Letters to the Editor Page 10
Any information that comes in regarding any of the Letters to the Editor will be passed on
to the article submitter.
L 94 March 16th 2010
Dear Mr Smurthwaite
You advertised for info re Scottish-Australian roots in January.I am a descendant of Thomas Atto of Southwark,England born 1806.His sister Sarah,married Richard Scott from scotland at St.George the Martyr Church in Southwark.Richard was a master mariner who came to Van Diemens Land c1826.He was prominent in Lauceston Society for at least 25-30 years before taking his family to NZ in the 1850's.His brother Thomas,was here also.
I have included some information given to me by a descendant,Jessica Young from NZ.She can help you more about Richard and Sarah and their extended family.
Richard had an interesting life here in Lauceston with mention at times in early newspapers.
Letter kindly submitted by;Shirley Atto,Newstead,Tasmania.
L 95 March 23rd 2010
Dear Trevor
I am enclosing my family tree.My mother was Phyllis Aileen Muriel (Pam) Stewart and her father Robert Amos Stewart (Ross) compiled the information.Some years ago I copied it down from a frail piece of paper on which it was written.My husband photocopied this.When I asked Mother about the different spelling of Stuart/Stewart she said that when the ancestors came to australia everyone here spelt Stewart as it was accepted that way.
Letter kindly submitted by;Helen Griffiths,Castle Hill,NSW
L 96 March 29th 2010
Dear Trevor
I am pleased to the parcel arrived safely and glad I was able to contribute to the database.It is good to know there will be continuing and valuable documentation of family history for people to be able to research in future generations.It would be a shame to lose it.
Letter kindly submitted by;Ruth Mullen,Armidale,NSW
L 97 April 5th 2010
Dear Trevor
I obtained your name,address from the March issue of the Scots Magazine sent to me by a relative in the U.K.
It is interesting to note 2010 is the Bicentenial of Governor MacQuarie.
My mother was born in Glasgow and attended the Mt.Florida School.My grandmother in Leith,outside Edinburgh,her maiden surname was Stewart,(hence the notepaper).My grandfather,Charles Aiddleston was born in Moniaive,a village in Dumfrieshire,the family had a "smithy" business for 150 years.My grandfather,Charles and his brother,Alan,had a menswear store in Glasgow.
In 1912 my grandparents with their family of severn children,the youngest only six months,arrived in Sydney for a six months holiday in a warmer climate.2 of my aunts had bad asthma,their Dr.suggested this sea voyage.The ship they travelled on was the "Mesic".I have a silver serviette ring with the crest on.
However,even though they had their return tickets,my grandmother refused to return,saying she was terrified of the sea voyage.
The family lived in Chatswood,but after two years moved to Brisbane,again for the warmer weather.
My grandfather was appointed manager of a shirt factoryin Brisbane.He wanted to return to Scotland,he was never happy or contented and passed away in 1917 only five years after reaching Sydney.His death was reported in a Dumfries paper,I have a cutting,93 years ago.
Kindly excuse my writing,I am elderly and vision inparred.
Letter kindly submitted by Joan Rogers,Toowoomba,Queensland
L 98 April 8th 2010
House of Gordon Australia
Wishes To Announce The Release Of Our New Website
It can be accessed at www.houseofgordon.net
At the same time we also released on facebook,please check them both out and sign our guestbook
Letter kindly submitted by;Ken Gordon,Chief Commissioner of the House of Gordon Australia,
L 99 March 31st 2010
Mr Smurthwaite
I thought I should respond to your letter reproduced in this month's Scots Magazine but I'm not quite sure what or how much information you require so to begin with,my father was Alexander Lawson who was born at Banchory in 1902.His father (Francis Lawson) was the sawmiller for the Laird of Crathes and his mother's maiden name was Isabella Patterson,a family who seem to have been involved with timber and the building trade around Banchory but I know next to nothing about them.He did an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic at Lamb's garage in the High Street of Banchory (the building was still there but apparently unoccupied when I was last there in 2002) and he then moved to the North of Scotland where I believe he worked as a driver/mechanic for the Sutherland bus company and in 1927 he migrated to Ayr,Queensland where his eldest brother,Francis and sister-in-law Sarah Jane (nee Tosh) had also migrated.A brother of my grandfather Francis was also here at Ayr.His name was Alexander Lawson (my father was obviously named after him) who had a sugar cane farm outside this town but although he has descendants here,I can't find out much about him from them.My father obtained work here as a Fitter & Turner at Pioneer Sugar Mill which was built and operated by a Scottish family named Drysdale.My father wanted to become a mechanical engineer while working at this mill but the Chief Engineer refused to give dad a reference to the Queensland Department of Machinery because he was not a fitter and turner by trade so in 1930 my father applied for the position as foreman mechanic at the Ayr Shire Council and his application was succesful.He retired from there in 1972.His wife (our mother)was an Australian born child of Irish immigrants also settled here at Ayr.Our parents had three children,first a daughter who died soon after birth in 1938,then me in 1940 and a younger sister in 1946.I understand from dad and some of my Scottish relatives that we belong to the McLaren Clan.
