Alison Spring
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acspring.bsky.social
Alison Spring
@acspring.bsky.social
1.1K followers 100 following 1.3K posts
Glasgow-ish based Qualified Genealogist @ RQG, specialising in Scottish research linktr.ee/scotsancestors
Speaker - see my talks listed at https://tinyurl.com/yb9cht29
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acspring.bsky.social
My 4ggfather was wounded in an unusual way: "...he used to declare that he suffered more during all his life afterwards from having had his leg scalded by a canteenful of hot pease-soup than from his wounds sustained in action."
Newspaper article from Nairnshire Telegraph, 4 Feb 1863 (BNA). DEATH OF A VETERAN.-In our obituary to-day we intimate the death of Corporal Hugh Mackintosh, 42d Royal Highlanders (The Black Watch), at the ripe age of 82. Corporal Mackintosh held two medals: one for Waterloo – the most honourable decoration of the British soldier, and one for service in the Peninsular War, 1793-1814, bearing also clasps, for Toulouse, Orthes, Nive, Nivelle, Pyrenees, Salamanca, Ciudad Rodrigo, Fuentes D’Onor, and Busaco. In the course of his long services he was twice severely wounded: but he used to declare that he suffered more during all his life afterwards from having had his leg scalded by a canteenful of hot pease-soup when on the voyage out to the Peninsula, than from his wounds sustained in action. In the retreat from Burgos, he carried his wounded brother to the rear, and was shocked, on laying him down, to find that the wound had proved mortal, the wounded man having died on his brother’s back. Corporal Mackintosh was a native of Ross-shire, and was enlisted by the late Captain Fraser of Brackla in this county. After his retirement from the army in 1818, he for a number of years held the offices of prison keeper, sheriff-officer, and town’s drummer in Nairn. Two of his sons joined the army. One of them enlisted in the 93d or Sutherland Highlanders, and fought in the Crimea and in India, and was discharged upon a pension on account of wounds received in the Indian Mutiny. The other, now serving in the 78th Highlanders, fought in Persia and in India, entering Lucknow under General Havelock, and standing the siege of that town until its relief by Sir Colin Campbell.
December 11, 2025 at 4:36 PM
acspring.bsky.social
Niece Jen with said elk. The bears just trotted across the road in front of our car and there wasn't time to get a photo!
November 30, 2025 at 7:25 AM
acspring.bsky.social
A fluffy ginger cat having its belly rubbed
November 27, 2025 at 2:47 PM
acspring.bsky.social
A photo of kitchen cupboard doors with text superimposed saying, "I don't have an advent calendar so I'm just opening cupboard doors and eating whatever's in there."
November 26, 2025 at 12:26 AM
acspring.bsky.social
The movie poster depicts lead actor Bill Paterson with an ice cream cone smashed onto his nose. The main text of the poster reads: From the director of ‘Local Hero’ and ‘Gregory’s Girl’ Comfort and Joy (PG) A serious comedy
November 23, 2025 at 10:31 PM
acspring.bsky.social
And today's discovery combines my two great loves: NBC's Law & Order, and family history (I think it's to do with detective work). A distant paternal cousin has made it into the records in the Bronx. #GenHour
A document which reads: State of New York Department of Correction Sing Sing Prison George MacDonald Received 6-22-33 From Bronx
November 13, 2025 at 8:12 PM
acspring.bsky.social
My cousin Charles McIntyre ended up there in 1908.
Newspaper article which reads: Prisoner’s Praiseworthy Action. Superintendent Charles Maclntyre, aged 68, of the Argyllshire Constabulary, Oban, died in Glasgow yesterday in tragic circumstances. The deceased was escorting a prisoner from Oban to Glasgow. On reaching Buchanan Street Station, he engaged a cab to drive him and his charge to Duke Street Prison. Whilst on the way, the prisoner stopped the cab, informed the driver that his escort appeared to be very ill, and suggested that he should drive to the nearest police office for medical assistance. By this time, however, the cab was within a short distance of the prison, and the cabman, accelerating the pace, soon brought his fares to the door. The prison doctor at once examined Superintendent Maclntyre, and found him dead. The prisoner, on being asked subsequently why he did not attempt to escape, replied that he stayed to assist the policeman, who seemed very ill.
November 12, 2025 at 3:14 PM
acspring.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 3:37 PM
acspring.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves #Day31 #MementoMori The clasped hands on this stone, in Collace churchyard, symbolise the hoped-for reunion in heaven with loved ones.
