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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Ross & Cromarty => Topic started by: Poodlz on Tuesday 19 May 15 02:47 BST (UK)
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Hi
I am trying to trace more information of the Grants in Contin. I have my Gt, Gt Grandfather Donald Grant married Agnes Tait and have census records 1851, 1861, 1871 & 1881. My Gt Grandfather William came to New Zealand with his brother Andrew and we have all their family records. We also have Jessie Grant who married John Roderick Aitken, but we can't find some of the other children; especially Lachlan. Lachlan came to New Zealand at some stage and we have found his son James Aitken Alexander Grant born 1905 here in NZ. We are not certain, but think Simon Grant may have gone to Australia. Information found on a web site here in NZ: Grants of Willowbank, Temuka & Elloughton gives us some confirmation of our research. In that article it also mentions William's cousin Simon McKenzie who came to NZ from Australia and we have found his family here in NZ but can't find the trace of him in Scotland i.e. parents. We believe his family went to Australia and had a cattle/sheep station and he then came to NZ. We have found Andrew Grant's son William Thomas Grant died in 1945 in Gunnedah, NSW so whether this is/was around where the McKenzie's settled we don't know, but would be grateful for help. Obviously there is a strong tie between the Grants & McKenzie's which would suggest that my Gt Gt Grandfather's sister married a McKenzie??
Would be grateful for any information that can be traced.
Cheers
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Hello Poodlz,
There is a birth record showing on family search for Simon MacKenzie, 8 April 1858, parents Alexander MacKenzie & Janet Grant in Contin. But Contin is in Ross & Cromarty, not Inverness shire.
If this is the right person for you, perhaps the post could be moved to the Ross & Cromarty board?
brigau
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Thanks for your reply - not so familiar with the counties of Scotland - Census records in some state Inverness-shire! If my message can be moved to Ross Cromarty - how do I do that?
Simon was married in New Zealand in 1894 so not too sure if this marriage would fit - would need to find his birth? The other connections would be to find Janet Grant's parents??
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But Poodlz, that record was for Simon MacKenzie's birth in 1858 so it's perfectly feasible for him to marry in NZ in 1894.
Don't worry about moving the post, a moderator will do it if thought appropriate. I just pointed out the location of Contin for clarification.
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There were Grants in Jamestown near Contin, I came across them when looking up my own Grant's in Urray parish.
Skoosh.
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Thanks Br1gau, In my morning stupor I thought it was Marriage. Finding it hard to verify birth as I can't find a death in New Zealand - they must have gone back to Australia, all their children were born here!
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Poodlz, found this stuff on the Contin Grant's,
Deaths,
William Grant, farmer, 82, Jamestown, 1857, f.Colin Grant, m.Margaret Tulloch, inf' Alexander Grant, son.
Murdo Grant, 18 mth, Gherbad, 18 Aug'1858, f,John Grant, shepherd, m.Janet Finlayson.
Colin Grant, drapers apprentice, 18, Jamestown,1859, f.Donald Grant, crofter, inf, m.Ann Cameron
Alexander Grant, labourer,76, Clachuil, 13 Dec'1860, f.Alexander Grant, teacher, m.Janet Ross, inf' Colin Grant, nephew.
Colin Grant, merchant, 67, Arcan, Urray, 26 Jan'1860, f.Kenneth Grant, farm servant, m.Catherine MacDonald, inf' Kenneth Grant, son.
Catherine Grant, schoolmistress, 81, Clachuil, 10 Dec'1860, f.Alexander Grant, teacher, m.Janet Ross. inf' Colin Grant.
Jean Grant, Redfield, Allangrange, Knockbain, f.John Grant, labourer & Jean MacDonald, inf' Alexander Grant, uncle.
Births,
Catherine Grant, dau' of Alexander Grant, society schoolmaster & Isobel Ross, Fairburn, Urray, b.2 Dec'1781.
Kenneth Grant, son of Alpin Grant & Janet Fraser, Milbuie, b.24 Dec'1781.
Elizabeth Grant, dau' of Alexander Grant & Isobel Mathieson, Arcan, Urray, b.28 Mar'1778.
