The Garngad Heritage
The unpublished work

Update March 2005

 I have to update on some of the information that I have been made aware of over the past few months, firstly in connection with the Mair (my mother’s) line.    I indicated (page 31) that my information on Isabella Nicola’s parents, John Nicol & Mary Campbell was a bit scanty.

John Nicol was born circa 1836 in County Tyrone, Ireland, and died before October 18, 1899 in Scotland.  He married Mary Campbell, March 26, 1853 in New Monklands, Lanark, Scotland, daughter of John Campbell and Mary Hynds.  She was born 1836 in County Tyrone, Ireland, and died November 09, 1912 in The Beesches, Garthamlock, Shettleston.   Where did this wonderful information come from?

My young brother Tommy, surfing the World Wide Web came across an email address from a Tom Nicol, who was looking for as much information as possible about Isabella Nicol and Gavin Mair.   Tommy responded but apparently found that the email address no longer existed.

I suggested that he ‘tap’ the Roots Web area to determine if there was another connection and he found that Tom Nicol had been trying to obtain this information for other interested parties.  There was another email address that Tommy followed up which led him to a Janice Westerman, who had been born in Australia and who, with her husband emigrated and eventually settled in Ohio, USA.   One of Janice’s forebears, a Catherine Nicol was the sister of Isabella.   Tom also learned that Tom Nicol had unfortunately been killed in a car accident in 2002.   I (and Tommy) have been in contact with Tom Nicol’s widow Grace.   Tom Nicol’s son Craig is studying at Glasgow University and we have been in touch by email.   He too is interested in Genealogy

Janice sent a full copy (by email) list of all the descendants of John Nicol born circa 1805 in Ireland.   I have been in touch recently with Janice and provided her with a list of all the descendants, that I am aware of Isabella Nicol and Gavin Mair. 

John Nicol’s parents were John Nicol, born circa 1805 in Ireland and Jane Berry whom he married.  She was born circa 1805 in Ireland.

Young brother Tommy, carrying out more research into my mother’s forebears came across information that surprised me and information on pages 32 &33 have to be amended.   There are forebears there that I am afraid are no longer forebears.

On pages 32 & 33, I have indicated that Elizabeth Glen Mair's (wee Beenie's mother) parents were James Glen and Elizabeth Shepherd Glen.   Granny Mair’s mother was certainly Elizabeth Shepherd but her father was not James Glen and James Glen’s parents, James Glen (Snr) and Ellen Burns are no longer part of my history.   However, I have to add the following: Although James Glen was born round about 1842, he married Elizabeth Shepherd, born circa 1846 on the 4^th March, 1867 in the Roman Catholic Chapel, Rutherglen Glasgow     Catholicism in my mother’s family?   There were a number of children in the family.  James died on the 8^th October 1875.   Granny Mair was born on 20^th August 1878, three years after James Glen died.    She was registered at birth as Elizabeth Duncan Shepherd or Glen and my brother Tommy was of the opinion that her father would be someone by the name of Duncan.

Elizabeth Shepherd or Glen, my Great grandmother was apparently a skilled cotton power loom weaver.   She married James Glen in 1867.   The marriage only lasted 8 years as James died in 1875.   There were a number of children of the union. My grandmother was born three years later.   Tommy’s research found that Great granny Glen was found dead, floating in the River Clyde below the suspension bridge in Glasgow Green on 26^th March, 1888.  She was 40 years old at the time of death.  Information from another source indicated that at the time of death, she was employed as a ‘street worker’ and that she had taken heavily to drink.   It is possible that, having given birth to a child out of wedlock, Victorian Britain  may have severely frowned upon her behaviour,  which may have led to her losing the skilled job she was expert at.   It would appear that Great granny struggled on for 10 years after the birth of my grandmother supporting her children the best way she could but eventually, being at the end of her tether, she may have taken her own life.

