Sentimental Sunday - Walking in the steps of my Great Great Grandparents James and Margaret McGregor

For the last two weeks, I have taken advantage of some free time on the weekends to do some hands on research visiting sites in Sydney that are linked with the McGregor Family.

My first trip was to the Field of Mars Cemetery, Ryde. This cemetery has an online deceased search that can be used to search for family members and the plot they are buried in.  There is also a map provided that shows you the different denominations.  Armed with hat, suncream water and camera, I worked my way along the rows of graves in the Presbyterian Section of the cemetery, carefully checking for familiar names. To my delight, James and Margaret McGregor's grave was easily found and just next to it was their daughter Christina Sterland (nee McGregor) who passed away suddenly when she was only 30 years old.

James and Margaret McGregor

Christina Sterland (nee McGregor) 1870-1901

This afternoon I ventured out on my second McGregor adventure, and caught the Ferry to from Circular Quay to the suburb of Balmain.  James and Margaret McGregor with their family, moved to Balmain in 1878.  My plan was to see if I could find the house they lived in (7 Booth Street, Balmain) and take some photos of Gladstone Park.  It was reported in James' obituary that he had been employed by the Balmain Park to look after Gladstone Park, which coincidentally is bordered by Booth Street.  

As I climbed up the hill (from the ferry stop) to Gladstone Park, passing the beautiful old sandstone cottages, I couldn't help wondering if my Grandparents had walked along this same road.  Where had they shopped?  Where did their children go to school?  Did they play any sports?  

The first stop was the local library, where I checked out their local history books and obtained the contact details of the librarian who specalises in local history.  Mental note to self!! take the time to contact her this week! Then it was time to see if I could find the family home in Booth Street. Sure enough, opposite to the park, there were a number of historical cottages, including No.7. The mystery for me is that, the house next door (No. 6) was familiar!!  When I visited the SAG last week, there was a photo of this house among the pictures in the files I had looked at.  Another questions? What was the significance of the house next door to the McGregor Family? Had the house numbering been changed?

 

Booth St, Balmain

 I crossed the road, following in the footsteps of my great great grandfather, James McGregor to Gladstone Park. The Park that in his later years (as mention in his Obituary) he had been in charge of while working for the Balmain Council, and the park that he enjoyed sitting in after his retirement.

View from Park back to home in Booth Street

 

Some of the Beautiful old trees in the Park.

I took a few quiet moments to contemplate in the shade of the old trees and wondered if James had sat near here? Did he plant some of these beautiful trees?  I hope I will be able to find more details about his time working for the Council and his connection with this park.  It was then time to follow his  (and the rest of the McGregor family) footsteps through the park, and down one block to the historical Campbell Street Presbyterian Church.  Again his obituary advised that James and his family had been members of this church for over 18 years.

Campbell St Presbyterian Church

I have to say, visiting and following the footsteps of your ancestors has a much different feel to that of researching on-line.  It is far more personal.  It has been a rewarding weekend, though there are still many questions to be answered.  

Sunday's Obituary - James McGregor (1833-1917)

Among the files that I looked at last weekend at the Society of Australia Genealogists (SAG) was the hand written obituary for James McGregor (my great great Grandfather). A photo of James, his wife Margaret and their children and grand-children, can be found on my blog, The Other Half of my Family - stories of my female ancestors,  where I have started to write the stories his daughters. 

Obituary of James McGregor

Published by local Balmain/Rozelle Newspaper Copied by Miss Hind (Rita)   2^nd Cousin of G.A. Kinnear of Willyama Avenue Fairlight, who has Original.

"The death occurred on Tuesday 19^th June 1917, at 7 Booth St. Balmain of Mr James McGregor, a resident of Balmain for 29 years, as the result of an accident which took place 5 weeks previously.

Mr McGregor was born in Glasgow in 1833 and came out to Australia in 1849, where he settled in the Braidwood district, on a sheep Station. He married Miss Margaret McPherson at Braidwood on 213 June 1859.  After spending 3 years on the Station, he followed mining pursuits in Braidwood, Shoalhaven River and New Zealand until 1878, when he came to settle in Balmain with his wife and family.

While in Balmain he was employed at Vickery’s Tannery, Callan Park Asylum Buildings and was later employed by the Balmain Council in charge of Gladstone Park. He retired in 1907 and it was one of the pleasures of his remaining to spend some of his time in the park and view the growth of the trees which he had so carefully nurtured in their young days.

Mr McGregor was a thorough Christian in word and deed, being a member of St Paul’s Rozelle and for the past 18 years of Campbell Street Presbyterian Church.  For many years with his family, he took an active part in Good Templary as a member of “We Hope to Prosper” and “Haste to the Rescue” Lodges, and remained a consistent total abstainer to his death.  He was also a member of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows which he joined 53 years ago.

He leaves a widow, who is in her 77^th year, seven daughters, two sons, 28 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

The Rev. Geo. Cranston of Campbell St Presbyterian Church conducted the service at the house, and also at the Grave, Field of Mars, where his body was laid to rest in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends."

Gladstone Park, Balmain, Just across the road from James McGregor's home in Booth Street, possibly where James sat in his last days, enjoying the pleasures of the park that he had cared for while working for the Balmain Council