Duncan Grant son of John Grant & Grizzel Beaton, in Kinloch Ussie, b.Feb'1778.
Donald Grant, son of Donald Grant & Isobel Kennedy, Arcan, Urray, b.4 Feb'1777.
Alexander Grant, son of Alpin Grant & Janet Fraser, Muir of Tarradale, Urray, b.25 Oct'1776.
William Grant, son of Alexander Grant, schoolmaster & Isobel Ross, Fairburn, Urray, b.25 Jun'1775.
John Grant, son of Alexander Grant & Mary Mackenzie, Barnyards, b.26 Oct'1774.
Roderick Grant, son of John Grant & Grizzel Beaton, Loch Ussie, b.29 Sep'1774.
1871 Census, Urray,
Ann Grant, widow, 59, Arcan, b. Urray, Kenneth Grant, son,39, unmarried, b.Urray, Colina Grant, dau' 20, unmarried, Balbraid, b.Urray.
Hope this rings a bell somewhere,
Skoosh.
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Hello both,
Skoosh, I grant you, that's an awful lot of Grants!
Poodlz,
This is the family group I referred to. The records are from family search, but I can’t find a definitive census for them.
Alexander MacKenzie m. Janet Grant 22 Aug 1842 Fodderty, R&C
Children:
Simon b. 8 Apr 1858 Contin
Mary 6 Oct 1860 Urray
Lachlan b. 2 Mar1864 Lochbroom
Since then I had a look at the website referred to in your first post and notice that Simon McKenzie was a second cousin to William & Andrew. There is also this:
Simon Grant McKENZIE owned Raincliff from 1920 to 1926. He purchased Clayton Station 30th July 1925 for his three sons and then sold Raincliff. Simon was born in Australia and came across to Canterbury in the 1880s and started buying up land and stock at a time when the very depressed prices of the time were on the rise. He was related to William Grant who worked with him. They had previously owned stations in the Mackenzie and Simon had interests in four stations in Queensland, Australia.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nzlscant/raincliff.htm
So this points to a birth in Australia but I cannot find one, or say how reliable this article is, but BEWARE of Simon Grant McKenzie of Ballarat, VIC, apparently a shepherd born Ross shire ca1829, who married Ann Cameron 1850 VIC; a different person altogether!
And from the Australian newspapers:
TOURIST AREAS NOT SERIOUSLY AFFECTED.
That the earthquakes in New Zealand should not in any way interfere with the tourist traffic to that country was; the opinion expressed by Mr. Marcus Marks yesterday. Mr. Marks is the retired Government Printer of New Zealand, and the Government representative on various boards there. He was passing through by the steamer Talplng on his way to China, Japan, the Malay Peninsula, and Java. Accompanying him Is Mr. Simon Mackenzie, & well-known sheep station owner of the South Island. They left to-day tor Northern ports on the way to China.
[Brisbane Courier 22 Jun 1929]
brigau
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Hi again,
Not sure if you have these references, Poodlz, or how much information can be gleaned from a NZ death cert but the last entry for Simon Grant MacKenzie looks a fair match and points to a birth ca1858.
1947/18069 MacKenzie Hugh Simon 75Y
1952/33169 MacKenzie Simon 65Y
1941/28538 Mackenzie Simon Grant 83Y
https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/search/
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Thanks Br1gau & Skoosh....Br1gau I think you may have found them and my mix up is with the Mc's & Mac's. Given Simon's birth 1858 and death 1941 I would think that maybe he is of a second cousin as William Grant who was born in 1843 so was 15 years older. I have the 1851 Census record for Donald Grant (William's father) so that would say that it Janet Grant is a daughter of one of Donald's brothers?? Perhaps as you say Br1gau we need a census record? I think we are on the right track thou as death records (which I have now found under Mackenzie!!) would give the correct year and the article in regarding him owning Raincliff Station (I had also found this) also links with the information we know, but can't find any Australian references!
Thanks for all your help, would be very grateful if you could find a census record?
Cheers
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Mc & Mac usage meant very little, members of the same family often used different forms & individuals also used both during their lives. In documents it depended on the clerk who wrote it, the people had little occasion to use surnames and used their patronymic amongst themselves.
