A Pleasant Surprise...

In my email today...

"Hi there- while researching my ancestors, I came across records for The Hamilton Muir St First Relief Church in Hamilton Library. On the same page as my ancestor, there are two birth records- one for Michael, lawful son of Thomas Curr and Jean Fleming, born 5th June 1796 in Hamilton and baptised by Rev Mr William Carrick. There is also an entry for his twin sister, Katherine Curr, obviously born the same day. Since this record is not published anywhere, thought you might like to have the info"

After replying to and thanking this kind lady for such valuable information on my second great grandfather Michael Curr and his unknown to me twin sister I checked a little more on the Internet and came up with this...

Amazing it stills stands today, the buildings to the side and behind it are an auctioneers business and have been there since the 1800's.   I should add that Hamilton is in the county of Lanarkshire Scotland and my father was born there many years later.

Other sources in my possession show Michael in three Census Records with his family but no mention of him ever having a twin sister here is the death of his father Thomas...

And another message from Melanie after I thanked her...

You are very welcome. The Church is no longer a church - it is has been an auctioneers since the mid 1800s. Originally a cattle auctioneer, but a furniture auctioneer since I was a wee girl ( am now 53!). If you go to the following web site you will see it.

http://www.hamiltonauctionmarket.com/

My scanner is broken unfortunately, but if I get a new one soon I'll forward you my photocopy of the original pages of the book. I don't think many folk know the book exists- they had it in a big vault where they keep all the precious stuff! I only found the info as I asked the librarian about possible early records.

All the best,

Melanie ( We live in East Kilbride about 4 miles from Hamilton)

Another reason I find Family History such a fun and interesting hobby.