Letters to the Editor Page 4
Any information that comes in regarding any of the Letters to the Editor will be passed on to
the article submitter.
Any information that comes in regarding any of the Letters to the Editor will be passed on to
the article submitter.
L 46 January 8th,2010
Hello Trevor Smurthwaite
My name is Angus MacDonald and I read your letter to The Gympie Times last Saturday,asking for anyone with information on their Scottish descendants to contact you.
I and my sister have done a lot of research on our McDonald family who left the Isle of Skye on the "Midlothian" for New South Wales.I have made this information into a web page below;
www.supernerd.com.au/~angusemacd
Letter kindly submitted by; Angus MacDonald of Gympie,Queensland
L 47 January 8th,2010
Dear Trevor Shetland-Australian family links
For over 5 years I have been managing an online database covering anyone who has links to Shetland,and this includes tens of thousands of persons who left Shetland for Australia and New Zealand,along with other destinations.
This is the result of extensive research of primary sources,and also the feedback of the descendants of those involved in the diapora.
The website address is:
www.bayanne.info/shetland
I do mask any information of anyone still living or presumed to be living.
Letter kindly submitted by; Tony Gott of the Shetland Islands
L 48 January 8th,2010
Hello Trevor re; Scottish roots-Gympie Times
My name is Michele Francis and my great great grandfather was a Scot.
His name was John Ross.He was a leader of the survey party to find the Overland Telegraph Line Route,from S.A to N.T.He was an explorer and station manager in the Northern Territory.John Ross and a small party surveyed the route for the OTL from The Peake,S.A. to Roper River,N.T. a gruelling distance of over 1,700km.
John Ross was born in Firth,Scotland,he came to australia aged 20.I don't have a date of his arrival.
Letter kindly submitted by; Michele Francis of Gympie,Queensland
L 49 January 29th,2010
Hi Trevor
Read your letter in "The Land" newspaper re compilling history of Scottish descendants.
Our family are a direct lineage of one of the many McKenzie immigrants to Victoria.
Do you have a pro-former document to be filled in or do we send you the basic information or family history we have available.
This is a great concept of yours and can only enhance our Scottish history.
Letter kindly submitted by;Bryan McKenzie of Victoria
L 50 January 8th,2010
Hello Trevor Coffs Coast Advocate Article-Scottish Clans
I read with interest the article in todays Coffs Coast Advocate where in you are seeking information about Scottish clans in Australia.
My Grandparents came to Australia from Glasgow and had 2 sons,Robert Watson Cruickshank,my father and his brother James Grant Cruickshank.Cruickshank belongs to the Grant Clan.
I am sending this email to my sister as well to you as she has more information than I do in this matter.
Letter kindly submitted by;Fleur Graham (nee Cruickshank) of Coffs Harbour,NSW
L 51 January 8th,2010
Howdy
Just replying to a letter from the local paper.
I have Scottish heritage.
Hugh Connel McKenzie
born 1.12.1831
Newmilne
Ayrshire
Scotland
He is my Great great grandfather.
My heritage also includes English,Irish and Welsh.
Letter kindly submitted by;Pat,Australia
L 52 January,2010
Dear Trevor
I hope this information may be of some help to you.
Lucy (nee Dent) and George Colquhoun (my grandparents)
Their children were;
Clair (my mum) married Norman Knott 15.8.1938
Lucy (married Bill Chadwick)
Mary (married Colin Walker)
Ian (married May)
Arthur (married Thelma)
George (died young)
Allan (married Phyllis)
Andresw (married Minnie)
Jessie (I am not sure about these two)
Jean
Letter kindly submitted by;Nola Garret of Gympie,Queensland
L 53 January 8th,2010
Good Evening Trevor Your Research
My name is Pamela McDonald and I am the President of Clan Donald Society of Western Australia.
I am writing to ask if you would like a link to our website for your "Call for Descendants of Scottish immigrants".
We are more than happy to do this to help you in your endeavour to build your database.
I will be mentioning your story at our next meeting on 7th February.
If you would like to browse our website we can be found at
www.clandonaldwa.com.au
I hope you enjoy looking through the site.
I wish you well with building your database.