Letter kindly submitted by;Bill Lawson,Ayr,Queensland
L 100 April 13th 2010
Dear Mr Smurthwaite
I saw in the Scot's Magazine of March 2010 that you are researching for Scottish/Australian Heritage the emigration of Scots to Australia.
My grandmother's family came originally from Strathnaver,Sutherlandshire.However her grandfather and father were evicted from the Glen by the Sutherland's factor in the Clearances.They spent the night in the churchyard at Croick (Creich) and made their way to the coast.My grandmother's (nee Jessie MacKenzie) grandfather emigrated with the family to Melbourne,Australia and settled,possibly,in the Marleybone,Corriehill region.Her father,Angus MacKenzie,did not emigrate.They lived in Syall.Those who emigrated became sheep farmers and during the first World War some of the family,serving in the Australian Army visited my grandmother.I was told by my aunts,now all deceased,that my grandmother Jessie Muir,nee MacKenzie was the cousin of Lord Knollys in Australia.I think my aunts had some slight contact with the family but none of them visited Australia.
Letter kindly submitted by; Elspeth Jessie MacKenzie Woodward (nee Brown)
L101 May 16th 2010
Hi Trevor
Reading your ask in March Scots Mag,I thought I would put pen to paper and give you some info on my
Scottish roots.
My Father. Noble Fyfe Lomond
D.O.B. 1915 Arbroath,Scotland
Grandfather. John Duncan Lomond
D.O.B. 5/1/1890 Dundee,Scotland
Grandmother. Ann Hunter Fyfe
D.O.B. 26/11/1895 Dundee,Scotland
migrated by ship to Australia.
when?
Ship Name?
not much info only have Birth and Marriage Certificates
L102 May 20th 2010
Morning Trevor
I have seen your letter to the Canberra City News and thought I could provide you with some information that may be of interest.
I am a Larnach descendant through my grandmother who was Mona Larnach and my mother Sheila who married a Murphy.My Grandmothers uncle was the famous (or more perhaps correctly infamous) William James Mudie Larnach best known for the building of Larnach Castle in Dunedin NZ and for his suicide when a member of the NZ Parliament.
I regret my family lost touch with the Larnachs on the death of my Grandmother many,many years ago,so i thought this may be the opportunity to reconnect at some level.
I have some information on two other Larnachs.
John Lanarch (father of William James Larnach) born 1805 at Auchingill,County Caithness,Scotland.An
agriculturist in the Hunter Region.John was involved in a rather nasty incident and court case following the shooting of an Aboriginal and a number of escaped convicts.This was in 1833.Three of the convicts were subsequently hung.
Donald Larnach,born 1817 in Caithness.Don Larnach was very active in the commerce,finance and politics,
in the Hunter Valley region of NSW and indeed in the NSW Gov itself.
During his time he was Auditor for the Bank of NSW (1845) Director of the Bank (1846) General Manager
and President in the following years.Donald was a close friend of Henry Parkes and was heavily involved
in the financial operation of the NSW Gov.
Later,amongst many other things,he became a Director and President of the London Joint Stock Bank,was
instrumental in the raising troops in NSW for the Sudan contingent contributing $500 to kick it off.He bought
a county seat in Bramletye,East Grinstead,Sussex and was high sheriff of the county in 1883.
Pretty active family all round.I hope that this is the type of information that will help other members of the Clan.I certainly would be grateful for any feedback on the Larnachs and their relatives.
Letter kindly submitted by John Murphy of Kambah,ACT
Letter kindly submitted by;Carolyn Harris of Avoca,Victoria
Any information that comes in regarding any of the Letters to the Editor will be passed on
to the article submitter.
