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Scotland / Re: Sarah Casson 1703 Scotland (Highlands?)
« on: Monday 11 July 16 17:43 BST (UK) »
Kirsty,
Thanks for that information. It is saved and shall be looked into. Yes, I did contact Berwick Family History. I found them not so helpful. I even offered to pay a researcher (Susie) and she put me off quite a while with personal issues (possibly education, a dissertation or something- I forget) then said she couldn't help me. I'm wanting to look at British records to see if they are any help but don't quite know where to start. The issue with the University of Edinburgh has a twist. The same family lore story states that our 6x-great-grandfather, who allegedly at least began attending the University of Edinburgh was allegedly a personal friend and well liked by the family of the son of "A" Duke of Hamilton. Allegedly George was a tutor of this young man and when they graduated, they traversed the world together for a while - PROBABLY 1745ish (Jacobite Uprising!!). They got in some trouble, angered a few world leaders, then the Duke's son allegedly had official duties in Bermuda and George was assigned as the son's secretary. After some time in Bermuda, George left for the United States because of respiratory issues (Consumption aka TB killed grandparents and all his kids). This sounds flimsy to me. I know Bermuda was having issues or perhaps the two young men no longer were as chummy. Anyhow, these I call family LORE because we have no proof. The entire story of George is quite interesting but it may just be that, a story beefed up to impress and keep his grandchildren's interest and affection. We don't know. There are some elements of truth but trying to sift through the entire story to find the truth and the factual history has proved impossible.
I would like to say, however, that about a week ago my husband and I took an excursion across New York state to the cemetery where George's wife is buried, my 6x-great-grandmother, d. 1806. The stones were nearly impossible to read, but a thunderstorm wet the stone, the sun came out and cast a shadow so that I was able to decifer her name "Martha Hitchcock" and McConnell farther down. Hitchcock was her name in her second marriage. I'm still very thrilled to have been there. The farm is still owned in the family and the side of the house reads "McConnell Farm established 1796." Very exciting. Thanks for your time.
Thanks for that information. It is saved and shall be looked into. Yes, I did contact Berwick Family History. I found them not so helpful. I even offered to pay a researcher (Susie) and she put me off quite a while with personal issues (possibly education, a dissertation or something- I forget) then said she couldn't help me. I'm wanting to look at British records to see if they are any help but don't quite know where to start. The issue with the University of Edinburgh has a twist. The same family lore story states that our 6x-great-grandfather, who allegedly at least began attending the University of Edinburgh was allegedly a personal friend and well liked by the family of the son of "A" Duke of Hamilton. Allegedly George was a tutor of this young man and when they graduated, they traversed the world together for a while - PROBABLY 1745ish (Jacobite Uprising!!). They got in some trouble, angered a few world leaders, then the Duke's son allegedly had official duties in Bermuda and George was assigned as the son's secretary. After some time in Bermuda, George left for the United States because of respiratory issues (Consumption aka TB killed grandparents and all his kids). This sounds flimsy to me. I know Bermuda was having issues or perhaps the two young men no longer were as chummy. Anyhow, these I call family LORE because we have no proof. The entire story of George is quite interesting but it may just be that, a story beefed up to impress and keep his grandchildren's interest and affection. We don't know. There are some elements of truth but trying to sift through the entire story to find the truth and the factual history has proved impossible.
I would like to say, however, that about a week ago my husband and I took an excursion across New York state to the cemetery where George's wife is buried, my 6x-great-grandmother, d. 1806. The stones were nearly impossible to read, but a thunderstorm wet the stone, the sun came out and cast a shadow so that I was able to decifer her name "Martha Hitchcock" and McConnell farther down. Hitchcock was her name in her second marriage. I'm still very thrilled to have been there. The farm is still owned in the family and the side of the house reads "McConnell Farm established 1796." Very exciting. Thanks for your time.