Letter kindly submitted by. Pamela McDonald,President of Clan Donald Western Australia
L 54 January 8th,2010 Re-Scottish heritage
Dear Trevor
As a member of the Australian Scottish community (you can see that I am President of one clan society).
I am also in regular touch with leaders of my other Clans (Donnachaidh,Gordon,Ulster Scots Buchanan).
I am a member of the Colloquium of Scottish Clan Leaders who met at Wingham last May for the first time.
My closest Scottish connection,however is my grandmother Cooke who was born a Lindsay in Scotland in 1902.I know why she came to Australia.In the aftermath of WW1 my great-grandmother Lindsay (nee Watson,a Buchanan)saw all her teenage daughters lose their jobs when all the men came home from the war.The pittance she was being paid as a war widow would not feed them.She had an aunt in NSW who offered to sponsor the family (emigrants needed sponsors in those days) in exchange for bringing an orphaned child to Australia (he was a MacDonald and became a boxer,I am still trying to locate traces of his life in NSW).
In the 19th Century two branches left Scotland,probably due to the economic circumstances there in those days.My seafaring ancestors the Milnes of Dundee (Gordons) came directly to Victoria to the gold rush.
My Robertson ancestors (Clan Donnachaidh) went to the north of England and didn't emigrate for another two generations.I am guessing that it was poverty that motivated the Robertsons and wander lust that motivated the Milnes.Hard to say,no anecdotes have come down to me.
www.clanlindsay.org.au
Letter kindly submitted by;Susan Cooke,President of Clan Lindsay of Australia
L 55 January 20th,2010
Failte Trevor Clan Mackay Society of Western Australia Inc
Kindest greetings and best wishes for your new website.On behalf the Clan Society WA,both myself as commissioner WA and Fred as President,give permission for the enclosed contact details and web link to be displayed on the website on the express condtion,"that this does not connote permission or licence to do other than promote contact directly our society of interested Clansfolk".All contacts to our Clan society should be directed through the office set out above.
Clan Mackay Society of Western Australian Inc
Postal address;11/56 Sulman Road,Wembley Downs WA6019
Telephone;08)93413885 email; ClanMackay@people.net.au
Website; http:home.swiftdsl.com.au/~ClanMackayWA
Brian McGee Davis Rank Frederick M L Mackay
Clan Commissioner WA & Administrator President Clan Mackay Society WA Inc
Letter kindly submitted by;Brian McGee Davis Rank and Frederick M.L.Mackay of the Clan Mackay Society of Western Australia
L 56 January 14th,2010
Dear Trevor
I happened to see your article in the Boorandarra newspaper,the Leader,today.You have taken on a very adventurous task,it seems,but your efforts are sure to help a number of Australian Scots who are researching their heritage.Good luck.
I thought it might help you to communicate with a wider Scottish audience if you contacted our webmaster,Robert Stewart,I am President of the Scottish Clans & Association's Council Inc,and Robert is our Secretary.We have about 30 Clan and other Scottish associations connected to us.They are a mix of Victorian-Australian,Australiasian,-or Scottish-based organizations.
Robert Stewart's address is 23 McCallum Road,Doncaster,3108;phone 03 98916450,email randjstewart@optusnet.com.au
The web address for the SCAC is www.scottishclansandassociations.org
Another significant Scottish organization in Victoria is the Victorian Scottish Union.Jan Macdonald is its Secretary.It has a number of Highland Dance,Country Dance,and Scottish other local Scottish groups around the state associated with it.Jan's address is Po Box 1009,Altona Meadows,3028,phone 03 93609829,mobile 0438 584930,email secretary@victorianscottishunion.com web www.victorianscottishunion.com
In Victoria,there is also an organization that acts as a conduit for the many Scottish groups that are operating in the state.It is the Scots of Victoria Coordinating Group Inc.I am Vice-President of that.The SVCG has set up a Scottish resource Centre at the Celtic Club,316-320 Queen Street,Melbourne,3000,phone 9670 6766,email
resource_centre@scotsofaus.org.au web; www.scotsofaus.org.au The centre is staffed by volunteers about the middle of most week days.
Many of the Clan Organizations have active genealogists who may be helpful to you-and you to them.
Doug McLaughlin,61 Commercial road,Ferntree Gully,3156,phone 03 9758 2598 email; banddmcl@tpg.com.au
Letter kindly submitted by; Doug McLaughlin President of the Scottish Clans & Association's Council Inc of Ferntree Gully,Victoria.
