From Little Acorns
by Jim Combe
It is the early weeks of the year 2003 and time for the genealogy notes to be set down in some sort of orderly fashion. Be warned, "orderly fashion" is a bit of an alien term to me!
It is traditional, in Aikman country, to start off a new year with the greeting “A HAPPY NEW YEAR,” and maybe to offer your friend a wee drop of what they fancy – mines is a fine malt, thank you! Then there is the shortbread, the currant bun, the lump of coal and all that, however, on this occasion, we are not about wishing anyone happiness, we are about introducing Aikmans’ to one another. By the way, I mean that in the nicest possible fashion – honest.
There were a few events, especially during the second half of the year, which caused me to be a bit more of a grumpy auld bugger than I normally am. However, most things, which caused me to lament, were put into perspective, with the tragic loss of my brother-in-law (my sister Barbara’s husband, Jim) in November 2002
Throughout the year, many Aikman cousins had their own grief to contend with. At this time of reflection I am thinking in particular of Margo, whom you are to be introduced to in due course, and Margaret Brunton, who unfortunately does not figure on the mailing list, simply because she is not on line.
The initial mailing list is made up with the following names: Barbara, Irene, Graham, Charlotte, Margo, Vikki, Jacque and Lena - all related in some way or another, thanks to the little acorns sown by John Aikman and Julia Snodgrass.
I know if there were enough computers to go around, there would be a few other names on the list. So, if there are other Aikman relatives you think would like to join us, get them signed up right away, especially if they are male! I am far too auld to manage so many wimmin aw’ at the yin time on ma own!!!
I am starting the ball rolling with brief introductions, based on the information I have on each of you. This is going to be old hat and boring for some, but if you all hang in there, there will be something new for all of you sooner or later.
Remain on alert, and don’t miss your opportunity to add to, or correct any misinformation I may give.
I always believe a sketch is worth a thousand words, so on this page I include the first of many, which hopefully will add some clarity to the proceedings. This wee Oak Tree shows where Barbara and I fit in.
As the tree grows, sooner or later a branch will appear where you and yours will be able to perch.
Intro Number 1
I am James Combe and I have one sister Barbara Love Combe.
We are the children of Robert Scott Combe and Barbara Love Aikman.
Our mother was the one and only child born to William Aikman and Helen Dalgleish m.s.Livingston.
Our Grandparents separated and William Aikman eventually found his way to America, where he settled down. (More about this later) Grandfather William was the 3rd son of 8 born to George Aikman and Barbara Love. George was the last of 8 children born to John Aikman and Helen Thomson. Taking the lineage one step further back, we know this John was a son of John Aikman and Julia Snodgrass.
This photograph shows Dundas St., looking south from Bonnyrigg Toll, as it was at the end of the 19th century. Today, the buildings to the left of the photo remain relatively unchanged after all those years. On the right hand side of the photo, the tenement building, where the group of men stand, was replaced, as part of the town centre modernisation in the 1960’s. At street level there were two shops. In one of the flats above the second shop, behind the group of local gossipers, yours truly had his first grump on the 13th September 1932. Coincidentally today, more by accident than design, I live little more than 400 yards from the spot where I was born.
By the August of 1934 we had moved to “The Wisp” (A row of 6 houses on the outskirts of Portobello) where sis was born on August 5th 1934 Not long after the start of WW2 we moved again to a small village on the outskirts of Musselburgh. It was in Musselburgh where sis and I attended school and completed our secondary education, before we moved yet again, to Eskbank, a suburb of Dalkeith. By the time we had arrived in Eskbank, I had started work as an apprentice engineer, and Barbara had started work as a clerical assistant with British Rail. Once settled in Eskbank, life for the family progressed fairly uneventfully – until 1955!
1955 was the year Barbara and her fiancé, Jim, a handsome young engineer from Gorebridge, decided to marry in the September. This was also the year I was carted off to hospital in the August (about 6 weeks before the wedding), having fallen victim to the polio virus. I missed the wedding, my Xmas dinner, my New Year drink, a Burn’s supper, and when I did return home at the end of March 1956, I was not fit enough to climb the smallest of hills to roll my Easter Egg. When I think about it, I should not be so hard on the computer virus!!!!
