to improve and the...

I called both my grandmothers Nan or Nanna.  My maternal grandmother was born Helen, but was known by everyone as Nell or Nelly. So I was amused to read in a letter she wrote aged 14 to her cousin Martha, in America, that "I am called Helen now, but I will still call you Bunty".  Unfortunately for Helen, Nelly had stuck, as I don't think I ever heard anyone call her Helen!  This blog is written in memory of my nan, Helen, who was born 106 years ago. This post traces Helen’s life from a childhood shaped by war and industry in Scotland to migration, hardship, and family life in Australia — illustrated through letters, photographs, and memories passed down through generations. Early Life in Stevenston (1915–1923) Helen Forrest McDougall was born at 8:20 on the morning of the 6 July 1915 in the Folly Building, High Rd, Stevenston. Stevenston is a seaside town and parish on the North Ayrshire coast. Along with Ardrossan and Saltcoats it is one of the "Three Towns" an...

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...