A pointed grey gravestone sits in a grassy churchyard. At its head is a carved symbol of clasped hands. Beneath is the inscription "In Loving Memory Of ANN McLAREN Wife Of DAVID GRAY Who Died 16th February 1911 Aged 69 Years And Of Their Family ISABELLA Who Died 7th April 1889 Aged 9 Years And 8 Months CHRISTINA Died In Infancy The Above DAVID GRAY Who Died 10th April 1913 Aged 75 Years And Their Daughters ANN Who Died 14th January 1940 Aged 62 Years CECILIA Who Died 9th June 1946 Aged 87 Years" Photo Credit: Mentiplay on Findagrave
October 31, 2025 at 8:08 AM
acspring.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves #Day30 #Colour In Scotland, the Surname BLUE is almost entirely confined to the west and its islands. One would think it pretty rare, until you scroll through a census and find villages significantly populated by Blues. This particular stone is in Kilkerran Cemetery in Campbeltown.
A wide grey granite headstone is dedicated to as follows "In Loving Memory of Thomas Blue Baker and Confectioner Died 3rd Nov. 1937 aged 48 years also his son Alastair Farquhar, R.A.F. Killed 3rd Dec. 1943, and interred in Brandon, Manitoba aged 21 years Alice Farquhar Wife of Thomas and Mother of Alastair Died 14th March 1974 aged 82 years" Photo credit: Pixturmn on FindaGrave
October 30, 2025 at 8:06 AM
acspring.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves #Day29 #Occupation This memorial is in Elgin Cathedral churchyard and is possibly a relative. My 5th great-grandparents, George Sellar (also a miller) & Janet Arnot, married in 1794, have a stone here but it is impossible to read now. Transcription of this stone is in the alt text.
A simple headstone set directly into the turf bears the inscription "In Memory of WILLIAM SELLAR late Miller in Old-mills who died the 1st of May 1796 Aged 68 years."
October 29, 2025 at 8:03 AM
acspring.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves #Day28 #Column All right, so it's not a column, but it IS one of only two such structures in Scotland, copied from the Irish round tower style. It's now attached to Brechin Cathedral, but was originally free-standing. More at www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-plac...
Beside the cathedral stands a 25-metre tall round tower which comes to a turret-shaped point. Set in its wall, 2 metres off the ground, is the original arched doorway. In the foreground are gravestones and shrubbery.
October 28, 2025 at 7:41 AM
acspring.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves #Day27 #Tree A springtime visit this year to the Scottish county of Angus found me in St Vigeans churchyard amidst some beautiful blossoms on the trees.
A path leads through the gravestones of a churchyard towards its gate. Flanking the gate are two trees full of pink blossoms, standing out against a pale blue sky. A row of stone-built cottages can be seen beyond the gate. A close-up of the pink blossoms shows their beautiful petals and the stems that attach them, in clumps, to a tree. A gravestone leans to the right in the background.
October 27, 2025 at 7:59 AM
acspring.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves #Day26 #Figure An almost life-sized statue of a bishop stands in the nave of the ruined Elgin Cathedral, rather like an enormous chess piece. There are more medieval memorials here than any other Scottish cathedral, apparently. Though not medieval, my 5th ggparents also rest here.
Framed by a filled-in archway in the ruins of Elgin Cathedral stands, at ground level, a statue of a bishop. He is depicted in full Mass vestments: mitre, alb and chasuble. What remains of his crozier is a staff in his left hand.
October 26, 2025 at 8:04 AM
acspring.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves #Day25 #GravesideOrnament On a recent visit to my local graveyard, I spotted this beautiful memorial. I especially liked the urn in front of the headstone, but the effect of the whole memorial was stunning.
A shiny black marble gravestone is set in a granite wall, topped by a grey marble pediment. Supporting the pediment are two black marble pillars with vertical gold stripes running their length. In front of the gravestone is a grey marble slab on which sits a bronze urn. It contains two pink bulrushes and rainwater. To the right of the slab is a small gold ball and plant pots containing the remains of plants. The gravestone itself is engraved in Chinese characters and includes, at the top left, an oval-shaped picture of a woman in pink floral Chinese costume.
October 25, 2025 at 7:10 AM
acspring.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves #Day24 #UnusualAnimal Found in the 18thC in the grounds of nearby Dyke parish church, "Rodney's Stone" features a carving of the Pictish Beast, an unidentified animal found on numerous stones around Scotland, variously thought to be a dolphin or an elephant. More at: buff.ly/B6OfAKF
A large upright stone slab is supported by two metal rods. On its face are carved Pictish symbols. Two are snake-like creatures with heads resembling dragons. Below them is the Pictish Beast, shaped like an elephant but with a very long nose rather than a trunk. Below it is the double-disc symbol, a bit like two hand mirrors tied together by their handles. It now stands in the grounds of Brodie Castle in Morayshire.