These Grant's would have been tenants on the various MacKenzie estates which filled Mid-Ross, Contin was possibly MacKenzie of Coul, most of these lairds also had property in Wester Ross where that clan originated and often went back there in Summer. A death in one of these laird's families when they were at the west coast meant a long trek with the coffin over the hills, involving hundreds of bearers for burial at Fortrose etc'.
Skoosh.
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Surely Simon MacKenzie’s marriage record of 1894 will give you his father’s name, if not his mother’s? Without confirming this from a primary source it’s really just ifs and maybes. The article linked to yesterday says that he was born in Australia, but is that correct? I cannot see a way of contacting the author, or find any birth record in SA, VIC, QLD or NSW.
There are some family files kept at the Archives in Christchurch. The 1941 record, possibly Simon MacKenzie’s Disposition, may have more information about extended family via bequests.
Timaru Probate Files
MACKENZIE Simon - Otumarama - Sheepfarmer 1941 Timaru Court Office, Chch
MACKENZIE Alister Bain Simon - Timaru - Farmer 1976 Timaru Court Office, Chch
MACKENZIE Simon Grant - Timaru – Farmer 1979 Timaru Court Office , Chch
I can see that Simon MacKenzie & Frances Cotter’s children born in NZ were:
1895 Alistair Bain Simon Mackenzie
1899 Richard Joseph Ian MacKenzie
1901 Simon Grant MacKenzie
1904 Jessie Frances Mary MacKenzie
1910 Mary Stuart Seaforth MacKenzie
The convention in Scotland, although not always strictly adhered to, was to name the first son after his paternal grandfather and the first daughter after her maternal grandmother, so remember that Alistair is the Gaelic form of Alexander, and the informal Jessie is interchangeable with the more formal Janet.
Going back to Scotland:
Alexander MacKenzie m. Janet Grant 22 Aug 1842 Fodderty, R&C
1851 Parish 60, Drommanguish, Contin, Ross shire
Alexander Mckenzie 35 Shepherd Lochbroom
Janet Mckenzie 31 Contin
Janet Mckenzie 7 Contin
Peter Mckenzie 3 Contin
Margaret Mckenzie 1 Contin
Janet Mclennan 70 Sheep Farmer’s wife Contin
Betty McLennan 27 Servant Contin
Simon Grant 48 Shepherd/visitor Contin
Alexander Grant 28 Shepherd/visitor Contin
John Mckenzie 27 Shepherd/visitor Lochbroom
1861 Parish 85, Urray, Ross shire
Alexd. M’Kenzie 43 Shepherd Lochbroom
Janet Grant 40 Wife Contin
Janet M’Kenzie 17 Fodderty (20 Jan 1843)
Alexd. M’Kenzie 15 Scholar Fodderty
Peter M’Kenzie 13 Scholar Fodderty
Margaret M’Kenzie 11 Scholar Contin
? Male M’Kenzie 9 Scholar Contin (possibly Thos.)
John M’Kenzie 7 Scholar Contin
Cathr. M’Kenzie 5 Scholar Contin
Simon M’Kenzie 2 Contin (8 Apr 1858)
Mary M’Kenzie 6 months Urray (6 Oct 1860)
Then there was Lachlan b. 2 Mar1864 Lochbroom but I cannot find this family as a discreet unit in 1871
Looking at the 1851 family group, it suggests that Janet’s parents were Alexander Grant & Janet McLennan. Their children from family search are Janet Grant b. 12 May 1818 Contin & Alexander Grant b. 15 Nov 1822 Contin, but there were probably more.
You really do need that 1894 marriage cert!
AMMENDED: I'm sorry Poodlz. That can't be right. I'm not seeing the wood for the trees!
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Urray Grant's.
John Grant, son of Gregory Grant, excise officer, Fairburn division & spouse Mrs Ann Stewart at Burntoun, baptised 10 Jan' 1776, witnesses, Donald MacLeod, minister, Glenelg, Ronald Sutherland, tenant, Burntoun, Thomas MacLean, schoolmaster, Urray & baptised by Rev Dr Grant, Urray.