Barbara and Jim set up home in Gorebridge, where they lived all of the 47 years of their married life. Sadly, Jim passed away on Wednesday 6th November 2002. Sis is fortunate in having an excellent family of 2 sons - Jim and Graham, and 2 daughters, Barbara and Irene. Between them, they presented their parents with 7 super grandchildren. Young Jim, as he is affectionately known, is another one who has still to catch up with this modern technology, hence the reason he does not appear on the mailing list.
I married in 1957. My one and only son Robert, was born 1958. I left the family home in 1971 and the marriage ended in divorce in 1973. Robert subsequently married, and I now have 2 Grandsons. I was delighted to learn only recently, that both of them are studying at university.
Unfortunately, history has repeated itself, in so far as I find myself in a similar situation in relation to my son and his family, as prevailed between Grandfather and his daughter (my mother) and her family.
Barbara’s son-in-law Davidson bought himself a new digital camera about the beginning of February 2003, and I think it is true to say, this is the first photo to be taken by Davidson, using the new camera. BARBARA LOVE COMBE FEBRUARY 2003
It was time for celebration in October 1974 when Mary, a bonnie lassie from Dalkeith agreed to marry me. In my book, that was a very brave thing for her to do. Only a very special kind of person could have contemplated such action, and I consider myself extremely lucky to have won the heart of such a person.
I left engineering in 1967 to join the teaching profession from which I retired at the age of 60 years in 1992.
From the time we married, Mary worked as a Home Care Organiser for the Edinburgh Corporation Social Work Department. It was in her capacity as a Home Care Organiser that Mary met Aunt Minnie, affectionally known to me as simply Minnie Aikman. In time, we will come to that branch on the family tree, which will reveal Minnie to be Margo’s mother - Mrs Tait.
Mary followed me into the land of blissful retirement in 1994. Since then we have devoted a lot of time to cruising the world together with a couple we befriended on our very first cruise in 1992.
Sister Barbara, without a doubt, possesses many of her mother’s characteristics, which accounts for, what I see as her shy and retiring nature, and, because of that, I would say she is not renowned for her fondness for letter writing or even speaking out freely in strange company - gosh! Maybe that’s the reason why she is quiet when she visits our house. I am thinking of the strange company to be found in our house on occasion!!!
As a clerical assistant Barbara obviously developed keyboard skills, but for the time being, it does not seem likely she will be resurrecting these skills to enable her to join the “Computer Whiz Kid” group. She is quite content to sit back and let the family take care of the clever stuff, and that folks, is meant to be a brief explanation as to why her name does not appear on the mailing list.
Intro Number 2
Time now to move on to sister’s family, all of whom, I would hesitate to claim, suffer from the same characteristics, such as shyness and the likes. In this picky, is eldest daughter, Barbara (Mrs Irvine) and her daughter Ashleigh. Out of 7 grandchildren, Ashleigh is Barbara’s only Granddaughter. In fact, she is the only Grandchild on her father’s side, which makes Ashleigh something special.
On leaving school, “Young Barbara” joined the police force. She met and married Davidson, also a policeman. Whilst Davidson remains in the force, Barbara made a career change when her daughter was still a young child, and is now carving herself a successful career as an administrator in the offices of the Scottish Schools Examination Board.
The Irvine home is here in Bonnyrigg also, not far from where I live. The one thing the Irvine's have in common with American cousin Jacque, is they both drive big Mercedes cars!!!
Intro Number 3
In my initial writings I had hoped to confine myself to write only of the ones featured on the mailing list for my own particular reasons, however, it was not long before I found myself drifting beyond the boundaries I had set for myself. This resulted in my nephew Graham (who is on the mailing list) prompting me about his brother Jim, whom I have referred to previously as Young Jim. The following is a tribute, prepared by Graham, to his brother.
BROTHER JIM
James Robert is the first son born to Jim and Barbara. He was born on January 24 1958; missing Rabbie Burns birth day date by one. He is the second eldest in the family. He is known in family circles as Brother Jim or Jim the Joiner (due to the fact he has worked as a carpenter since leaving school, 29 years ago).
