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East Lothian (Haddingtonshire) / Re: Ness Family, Aberlady, Dirleton.
« on: Thursday 05 August 10 21:03 BST (UK) »
Mairi,
How are you? I was doing some checking and realized I had never gotten back to you after my trip to Scotland last year - we ended up going in May/June last year rather than this year - just worked out that way.
I was not able to get a look at any original records as churches were closed when I was there so could not look up anything in Aberlady.
I visited the Grange cemetery in Edinburgh as well as the Murchiston and did not find my Kilgours in either one.
I did find a couple of Ness burials in Aberlady which may hook up at some point.
I was very lucky and got to see around the grounds of Gosford House where my g-grandfather Thomas Kilgour was born - son of James Kilgour and Margaret Ness. We had stopped there and the gates were closed with no chance of seeing much at all. Just then a fellow drove out of the gates and stopped to ask why we were there. When I explained about my gr-grandfather being born on the estate he said he would give us a 10 minute drive through.
The 10 minutes turned into an hour and a half tour - it was terrific. I explained to him I thought my g-grandfather must have been born in the old Gosford House (which was a small house on the estate) but he just smiled and then explained that as my g-g-grandfather James had worked there as coachman and gardener he would not have lived in the old house but rather above the old stables. The stables are still there so he showed me exactly where they would have lived and where Thomas was born. It was very exciting.
The grounds were very nice and we got to see , along with the stables, the gardens, the other staff buildings etc. We also saw some old architectural pieces that had been recently found - they had been buried, likely by the original builders. The fellow who showed us around is the overseer for the estate and was very helpful.
My only regret is that I didn't ask if I could take a piece of the old architectural bits that had been found. Many were very large and in great condition, others were cracked and not useful but I would love to have had something from there. My own fault for not asking. He did allow us to take all the photos we wanted though which was great. He was very nice to us really.
I think you are right about my g-grandfather speaking Scots - it was my Aunt who said it was Gaelic but she may be wrong.
I have no idea where he learned to speak it. My Aunt had no idea. Another interesting bit - his son, my grandfather spoke fluent French and his son my Dad spoke fluent Spanish so I suppose there was a love of languages within their family. Now I have enough trouble with English!!
I haven't been doing much on my NESS/KILGOUR family lately but am ready to get back to it so will let you know if I come up with anything.
I tried attaching two photos but for some reason it did not work
all for now, Carolyn
How are you? I was doing some checking and realized I had never gotten back to you after my trip to Scotland last year - we ended up going in May/June last year rather than this year - just worked out that way.
I was not able to get a look at any original records as churches were closed when I was there so could not look up anything in Aberlady.
I visited the Grange cemetery in Edinburgh as well as the Murchiston and did not find my Kilgours in either one.
I did find a couple of Ness burials in Aberlady which may hook up at some point.
I was very lucky and got to see around the grounds of Gosford House where my g-grandfather Thomas Kilgour was born - son of James Kilgour and Margaret Ness. We had stopped there and the gates were closed with no chance of seeing much at all. Just then a fellow drove out of the gates and stopped to ask why we were there. When I explained about my gr-grandfather being born on the estate he said he would give us a 10 minute drive through.
The 10 minutes turned into an hour and a half tour - it was terrific. I explained to him I thought my g-grandfather must have been born in the old Gosford House (which was a small house on the estate) but he just smiled and then explained that as my g-g-grandfather James had worked there as coachman and gardener he would not have lived in the old house but rather above the old stables. The stables are still there so he showed me exactly where they would have lived and where Thomas was born. It was very exciting.
The grounds were very nice and we got to see , along with the stables, the gardens, the other staff buildings etc. We also saw some old architectural pieces that had been recently found - they had been buried, likely by the original builders. The fellow who showed us around is the overseer for the estate and was very helpful.
My only regret is that I didn't ask if I could take a piece of the old architectural bits that had been found. Many were very large and in great condition, others were cracked and not useful but I would love to have had something from there. My own fault for not asking. He did allow us to take all the photos we wanted though which was great. He was very nice to us really.
I think you are right about my g-grandfather speaking Scots - it was my Aunt who said it was Gaelic but she may be wrong.
I have no idea where he learned to speak it. My Aunt had no idea. Another interesting bit - his son, my grandfather spoke fluent French and his son my Dad spoke fluent Spanish so I suppose there was a love of languages within their family. Now I have enough trouble with English!!
I haven't been doing much on my NESS/KILGOUR family lately but am ready to get back to it so will let you know if I come up with anything.
I tried attaching two photos but for some reason it did not work
all for now, Carolyn