One hundred years ago today on St. Valentines Day, 1919, died a Mrs Annie McRae. Born a McRae, she was the daughter of the Rev John (Macrath Mor a Chnuicbhain) MacRae of Knockbain, and wife of 2nd great uncle Reverend Alexander MacRae of the Free Church of Scotland. …
The trail of my Irish ancestors leads from Ireland to Scotland, USA and Canada. Last year I had been researching my ancestors on my mother’s side. In the Censuses of 1911, they are recorded as being of the United Free Church of Scotland and are living in Belfast. They…
About St. Patrick Saint Patrick’s Day (Irish: Lá ’le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig) is an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick (circa AD 385–461), the most commonly recognized of the patron saints of Ireland, and is celebrated on 17th of March. It is celebrated by both Catholics and…
I have a somewhat tattered, antique diary which belonged to my grandfather Frederick Groves Kerley who immigrated to Canada from England in 1910. He carried this very small, leatherbound diary with him from the time of his enlistment with the 1st Canadian Pioneers in August of 1915 until his return…
LEAVING THE HOUSE Parties no longer take place in these rooms; they are empty. Conversations have come to an end. Anyone knocking on the door will no longer ask for me.There are stains on the walls where pictures were hanging. Things were tossed away without regard. There will be no…
Several years ago I became interested in the genealogy of my family when I was given a “starter page” of information compiled by another family member on my father’s side of the family. My mother’s family had plenty of information and photos of generations gone by, so I had a…
