Annie Shepherd Swan (1859-1943) Novelist

[Martha5964]

I was told by a fairly distant relative (his grandmother and my great great grandmother were sisters) a couple of years ago that our family (surname Hill) had links with the Victorian writer, Annie S. Swan. I've been meaning to look into the connection ever since and plan to do some research on this when I next visit my local family history centre. In the meantime, I thought I'd post here to see if anyone else has links with this lady.

[MonicaL]

A brief bio on Annie S Swan here www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/s/anniesswan.html and also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_S._Swan

Look also at her husband's line in case the Hill connection stems from there.

Monica 

[trish1120]

Ann Parents were EDWARD/EUPHEMIA Swan nee BROWN. (married 1852 Fife)
Edwards Parents were Alexander SWAN and Janet JOHNSON (Edward christ. 11 May 1825 Fife)

[Martha5964]

Thank you Monica and Trish for your replies. I hadn't thought to look into Annie's husband's family for the connection.

[trish1120]

I had a quick look at his Family also. He was born c 1858 Montrose
1911 down as James Burnett SNAITH
1891 as James B Smith 1858 Montrose, Forfar
1881, Teacher, boarding with the Hogg Family
Cant find him 1871 yet.

1861 Census
72 High St, Montrose, Angus
James Smith 32, Master Raher Emplying 4 Men
Mary A Smith 27
James Smith 3, born Montrose, Forfarshire
Jessie B Smith, 2
Ann J Smith, 2 mths

Jessie Brown Smith
Gender:   Female
Birth Date: 21 Apr 1859
Birth Place: Montrose,Angus,Scotland
Father:   James Smith
Mother:   Mary Ann Brown***

So cant see any Hill connection there either.

[trish1120]

Hes a Master Baker.

1871 Father James is transcribed as Annie on Anc;
Living at 71 High St
Annie Smith   42, Head, Mar, Baker, born Strachur, Forfarshire
Maryann Smith   11
James Smith   13****
Jessie Smith   11
Annie S Smith   10
William S Smith   5
Catherine Smith   3
Alfred Smith   2
Isabella Nicoll   1

[Martha5964]

Thank you, Trish, for looking into this. The connection could be fairly indirect. Annie's family having a connection to Fife is promising, though. Although the Hill family was very much based in Ayrshire at the time, my great great grandmother gave birth to one of her children in Cupar, Fife in 1894. She may have been staying with relatives at the time.

[Martha5964]

The surname 'Brown' could be significant - I see it occurs in both Annie's and her husband's families. Another Hill sister gave one of her daughters (Janet born in 1893) 'Brown' as a middle name. Perhaps the link is via a Hill-Brown marriage in the previous generation.

[hdw]

Does anyone know where and when she picked up the middle name Shepherd? She was christened simple Ann Swan. I haven't been able to find the name Shepherd anywhere in her family tree. But she was always known as Annie S. Swan.

Harry