Hello Trevor Smurthwaite
My name is Angus MacDonald and I read your letter to The Gympie Times last Saturday,asking for anyone with information on their Scottish descendants to contact you.
I and my sister have done a lot of research on our McDonald family who left the Isle of Skye on the "Midlothian" for New South Wales.I have made this information into a web page below;
www.supernerd.com.au/~angusemacd
Letter kindly submitted by; Angus MacDonald of Gympie,Queensland
L 47 January 8th,2010
Dear Trevor Shetland-Australian family links
For over 5 years I have been managing an online database covering anyone who has links to Shetland,and this includes tens of thousands of persons who left Shetland for Australia and New Zealand,along with other destinations.
This is the result of extensive research of primary sources,and also the feedback of the descendants of those involved in the diapora.
The website address is:
www.bayanne.info/shetland
I do mask any information of anyone still living or presumed to be living.
Letter kindly submitted by; Tony Gott of the Shetland Islands
L 48 January 8th,2010
Hello Trevor re; Scottish roots-Gympie Times
My name is Michele Francis and my great great grandfather was a Scot.
His name was John Ross.He was a leader of the survey party to find the Overland Telegraph Line Route,from S.A to N.T.He was an explorer and station manager in the Northern Territory.John Ross and a small party surveyed the route for the OTL from The Peake,S.A. to Roper River,N.T. a gruelling distance of over 1,700km.
John Ross was born in Firth,Scotland,he came to australia aged 20.I don't have a date of his arrival.
Letter kindly submitted by; Michele Francis of Gympie,Queensland
L 49 January 29th,2010
Hi Trevor
Read your letter in "The Land" newspaper re compilling history of Scottish descendants.
Our family are a direct lineage of one of the many McKenzie immigrants to Victoria.
Do you have a pro-former document to be filled in or do we send you the basic information or family history we have available.
This is a great concept of yours and can only enhance our Scottish history.
Letter kindly submitted by;Bryan McKenzie of Victoria
L 50 January 8th,2010
Hello Trevor Coffs Coast Advocate Article-Scottish Clans
I read with interest the article in todays Coffs Coast Advocate where in you are seeking information about Scottish clans in Australia.
My Grandparents came to Australia from Glasgow and had 2 sons,Robert Watson Cruickshank,my father and his brother James Grant Cruickshank.Cruickshank belongs to the Grant Clan.
I am sending this email to my sister as well to you as she has more information than I do in this matter.
Letter kindly submitted by;Fleur Graham (nee Cruickshank) of Coffs Harbour,NSW
L 51 January 8th,2010
Howdy
Just replying to a letter from the local paper.
I have Scottish heritage.
Hugh Connel McKenzie
born 1.12.1831
Newmilne
Ayrshire
Scotland
He is my Great great grandfather.
My heritage also includes English,Irish and Welsh.
Letter kindly submitted by;Pat,Australia
L 52 January,2010
Dear Trevor
I hope this information may be of some help to you.
Lucy (nee Dent) and George Colquhoun (my grandparents)
Their children were;
Clair (my mum) married Norman Knott 15.8.1938
Lucy (married Bill Chadwick)
Mary (married Colin Walker)
Ian (married May)
Arthur (married Thelma)
George (died young)
Allan (married Phyllis)
Andresw (married Minnie)
Jessie (I am not sure about these two)
Jean
Letter kindly submitted by;Nola Garret of Gympie,Queensland
L 53 January 8th,2010
Good Evening Trevor Your Research
My name is Pamela McDonald and I am the President of Clan Donald Society of Western Australia.
I am writing to ask if you would like a link to our website for your "Call for Descendants of Scottish immigrants".
We are more than happy to do this to help you in your endeavour to build your database.
I will be mentioning your story at our next meeting on 7th February.
If you would like to browse our website we can be found at
www.clandonaldwa.com.au
I hope you enjoy looking through the site.
I wish you well with building your database.
Letter kindly submitted by. Pamela McDonald,President of Clan Donald Western Australia
L 54 January 8th,2010 Re-Scottish heritage
Dear Trevor
As a member of the Australian Scottish community (you can see that I am President of one clan society).