Issue,
Ann Grant, b.27 Feb' 1775
John Grant, b.5 Jan' 1776.
Lilly Grant, b.19 Oct' 1779.
Grigal Grant, b.2 Oct' 1781.
Isaac Grant, b.8 Jan' 1783.
George Grant, b.10 Aug' 1788.
Francis Grant, b.7 May 1791.
Alexander Grant, 13 Jan' 1793.
I don't think this Gregory Grant was a native of the district, it's unlikely that an exciseman would be sent to his home patch, maybe Speyside? My own ancestor was a George Grant but this lot look a bit middle class for us? :)
Skoosh.
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Lachlan Grant, son of Donald Grant & Agnes Tait:
1871 Parish 74 Lochalsh
Old Craig
Donald Grant 49 Shepherd Contin
Agnes Grant 47 Kintail
Simon Grant 14 Scholar Kilmallie
John Grant 12 Scholar Kilmallie
Lachlan Grant 9 Scholar Kilmallie
George Grant 7 Scholar Kilmallie
Jessie Grant 3 Kilmallie
Christy Kennedy 15 Servant Locharron
1881 & 1891 census not found
1889 Lachlan Grant, son of Donald Grant & Agnes Tait, married Jane Aitken, Lanarkshire
1901 Parish 91B Kilmallie, Western Arisiag
Glenfinnan
Lachlan Grant 44 Farmer/Grazier Kilmallie?, Inv sh
Jane Grant 28 Lochalsh, Ross
Andrew Donald Grant 5 months Moidart, Inv sh
Elzie Matheson 21 Dom servant Lochalsh, Ross
Murdo McDonald 45 Shepherd Ross
John McIntyre 16 Herd boy Kilmallie
1905 James Aitken Alexander Grant born Ross & Cromarty
1911 census Kilmallie
Lachlan Grant 58
Jane Grant
Andrew Donald Grant
James Aitken Grant
1913 Lachlan Grant died Kirkhill, Inverness shire
1949 Jane Grant, other name Aitken, aged 78, died Inverness/Inverness shire
All BMD certs & census entries can be found at http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/search/
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My own Urray Grants used the names George, Roderick, Murdo, Evan, James & John. Roderick was favoured by the MacKenzie's of Fairburn, so a popular name in the parish. My ancestor George Grant was, according to a family story, originally from Rothiemurchus but fell out with his father & moved north, how much credence can you give such stories? George does sound a bit Hanovarian, most of the clan Grant were, but not the Glenmorrison Grants who were nearest to Contin & Urray etc', and who suffered badly in the aftermath of the '45.
Skoosh.
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Names are funny things aren't they Skoosh. We had the name Essex running through our family for 1 1/2 centuries. It was brought to Roxburgh by Essex Mostyn, wife of the first duke there. When I suggest it to my daughter as a possible name for her own daughter, she cringes!
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An Essex Girl? ;D
Skoosh.
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But it comes from the bluest of blood, although that was exactly the expression on my daughter's face!
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Hi Poodlz, I don't know if you have these records, but you can confirm the deaths of Donald Grant & Agnes Tait by downloading the certificates from scotland's people. They will give both their parents names and therefore take you back a generation. They may also shed some light on the Simon Grant Mackenzie connection. The death certs I've picked out are only suggestions, but to me look the most likely. I could, of course be wrong.
