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We've written before about researching graduates, and finding ancestors who went to university in Scotland. The University of St Andrews recently launched a digital biographical register. The database covers almost 12,000 students, and is fully searchable. It is based on Robert N Smart's register, originally published in 2004 in print form. Not only is the new version fully searchable, it includes much information beyond students' time at university. I have strong ancestral connections to East Fife (Ceres, Crail, Abdie and St Andrews), and am also fortunate enough to be a St Andrews' graduate, so naturally I was very interested. I have a copy of James Maitland Anderson's Matriculation Roll (published in 1905), so I was aware that some of my family had studied at Scotland's oldest university. Naturally, I was interested to see if the new register had additional information. I was not disappointed ... My first search was for David Cunningham Graham, something of a black sheep in the family. I knew from the Fasti Ecclesianae that he was minister of Ormiston from 1911 to 1924. The register entry confirmed that he had studied at St Andrews, and showed that he had studied Latin, Greek, Mathematics, English Literature, Chemistry among other subjects, although oddly enough Theology doesn't seem to have been among his studies. Perhaps that might explain why some 20 years after he graduated, he was declared bankrupt while minister at Ormiston, with some suggestion that he might have been a bit too keen on spending other people's money. Another entry that was even more revealing was for David's first cousin once removed, Robert Graham. I knew that Robert had been schoolmaster at Leuchars, but later moved with his family to Glasgow and became an accountant. I'd always assumed that he'd switched jobs to earn more money to raise his growing family. It hadn't occurred to me that he may have had other reasons for his sudden career change, as his register entry shows:  So not only do I now know why Robert stopped being a schoolmaster - he clearly didn't have a choice in the matter - I've now got references to some newspaper reports about the circumstances surrounding his departure. A quick check in the Fife Herald for 14 November 1867 leads to the first report:   A few days later, the heritors of Leuchars held a meeting, at which there was only one subject up for discussion - the absconding of Robert Graham (Fife Herald 5 Dec 1867):  Five weeks later, the Fife Herald carries an advertisement on the front page for a "Roup of household furniture at Leuchars" being held by warrant. Robert's victims clearly didn't wait long to try to reclaim their money. In its 20 February 1868 issue, the Fife Herald reported from the Sheriff Court: Sheriff Court of Fife Fast-forward two months, and Robert's case is heard by the Circuit Court in Perth (Fife Herald, 16 April 1868): Breach of Trust and Embezzlement A quick check of the National Records of Scotland's solemn database reveals that he was indeed declared an outlaw and fugitive on April 13 at Perth. At the time of the 1871 census, his wife Margaret Grant, was living on John Street with three of their children, her sister, and two lodgers. Robert is nowhere to be seen.
He next turns up in the 1881 census, reunited with his wife and two of his children. The family are now living at 9 Ibrox Place, in Govan, and Robert is still at the same address in 1891, although this time without his wife. He was evidently still keen to use his knowledge of maths and numbers generally, as - despite being declared a fugitive for embezzlement - he was working as a book-keeper!
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Upcoming family history talks and events in Scotland, 25 April - 1 May 2016
Note that there may be a small charge for some of these events, and some may be for members only. We will be publishing lists of upcoming talks and events regularly - if you are organising a talk or event relating to Scottish genealogy or history, please let us know and we will be happy to add your events to our list. Monday, April 25 2016, 7.30 pm Planned villages in Perthshire and Angus Dr Douglas Lockhart (SLHF) Venue: Chapelhill Hall West Stormont Historical Society Non-members: adults £3, concessions £2. (Open discussion meetings at Luncarty are free) Monday, April 25 2016, 7.30 pm TBC David Smith, Archivist, William Patrick Library Venue: Caldwell Halls, 16 Campsie Road, Torrance, G64 4BN Torrance Heritage and History Group Wednesday, April 27 2016, 7.30 pm The Home Front in World War I: its impact on Local Communities Ken Nisbet Venue: Highland Archive Centre, Bught Park, Inverness Highland Family History Society Thursday, April 28 2016, 7.30 pm Scottish Silver and Jewellery Gordon Foster Venue: Smith Museum and Art Gallery Stirling Local History Society Preceded by AGM Thursday, April 28 2016, 7.30 pm Stories from the Courts Brian Adair Venue: Glen Halls, Neilston Barrhead & Neilston Historical Association Thursday, April 28 2016, 7.45 pm Members' night and AGM
Venue: Drymen Village Hall, Main Street, Drymen, Glasgow, G63 0BP Drymen & District Local History Society Short talks by members of the Society with wine and cheese followed by our short AGM. Thursday, April 28 2016, 8 pm Life of Florence Nightingale Barbara Graham Venue: Chapel Hall, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, 2 Crummock Street, Beith, Ayrshire Beith Historical Society Followed by AGM
