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Messages - smudger1

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1
Perthshire / Re: Tinkers: McArthurs
« on: Saturday 08 March 14 01:48 GMT (UK)  »
Hello, Bigyin
Davie and Lizzie were friends of my family.  Johnny and Major were brothers but Major was the favourite son.  Lizzie and Davie lived doon the Tay and would stop in on their way home to have a we drappie o' the VP.  If I remember right, Johnny was a short, blonde and a good kid.  Major was dark, handsome and had teeth that made him look like a movie star.  I remember, with great regret, an incident at a campsite where Davie lost the rag at Johnny.  It was probably at Luncarty because I remember my Daddy fishing the Tay and pulling in a big salmon, with the toffs standing on the bridge saying things like "Jolly good show, old fellow," while my dad was muttering, "f**k, off, ya' cunts, you'll scare the fish." 

I have good memories of Lizzie and Davie.  I have good memories of Johnny and Major.  We were close, and Major, (sort of ) married into my family.  I'd be more than happy to Let June (Wee Joon) know what little I can tell her, but this is a rather too public forum.  If you can send me a private message, I'd be right back to you.

Awrabest

Harry

2
Perthshire / Re: Travelling Folk
« on: Thursday 16 January 14 12:28 GMT (UK)  »
Cambron:  it turns out that the lady is not my mother.  However, Winifred was indeed my sister.  Thank you.  One out of two in this old world is very good, particularly in this case.  I'm not sure where to take this next simply because I know so little about 'Big Elsie'.  Thank you again.

H

3
Perthshire / Re: Travelling Folk
« on: Thursday 09 January 14 19:44 GMT (UK)  »
Things seem to have come to a complete halt, here.  I'm lost. 

4
Perthshire / Travelling Folk
« on: Sunday 29 December 13 06:27 GMT (UK)  »
I would like to trace my mother's later life.  She was Elizabeth McKay (nee Elizabeth Rankin Rooney), born in Glasgow around 1912. 
In the mid-'thirties she was known to be in Perthshire as the common law partner of Henry (Harry) Smith.
During and after the War they travelled all over Perthshire and the Highlands hawking and getting seasonal farmwork.  Harry Smith was a piper and could earn some money piping.

The last I know of my mother is that she may have gone to Glasgow or Edinburgh around 1946.  She was know variously as Elsie Smith, 'Big Elsie' and even Lizzie Louder (Lowther).  Last known address was in the Meal Vennel, Perth.  Any help would be very much appreciated.

5
Perthshire / Re: Tinkers: McArthurs
« on: Friday 22 November 13 21:28 GMT (UK)  »
Fair enough, wee manishee! :) 

Awrabest.

Harry

6
Perthshire / Re: Tinkers: McArthurs
« on: Tuesday 19 November 13 06:49 GMT (UK)  »
Och, shannis, shannis Liz.

I just happen to have a special sale on this week.  "The Book of Sandy Stewart" is free.  I'll take your word as a fellow traveller that you will pay the postage back if you want to.

Gies us an anonymous post office box number in wherever the hell you are in Helena and I'll send you the book.  Amazon.com can sook me' jeer.

I'm a wee bit from the Tay Watter these days, in retirement in Canada.  (Isn't it strange that the problems one associates with native soil turn out to be jist in ones heid?)

Let me know.

Awrabest

Harry

7
Perthshire / Re: Tinkers: McArthurs
« on: Wednesday 13 November 13 14:04 GMT (UK)  »
Liz     

When I was a laddie, there were a family of travellers who lived "doon the Tay Watter"in Perth. There were Lizzie. Davie and, intermittently, their son, Major.  We knew them well.  They also camped with us at Luncarty, Stanley and Blairgowrie. Among others that I remember are Townsends, McPhees and Lowthers. 
If you have not yet done so, you might want to find a book called "The Book of Sandy Stewart".  It chronicles a period of Sandy and Peggy Stewart"s life.  If memory serves, the book came out of thesis research.  I do have a copy of the book, so if it is unavailable to you for some reason I could loan it to you.
Just incidentally , in reading novels by Scottish authors I notice that many words in seemingly daily use in Scotland come from the Cant.  That was an arcane form of Scots used among travellers.

I hope some of this is helpful.

Best wishes
Harry, Mink and proud!

8
Perthshire / Re: Help! Perth History!
« on: Sunday 10 November 13 07:39 GMT (UK)  »
Hello
I lived in Hunters between 1955 and 1964,  and saw it for the last time in 1977.  My memories of the place are fairly vivid and I knew many families. 
I don't know if the author is still interested in this, but if so I may be able to answer some of his questions.  I'll check back for a response.

Cheers
Smudger

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