Bain Family History

The Bains, as might be readily deduced, are my father’s family. Their family history, which runs to around 450 pages, covers their story from the late 18th century to the present, and traces my numerous ancestors and their descendants within Scotland, Canada and the United States. Among the various themes that dominate the Bains’ story …

Bamford Family History

Harriette Bamford (1888-1961) and Rev. Will Hanson (1874-1955) on their wedding day, Newtownbreda, Belfast, 1912. Included are several members of the Bamford family and the officiating minister, Rev. Dr Workman. The Bamfords are my mother’s family. They originated from Lancashire, specifically from a farming community between Preston and Liverpool and came to Ireland during the …

Boal Family History

My great-great-uncle Pastor Sam Boal (1866-1922) standing on a captured German gun, addressing a WW1 recruitment rally in Trafalgar Square, London. The Boals are my maternal grandmother’s family. They came to Ireland during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century from such parishes as Glasserton around Luce Bay in Southwest Scotland. They have been …

Bowie Family History

The Bowies, whose roots are in Clackmannanshire, are my paternal great grandmother’s family. Many members of later generations were still living in the county at the end of the 20th century, although several had moved to the Scottish cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Stirling. The Bowies were a working-class family and many individuals in …

Sayers Family History

Little is known of the Sayerses, my maternal great great great grandmother’s family before the 18th century except that they came from England to Ireland during the Plantation of the early 17th century. They were significant landowners and businessmen in Belfast in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, although subsequent generations were less financially …

Smart Family History Vol. I

My great-uncle Robert Smart (1877-1915) in one of his earliest cars in Scotland, before emigrating toAustralia in 1910 The Smarts are my paternal grandmother’s family. They originated in St. Vigeans, a small village and parish in Angus (previously Forfarshire) immediately to the north of Arbroath in Scotland. I have traced the Smarts back to the …

Smart Family History Vol. II

The Smarts are my paternal grandmother’s family. They originated in St. Vigeans, a small village and parish in Angus (previously Forfarshire) immediately to the north of Arbroath in Scotland. I have traced the Smarts back to the mid-18th century, and their family history runs to two volumes The family came from humble beginnings and many …

Stalker Family History

Like the Bowies, the Stalkers, my paternal great great great grandmother’s family, have deep roots in Clackmannanshire. Most of them lived, worked and died in the county’s main towns of Alloa, Alva, Sauchie, Tillicoultry, and Tullibody, although several members of later generations moved to the Scottish cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling. The Stalkers were …

Wallace Family History

My paternal great grandmother’s family, the Wallaces, have been traced to Fettercairn, a small village in Kincardineshire, which is now part of the Aberdeenshire council area. They later moved to Logie Pert in Angus (formerly Forfarshire) and subsequent generations settled primarily in the county town of Arbroath and further south in Kirkcaldy, Leslie and the …

Wilkie Family History

My paternal great great grandmother’s family, the Wilkies, were traced back to Kirriemuir, a town in Angus (previously Forfarshire) located on the Eastern Coast of Scotland. The Wilkies were, and remain, very much rooted in Scotland, and many were living and working in Angus and the Dundee City area at the end of the 20th …