Being a Catholic, I had a Mass said for the repose of the soul of Elizabeth Shepherd or Glen.   After one of my monthly lunch dates with Tommy, we walked to the suspension bridge in Glasgow Green and dropped a Mass Card, with her name on it, into the River Clyde and watched it float away.   Tommy, being more articulate than I described our Great grandmother’s life after the death of her husband, attempting to bring up her children after what had gone before, as nothing short of heroic.   I couldn’t agree more.   But for Elizabeth Shepherd Glen, neither I, Tommy, my sister Betty, neither our children nor my grandchildren would be here today.   God bless you Great Granny Glen, may you Rest in Peace or as Tommy expressed in his own way, Requiescat in Pace.

In November, Wee Lettie died.   Letitia McCallum McLaughlin, wife of my late uncle John my father’s brother, died in the nursing home were she was resident.   I received a ‘phone call from her daughter-in-law Julie, one evening telling me that she had not long to live and the following morning I went to the nursing home and found her only two sons, John & James along with both their wives at her bedside.   John had remarried two months before and had persuaded Lettie, against her wishes to be at his wedding.   I stayed for about 10 minutes then left as her family were around her.   She died about two hours later.   At her Requiem Mass in St. Roch’s Church in the Garngad, I was privileged to be asked to read one of the scripture readings.

I used to visit Lettie at her home every 4/6 weeks and listen to her funny stories, which left me at times in tears.   I visited her on an irregular basis when she was in hospital and the several nursing homes she was in.   On my visits I use to chat with her about her family but never noted any information about her children.   However, towards the end of her life at the nursing home and with the help of her daughter Mary in the USA I managed to cobble together the following: -  My father’s brother John McLaughlin married Letitia McMillan McCallum in the 1930’s.   They had six children, four daughters and two sons.   Their children in order of birth were (1) Mary (May) McLaughlin of "Ya wee red heided bastard." fame on page 29.   Mary was born on 31.12.1940, at 28 Cloverbank Street, Glasgow, the home of her Great grandmother, Mary Cunningham.   She emigrated to the USA and there, met and married, in Los Angeles, Edward Lee (Eddie) Gonzales, b. circa 1940.   They later divorced.   There were two children of the union, (i) Patrick Edward Gonzales, born 3.9.1964, Los Angeles, USA and (ii) Kristina Lee (Tina) Gonzales, born 22.4.1966, Los Angeles, USA.   Patrick never married but their daughter Tina married John Farranto, born circa 1964 USA.  They had two daughters, (i) Valerie Ann Farranto, born at Torrance Memorial Hospital L.A. USA on 22.7.1991 and (ii) Victoria May Farranto, born 14.11.1995 at Torrance Memorial Hospital L.A. USA.   Tina and her husband are now divorced.

 (2) Grace McLaughlin was born, 31.7.1942, at home, 4 Bright Street, Glasgow, Scotland.   She emigrated to the USA and there, met and married, Russell Girvin, b. circa 1942, in Glasgow, Scotland.   Their children were (i) Russell Girvin (Jnr) born, circa 1964 and (ii) Thomas (Tommy) Girvin, born, circa 1968.  Both boys were born in, Los Angeles, USA.

Grace and Russell divorced and Grace remarried. (3) John McLaughlin, born 25.1.1947, Glasgow, Scotland.    He married; (i) Jean later divorced and remarried (ii) Grace in September 2004.   He has no children. (4) Letitia (Letty) born, circa 1947, Glasgow, Scotland.   She married David Jarvis, b. circa 1946 in Glasgow.  They later divorced.   Their children are (i) Claire Jarvis, born. circa 1970, Glasgow, Scotland, and (ii) Thomas Jarvis, born circa 1975, Glasgow, Scotland. (5) Annette McLaughlin, born circa 1950, Glasgow, Scotland.   She married Vincent McErlane, born circa 1950, Glasgow, Scotland.   Their children are (i) John McErlane, born circa 1976, Glasgow, Scotland, (ii) Christopher McErlane, born 1983, Glasgow, Scotland and (iii) Kelly Anne McErlane, born circa 1988, Glasgow, Scotland.   (6) James McLaughlin, born. circa 1954 , Glasgow, Scotland.  He married Julie O’Brien, b. circa 1962, Glasgow, Scotland.   They have one son John McLaughlin, born circa 1983, Glasgow, Scotland.

