Thinking about the ancestors...

[turpin]

It really does make one more thoughtful to think about how our ancestors must have felt when embarkng on a journey into the true unknown - not many resources for knowing what faced them, no phone, internet, uncertain post. And for 2 boys to go it alone!. Truly makes one reflect.

[Phil]

Sadly this was not unusual. My grandmothers relatives emigrated to Philadelphia in the 1880's and left their 12-year old son behind on his own. He went on to make a successful future for himself in Scotland but who, nowadays, could imagine abandoning a child of that age to his own devices. They were different times indeed and no doubt your ancestors thought they were giving these boys a chance in life they would never have had at home in Scotland.

[highlander_Daz]

When I did my family history I was shocked at the number of infants/ babies that died, it must have been devastating.

[Phil]

When I did my family history I was shocked at the number of infants/ babies that died, it must have been devastating.

I know. I did the same recently and discovered my grandfather had had 2 brothers and a sister who died in infancy. I never knew about them, I don't even know if my mother did, and they have no graves to remember them.

[highlander_Daz]

One of my Great Grandfaters was a sergent in the Ross shire buffs before they became the Seaforths

its like chasing the ancestor on the Census!
Avoch
Gairloch
Fort George
Port Glasgow
Isle of Wight
he got married in India (to a Scottish women he took with him during the boar war)
Lincolnshire
Ireland
back to Scotland
he must have been Dizzy and managed to father 6 children as well

thats Stamina