October 24, 2025 at 7:08 AM
acspring.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves #Day23 #Cross Edderton 2 is the official name for this stone which stands in Edderton churchyard in Easter Ross. More info at easterrosschurches.co.uk/church/old-p...
A sandstone marker in a churchyard with a large Celtic cross covering one side.
October 23, 2025 at 7:10 AM
acspring.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves #Day22 #Landscape My 18th- & 19th-century ancestors lived on the hills in this photo, taken from the parish burial ground. These are the Heights of Fodderty, a parish near Dingwall in Ross-shire. You can really feel the ancestral vibes in this area. Older grave in the second photo!
Steep green hills with buildings and lines of trees dotted across them lie beneath a blue and white sky and a rainbow. A line of trees separates the hills from a large neat cemetery with rows of headstones. On the heathery hills opposite the cemetery stands a group of four megalithic stones, between 1 and 1.5 metres high. They are all that remains of a chambered cairn at Heights of Brae. No other structures can be seen, and there is a fine view of hills in the distance. More information at https://www.megalithics.com/scotland/heights_of_brae/braemain.htm
October 22, 2025 at 7:19 AM
acspring.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves #Day21 #Bronze Nether Largie Mid Cairn lies at the centre of a Bronze Age linear cemetery in Kilmartin Glen, Argyllshire. Learn more: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-plac...
Low hills and a massive layer of stones are the backdrop to several granite stones which appear to have previously formed a cist or burial box. Photo credit: Supergolden, Wikimedia Commons
October 21, 2025 at 6:23 AM
acspring.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves #Day20 #Wreath Not strictly speaking a grave, but a memorial to the Commandos who trained in this remote area of the Scottish Highlands in the Second World War. 1,700 of them died in that conflict. My father always broke our summer drive to Skye here, to pay his respects.
The monument to the Commandos stands in front of distant hills. Two of the three bronze statues depicting soldiers of the regiment on top of the monument are visible in this photo, equipped with rifles and backpacks. Two poppy wreaths sit at the base of the memorial.
October 20, 2025 at 7:44 AM
acspring.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves #Day19 #SocialGroup On holiday in Alberta a few years ago, I was taken by my sister-in-law to the town of Vulcan. She was a big fan of Star Trek, and apparently the town has become something of a pilgrimage destination for Trekkies, as this stone shows...
A black marble headstone in the shape of a Star Trek uniform badge is dedicated to Kathryn Elizabeth Larsen who has "gone to the final frontier". A large replica of the USS Enterprise, the starship from the original Star Trek TV show, sits on top of a stone monument in the town of Vulcan, Alberta. Photo credit: Canoe1967, Wikimedia Commons, CCA-3.
October 19, 2025 at 7:05 AM
acspring.bsky.social
The full complement of breakdowns, for those who said "Where's the other 2%?"
October 18, 2025 at 10:54 PM
acspring.bsky.social
This is a screen grab from my DNA "Highlights" after the recent Ancestry ethnicity estimate update. Some actual Irish locations for the first ever time in any kind of evidence! #GenHour
October 18, 2025 at 10:48 PM
acspring.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves #Day18 #Mistake Visiting the graves of relatives in Kinclaven Parish churchyard, Perthshire, I noticed someone else had not been quite so fortunate with their stonemason's spelling - or maybe they just went with what the family provided.
A round-topped gravestone set in a well-kept country churchyard bears the inscription: Erected to the memory of William Burns who died at West Tofts Stanley 18th Decr. 1913 aged 61 And his wife Margaret Dow died 3rd February 1923 aged 74 Their son Thomas Dow Burns died 11th Decr. 1960 aged 83 A black marble headstone with gold lettering. Flanked by two thistles, the heading reads "Precious Memories of". As this is a very recent burial the names on the headstone have been redacted. The body of the inscription reads "Who Awakenned From the Dream Of Life On 18th May 2005 (The word Awakenned has been misspelt on the headstone) Aged 66 Years Beloved Husband, Father And Grandfather. We Treasure Every Memory With Tears We Speak Your Name We Will Always Love and Miss You In A World That's Not The Same
October 18, 2025 at 7:22 AM
acspring.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves #Day17 #Relocated Rebuilt on the site of its graveyard is the chancel or choir of the current Paisley Abbey. Many stones (one example picked at random) from the graveyard form part of the floor, although not necessarily in the right order...
A large gravestone is embedded in a flagstone floor. The first part of the inscription reads: This is the Burying place of John McWilliam and his heirs 1787 And is now the Property of Robert Barclay Merch Paisley 1808 Robert Barclay died 13th december 1828, And lies here. Interior of Paisley Abbey. A large arch-shaped stained glass window is set in the far wall above the altar. Flagstones and recumbent gravestones pave the floor between the two rows of wooden choir seating.
October 17, 2025 at 7:19 AM