The only immediate members of Lettie’s family who were at the Requiem Mass and her funeral were her two sons, John and James.   Two of her daughters were of course in the USA but her other two daughters were both in Scotland, one who lived in close proximity to St. Roch’s Church.   There apparently had been a bad ‘fallout’ between mother and daughter who lived close by many years ago but it was rather sad that neither of her two ‘Scottish’ daughters could be at the funeral.  However, paying their respects at Lettie’s funeral where my cousins, the sons and daughters of six of “Red Harry’s” children.   They were Joe McFarlane (son of Katie), John McLaughlin (son of Bunty), Tommy & Robert McLaughlin (me) (sons of Big Robey), Tommy’s wife Catriona and my own wife, Anne were there as well, Sadie Romeo (daughter of Willie), John & James McLaughlin (sons of Johnny and  Lettie) and Veronica McFadyen (daughter of Big Eddie).    It was good to renew acquaintances with the cousins.

May in Arizona told me she remembered her mother telling her back in 1997 that one day she took the bus to St Andrew's Square where she was born and sat on a bench and wept. She apparently never knew what is was to go to the toilet outside her house even in 28 Cloverbank Street where May’s Great Grandma had a toilet inside, until she met her father, they were married and lived up the  ‘close’ in Bright Street  in the Garngad.   She said that Lettie did come from a well to do family on her fathers side where all the facilities where within her home.

I  have to make special mention here of Lettie’s daughter in law Julie (O’Brien) McLaughlin.   When Lettie was in hospital and the nursing homes, Julie used to make a point of visiting her either daily or every other day.  She also made most of the funeral arrangements.    Letitia ( wee Lettie) (McMillan McCallum) McLaughlin, may you Rest in Peace.

Having met my cousin Sadie at Lettie’s funeral, I managed to visit her in her home during January 2005.   Her sister Johan was with her that day.   Together, they were able to provide the following information about their family.  William McLaughlin, their father was born on 17.6.1915, Glasgow, Scotland and died 15.4.1992, in Glasgow.   He married Ellen Campbell Boyle, born, 27.5.1916, Glasgow Scotland, died, 4.7.1989, Glasgow.   Ellen was my godmother.

 (1) Sarah (Sadie) McLaughlin was born 30.8.1934, Glasgow, Scotland.   She married Thomas (Tommy) Romeo, born, 6.10.1931, Glasgow, Scotland. Tommy died, 31.12.1995, Glasgow.  

 Sadie & Tommy’s children are 

(i) Patricia Romeo born, 22.1.1958, Glasgow, Scotland, and

(ii) Thomas Romeo born, 20.11.1959, Glasgow, Scotland.    Patricia, who gave birth to a daughter, Tara Marie Romeo, born 20.12.1985, later married William (Billy) Kirkwood, born, 20.7.1970.   Thomas married Elizabeth Waters, born 8.10.1957.   They have two children, (i) Thomas Romeo, born, 26.4.1984 and (ii) Gerald Romeo, born, 17.7.1991.

 (2) Helen McLaughlin was born 10.1.1937, Glasgow, Scotland.   She married Donald Bowers, born, 6.5.928, Glasgow, Scotland.    I was informed that Helen and David had 11 children.   I wasn’t given any names at this stage but later wrote to Helen and she not only sent me the names of her children, the names of their wives and husbands but also the names of her grand and great grandchildren, which for me created a 9^th generation on my family tree.   That information is as follows:

(i) Peter Bowers, born 12.7.1955 in Robroyston Hospital.   He married Sandra Feehan, born circa 1957.   They are now divorced.   They had one child, Peter Bowers, born 19.5.1979 and named after his father.   Peter had one other daughter, Agnes Bowers, born 7.9.1993 in Kings College Hospital. Her mother is Janine Murry, born circa 1980.

(ii) Sarah Bowers, born 29.8.1956 in Robroyston Hospital.   Sarah gave birth to a daughter, Mary Anne Bowers on 9.1.1982 at Rottenrow Hospital, Glasgow. Sarah remains unmarried.

(iii) Donald Bowers, born 30.9.1957 in Robroyston Hospital.   Donald is apparently unmarried but has two children, (i) Donna Marie Bowers, born 18.7.1989 at Rottenrow Hospital Glasgow and (ii) Nicola Bowers, born 9.9.1992, at Rottenrow Hospital.   Their mother is Caroline McKearney, born circa 1960.

