The Whisky Smugglers Illegal whisky distilling and smuggling was rife in the highlands during the nineteenth century. These activities often worked side by side with legal distillers. Excisemen were tasked with locating these illicit distilleries and seizing them. In 1822 the government passed the Illicit Distillation (Scotland) Act. This meant that the making or drinking …
Continue reading 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 12 – Historic Event
The Stuart Family Siblings My granny was youngest of six children with four brothers (Sandy, Peter, Donald and Robert) and a sister (Nell). Back Row L-R: Isabella Garden, Nell, Bella Stuart; Middle Row L-R: Donald, Moira, Robert; Front Row L-R: Peter and Sandy (August 1933) All the siblings lived close by each other in Dufftown, …
Continue reading 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 10 – Siblings
Margaret Elizabeth Taylor Garden – From Scotland to Australia This one was a tough pick as there have been quite a few family members who have migrated, myself included. But I decided to write about my great grand-aunt Meg. Margaret, known as Meg, was the middle daughter born to Elizabeth Garden. She was born at …
Continue reading 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 8 – Migration
Moria Elizabeth Stuart – Madam/The Witch This weeks theme is “Nickname”. There aren’t very many nicknames in our family. There are plenty of variations of names, i.e. Bert, Rob or Robbie for Robert, Alex or Sandy for Alexander, Nell or Nellie for Helen etc. The one nickname I came across was for my maternal Granny …
Continue reading 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 3 – Nickname
This week is favourite photograph. This was a hard decision to make, there are a few photographs I could say were my favourite. However, I had to pick one, so here it is (kindly copied from my late great Aunt Nell’s photograph collection): The Garden Family This is a photograph of my 3 x great …
Continue reading 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2025: Week 2 – Favourite Photo
Relatively Family 