Jim and his partner Alison Reilly split up last year. They were together for approx. 18 years although it must be said that this was a very on and off relationship. They have 2 sons James (aged 19) who himself is now left school and working but that is for another part of Little Acorns and Robert (aged 14) who is still at school.
Jim is best described as a very hard working man who has helped most members of the family with all sorts of Building and joinery problems, He is a man of few hobbies or other interests although he is known to partake in a wee drink from time to time.
Intro Number 4
At the first time of writing, up-to-date photos were hard to come by from some quarters, and the young lady to feature next was no exception. I was determined to put the record straight at the second attempt, but I have to admit, in Irene’s case, I liked the photo, I used originally, so much, I decided to keep it in. If there ever was a picture of innocence. this has to be it. You have to admit - looking at this photo, you would think butter wouldn’t’t melt in her mouth.
Irene is the youngest of my sister’s family. Irene is married to a Bonnyrigg lad by the name of Alan Bissett. They have 2 sons, Jack and Frazer, who are both in the very early years of their primary education. Mind you, they are both as old fashioned as tea, and they probably think, come this summer it will be time to finish with education, and get on with something really important in life.
Irene and Alan are obviously a wise and sensible couple, because, they too, chose to make their home in Bonnyrigg, again, not so very far away from where I live.
Irene has a high profile job in the financial sector of one of the leading brewers in the country – Scottish and Newcastle Brewers, to be precise.
Her duties entail a fair bit of travelling, and time away from home. Her travels mean going foreign to places like England, mainland Europe and even further afield, in fact she can be called upon to visit anywhere, where booze is brewed and drunk!!! Maybe that’s why she retains that most charming of smiles seen in the above photo.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Alan, somehow, finds time to enjoy the odd game of golf, in addition to looking after the boys and keeping things in order on the home front. And to think, American cousin Jacque keeps asking about women’s lib!
Intro Number 5
I never knew just how camera shy people could be until I started this project, or, “Is the problem only peculiar to people with Aikman genes coursing through their veins?” I have to ask myself.
Graham is the younger of sis’s 2 boys. He is married to Linda Allan, a bonny lass frae Gorebridge, and they have 2 sons, Graham and Scott. Young Graham is old enough to break free from the compulsory education regime in the summer of this year - 2003. However, it is expected off him to continue with higher education so that he realises his full academic potential. He will have to do something drastic, because, judging by the jokes he sends me by email, he will never be a comedian!
Both boys could well follow their Dad’s example, and become engineers. Dad is a senior engineer with the Scottish Water Board. He does his bit in ensuring the water is clean, pure and in ideal condition for the production of all that booze which pours from Irene’s brewery.
Dad Graham uses his engineering skills to indulge in his hobby of building/maintaining customised cars.
He relies on his hobby for diversional therapy, rather than computing, like us "sados". He has a beautiful example of his work at home, which he displays at custom car rallies, on occasion. His sons are at an age where they too are showing strong signs of interest in the hobby.
Finally, here is a real surprise for those of you who don‘t know. Graham and his family have also settled in Bonnyrigg. I bet you would all like to know what Bonnyrigg has that Barbados, Bermuda or the Bahamas don’t have.
When I decided to embark on family history research in the September of 2001, the ridiculous phrase “Everything in my favour is against me” could not have been more apt.
I had absolutely no knowledge of genealogy, no idea where to start searching, and little or no knowledge of the family background of both our parents and basic computing skills, which would not have threatened those of an 8 year old.
I viewed the Aikman family as my biggest problem, so I had no hesitation in giving the research work on that lot, the lowest priority. After the initial rake through storage cupboards, drawers, and the contents of old shoe boxes, and quizzing a few relatives, whom I thought would be in the “know”, it became abundantly clear there were problems by the barrow load ahead, no matter what way I elected to go.
Regularly, after hours of frustrating work, I would close the books and elect to go on to the computer for some diversional therapy. I would fumble my way about the internet, looking for a William Aikman, whom I was convinced arrived in America, passing through Ellis Island, round about 1906, to finally settle in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, The computer was soon to lose its therapeutic qualities. “Why?” Because my lack of computer skills were proving a real handicap, and my search criteria could not have been further off the mark.