(iv) Agnes Bowers, born 20.4.1959 in Robroyston Hospital.   Agnes gave birth to a son, Anthony Bowers, born, 27.4.1979 at Stobhill Hospital, died 3.3.2004 Glasgow, She later married James McCartney, born, circa 1956 (now divorced).  They have two children, (i) James Paul McCartney, born 16.6.1984 at Rottenrow Hospital, Glasgow and (ii) Helen McCartney, born 30.6.1986 also at Rottenrow Hospital, Glasgow.

(v) Elizabeth Bowers, born 24.11.1960 in Robroyston Hospital.  Although she appears to be unmarried, she and a partner, William (Bill) Gallagher, born circa 1960, have a daughter, Kathleen Gallagher, born 3.9.1992 at the Rottenrow Hospital.

(vi) Grace Bowers, born 4.4.1962 at Rottenrow Hospital.   She married Duncan Russell, born circa 1960, (now divorced).   They have two daughters, (i) Dianne Russell, born, 14.10.1981 at the Rottenrow and (ii) Samantha Russell, born 20.11985 at Rottenrow.   Grace and a partner Brian Gallagher have a son, Lee Gallagher, born 14.8.1996 at Rottenrow Hospital.   Grace’s daughter Dianne Russell and a partner, Brian Wallace, born, circa 1980, have a daughter, Yasmin Wallace, born 27.2.2001.

(vii) Mary Bowers, born 8.5.1963 at Robroyston Hospital.   She married Robert Frame (now divorced).  They have four children, (i) Robert Frame, born 1.7.1981 at the Rottenrow Hospital, (ii) David Frame, born 23.9.1982 at the Rottenrow Hospital, (iii) Shaun Frame, born 26.6.1986 at the Rottenrow Hospital, and (iv) Paul Frame, born 14.3.1984 also at the Rottenrow Hospital.  Mary had a son by a partner Peter Sweeny, d.o.b. unknown,  (v) Peter Sweeney(Jnr), born 5.6.1992 at King’s College Hospital, London. Mary’s Grandsons have also fathered children, (G1) David Frame along with Kerry Haggarty, born circa 1983 sired a son, Conner Frame, born 11.10.2001 at the Rottenrow Hospital, (G2) Robert Frame along with Jenny Dorward, born circa 1982 sired a son, Robert Frame, born 29.1.2002 at the Rottenrow Hospital, (G3) Paul Frame along with Leanne Lawrie, born circa 1984 sired a daughter, Demi Lawrie born 13.12.2002  at the Rottenrow Hospital, and(G4) Paul Frame along with Michelle Thomson, born circa 1985 sired a daughter, Tieghan Frame born 2.8.2004  at the Royal Infirmary Glasgow.

(viii) Francis Bowers, born 17.4.1965 at Robroyston Hospital, Glasgow, along with Katie Collins, born circa 1967, sired a son Michael Bowers, born 17.10.1990 at the Rottenrow Hospital, Glasgow.

(ix) Thomas Bowers, born 8.5.1969 at Robroyston Hospital, Glasgow, married Sandra Holmes, born circa 1966, at St. Roch’s Church, Garngad.  They have a daughter, Amy Bowers, born  18.3.1997 at Rottenrow Hospital.

(x) Elaine Bowers, born 28.12.1970 at Robroyston Hospital, has two children with a partner, William Greenhill.   They are (i) Adele Greenhill, born 14.1.1989 at Rottenrow Hospital and (ii) William Greenhill, born 24.6.1992 at Rottenrow Hospital.

(xi) Johan Bowers, born 28.12.1970 at Robroyston Hospital.   Johan is apparently single.