L 94 March 16th 2010
Dear Mr Smurthwaite
You advertised for info re Scottish-Australian roots in January.I am a descendant of Thomas Atto of Southwark,England born 1806.His sister Sarah,married Richard Scott from scotland at St.George the Martyr Church in Southwark.Richard was a master mariner who came to Van Diemens Land c1826.He was prominent in Lauceston Society for at least 25-30 years before taking his family to NZ in the 1850's.His brother Thomas,was here also.
I have included some information given to me by a descendant,Jessica Young from NZ.She can help you more about Richard and Sarah and their extended family.
Richard had an interesting life here in Lauceston with mention at times in early newspapers.
Letter kindly submitted by;Shirley Atto,Newstead,Tasmania.
L 95 March 23rd 2010
Dear Trevor
I am enclosing my family tree.My mother was Phyllis Aileen Muriel (Pam) Stewart and her father Robert Amos Stewart (Ross) compiled the information.Some years ago I copied it down from a frail piece of paper on which it was written.My husband photocopied this.When I asked Mother about the different spelling of Stuart/Stewart she said that when the ancestors came to australia everyone here spelt Stewart as it was accepted that way.
Letter kindly submitted by;Helen Griffiths,Castle Hill,NSW
L 96 March 29th 2010
Dear Trevor
I am pleased to the parcel arrived safely and glad I was able to contribute to the database.It is good to know there will be continuing and valuable documentation of family history for people to be able to research in future generations.It would be a shame to lose it.
Letter kindly submitted by;Ruth Mullen,Armidale,NSW
L 97 April 5th 2010
Dear Trevor
I obtained your name,address from the March issue of the Scots Magazine sent to me by a relative in the U.K.
It is interesting to note 2010 is the Bicentenial of Governor MacQuarie.
My mother was born in Glasgow and attended the Mt.Florida School.My grandmother in Leith,outside Edinburgh,her maiden surname was Stewart,(hence the notepaper).My grandfather,Charles Aiddleston was born in Moniaive,a village in Dumfrieshire,the family had a "smithy" business for 150 years.My grandfather,Charles and his brother,Alan,had a menswear store in Glasgow.
In 1912 my grandparents with their family of severn children,the youngest only six months,arrived in Sydney for a six months holiday in a warmer climate.2 of my aunts had bad asthma,their Dr.suggested this sea voyage.The ship they travelled on was the "Mesic".I have a silver serviette ring with the crest on.
However,even though they had their return tickets,my grandmother refused to return,saying she was terrified of the sea voyage.
The family lived in Chatswood,but after two years moved to Brisbane,again for the warmer weather.
My grandfather was appointed manager of a shirt factoryin Brisbane.He wanted to return to Scotland,he was never happy or contented and passed away in 1917 only five years after reaching Sydney.His death was reported in a Dumfries paper,I have a cutting,93 years ago.
Kindly excuse my writing,I am elderly and vision inparred.
Letter kindly submitted by Joan Rogers,Toowoomba,Queensland
L 98 April 8th 2010
House of Gordon Australia
Wishes To Announce The Release Of Our New Website
It can be accessed at www.houseofgordon.net
At the same time we also released on facebook,please check them both out and sign our guestbook
Letter kindly submitted by;Ken Gordon,Chief Commissioner of the House of Gordon Australia,
L 99 March 31st 2010
Mr Smurthwaite
I thought I should respond to your letter reproduced in this month's Scots Magazine but I'm not quite sure what or how much information you require so to begin with,my father was Alexander Lawson who was born at Banchory in 1902.His father (Francis Lawson) was the sawmiller for the Laird of Crathes and his mother's maiden name was Isabella Patterson,a family who seem to have been involved with timber and the building trade around Banchory but I know next to nothing about them.He did an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic at Lamb's garage in the High Street of Banchory (the building was still there but apparently unoccupied when I was last there in 2002) and he then moved to the North of Scotland where I believe he worked as a driver/mechanic for the Sutherland bus company and in 1927 he migrated to Ayr,Queensland where his eldest brother,Francis and sister-in-law Sarah Jane (nee Tosh) had also migrated.A brother of my grandfather Francis was also here at Ayr.His name was Alexander Lawson (my father was obviously named after him) who had a sugar cane farm outside this town but although he has descendants here,I can't find out much about him from them.My father obtained work here as a Fitter & Turner at Pioneer Sugar Mill which was built and operated by a Scottish family named Drysdale.My father wanted to become a mechanical engineer while working at this mill but the Chief Engineer refused to give dad a reference to the Queensland Department of Machinery because he was not a fitter and turner by trade so in 1930 my father applied for the position as foreman mechanic at the Ayr Shire Council and his application was succesful.He retired from there in 1972.His wife (our mother)was an Australian born child of Irish immigrants also settled here at Ayr.Our parents had three children,first a daughter who died soon after birth in 1938,then me in 1940 and a younger sister in 1946.I understand from dad and some of my Scottish relatives that we belong to the McLaren Clan.
