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Last broadcast on Sun, 30 Jan 2011, 12:05 on BBC Radio Scotland (except MW).
Synopsis
New family histories and genealogy advice presented by Bill Whiteford.
Almost all of us will discover an ancestor who has been in the army, navy or air force when researching our family tree. This week Digging Up Your Roots brings you advice on how to research military ancestors.
this week
Bill is joined by genealogist Dr Bruce Durie and military historian, author and broadcaster Andy Robertshaw (pictured). Andy is Director of the Royal Logistic Corps museum.
pendant of proof
Listener David Price got in touch regarding his great-grandfather George.
He says, "There was just this great hole in information about [him]. He just seemed to have disappeared off the radar in 1841. Until recently the trail went cold at this point. George’s next entry in official records was his marriage in Calcutta. But how, when and why had he turned up there?".
David wondered if he might have been around during the turbulent times of the Indian mutiny and contacted the "Families in British India Society" who provided David with a list of soldiers awarded the Indian Mutiny Medal. Four George Prices were included including one in the 42nd Foot, better known as The Black Watch. David visited the Regimental Archivist at Balhousie Castle in Perth who provided him with lots of information from their records. But still David had no proof that this was "his" George.
By coincidence at this same time David had re-established contact with his only first cousin on the Price side. She mentioned that her father had given her a pendant with an Indian connection many years previously. On checking the pendant she discovered that one side displayed Queen Victoria’s head, the other read "India 1857-1858" and the engraving around the edge of the coin read: "G. Price - 42nd Foot – Royal Highlanders".
Listen this week to hear more about George Price’s story and his recruitment into the Black Watch.
the falconer sword
Also on the programme, we speak to Patricia Wyllie who is looking for more information about the "Falconer Sword" that has been passed down the female line of her family.
the american war of independence
Listener George Campbell successfully researched his family history back to 1804, but when he got stuck a trip to Glasgow's Mitchell Library revealed a military connection that could explain the lack of records.
He says, "A French aristocrat’s diary for 1786 tells of a Fort William hotelkeeper who had lost two of his three sons, both British army officers, in the American War of Independence".
From checking military records George discovered the only name occurring more than once among British officer dead was indeed Campbell – one of whom was Adjutant William Campbell - whose story has become a legend in Newhaven, Connecticut.
Historian Peter Malia in Connecticut explains how Adjutant William Campbell saved the life of a local minister from British troops – an act of compassion for which he is still remembered to this day.
Ancestors in the Militia
Listener Ken Mathieson tells us about his great-great-great grandfather's service with the Inverness-shire Militia. Crucial to Ken's extensive research was a document that had been preserved in the family - his ancestor's 200 year old discharge paper from 1810 which, although fragile and damaged, provided crucial clues to take the research forward.
"people didn't talk"
Hugh McAtear is a Scot now living and working in Singapore. His grandfather - also Hugh - died more than a decade before he was born so was never physically present in his life, but there was always a presence in his home in the form of his photo in which he wears his Glengarry and poppy.
Other than the photo, some family stories and his discharge papers discovered in a relative’s home not much more is known about his grandfather’s military service, or life before joining up.
Hugh tells us, "I started to ask the family members about him. I asked my father, he just said people didn't talk…people didn't talk".
Broadcast
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Sun 30 Jan 201112:05
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