(3) William McLaughlin was born. 13.2.1939, 7, Bright Street, Glasgow,

Scotland.   He married Minnie McKeen, b. 23.3.1940, Glasgow Maternity Hospital, Rottenrow, Glasgow at Martha Street, Registry Office Glasgow on 26.12.1958.   Her parents were William McKeen and Agnes Crawford.  They have three children, (i) Paul McLaughlin, and twin sister (ii)        Lillian McLaughlin, both born 24.6.1960 at Rottenrow Hospital and (iii) John McLaughlin, born Hammersmith Hospital, London.  James was married at Coylton Parish Church Ayrshire on 12.4.2002

(4)  Grace McLaughlin was born 21.7.1940, Glasgow, Scotland.   She married Joseph Chamides, born 4.9.1917 USA, on 17.3.1968, Joseph died in 2003, New York, USA.  They have one son,      Craig Chamides born 10.3.1969, USA.   Craig married Heather Beseler, born 2.11.1970 in the USA, they have a daughter, Cassandra Chamides, born 20.4.2003.

(5) James McLaughlin, born 21.11.1943, Glasgow, Scotland, died, 30.11.1993.   He married Anne Marie Trainer, b. circa 1945.  They had six children,

(i)            Michael McLaughlin,

(ii)            Thomas McLaughlin,

(iii)       James McLaughlin,

(iv)       John McLaughlin,

(v)            Margaret McLaughlin,

(iv)       Kevin McLaughlin,

(5) above is all I have at this time.   I did write to Anne Marie Trainer at an  Old Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire address but so far there has been no response.  Anne Marie apparently moved to this address from Clydebank in the recent past and no one at this location may know her. 

(6) Johan McLaughlin, born 7.9.1945, Glasgow, Scotland.   She married Duncan McGillivray, born. 16.5.1942, Glasgow, Scotland.   They have three children, (i)            Angela McGillivray born 7.7.1966, Glasgow, Scotland (ii)            Linda McGillivray, born 7.1.1968, Glasgow, Scotland and (iii)       Scott McGillivray, born. 6.5.1972, Glasgow, Scotland.   Scott never married.   Angela married Neil O’Donnell, born 10.5.1964 and they have two daughters, Lianne O’Donnell, born 11.7.1984 in Glasgow and Jordan O’Donnell, born 19.11.1994 in Glasgow.   Linda apparently never married but she has a daughter, Nicola McGillivray, born, 5.12.1985, in Glasgow.

(7) Catherine (Rina) McLaughlin, born 7.3.1948, Glasgow, married Malcolm Ridley, b. circa 1950, Glasgow, Scotland.   They have a daughter, Sharon Ridley, born 10.8.1970, not married.

(8) Anne Marie McLaughlin, born  . 25.11.1949, Glasgow, Scotland.   She married (i) Alexander McAlpine, b. circa 1949 and  Richard McCulloch, b. circa 1970.    Anne Marie  apparently has a daughter outwith her marriages, Karen Catherine McLaughlin, born  15.3.168 Glasgow, Scotland.

She had two children by her husband,

 Alexander McAlpine, Anne Marie McAlpine, born, 2.10.1973, Glasgow, Scotland and Alexander William McAlpine, born 4.1.1977, Glasgow, Scotland.    Karen McLaughlin married a Graham Cumlin.   They were divorced in January 1994. Graham died in October 1995.  They never had children.   Karen is very keen on the Genealogy of her family and we are regularly in touch by email.

Anne Marie McAlpine never married but she had three children, two daughters and a son.   Her first daughter’s father was a James Wilson (now deceased) and the father of the other two is an Edward Hinde.  Her first daughter however uses the surname of her other two children.   They are (i) Nicole (Wilson) Hinde, born 19.1.1989 at the Queen Mother Hospital, Glasgow, (ii) Danielle Hinde, born 22.6.1996 at Rottenrow Hospital, Glasgow and (iii) Richard McAlpine, born 10.3.1998 at Rottenrow.

Having some difficulty in obtaining information from my aunt Mary (May) in the Isle of man, I managed to obtain the telephone number of her son, my cousin Hugh Callaghan.   I ‘phoned Hugh’s number on the Isle of Man but unfortunately, he was not at home on the evening I called.   However, I did speak to his wife.   The following I add to this document. Hugh Callaghan, born  1.6.1945, Glasgow, Scotland.   He married Isobel Milligan, born 17.3.1945, Glasgow, Scotland.   They have two daughters, Elain Callaghan born, 31.7.1972, Glasgow, Scotland, and Lynne Callaghan, born 18.12.1975, Glasgow, Scotland.   I also obtained the Callaghan’s email address and sent  to them, the direct bloodline

McLaughlin information from ‘Old’ Henry to their daughters.  