Fortunately, I had joined a “Genealogy for Beginners” class at the beginning of September 2001. The course duration was 2 hours per evening per week and ran for 10 weeks. I returned home from the class on the evening of week 8 a bit dejected. There was still no progress on the “William Aikman” front, and no prospects of a breakthrough.
The classes convened on a Monday evening. On the Sunday evening of the 18th November 2001, prior to the ninth meeting, I was on the point of throwing in the towel. Fortunately I decided to give it one last shot, and logged on again. It was during this session that I discovered 1) There was a Pittsburg in Kansas and 2) There was such a thing as a “Roots Web” notice board.
At the time, the name Wilson meant nothing to me, but the name Lena was a hook (as the tutor labelled it) to hang on to, because there was evidence in the treasure chest (an old shoe box) I had inherited from mother, of correspondence with a Lena Richardson, long before I was born. Although the dates 1883 and 1894 were misleading to me, I reasoned there was enough in this notice to merit further investigation. I responded immediately, but given that the notice was posted in 1999, I was not hopeful of getting a reply – after all, I did not have any previous experience of the workings of such things.
On Monday evening, 19th November I was not surprised, but seriously disappointed to be informed my email could not be delivered to the address in the U.S.A. I sent off a second email, thinking maybe I had made a mistake on the first occasion. I can’t describe how I felt when I got the same knock back the following evening.
On Wednesday evening (21st) I registered with "Family Search Internet" because they were offering cut-price services for the duration of the "Thanksgiving" holiday period.
At 20.11 on Friday 23rd November 2001 I placed an order with US SEARCH to seek out some information on the mysterious Lena Wilson, granddaughter of William Aikman, dead email address lwilson@midusa.net. I was guaranteed an answer within 24 hours. Incredibly, in less than 10 hours I had the home address and phone number of one Lena Wilson, residing in LaCygne, Kansas State, U.S.A.
To claim I was excited would have been the understatement of the year. I pranced about the house all day Saturday 24th, asking myself what I should do next. Finally, at 7.00 pm, I decided to make a phone call.
So far as I can remember the conversation went something like this:
“Hello, can I speak to Lena Wilson?" "Speaking" "The Lena Wilson who is the Granddaughter of William Aikman" "Could be" "The Lena Wilson who placed the notice on the roots web notice board" "Could be" "The notice that was posted in July 1999" "Could be. Who is this speaking?"
I did give my name and perceived relationship. I often wonder if she thought she was talking to a chancer or something like that.
I was struggling at this point to keep the conversation going. After a puny attempt to identify myself, I asked a few inane questions, which were getting us nowhere, fast. I suggested we exchange email addresses. Lena rather warily I thought, agreed. Just before I hung up I asked if the name Lena Richardson meant anything to her. "THAT WAS MY AUNT" this cool lady enthused.
My last question was "What time of day is it with you right now?" "6 minutes past one." We hung up at that point.I tell you, I needed a dram or two that Saturday evening to help me regain my composure.
Below is a copy of the email I received from Lena Wilson on Sunday 25th November 2001. Like any other well-trained domestic animal, I did as I was bid – I responded. And the rest, as they say, is "History", Family History in this case.
Monday, 28th November was the last meeting date for the Genealogy class. I was as pleased as punch, and all the class members were delighted, I was able to tell them on that last night I had at last succeeded in making contact with an American relative. None of the others could match that level of success during the 10-week course. Since we were in an educational establishment, we had to celebrate with tea, not alcohol.
Getting back to Lena. In our early exchanges we were quickly able to confirm, a photo Lena had at home was that of my mother when she was 21 years of age.
A framed copy of that photo hung in my mother’s bedroom from as far back as I can ever remember. Little did I know a copy of that photo had been sent to America at some time.
Lena confirmed for me that the photo I had of a teenage American sailor was that of her Dad – George Aikman. She also had a photo of her Dad, taken at the same photo shot, as indicted by the same back drop in each photo.
Incredibly, it took me until I was 69 years of age to discover we were sitting with a photo of mother’s half brother, one of 2 half brothers and a half sister we never knew existed until Cousin Lena came along.
Intro Number 6
Instead of me trying to reinvent the wheel, I will simply share with you all,
the email message, which acted as Lena’s introduction to me at the end of the year 2001.