I am also in regular touch with leaders of my other Clans (Donnachaidh,Gordon,Ulster Scots Buchanan).
I am a member of the Colloquium of Scottish Clan Leaders who met at Wingham last May for the first time.
My closest Scottish connection,however is my grandmother Cooke who was born a Lindsay in Scotland in 1902.I know why she came to Australia.In the aftermath of WW1 my great-grandmother Lindsay (nee Watson,a Buchanan)saw all her teenage daughters lose their jobs when all the men came home from the war.The pittance she was being paid as a war widow would not feed them.She had an aunt in NSW who offered to sponsor the family (emigrants needed sponsors in those days) in exchange for bringing an orphaned child to Australia (he was a MacDonald and became a boxer,I am still trying to locate traces of his life in NSW).
In the 19th Century two branches left Scotland,probably due to the economic circumstances there in those days.My seafaring ancestors the Milnes of Dundee (Gordons) came directly to Victoria to the gold rush.
My Robertson ancestors (Clan Donnachaidh) went to the north of England and didn't emigrate for another two generations.I am guessing that it was poverty that motivated the Robertsons and wander lust that motivated the Milnes.Hard to say,no anecdotes have come down to me.
www.clanlindsay.org.au
Letter kindly submitted by;Susan Cooke,President of Clan Lindsay of Australia
L 55 January 20th,2010
Failte Trevor Clan Mackay Society of Western Australia Inc
Kindest greetings and best wishes for your new website.On behalf the Clan Society WA,both myself as commissioner WA and Fred as President,give permission for the enclosed contact details and web link to be displayed on the website on the express condtion,"that this does not connote permission or licence to do other than promote contact directly our society of interested Clansfolk".All contacts to our Clan society should be directed through the office set out above.
Clan Mackay Society of Western Australian Inc
Postal address;11/56 Sulman Road,Wembley Downs WA6019
Telephone;08)93413885 email; ClanMackay@people.net.au
Website; http:home.swiftdsl.com.au/~ClanMackayWA
Brian McGee Davis Rank Frederick M L Mackay
Clan Commissioner WA & Administrator President Clan Mackay Society WA Inc
Letter kindly submitted by;Brian McGee Davis Rank and Frederick M.L.Mackay of the Clan Mackay Society of Western Australia
L 56 January 14th,2010
Dear Trevor
I happened to see your article in the Boorandarra newspaper,the Leader,today.You have taken on a very adventurous task,it seems,but your efforts are sure to help a number of Australian Scots who are researching their heritage.Good luck.
I thought it might help you to communicate with a wider Scottish audience if you contacted our webmaster,Robert Stewart,I am President of the Scottish Clans & Association's Council Inc,and Robert is our Secretary.We have about 30 Clan and other Scottish associations connected to us.They are a mix of Victorian-Australian,Australiasian,-or Scottish-based organizations.
Robert Stewart's address is 23 McCallum Road,Doncaster,3108;phone 03 98916450,email randjstewart@optusnet.com.au
The web address for the SCAC is www.scottishclansandassociations.org
Another significant Scottish organization in Victoria is the Victorian Scottish Union.Jan Macdonald is its Secretary.It has a number of Highland Dance,Country Dance,and Scottish other local Scottish groups around the state associated with it.Jan's address is Po Box 1009,Altona Meadows,3028,phone 03 93609829,mobile 0438 584930,email secretary@victorianscottishunion.com web www.victorianscottishunion.com
In Victoria,there is also an organization that acts as a conduit for the many Scottish groups that are operating in the state.It is the Scots of Victoria Coordinating Group Inc.I am Vice-President of that.The SVCG has set up a Scottish resource Centre at the Celtic Club,316-320 Queen Street,Melbourne,3000,phone 9670 6766,email
resource_centre@scotsofaus.org.au web; www.scotsofaus.org.au The centre is staffed by volunteers about the middle of most week days.
Many of the Clan Organizations have active genealogists who may be helpful to you-and you to them.
Doug McLaughlin,61 Commercial road,Ferntree Gully,3156,phone 03 9758 2598 email; banddmcl@tpg.com.au
Letter kindly submitted by; Doug McLaughlin President of the Scottish Clans & Association's Council Inc of Ferntree Gully,Victoria.