Alford Image Library

Searching for Sculptor of the carved stones

Hello, I'm Immo from Berlin, Germany, It's a wonderful site with historic and present views of the town and around Alford. We spent beautiful holidays in June in Mill of Brux in Kildrummy nearby. After a visit of the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford I photographed the relief sculptured stones on the old station sqaure in Alford. Can you tell me, where ist the artist and since when the stones are standing there?

The Toughs

My great-great grandfather, William Tough, was the post messenger in Alford and Leochel & Cushnie for over 37 years. He, his wife and several of his eleven children are buried just inside the gates of the West Kirk in Alford. There is one very large and one smaller stone marking their graves. I recently visited the churchyard whilst researching my family tree (not knowing the graves were there). Is the church still in use? (We weren't sure). Does anyone know anything that might be useful or interesting in relation to the family?

Gallowhill School - Muir of Alford

My Great Grandmother taught at the above school. (1851/1861 census) Muir of Alford. Could anyone give me any information on the above school, which I know is now closed? Her Father was William Taggart and mother Penelope, maiden name Farquharson. Many thanks

Dunn/Robertson Families

I would like to get in touch with Herbert MacKenzie, as I think we are related. My Gt,GT,GT,GT Grandparents were Arthur and Martha Dunn, and I am a descendant of their daughter Margaret Robertson and Robert Robertson. I have just recently found this side of my family and would like to learn some more, as I live down in Kent it would be great to get in touch with anyone in the district who could help me. Many thanks Colin.

Tullynessle McKenzies

I am a direct descendent of the McKenzie's that had their family homes at North Warrackston and Boggieshalloch, with my GG Grandparents (Simon McKenzie & Jane Barron) being buried just infront of the main door of Tullynessle Kirk next to the black Forbes gravestone. My particular branch, headed by Alexander Mitchell McKenzie, moved to Tarland between c1915-c1950. If anyone has any information on this family I'd love to get in touch. Sites like this are invaluable, keep up the good work!

Insch Family O Neil Corse

What a wonderful website. I grew up in O Neil Corse but I now live in Aberdeen. I have been looking through the pictures to see if I could find any photographs of the Insch family from Woodside O Neil Corse but nothing yet. I will keep visiting the site to see these lovely old pictures. Well done everyone who contributes to the Alford Image Library.

Gameskeeper on Forbes Estate.

This is fairly recent family history 1950s. My godmother Helen Hardie Graham came to work for the Forbes Estate in the mid-fifties and married the gamekeeper William Wallace around about 1960. A long shot I know, but I wonder if anyone remembers them. When married they lived at Keig, by the bridge.

Interesting site.

My father (Cyril Massie Shepherd) was raised in Alford along with one of his sisters (Stella). Im not sure exactly where they lived, 'though I do know they were raised on the Massie's farm (grandparents?). I believe his father was called Cecil Shepherd and his mother was Mary Massie. I've visited Alford once but apparently the Massie farm is no longer there and has been built over or redeveloped? My fathers older sister (Barbara) I believe lived in Aberdeen with her mother? The only other information I can think of is that my father's uncle on his mothers side (Leslie Massie) was killed in the Great War. I will try to get some photos up of my family if i can get them off my sisters. Great site and on i shall return to.

PETER WATT COACHMAN TO LORD FORBES

I have only recently found this fantastic web-site. I live in Melbourne Australia and have a close family connection with Alford. My great Grandfather Peter Watt was Coachman to Lord Forbes about 1900. The family lived on the Forbes Estate for many years. I visited Scotland in 2005 and a highlight of my visit was spending a night at Forbes Castle, meeting Malcolm and Jinny Forbes and being shown around the estate including places associated with my Watt ancestors. It was a surprise and a thrill to meet a person, also staying overnight at Castle Forbes, who had once lived at Greystone Cottage near the Bridge of Alford. This was the cottage where my grandfather Peter Watt was born. I have other Watt relations currently living in Alford, long time residents Harry and Vida Laird who live in Montgarrie Road. I first met Harry and Vida in 2005 who showed me around Alford. My wife and I visited Scotland and spent a week with Harry and Vida in January 2008. We are looking forward to visiting again early in 2010. It was great to find 2 photographs of Harry on the web-site and also a photograph of the corner shop at Montgarrie Road. I would like to make contact with any people who may have a Watt family connection. Thank You John Bird

