My Ancestors Stories

I first met my great grandmother, Caroline Anstey Garrett, in 1977, when I was 15 years old - she was 90 years old and had just immigrated to Australia!   She was widowed in 1949 when she was 61 and went to live with her youngest daughter, Carrie, in the USA in 1951 and they also lived in Japan during this time. She returned to Scotland in 1954 after her sister, Lizzie, was also widowed and they lived together for the next 23 years until her sister died. It was at this time that she came out to Australia to live with her daughter, Helen and where she was to meet her seven great-grandchildren for the first time. 

Aunt Carrie, my great aunt, was born Caroline McDougall one hundred years ago on 11 September 1921, in the family home at 117 Albert Street, Townhead, Glasgow. She was the youngest of three daughters born to Alexander Murray McDougall and Caroline Anstey Garrett. The family lived in a two room tenement, with a recess bed in each room. Albert Street was renamed McAslin Street sometime during the 1920s.   Also residing in the family home were her maternal grandfather, Albert Garrett and aunt, Lizzie Garrett.  Her grandfather lived with the family until his death in 1939 and Aunt Lizzie until she married in 1941.  After leaving school, Carrie worked as a book pager, however during the war, she worked as an explosives worker at the Ardeer Factory in Stevenston and travelled down from Glasgow on the train for her shifts there. After the war she returned to her work as a book pager.  Carrie married Alexander Campbell, a sergeant in the United States Army at the Barony...

I have many wonderful memories of my nan, Esther and remember finding this painting in her garage when I was young. The portrait was part of a prize she had won for a school writing competition.  She was born 105 years ago today. My parents were living at the back of Esther's house when I was born and lived there until I was about 18 months old when Mum and Dad moved into their own home at Smithfield. My sister and I spent many school holiday's at Nan's along with our cousins. I remember going with Nan to Paddy's Markets, fabric shops, and Vinnies. We also spent our summer holidays with Nan and Pop at Bateau Bay.

Clara in 1961 at grandson, Colin's wedding "Have you found something revealing in a birth, death or marriage certificate?" This was the topic for another Friday Hang Out with the SAG late last year, which prompted the following story related to my paternal great grandmother, Clara Lilian Phibbs, who was born 132 years ago.   Various certificates and other documents revealed a lot of previously unknown information about Clara and other members of her family! ______________ Clara Lillian Phibbs was born 8 August 1889 in Bradford St, Birmingham, the second youngest of 7 children born to Clara Williams and William Charles Phibbs, who had married on 20 July 1879 at the Parish Church of St. John, Ladywood.  At the time of her birth, Clara had 5 brothers and sisters, Florence Louisa aged 9, William Charles aged 7, Alice Maud aged 5, Albert Harold aged 3, and May aged 2 years.    Clara's birth certificate dated 1903 likely obtained so she could obtain work On 5 April 1...

Birmingham Workhouse c1852 One of my longstanding brick walls has been my 2 x great grandmother, Clara Williams.   It took many years of research to find her birth, only to discover that she was illegitimate and born in the workhouse. But who is her father?  I am hopeful that DNA will help answer that question...

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...