finding the ancestors in less conventional ways

 I have had the frustrations that many armchair, family historians have had - narrowing down which ancestors are mine when the name is common, finding earlier records.

For one of my ancestors, James Christie, I was able to find additional information about him not just from old trade directories, but also thanks to the research of a doctoral candidate in the UK who had kindly posted some of his research on line about the handloom weavers of Perth.

From that, the other existing directories were also easier to find, as was a record of his burial. His name was quite common to the area, so all to say how thinking outside the box, looking for items such as research papers, can be of enormous help!

This is from the 1837 Perth Trade Directory. I found this because of finding the research on Perth weavers beforehand...

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Ancestral travel - Dunning

This is one of many in a series of places I plan to travel to, or have travelled to, where my ancestors lived. As one goes back in generations, the number of spaces where my ancestors lived of course increases, but there are several places that have somewhat captured the imagination for me.

My roots in Dunning were torn out when my 3x ggfather left for Perth, and then Glasgow. Still in the works on documenting the family history in this small, classically beautiful, Scottish village/town, it's all a little muddled. This makes me want to spend time here, to see if I can't feel some of the family history that was abandoned generations ago.

Dunning - when you google search it, how can you not be intrigued. A marker of sorts to the persecution of witches...Saint Serf is said to have killed a dragon there, several thousands of years of potential inhabitants, and picturesque to boot - all the elements for a proper visit in play!

undiscovered Scotland - Dunning

Dunning parish historical society and the 1841 census of Dunning residents (close to its peak thanks to weavers). Dunning standing stones from the same site.

Ancient Scotland - Dunning

The Scotsman's take on St Serf and the dragon

The Dunning Conservation Appraisal has a trove of info on the place!

...and for a bit of fun, I created a Trip on Tripadvisor for Dunning.

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My Margaret Christie

five years ago my father died

and I never felt connected to him

this is partly why I started researching my family tree many years before

to find some connection, for something familiar
through servants and weavers
illicit affairs and suicides

and then - my elusive 3x great grandmother

MARGARET CHRISTIE b 1820, married 1837, d 1889

well, she has been a research challenge

and now I know her, I know what she gave me. She is my first paternal link to health care work, and perhaps I am hers.

her husband committed suicide in 1856, I glean from it that he had possibly been involved in union organizing, and was being banned from other Clydebank factories, and it was publicized enough to find him.

but I have wondered about her - 36 years old in 1856 and 8 children later and a husband who committed a very public suicide in front of his co-workers...well I wasn't sure

I found her..in the 1861 Scotland Census married to a John Stoker (sp Stokes)
The irony is I already have Stokes in my happy Cork family roots

But Margaret - well she must have been so resourceful

she became a MIDWIFE in BELFAST!
I stumbled upon an article in 1869 that mentions her

and she is my first link with my health care career.
so I thank her
and she knows now I carry her with me.
I carry part of her spirit as I also treat others...funny my affinity for treating pregnancy and fertility issues


and now, my 3x greatgrandmother, I can nearly hear you whisper as I work with others.
I trust you are with me.
I carry you
I carry you in every cell

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