Hi Billy! I am gobsmacked at your messages over the last couple of years which I have spent the whole of tonight reading. My 3xGreat Grandfather was John Anderson (directly through the paternal side) who married Janet Binning. Couldn't believe that Smith Anderson was a Provost in Kilsyth and phoned my dad to tell him, only for him to say "oh yeah ... I do remember that now!!" Whilst I have explored other avenues of the family tree, I have only just started exploring this side. Only two weeks ago I ventured to Kilsyth to look for a graveyard (I'd never been before), eventually found it just as I was about to give up, wandered in and very quickly found the gravestone for my ancestors. Details as follows:
Erected by Smith Anderson in memory of his daughter Janet born 1853 died 1856
Also his son William born 1859 died 1865
The above Smith Anderson born 1826 died 1900
His daughter Jeannie born 1856 died 1901
His wife Marion Benny born 1825 died 1907
His son Smith born 18(6?)1 died 1935
I have also just found the wills of John and Smith Anderson which I am currently working my through to decipher the writing and legal jargon. It would appear however that John had two wives. He left money to his family - James (New York), John (Gateshead, Newcastle), Alexander (Bathgate), William (Denny) and Smith (Denny) to his first wife; John Rae (Illinois), Peter (New York), and Christian (Boston) to his second wife. There is too much to mention here but I'm sure it is all the right family. It would be good to hear your thoughts and if you think these are the same Andersons as yours.
Must get off now. Another late night on the computer!!