1881 Parish 99/2 Kilmonivaig, Lochaber
Donald Grant /74 /Shepherd /Contin
Agnes Grant /68 /Kintail
John Grant /30 /Kilmallie
George Grant /25 /Unemployed Shepherd/ Kilmallie
Jessie Grant /21/ Dom Servant/ Lochalsh
Eliza Minings /77/ Wife of Clock Cleaner/ Born at Sea
Alexander Campbell /21/ Servant/ Kingussie
Donald Cameron /25 / Under Gamekeeper/ Employee/ Kingussie
1881 – 1891 Donald Grant b. 1807 +/- 5 years: 6 deaths in Inverness; 2 possible ones in Lochaber, his last known address
1899 Lachlan Grant rented Kindrummond, annual rent £72
http://digital.nls.uk/directories/browse/pageturner.cfm?id=85909998&mode=transcription
http://www.mocavo.co.uk/The-County-Directory-of-Scotland-1893-1896-Volume-1893-1896/935227/302
1891 District 96A Dores, Inv sh, Kindrummond
Agnes Grant /76/ Farmer’s mother/ Kintail, Ross
Simon Grant/ 41/ Farmer’s brother/ Kilmallie
George Grant/36/ Farmer’s brother/ Kilmallie
Jessie Grant/ 28/ Farmer’s sister/ Kilmallie
John Finlayson/ 16/ Farm Servant/ Croy
Cath McKenzie/ 15 Dom Servant/ Contin
1897 Agnes Grant, other name Tait, born 1817, died Croy, Inverness shire
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Wow, have only just found your post Br1gau I didn't get notified! Overwhelmed that you have found Lachlan for me. Interesting his sister Jessie married John Roderick Aitken wouldn't be surprised to find that Jane Aitken was sister. Haven't digested it all yet, will come back tonight when I get home, but thank you so much for your help. I will be ordering Simon Mackenzie's Marriage & Death certificate to verify, but I don't think he was born in Australia either!
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There is quite a lot of information to sort through, isn't there, but I'll just post this reference to Lachlan Grant's Disposition, mainly because it gives his correct address, rather than the strange version printed in the Timaru Herald! As you can see he died intestate so it won't hold much information beyond debts & assets; historically interesting nonetheless. Wills and Testaments can be downloaded for 10 credits from scotland's people. If you've not used the site before, 30 credits cost about $14 -$15 NZ
GRANT LACHLAN 05/02/1914 FARMER AND SHEEP DEALER, ALTNACARDOCH, LENTRAN, D. 27/06/1913 AT ALTNACARDOCH, INTESTATE. INVERNESS SHERIFF COURT SC29/44/56 (3 pages)
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Guys, I've just posted up a thread on the Ross & Cromarty board on the Tenant List at Fairburn & old estate map, my Grant's are in Orrinside, the others I don't recognise.
Skoosh.
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Had a look, it's an amazing resource! Thank you Skoosh
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Hi Skoosh,
Many thanks for posting Grant death notices! You included one for a distant aunt of mine named Catherine Grant (daughter of Alexander Grant and Janet Ross). The information will help me piece together my maternal Grant tree. Catherine and I share Alexander (my 6th great-grandfather). Alexander was a schoolmaster for the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge in Urrray, lived at the Fairburn Estate, and died there in 1818. He was married at least two times. His first wife (name unknown) is my connection. His second wife, Janet Ross, was Catherine's connection.
Best regards,
Richard
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Richard, I have a note of a birth of Katherine Grant to Alexander Grant, schoolmaster, Fairburn, 2 Dec' 1781 & Isobel Ross and the death of Alexander Grant, labourer, 76 Clachuil, f. Alexander Grant, m. Janet Ross, 13 Dec' 1860, info' Colin Grant, nephew.
Skoosh
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Many thanks, Skoosh!
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Potentially unrelated to your Grants but my 4x g-grandmother Margaret Grant was born abt 1778 in Contin. She had a number of children with a Finlay Cameron in Contin. I can't find many records regarding her. I feel she may have died prior to the 1855 start of civil registration. She was in the 1851 census at Drynie Park, Killearnan.
Finlay Cameron and Margaret Grant had the following children all born Contin.
Duncan b.1808
Ann b.1811
Margaret b.1813
John b.1814
Mary b.1819
Jean b.1821
Margaret Grant is a bit of a dead end of me due to the lack of info out there on her.
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I am a descendant of Roderick Grant of Urray ,his son murdo being my line wondered what info i can give you or you could help me with?
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Urray, is that the Roderick Grant who married Ann Gray 1 Dec' 1847? they lived at Orrinside, Urray. Their son Murdo was 18 in 1881.
Skoosh.
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Yes,Murdo is my great great grandfather
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Murdo, his older brother George was my great grandfather. A nice discovery & a happy St Andrew's Day! Once you make another couple of posts we can use the PM cousin! ;D
Skoosh.
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Did george marry Helen Mackenzie.
