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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Peeblesshire => Topic started by: SWH1 on Friday 02 January 15 10:05 GMT (UK)
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Hello, i have her living at Kingsmuirhill, Peebles. Had a sister or mother named Eleanor, would like to find out where she was born/died etc. many thanks Alan
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You need to give at least an idea of dates for us to help you. Is this the same person mentioned in an earlier thread?
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Madge Ramsay Smith, living in Peebles, served as secretary and administrator at Royau mont Abbey from May 1916- March 1919. Much of Madge’s story can be accessed by reading Antonio de Navarro’s book ‘The SWH at the French Abbey of Royaumont’
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Hi, sorry yes, same person. Would have been born late 1800s, i know she was still alive in 1970. I cant find her which is odd as she was well know in Peebles.
Alan
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Just because she lived in Peebles doesn't mean she was actually born there. Any luck in finding her in 1901 and 1911 census records?
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Hi, and thank you, no luck finding her date of birth anywhere.
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Did she not live in Aberdeen after WWII (or is this a different Miss Madge R. Smith)?
Madge is usually a nickname for Margaret so Madge might not be the name that appears in official records.
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sorry apart from her ww1 time am at a loss.
Alan
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Perhaps get in touch with the person who wrote this article as he may have more details not used in it or be able to suggest further resources to research-
http://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/what-s-on/borders-women-serve-in-wwi-1-3602898
Not much detail here but gives a few other sources to query-
https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/4965748
http://scottishwomenshospitals.co.uk/peebles-inerleithen-and-wakerburn/
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A possible reference to Madge...
...Also in 1965, the splendid entrance screen, which contains as comprehensive Christian symbolism as can be seen in Scotland, was gifted by the Misses Madge and Eleanor Ramsay-Smith. The ladies were responsible also for the enlargement of the vestibule...
http://historyofpeebles.com/Page252.html
Monica
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Allan, Madge not there, but interesting entry from 1901 possibly for the Ramsay-Smith family?
Eleanor Cumstie 78 living on own means, b. Bonawe [sic], Argyllshire
James George Cumstie 40 son b. Oban, Argyllshire
Isabella Ramsay Smith 43 daughter b. Oban, Argyllshire
Eleanor Ramsay Smith 18 grandchild b. Peebles, peebleshire
Catherine Ann Cumming 23 servant
Mary Comrie Mcpherson 24 servant
Address: Hollymount Villa, Oban Argyll
Monica
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Hi All,
Happy New Year to all, found a nice wee titbit in the Scotsman of March 22, 1911.
" The marriage arranged between Mr J. M. Handasyde Dick, Manchester to Miss Madge Ramsay Smith, Kingsmuir Hall, Peebles will not now take place."
I have searched for "Ramsay Smith" in the Scotsman, and Mr J Ramsay Smith possibly the father of Madge and Eleanor, was a Solicitor, Council Clerk of Peebles. He was well known in Unionist circles also.
Tom

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Hi,
Found the MC of John Ramsay Smith to Isabella Cumstie in St Giles, Edinburgh in 1894. John and Ramsay were shown as forenames rather than surname of Ramsay Smith. Perhaps MC would show full names.
Tom
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Hi Tom
Happy New Year to you too :)
That looks very likely like Madge and Eleanor's parents' details you would think.
How sad to have to make an public announcement that a marriage would not be taking place :-\
Monica
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Hi Monica,
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Yes, I think that public announcement, never mind how much it was meant, would leave a stigma to the young Madge, in her social circle. Looks like that neither her or sister, Eleanor were married.
Had a wee "google" at her ex-suitor, J.M. Handasyde Dick, his father had a large business in Hope Street in Glasgow. May have to spend a wee bit more time, to see if he got married etc.
Tom
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Madge Ramsay Smith's intended husband was James Murray Handasyde DICK (sorry-Smith was a slip of the pen!) who was born in Glasgow in 1879. (646/02 1018). He went on to marry Mary Watson in Hampstead in the 3rd quarter of 1914 (1a 1691). Their son John was killed in action on 2nd November 1942, aged 25, and is buried in El Alamein Cemetery, Egypt. He was serving with The King's Shropshire Light Infantry. His parents were at that time living at The Oaks, Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
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Many thanks
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Hi Alan,
Are you still looking for more info on Madge?
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Hello SWH1,
For some reason I always thought Madge was a short form of Marjory, but, after reading 'aghadowey's' post, found a possible death on Scotlandspeople.
Margaret Ramsay Smith died 1977 at Peebles, Peebleshire aged 92yrs.
Only one Margaret Ramsay Smith born in Scotland 1880-1890 and that too is Peebles in 1884. Might be worth checking.
Regards, Dod.
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I have a copy of Madge Ramsay Smith's birth certificate. She was born in Peebles on 31st July 1884 and her name is "Margaret". Her parents were John Ramsay Smith, solicitor, and Mary Graham Ramsay Smith MS Norwell. They had been married on 14th June 1883 in Edinburgh. In the case of Mary Ramsay Smith, the "Ramsay" has been added.
I know that Madge and her sister were considered exemplary gentlewomen in Peebles, cultured and involved in all sorts of charitable works. I have a watercolour presented by them (perhaps even painted by one of them) to my father when he retired from the local bank. Madge's brave, humanitarian work during World War 1 is legendary and she is celebrated in the local museum as a famous daughter of the town.
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Hello,
Looks like Margaret in Tunbridge Wells, Kent in 1911, along with a Mary Ramsay Smith. Can't find her in 1901.
Regards, Dod.
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I have now found on Scotlandspeople the death registration of John Ramsay Smith, Madge's father. He died in Peebles on 18th February 1947 and the informant was his daughter Madge. He is said to be the widower of 1) Mary Graham Norwell and 2) Isabella Cumslie. He was 92 and his death was certified by Dr Temple whom I remember well from my childhood!
John's death registration is 768/00 019
Madge's birth registration is 768/00 0075
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Always some great help on here. Many thanks everyone.