This is cousin Lena – the baby of our American cousins, as she describes herself in her introduction on the previous page. I like to introduce her as the Proud Mum of two lovely girls, Katie and Sarah.
To complete the introductions of Sarah and Katie, it is worthy of note, both girls are still at college, and rumour has it they are credible performers on the basketball court.
This is Katie wrestling over a ball during a school game. The school colours are Green and White, and the team is "The Prairie View Buffalos"
At the time of writing Jacque’s introduction the first time round, I only had the one photo, and little more information, than was contained in the email printed on page 14. Since then, I have become equipped with extra information, which allows me to make more of a meal of this introduction, second time round.
Let’s kick off with a wee cosy family group, obviously doing their bit to boost the drinks industry in Austin, Texas. Austin and environs, is the stomping ground of Jacque’s only brother and family.
I have added the caption below the photo to identify "Oor Drouthy Freens", but just in case the print is too small, they are from the left,
I have labelled Jacque "Godmother." In Scotland here, an appropriate term would be "Clocking Hen"
O.K. I am being a bit cheeky now, but from the way she appears to idolise her family, she is most definitely a very caring person.
Jacque tells us she was probably the first person on her Dad’s side of the family in the U.S.A. to graduate from university with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. (I still remember the Psychologist when I went through college – boy, was he weird?)
She first started working for the Psychology Department of a mental hospital.
After three years of that she realised a seriously wrong career choice had been made. A switch to a career in human resources was made in 1979.
Since 1991, Jacque has been a full time Human Resource Manager for the Kansas Department of Corrections. In addition, she has been a part time Realtor (that sounds painful) for the last 6 years.
Jacque was born September 24, 1949, and raised in Pittsburg, Kansas, but since 1974, she has stayed 165 miles away in Topeka, the state capitol. Jacque is very proud of the fact she has Scottish genes coursing through her veins – she says she would love a clan, a clan tartan, and a family crest. She loves all things Scottish – music, history, aye, and when you think of that family gathering in Austin, whisky has to be added to the list too.
Having said all that, what does this lassie go away and do. In 1973 she marries an Irishman. This marriage did not survive the lack of Tartan, Haggis, Tatties and Neaps.
The good thing to come out of the marriage so far as Jacque was concerned was the birth of her son Jeffrey Bryan Gartin on May 5, 1976.
Jeffer is described by his mother as being a typical 26-year-old kid, and although he has been much closer to his mother’s family, he really does not feel like an Aikman, so not surprisingly, he is not particularly interested in Aikman Family History.
He has "flown the coup" and relocated about a mile away from his mother in Topeka. (Good move Jeffer – still close enough I reckon, to take the dirty washing back home for Mum to deal with.) Also, word on the street has it Jeffers is privileged to drive Mum’s Mercedes E320 on occasion. How this lucky young man "earns his corn" remains a closely guarded secret!!!
Jeffer was 18/19 years old, when his mother adopted Jenny when she was about 10/11 years old. It was at this time Jacque decided to revert to her maiden name of Aikman.
Jenny is now 19 years old, and beautiful with it. She still has to decide where her future lies in the world of work, once she is finished with college education in the summer of 2003
Intro Number 8
I have recently made contact with Jacque’s brother, Bill D Aikman, and the observant amongst you, may have noticed his address is now appearing on the mailing list – enough justification for me to share the introduction he sent to me recently
From: "Bill Aikman" <bdaikman@tstar.net>
To: "James Combe" <jimmy@jcombe.fsnet.co.uk>
Cc: Jacque A
Sent: 23 February 2003 05:40
Subject: Re: Aikman Family
HOWDY James,
Since I live in Texas I thought I should give you a big Howdy rather than the usual Hello or Hi…………………
Since you do not know much about me, I’ll try to give you a little background info.
I’m 56 years old and I live in Spicewood, Texas. Spicewood is a very small town about 20 miles West of Austin, Texas. My wife and I have been married 33 years. Our son William is 32 years old and lives in Austin.
I was employed as a safety and health manager in the mining and construction industry for 28 years. I retired in 1996 at the ripe old age 49. Since then I haven’t did an honest days work. I really like being retired.