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I have been fortunate in having someone from my post two years ago who did a great deal of research for me and found all the Grants descendants from Alexander Grant b.1772 m. Jessie (Janet) McLennan and I have no Rodericks and no daughters.
All children were born in Contin and several of the children came to New Zealand
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George did marry Helen Mackenzie, she came from Fearn & they brought up their family in the Townhead, Glasgow. Roddy, Johnnie, Andrew & Annie. Andrew, called after Helen's father, was my grandfather.
Skoosh.
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yes i have been looking out all my papers its been a while since i looked found sheets on them cant remember who gave them to me they are typed out do you know Georges other siblings i have a list.
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Thats funny by fathers side were from Fearn although its my mothers side the Grants
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Urray, I shall try sending you a PM as you've made enough posts to qualify.
Skoosh.
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Skoosh and urray. I have a connection to the Grants of Orrinside...
My great-grandmother Mary Cowan, and her sister Maggie Cowan, were both born 'illegitimately' in Maryhill Glasgow 1907 and 1906. In 1911 they were living with their grandfather Donald Cowan, originally from Southend, Argyll. By August 1914 they were admitted into Marybank school, and Miss C Grant of Orrinside is given as their guardian. I believe she is Catherine Grant, daughter of Roderick Grant and Anne Gray.
Mary Cowan grew up at Orrinside before getting married and settling in Cromarty. I don't really know why two girls from Glasgow, with Argyll relations, ended up at Orrinside. It appears they were fostered just as the First World War was starting. Their mother Maggie was still alive in 1932, married and working as a hospital nurse.
I just thought I'd share that with you in case you might be able to help fill in the gaps. Are you aware of Catherine Grant?
Alasdair
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Alasdair, Urray will probably know the answer to this story. Glasgow Corporation sent orphaned weans all over the Highlands for fostering or adoption.
Skoosh.
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Thanks Skoosh. I’ll try contacting Glasgow City Archives for any advice they can give, but hopefully Urray knows something.
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Bit late to the party, but the place of death in the clip from the Timaru Herald is misspelled.
It will be Alltnacardoch, Lentran not Tentram, which does not exist.
See http://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/NH5845
Lentran is in the parish of Kirkhill and Lachlan Grant's death was registered in Kirkhill.
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Hello all,
During the current lockdown I've done a bit of searching for my mum's New Zealand relatives. My great grandfather's brother Joseph Ashwell, born 1859 in Lewisham London emigrated to New Zealand in 1878. In a letter home within a few days of his arrival he mentions a fellow passenger, a Scotsman named Grant.
He married a Cordelia Green and their daughter Cordelia Helen Ashwell married a Lachlan John Grant. I think his father was an Andrew Grant and grandfather Donald Grant. I think they emigrated to New Zealand from Ross and Cromarty.
During World War 1 two of Joseph and Cordelia's sons (Cordelia Grant's brothers) served on the Western Front. Leslie Ashwell was wounded but returned to New Zealand. Sidney Herbert Ashwell died of wounds at Bagneux, Antony, Seine, France September 1918. Sidney had visited my mothers family on leave early in 1918 and made a great impression on my 7 year old mother.
My mother often talked about the Grants in New Zealand and how Cordelia sent parcels of treats from New Zealand. She was obviously very fond of the family in New Zealand as my elder brother has the middle name Grant. Unfortunately I didn't get details of the Grants before my mother died. But I think they lived in the Temuka? area of New Zealand. I think Lachlan and Cordelia had children named Andrew Ashwell,Lachlan Ashwell, Cordelia and Sidney Ashwell.
I have a PDF copy of the diary Joseph Ashwell kept during his voyage to New Zealand, my mother copied this document, the original must have gone to a different branch of the Ashwell family, that I'd like to pass on to a descendant of Joseph's if they don't already have a copy. As far as I'm aware the descendants of Lachlan and Cordelia are only survivors of Joseph Ashwell's children.
