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Threads of Time: A Scottish Ancestry Travel Adventure Through Strathaven, Darvel & Glassford
My Scottish Ancestry Travel Adventure Welcome to my Scottish ancestry travel adventure, where I share the unforgettable journey of tracing my roots through the rolling hills and historic towns of Scotland. From cozy breakfasts in Strathaven to emotional discoveries in Glassford and Darvel, this trip was more than sightseeing—it was a pilgrimage into my family’s past. Join me as I walk the paths my ancestors once did, uncovering stories, landscapes, and legacies that still echo today. A Lifelong Passion for Family History My journey into genealogy began long before my Scottish ancestry travel adventure ever appeared in this blog. I’ve always been obsessed with my family history—especially the story of…
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2025 Wood Family Reunion
A Reunion Rooted in Heritage Our family gathered for a Scottish-themed reunion at the Brandon Community Center. Diane, Sheri, and Jana served as hosts. The community center was decorated with Scottish Saltire flags, both outside and on the tables. Blue-and-white cloths matched the colors of the flag, creating a festive and meaningful space. A Taste of Tradition Descendants feasted on traditional Scottish dishes for lunch. Jana prepared haggis, cottage pie, and sticky toffee pudding. The thought of eating haggis filled many with trepidation. However, they anticipated tasting Scotland’s quintessential dish. Most were surprised at how much they actually liked it! Jerry ran the kitchen and directed the…
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W.M. Patterson Letter to J.R. Patterson 28 May 1891
The Letter Why is this letter so exciting? It is a pretty mundane, short letter between brothers. Weather, crops, news about people they know. Not much to it. And then you read one short little sentence: “I was sorry to hear that Bob Ferguson got his house burned with all of its contents.” And just like that…everything changes. Family Stories Family stories are wonderful, especially the old ones. Unfortunately, unless the original teller of the tales writes it down, oral family history is more like a game of telephone. With each telling, the story gets bigger. Details are omitted or added. The teller gives their own version to the listener,…
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Bobotie: A Flavorful Journey Through South Africa
We love to travel and to eat. We learn so much about a place through its food. South Africa is certainly one of those places. We have traveled there several times over the past few years (staying at Umndeni Game Lodge), taking friends with us to enjoy the adventure. (You can see some of those trips here.) While braai (grilling) is king, bobotie is a close second. South African cuisine is delicious and one of my favorite dishes is Bobotie. Let’s delve into the delightful world of Bobotie, a beloved part of South African cuisine that combines curried minced meat with a luscious egg custard topping. If you see food…
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Umndeni Game Lodge: The Best Safari Experience in South Africa
If you are looking for an amazing safari experience in South Africa, you should definitely check out Umndeni Game Lodge. Just so you know, this blog post isn’t based on one visit. My family and I have visited Umndeni Game Lodge four times in the past two years. We love everything about it and have started bringing friends with us. I am always blown away by their hospitality, professionalism, and passion for wildlife. In this blog post, I will share with you what I loved about Umndeni Game Lodge, and why you should trust them with your safari dream vacation. What is Umndeni Game Lodge? Umndeni Game Lodge is…
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Wood Family Reunion May 25, 2024
Agenda 8am-9am: Coffee and Donut Meet and Greet 9am-9:30am: Registration and Name Tags 9:40am – 10:40am: Why are we here? The Story of James and Isabella Wood 10:50am – 12:00pm: Business Meeting and Auction 12:00pm – 1:00pm: Lunch 1:pm – 1:30pm: Quick clean up from lunch 1:30pm: Depart for local tours. (PLEASE CARPOOL FOR THESE TOURS. PARKING IS LIMITED IN SOME OF THE LOCATIONS.) Milford Cemetery Old Brandon Cemetery Brandon Cemetery White Rock: Home of James and Isabella Wood 4:00pm(ish): At the conclusion of the tours, you are invited to join Jana and Jerry for light refreshments at the home of James…
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From “The Lone Star State” published 1892
The following is a bit from the chapter about Johnson and Hill County. THE LONE STAR STATE “Johnson and Hill Counties” 1892 Mrs. Jane M. Patterson, relict of John Patterson, and a lady much respected for her many excellent qualities of mind and heart, was born in Glasford Parish, Scotland, December 29, 1833. Her parents, James and Isabel(sic) Wood, were natives also of Scotland, in which country they were married, and in 1851 they came with their children, nine in number, to the United States. Previous to this, the father had bought some land in Texas from an English colony company and had sailed to America to settle on…
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1859 James Wood Land in Erath County and Sale to M. Frazier
Page One The State of Texas County of Hill Know all men by these presents that I, James Wood, of the county of Hill and state aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of $125 dollars to me in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby fully acknowledged have bargained sold aliened and conveyed and by these presents do bargain sell alien and convey to Monro Frazier of the county of Erath and state of Texas his heirs and Assigns forever all of the following described tract or parcel of land to wit, lying and being situated in the county of Erath on the Paluxy River about…
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John Patterson Loyalty Statement to the United States of America – 19 Nov 1869
John Patterson signed a loyalty statement following the US Civil War. Below is the transcribed letter (for easy reading) and a photo of the letter. Enjoy! Transcription: United States of America The State of Texas, County of Hill I, John Patterson, do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God that I will hereafter faithfully support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Union of the States there under and that I will in like manner abide by and faithfully support all laws and proclamations which have been made during the existence of the present rebellion with reference to the emancipation of slaves so help…
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12 June 1866: S. Candlish to James Wood
Transcribed Letter: St. George’s Square Sheffield June 12, 1866 Mr. Jas Wood My Dear Sir, Before you read this letter the enclosed funeral card will have conveyed to you the sad intelligence of the death of your Brother – He died from apoplexy- was only five hours ill- and was never conscious after being seized – Tho not being vey well for about two months, he attended to his business until the hour he was summoned above all earthly things. It has passed from amongst us a deeply lamented and much missed man, passed however into an honored grave, we can sayhe served his God faithfully and like his…