Researching the Cowans Tracing family roots to origins in Rattray
The Blair gowrie,Ratt ray and District Genealogy Group recently welcomed two very special guests to the east Perthshire town.
Bob and Meredith Alcock from San Diego visited the centre, which is based in Blairgowrie Library, during a trip to the area to find out more about Meredith’s ancestors, the Cowan family from New Rattray.
The family had a joinery business, and Robert Cowan - who was Meredith’s greatgreat-grandmother’s brother - became a minister.
In 1924 the Blairie serialised extracts from “The Reminiscences of the Rev Robert Cowan”, which was also published as a book, a copy of which is kept at the library and which Meredith was delighted to be able to see.
Meredith’s great-great-grandmother was born here but moved to Toronto, and Meredith and Bob spent two days in Blairgowrie and Rattray finding out as much as they could about the family history.
They were in the UK on an ancestral trip, which also included meeting relatives in Edinburgh and walking along part of Hadrian’s Wall.
Meredith said: “My parents came here in the 1950s and other members of the family have visited once or twice as well.
“Wilma and the other volunteers at the centre have been terrific and made this a wonderful trip, they have found out so much for us.
“We were able to visit Rattray Church and see headstones for members of the Cowan family there, including my greatgreat-grandmother Mary, and saw the cottage on South Street where the family lived in 1871.”
The couple stayed in a bed and breakfast on Balmoral Road during their visit.
Meredith continued: “Blairgowrie and Rattray seems like a pleasant town - where we live in south California is so dry so we are very impressed by the greenery here.
“The view from the bridge of the river is amazing, the scenery is wonderful, it’s a beautiful setting and we’re enjoying the raspberries too!”
Wilma Philip is one of the volunteers at the Genealogy Centre.
She said: “We were delighted to be able to welcome Meredith and Bob to Blairgowrie and Rattray and it was fascinating to be able to find out so much about Meredith’s family for them to see for themselves during their visit here.
“The centre is made up of a group of volunteers who assist local people and others from around the globe to research their roots, usually in Blairgowrie and Rattray, but further afield as well.”