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Alasdair, did Urray explain who Catherine Grant was? Urray is better clued up on the family than myself as she lives locally. There were two Catherine's & the one you're after was indeed the daughter of Roderick Grant & Ann Gray, she registered his death in 1908. The other was a daughter of Murdo, one of the younger of Roderick's sons. My g't grandfather George was the oldest of that big family & moved to Glasgow. The Glasgow Fair saw the Grant's back in Orrinside, my lot went to Fearn to the Mackenzie's the first week & the Muir the second week. Where they all slept is a mystery? ;D
I have heard them talk about Maggie Cowan when I was young, did she not work at Strathpeffer & walk over to Aultgowrie on her days off?
In March 1896 the steading was completely destroyed by fire, Roderick & his wife retired for the night when a labourer James Stewart, who had been staying at Orrinside when constructing drains in the district, arrived very late & spent the night in the steading. In the morning Mrs Grant went outside about seven to attend to the cows only to find the steading a blackened ruin & two cows & her husband's horse completely consumed. Roderick also discovered the body of James Stewart amongst the embers, his legs entirely burnt away. The Procurator, Chief Constable & Dr Adams concluded that the exact cause would never be known but as Stewart was a pipe-smoker it was likely he fell asleep in the straw which caught fire!
Fairburn Tower Project, the Cowan girls would have passed this every day going to school,
https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/support-us/projects-and-appeals/fairburn-tower-appeal/
Bests,
Skoosh.
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Hi Sandy I'm Andrew Grants gr gr gr great grandson Andrew and Williams came to New Zealand on the Eastern Empire in 1862 and landed in Lyttelton (christchurch) they worked on the Orari station before becoming wealthy land owners and stock dealers. I'm doing family research at the moment and have been in contact with the Ashwells and they would love a copy of your letter thats amazing you have them!
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Hi poodlz my name is Kelsey and my great ×4 grandfather is Andrew Grant, William Grant was born on Kirkan farm, in the parish of Contin, Ross-shire, Scotland, on 23rd September 1845, the son of Ann Tait and her husband, Donald Grant, a shepherd. With an older brother, Andrew, William set out for New Zealand in 1864 on the Eastern Empire, arriving at Lyttelton in January 1865, he was only 19 years of age. They had at least one border collie dog with them on board, and C.G. I'm only aware of John Andrew and William but I'm told Donald and Ann Tait had other children do you know anything about that? I have loads of info on Andrews side of the family and this on Williams side. Ellen and William GRANT
1885 Grant Donald d. 1950
1887 Grant Jessie d. 1888
1888 Grant Joy Elizabeth aka Ivy d. 1965
1890 Grant Robert Allan d. 1943
1895 Grant Andrew d. 1954
I also have ship records of them arriving in Lyttelton if you want them happy to help you and anyone else :)
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Hi Skoosh, i have only just noticed your comment. Urray was a great help thanks. I have found much more info on my Cowans after looking into the Glasgow poor relief records. I think you're correct, Maggie did live and work in Strathpeffer. My great uncle gave me a copy of a photo he said is Catherine Grant, Mary Cowan, and an unknown boy outside the cottage in Orrinside.
That's really great to see the plans for Fairburn Tower. It'll be interesting to see it restored.
Cheers,
Alasdair
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Keep up the good work kid! ;D
Bests,
Skoosh.
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Hi Sandy, in reply to your message about the Ashwells, you mentioned Joseph's sons Les and Sid and daughter Cordelia. Joseph had another son, William Roland, who was my grandfather. His son John is my father and there are many other descendants in NZ and Australia. William was known as Roly. I am doing a tree and would love some of your family's details as I don't have much info on Joseph's siblings and would love to see where you fit in. KGrant has also been helping me with the Grant side of the family.
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In your "Urray Grants" is a Lily Grant, daughter of Gregory Grant. I believe she's my ancestor. There is also a Lily Grant sometimes listed as the daughter of Gregor Grant of Shewglie with the same birth date. I'll have to dig further on this.
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Hello KGrant
Sorry it's been several years since I was here. Lots of other issues have diverted my attention to other things.
I have only just restarted by research into Joseph Ashwell, and have found more details and that linked me back here.
If you still look on this thread please contact me and happily forward any information I have and any relevant photographs
Attached is a copy of the diary and passenger list for Joseph's arrival