Early in January I ‘phoned Agnes Hogan in New Jersey, USA and asked if she could provide the addresses of her brothers and sisters in order that I might write to them for further information.   Agnes assured me that if I wrote to her with forms that I had produced, she would fill them in and provide the information I was looking for.   I also sent an email to Molly Maffei with some information on her family asking for more information.   Sadly, I received a letter from Agnes indicating that her family were not really interested, that she was unable to provide any further information.   I had thought that this was a rich source of information when I made initial contact in July 2004.  

Molly Maffei has failed to respond to my email, indeed she has failed to respond to emails I have sent over the past 6 moths.   I know she now has a very busy job but it now appears that this source of information has also now been lost.

I had three of the McCaig sisters to contact and was successful in speaking to the three of them separately at their home addresses.    My first call was to Mary (May) now Boyle, born in May 1939.    May informed me that she had married Edward (Eddie) Boyle, born circa 1939 who died in 1996.   May averred that she had a son, Brian Thomas McCaig, born 26.10.1962.   She also informed me that she was agoraphobic and very reluctant to leave her home.   She in fact lives up the same multi-storey flats that my father lived in when he was alive.   May not only provided me with the telephone number of her sister Sadie but also the number of her sister in Florida USA. Brian Thomas McCaig has never married.

I phoned Sadie shortly afterwards and we agreed that I should ‘phone back the following Sunday when she would have any information I was looking for available.

That following Sunday, before my call to Sadie, I ‘phoned my cousin Elizabeth (McCaig) Giraldi at her home in  Florida and we had quite a long conversation.   She informed me that she emigrated to the States, initially to New Jersey.   She met and married Carl (Buddy) Giraldi, born,. 12.12.1934 in USA.  They have one set of twins, (i) Russell Gilardi, born 23.7.1974, USA and sister (ii)Andrea Gilardi, born the same day, USA.   Their third child is a son,      Carl Gilardi(Jnr) born, 23.7.1976, USA.    Russell Gilardi married Andrea Barrilli, born, circa 1976 in USA.   They have no children as yet.

 Cousin Elizabeth appears to be very interested in ‘family’ history.   She has provided me with an email address and we have already been in touch with each other in cyberspace.

Next  I‘ phoned cousin   Sarah (Sadie McCaig) McClure.   She married William McClure; b. 30.6.1932 in Glasgow Scotland on 19.2.1955.   Sadie informed me that their children were,

(i) William McClure, born, 30.1.1956, Glasgow Scotland, died. 14 weeks later in the same year. R.I.P.

(ii) Elizabeth McClure, b. 16.2.1957 Glasgow, Scotland.   She married Duncan Martin, b. circa 1959.   They are now divorced. They had one child, Jemma Martin, born. 29.12.1985.

 (iii) David McClure, born, 1.2.1958, Glasgow, Scotland.  He married Deborah (Debbie) Carss, born. circa 1955 in England. They have two girls,   Suzanne McClure, born, 28.5.1984, and Hayley McClure, born 29.4.1987.

 (iv)      Joseph McClure, born, 28.4.1964, Glasgow, Scotland.   He married Jean McKenzie, born, circa 1962.   They are at present separated.  They have one son, Liam McClure, born 6.8.1991.

(v) Billy McClure, born, 1.10.1967 also in Glasgow, Scotland.   They named their last child Billy, a corruption of the name William after the first child that they lost.   He married Dawn Black, born, circa 1967. They have two sons, David McClure, born. 22.11.1992, and Christopher McClure, born. 15.1.1997.

During our conversation, Sadie happened to mention that her sister Crace (McCaig) Cox was a Great, grandmother.   I telephoned Grace, she confirmed the information and said that her granddaughter, Karen Donaldson, gave birth to a daughter, Chloe Donaldson on 44.1.2002.   I believe I have exhausted all the information I can obtain from all my McCaig cousins.