James Milne, Sexton, Alford Parish Church c. 1880-1890

My great great grandfather was James Milne born 1809 in Newhills but he is recorded as Sexton of Alford Parish Church on his daughter Elizabeth's marriage certificate in 1861. Elizabeth Milne married John Taylor and they lived at Borrowstoun Brae, Alford where John was a crofter and ag lab. I've tried to find Borrowstoun Brae on a map but no success. Does anyone know exactly where Borrowstoun Brae was? The Taylors and Milnes lived at Borrowstoun Brae from 1860s to 1890s. It would be interesting to know if any Milnes or Taylors from the family still reside in Alford or nearby. Any information would be gratefully received. best wishes from Edinburgh Pat Reid nee Taylor

Descendant of William & Christian (Tawse) Forbes

I appreciate this web site and all the images - thank you. My ancestors, William Forbes, was born in 1787 in Drumfottie, and his wife Christian Tawse was born 29 Mar 1795. They immigrated to the United States in 1837 and purchased land in Ohio which they named, "Vale of Alford" (and the name of the farm lives on today). I would appreciate it if anyone has additional information on my two ancestors. Thank you.

McWilliam family

Hi i was wondering if anyone had any images of the McWilliam family that lived in Montgarrie Craiy-y-Don. My dad was Sandy McWilliam. I would love to see any of my grandmother Barbara McWilliam and or grandfather James Mcwiliam. My uncles are James and Charles My Aunties are Margaret and Barbara Any information no matter how small would be greatly appreciated.

First 1000 Images

It's taken just under 9 months to reach 1000 images on the Alford Image Library Website, all of which will be permanently stored at the Alford Heritage Centre and Museum in addition to being displayed here. A big thank you to all who have contributed photographs and just to say keep them coming....next target 2000!

Whitehaugh House

I am a descendent of Theodore Forbes Leith who owned Whitehaugh House at his death in 1818/19. In his will he refers to his father, without naming him, to ancestoral paintings and to the library which his father had established at the house. I am trying to find out more about the family and would be grateful to anyone who can give me more information about the house or the collections. I see on your site you have a letter about a Garden party held at the house in 1904 by William Forebes Leith, who died a few years later. But I do not know what happened to the house after his death. I hope to hear from someone.....

You Tube Presentation Featuring Gordon's Shop and Staff Over the Years.

For an excellent video presentation put together by Russell Ward, one of the contributors to this site, showing the part that Gordon's has played in Alford life, copy and paste the link below into your web-browser to the You Tube item and comments displayed on the Grampian Life Website: www.grampianlife.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=3213

Searching for Simpson, Cameron and Ellis Relatives from Alford and surrounds

I am looking for relatives related to Simpson (was shcoolmaster at Tullynessle in late 1800s,then Leochel Cushnie in around 1900, family came from Leochel Cushnie originally then were in Drumdelgie & Slioch and more), Cameron (who were at Knowehead in about 1920-30s) and Ellis (Edith, John and Royan who returned from Australia around 1946). Many of the pictures are from places I know from my research. Any help would be appreciated! I also have a lot of information on mostly the Simpson family if anyone is looking for such.

the gilberts of sheil cottage and schoolhill

I am trying to trace the family history of the Gilberts who farmed at Sheil and Schoolhill in Locheil cushine.William Alexander Gilbert was my grandfather.His father was Alexander Gilbert who was married to Francis Buchan I belive.I think his father was William Gilbert born 1825 and married to Isobel Emsile in 1860.Any information or photos of them or Sheil and Schoolhill farms would be welcome.Thank you, Ashley Anderson

A Hairst Tae Min' On

Hi Jim, this is a great site and congratulations to all who had the foresight and imagination to set it up. It was just amazing to see my brother Rory in the 1955 Alford secondary 3 photo thanks to Forbes Watt. The comment title is an account of growing up in Alford during the 40's/50's which I've been bashing away at on and off for years but your site has finally inspired me to get on and finish it this year without fail. The image library will be a huge resource and I shall certainly be contributing to it as well as I go along.

Haughton Park

I've only just discovered this really interesting site and, having lived all my life in the Howe, am thoroughly enjoying taking a step back in time! However I am a bit concerned that in some photos and notes Haughton Park appears as Houghton Park. Please give us back the original, proper spelling or the correct pronunciation of the name will disappear!

Relatives of Isabella Shearer

Hello everyone, I'm Jim, one of the editors of this site and I hope you have enjoyed visiting it and rummaging amongst the images here. I need a bit of help. I'm researching the life and work of PM Jimmy McHardy (see dedicated group on this site) and would like to make contact with the present day relatives of his wife, Isabella. Isabella was born in Orkney in 1872. She and Jimmy married in Aberdeen in 1896. She died in 1943. Edith, her daughter was certainly in correspondence with relatives in Orkney on her mother's side between 1945 and 1948. Does anyone know any Shearers from Orkney who might be related? There may also be relatives in Canada.