Author Topic: Grahams of Kilkeel  (Read 35531 times)

Offline dermotb

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Re: Grahams of Kilkeel
« Reply #72 on: Saturday 14 November 15 22:02 GMT (UK) »
While one of the Graham ancestors, Margaret Armstrong, was born in Antrim in about 1827, none of the Kilkeel Grahams had any connection there, as far as I know.


Offline ozlizzie

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Re: Grahams of Kilkeel
« Reply #73 on: Thursday 17 December 15 01:22 GMT (UK) »
To Crosshands : David you sent me a message via Ancestry. My subscription is no longer current so I am unable to reply via that forum. If you wish to send your email address via another private message I will be able to reply. Our Grahams were also bootmakers but lived in Carlisle and Kirklinton. Our John Graham b 1809 seems to have disappeared c1851 whilst on an advance trip to the US looking to resettle the family. The pictures I have posted on Ancestry are copies from church registers or photos of grave headstones (also have copies of wills etc). Very difficult to distinguish who's who family wise, but found many of them buried together at Kirklinton (thanks to a good local researcher William Bundred). OurGraham family were originally Scottish, said to have been displaced after the Jacobite uprisings.  Regard .. Liz

Offline dermotb

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The Montrose letter
« Reply #74 on: Thursday 17 December 15 12:46 GMT (UK) »
Thanks to cousin Jim, we now have a copy of the "Montrose letter" mentioned on page 3 of this thread.

The letter didn't make a very strong connection with Montrose - the key part reads - "you certainly seem to be one of her family, all your names are family names but her father was John also; his father was Robert who married Miss Lennox and previously the Baronet Sir Robert Graham who married Lady Lennox".

Crosshands and I have researched the ancestors mentioned in the letter and discussed it with a descendant of the woman who wrote it, in reply to an enquiry from John (bootshop) Graham in 1919. While confirming most of the statements above, we weren't able to identify any obvious baronets or ladies, as far back as 1720, which is as far back as we could go. There is also no apparent family connection between the two families of Grahams.

Nevertheless, there are some interesting aspects to the story, such as the court case that may have sparked John Graham's interest in the first place - and which I've summarised here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0By-wnjsdtus1Njh5dGRtUnluelU/view?usp=sharing.

Having read this, you should look carefully at the photo therein and ask yourself "Do I have the Lennox chin?" (which was put forward as a proof of Lennox descendancy). If so, then maybe we are connected to them after all!  ;D

Offline Aughnahoory

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Re: Grahams of Kilkeel
« Reply #75 on: Tuesday 17 May 16 20:31 BST (UK) »
I have been asked to draw up some histories ok Kilkeel men for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in July this year 2016.

Does anyone know if there is a surviving photo of Pte Willie Graham? Also reference the Scott connection I am aware of two Kilkeel Scotts with a military connection. One was Thomas Galbraith Scott – RAF Cadet the other was Sergeant Robert Scott VC  leading Aircraft Man No: 4535

I dont know if they were related. Any help greatly appreciated


Offline dermotb

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Re: Grahams of Kilkeel
« Reply #76 on: Tuesday 17 May 16 23:50 BST (UK) »
The only photo we have of Willie Graham was taken in 1960 - nothing in uniform.

The Scotts you mention are unknown to us.

In case you don't have this one, there was a family of McKnights living in Derryogue in 1911, headed by Robert and Jane, with 8-9 kids. Their son Robert was killed in WW1, but I don't have a reference handy.

Offline Aughnahoory

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Re: Grahams of Kilkeel
« Reply #77 on: Saturday 21 May 16 00:39 BST (UK) »


A friend from Derryogue brought me the above photograph. I believe it is of the soldier Robert Mcknight who you mention. He was killed at the battle of Cambrai. There was also a L/Cpl John Mcknight of 13th RIR also from Derryogue.

Yes I would be very greatful to find a copy of the 1960 photo of Willie. If you could upload a copy somewhere. (I uploaded this one on my Flickr page)

The Sgt Robert Scott VC was an interesting character. Hes the only man who it is said fought in three wars. He won his VC in the Boer war. He went on to serve in the 1st war. He was initially turned down for service in WWII. He wrote to a personal friend from his South African days a certain Mr Churchill who spoke to the RAF saying FIND THAT MAN A JOB! So they did!

Offline dermotb

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Re: Grahams of Kilkeel
« Reply #78 on: Sunday 22 May 16 08:59 BST (UK) »
Here is a picture of William Graham, in the early 1960's

Offline Aughnahoory

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Re: Grahams of Kilkeel
« Reply #79 on: Sunday 22 May 16 09:12 BST (UK) »
Fantastic thanks very much indeed for this. Here is a draft of the front page of the leaflet im working on with Willie now included.


Offline Aughnahoory

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Re: Grahams of Kilkeel
« Reply #80 on: Tuesday 08 November 16 11:10 GMT (UK) »



Andrew Annett kindly sent me some items including a photo of Willie himelf in WW1 uniform plus a copy of the letter handwritten by King George V himself to willie after he was liberated from the POW camp. It reads:

Quote
BUCKINGHAM PALACE

1918

The Queen joins me in welcoming
you on your release from the
miseries and hardships which you have
endured with so much patience &
courage.
During these many months of trial
the early rescue of our gallant officers
& men from the cruelties of their captivity
has been uppermost in our thoughts.
We are thankful that this longed
for day has arrived & that back in
the old country you will be able
once more to enjoy the happiness of
a home & to see good days among
those who anxiously look for your
return

George R. I.

My updated entry on Willie below:
https://aughnahoorylol343b.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/private-willie-graham/