On the evening of Thursday 13 November 1930 Robert Rae, my 11 year old first cousin (3 times removed), was playing with some friends in a local contractor's yard. What happened next was quite horrific as this newspaper report shows. Reading the report, the story doesn't quite ring true. An eleven year old boy worried … Continue reading “Unusual Occurrence” – Robert Rae 1919-1977
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A New Life in Australia- Grace Halliday Rae 1861-1945
My great great grandmother Grace Halliday Rae was born in Scotland but died thousands of miles away in Australia. She had left behind her parents, siblings and even her first born child. During her life she faced many hardships, rejection and abuse. It wasn't until later in life that she found some peace and happiness. … Continue reading A New Life in Australia- Grace Halliday Rae 1861-1945
Stories From The Poor House (Part 1)
The North Lanarkshire Poor Law Applications are now available online via Ancestry. I have visited North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre in Motherwell on a number of occasions looking for specific records and it is amazing and quite moving to see the original registers however, until I have had the time to look through the online records, … Continue reading Stories From The Poor House (Part 1)
A Young Mother – Mary Dunbar Rae 1877-1901
Mary Dunbar Rae was born in Dalmellington, Ayrshire on 18 July 1877. She was the youngest child of my 3x great grandparents, Thomas Rae and Ann Symington. Her sister Grace was my great great grandmother. In 1879 Grace gave birth to my great grandfather, Robert Armstrong Rae. Her son was illegitimate and, unable to take … Continue reading A Young Mother – Mary Dunbar Rae 1877-1901
Learning From My Mistakes – Robert Armstrong Rae 1879-1952
My great grandfather, Robert Armstrong Rae was born on 26 December 1879 in the picturesque village of Dalserf in Lanarkshire. He was my father’s paternal grandfather. The first record I found for Robert was his marriage record which showed his parents as Thomas Rae and Ann Symington. Through further research it appeared that Robert was … Continue reading Learning From My Mistakes – Robert Armstrong Rae 1879-1952
An Unwanted Child- Thomas Rae 1898- 1898
My great grandparents, Robert Armstrong Rae and Margaret McGarrity had their first child just two months after their marriage in April 1899. They were the parents of my paternal grandfather and their marriage took place at their home in Craigneuk, Lanarkshire. The bride would have been quite obviously pregnant and this may have caused some … Continue reading An Unwanted Child- Thomas Rae 1898- 1898