Upcoming family history talks and events in Scotland, 18 - 24 April 2016
Note that there may be a small charge for some of these events, and some may be for members only. We will be publishing lists of upcoming talks and events regularly - if you are organising a talk or event relating to Scottish genealogy or history, please let us know and we will be happy to add your events to our list. Monday, April 18 2016, 7 pm Ayrshire's Great War: an overview Tom Barclay, Ayr Venue: Newton Lounge Cumbrae Historical Society Followed by AGM Monday, April 18 2016, 7.30 pm AGM & Illustrating Glasgow Bill Black Venue: Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow Glasgow & West of Scotland Family History Society Monday, April 18 2016, 7-9 pm Elsie Inglis and Birth Records
Venue: Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh Tuesday, April 19 2016, 7.30 pm Scottish Historic Buildings
Venue: Leith Community Education Centre in the New Kirkgate Wednesday, April 20 2016, 2 pm A look back at Monifieth
Venue: Monifieth Community Cabin, South Union Street, DD5 4JG Monifieth Local History Society Viewing of the MLHS Video filmed in 2002. Entry to talks followed by afternoon tea £4 Wednesday, April 20 2016, 6 pm Glasgow's Architectural Legacy: Practice and Conservation Prof Robin Webster and Andrew Wright Venue: GCHT, 54 Bell Street, Glasgow Andrew Wright OBE will be discussing the philosophy of conservation underlying work within the heritage building sector. Professor Robin Webster OBE will speak about his practice, Cameron & Webster, and how it demonstrates the application of the practice’s conservation philosophy. Wednesday, April 20 2016, 7.30 pm Photo Album of Falkirk Jean Jamieson Venue: Falkirk Old and St Modan's Parish Church Wednesday, April 20 2016, 7.30 pm AGM
Venue: Volunteer Hall, Galashiels Wednesday, April 20 2016, 7.30 pm Vanished railways of West Lothian Harry Knox Venue: Ecclesmachan Village Hall West Lothian History and Amenity Society Wednesday, April 20 2016, 7.30 pm Crimes of an Henious Nature - Looking at some High Court Trials Margaret Fox Venue: Selkirk Parish Church Hall Selkirkshire Antiquarian Society Thursday, April 21 2016, 2.30pm Convicts and Transportation Ken Nisbet Venue: Moulin Hall, Moulin North Perthshire Family History Group £3 for visitors Thursday, April 21 2016, 7 pm AGM
Venue: Rothesay House, Cumnock Thursday, April 21 2016, 7.00 pm From Hudson Bay to Surinam: Scots in the Americas, 1600-1707 Dr David Dobson Venue: Sandeman Room, AK Bell Library Thursday, April 21 2016, 7.30 pm Captain Orr – Battle of Waterloo Lady Rosslyn MacPhail Venue: Paisley Museum, High Street, Paisley Renfrewshire Family History Society Thursday, April 21 2016, 7.30 pm Campaign for Women's suffrage in the Highlands Susan Kruse Venue: Council Chamber, Carnegie Building, Dornoch Thursday, April 21 2016, 7.30 pm An East Lothian soldier of the Great War, August to October 1914 Peter Ramage Venue: Haddington Town House Thursday, April 21 2016, 7.30 pm The Reading of Brochs John Barber, AOC Archaeology Group Venue: Brora Community Centre Saturday, April 23 2016, 1.30 pm - 4 pm Become An Urban Detective
Venue: Central Library, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen AB25 1GW If you enjoy solving history mysteries, attend our workshop for Urban Detectives and discover how you can contribute to Canmore, the online catalogue of Scotland’s archaeology, buildings, industrial and maritime heritage. During the afternoon, you'll investigate the history of spaces and places through maps, historical documents, directories and online database and build your confidence in starting your own historical research. Suitable for heritage newcomers. Familiarity with the internet is required. Due to limited capacity of the venue, booking in advance is essential. Please note, a photographer may be present at Scotland's Urban Past events and the images may be used for promotional purposes. Saturday, April 23 2016, 10 am - 12.30 pm Exploring Archives
Venue: Aberdeen Town House, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB11 1FY Embark on a step-by-step investigation of the architectural and social history of Aberdeen in an interactive event from Scotland's Urban Past and Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives. This guided journey through maps and historical documents will give you the skills and confidence to use archives for research purposes and gain a new understanding of Aberdeen through the years. Suitable for heritage newcomers. Booking in advance is required for this half-day workshop. Please note, a photographer may be present at Scotland's Urban Past events and the images may be used for promotional purposes. Sunday, April 24 2016, 2.00 pm Members' Short Talks and Questions and Answers
Venue: Corn Exchange & Ormiston Institute, Market Square, Melrose, TD6 9PN Borders Family History Society An opportunity for members to give a short (5 to 10 minutes) talk on a subject of their choice. |
Old ScottishGenealogy and Family History - A mix of our news, curious and intriguing discoveries. Research hints and resources to grow your family tree in Scotland from our team. 
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