Letter kindly submitted by;Bill Lawson,Ayr,Queensland
L 100 April 13th 2010
Dear Mr Smurthwaite
I saw in the Scot's Magazine of March 2010 that you are researching for Scottish/Australian Heritage the emigration of Scots to Australia.
My grandmother's family came originally from Strathnaver,Sutherlandshire.However her grandfather and father were evicted from the Glen by the Sutherland's factor in the Clearances.They spent the night in the churchyard at Croick (Creich) and made their way to the coast.My grandmother's (nee Jessie MacKenzie) grandfather emigrated with the family to Melbourne,Australia and settled,possibly,in the Marleybone,Corriehill region.Her father,Angus MacKenzie,did not emigrate.They lived in Syall.Those who emigrated became sheep farmers and during the first World War some of the family,serving in the Australian Army visited my grandmother.I was told by my aunts,now all deceased,that my grandmother Jessie Muir,nee MacKenzie was the cousin of Lord Knollys in Australia.I think my aunts had some slight contact with the family but none of them visited Australia.
Letter kindly submitted by; Elspeth Jessie MacKenzie Woodward (nee Brown)
L101 May 16th 2010
Hi Trevor
Reading your ask in March Scots Mag,I thought I would put pen to paper and give you some info on my
Scottish roots.
My Father. Noble Fyfe Lomond
D.O.B. 1915 Arbroath,Scotland
Grandfather. John Duncan Lomond
D.O.B. 5/1/1890 Dundee,Scotland
Grandmother. Ann Hunter Fyfe
D.O.B. 26/11/1895 Dundee,Scotland
migrated by ship to Australia.
when?
Ship Name?
not much info only have Birth and Marriage Certificates
L102 May 20th 2010
Morning Trevor
I have seen your letter to the Canberra City News and thought I could provide you with some information that may be of interest.
I am a Larnach descendant through my grandmother who was Mona Larnach and my mother Sheila who married a Murphy.My Grandmothers uncle was the famous (or more perhaps correctly infamous) William James Mudie Larnach best known for the building of Larnach Castle in Dunedin NZ and for his suicide when a member of the NZ Parliament.
I regret my family lost touch with the Larnachs on the death of my Grandmother many,many years ago,so i thought this may be the opportunity to reconnect at some level.
I have some information on two other Larnachs.
John Lanarch (father of William James Larnach) born 1805 at Auchingill,County Caithness,Scotland.An
agriculturist in the Hunter Region.John was involved in a rather nasty incident and court case following the shooting of an Aboriginal and a number of escaped convicts.This was in 1833.Three of the convicts were subsequently hung.
Donald Larnach,born 1817 in Caithness.Don Larnach was very active in the commerce,finance and politics,
in the Hunter Valley region of NSW and indeed in the NSW Gov itself.
During his time he was Auditor for the Bank of NSW (1845) Director of the Bank (1846) General Manager
and President in the following years.Donald was a close friend of Henry Parkes and was heavily involved
in the financial operation of the NSW Gov.
Later,amongst many other things,he became a Director and President of the London Joint Stock Bank,was
instrumental in the raising troops in NSW for the Sudan contingent contributing $500 to kick it off.He bought
a county seat in Bramletye,East Grinstead,Sussex and was high sheriff of the county in 1883.
Pretty active family all round.I hope that this is the type of information that will help other members of the Clan.I certainly would be grateful for any feedback on the Larnachs and their relatives.
Letter kindly submitted by John Murphy of Kambah,ACT
Letter kindly submitted by;Carolyn Harris of Avoca,Victoria