Walter Stark emailed me today saying, “Hi Paul. I noticed that Part 5 of Archie Brown’s diary dealt with May 1874, the SAME month that my Great Grandparents James and Margaret McGuigan (nee Smith) were married in Rutherglen.
You ran a piece about a year ago “McGuigan Family 1900” by which time the same couple had a big family, including my Granny Teresa (RIP) who was 6 years old in the picture.
I checked James and Margaret’s marriage certificate (attached) and found that they tied the knot on Monday 25th May 1874 which, according to Archie’s diary, was a fine warm day……
“Mon 25. Fine morning, was ridging for turnips in the Fairhaugh all day, fine afternoon. Rather warmer today. Wind east all day.”
So I can now confidently say “Airchie Broon was howkin tumshies in Blantur at the exact same time when my great granny and granfaither were getting merrit in Ru’glen!!”
Interesting how that wee connection brought to life something that happened on one particular day 143 years ago! Thanks and all the best. Walter Stark”