Although I was a wee lad when Grandpa Aikman died, I have many fond memories of him. I remember his Scottish brogue and the smell of the old pipe he smoked. Most importantly, I remember him as a soft spoken, patient and gentle man. Grandpa Aikman and my father were very much alike…………………
Adios Amigo,
Cousin Bill
.Intro Number 9
In the shoebox treasure chest, which contained the photo of the American sailor, was the photo of a fine looking young woman, a woman whose identity was never revealed by mother either. From the scant information available, I always assumed her name was Lena Richardson. I had to assume something, because if I asked once I asked a dozen times, but never was given an answer.
Because of her "Baby of the Family" status, Lena could not identify this lady at first, but she was quickly able to establish she was in fact her father’s first wife, and she was also able to explain Lena Richardson was Lena Aikman, her Dad’s sister. So now I know for the first time mother had two half brothers and one half sister – quite in credulous.
Her maiden name is Wilma Vantrease, the first wife of George Aikman. Right away, I lay claim to her as Aunt Wilma to both my sister and I.
The photo was taken in 1929 when she was in 11th grade at school – I think I have got that correct! The marriage between George and Wilma produced three children: - sons Duane Edward and George William who are both deceased and a daughter Wilma June.
George and Wilma divorced in 1950. Wilma eventually became Wilma Kinsch, and George married Helen Louise Buffington. This union produced the little acorn Lena Aikman, who was destined to become Mrs Lena Wilson.
Daughter Wilma June, who goes by the name June, resides with her husband George Vanderpool in Pittsburg, Kansas. The fabulous news is, across the street from June lives her mother Wilma – yes, the lady in the photo. She is now a grand old lady of 90 plus years, still fit and active and much loved by her family.
June is not computer literate yet, but I have corresponded with her using "Snail Mail". June is retired, but does voluntary work in a Cancer Care Centre. The second photo shows proud daughter and mother celebrating Aunt Wilma’s most recent birthday.
Aunt Wilma – you look great sitting there – and the cakes are pretty inviting too!
This is Margot’s script, written by her own fair hand.
Hello cousins, wherever you are... ... my name is Margaret Manson Tait, born 1951.
My G-G-Grandparents, on my mother’s side, were John AIKMAN and Helen THOMSON. Their son George AIKMAN married Barbara LOVE in 1875. Their son John Huntir AIKMAN was born in 1867. John married Margaret Pentland MANSON in 1897 and they had 9 children (George, Frances, Barbara, Peggy, Jessie John, William, Janet and Minnie.) My mother Minnie was the youngest child, born in January 1918.
John Huntir AIKMAN died on November 8 1927, due to heart failure, while working underground in the Lady Victoria Colliery, Newtongrange. Margaret Pentland Manson AIKMAN died in 1955.
When Minnie was just a teenager, she was sent to work, as a laundry maid, for Andrew Carnegie’s young wife at Skibbo Castle in the Highlands of Scotland. Yes, Minnie made it famous long before Madonna got married there.
My mother met James Tait when they were both bus conductors, working for Scottish Omnibuses Ltd. While Jimmy was at war, Minnie lived with her sister Peggy in Oxford, England at the Pressed Steel Co. making aeroplanes and bombs, under the watchful eye of her brother Willie.
WW2 over, they settled to a quiet life together and had Frederick James
(i.e. Derek the smart one) and Margaret Manson (i.e. Margot, me, the good looking one) Derek has one son, Sandy, by his first marriage, and is now happily married to one of our childhood neighbours, Marlene. Derek has worked for British Telecom for almost 40 years, and he is praying that a retirement package is imminent!
I married in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1972, had two children, Claire Angela in 1977 and Steven James in 1979. We immigrated to Canada in 1981, divorced, and I was about to return to Scotland when I met Mike SCOTT, a Canadian, who is really a Scotsman at heart. Mike is a policeman and I work for the same service. We married in 1991 and live in Oro Station, 1-hour north off Toronto, Ontario. Claire is a Residential Councillor and runs a group home for people with disabilities. Steven is in his 3rd year at university. We live in the country with 4 dogs.
My Dad died in 1986. Thankfully, we had Minnie for much longer. She was quite a character, very independent, forthright and very proud of being an Aikman. She was very excited when she met James Combe, and felt the meeting was by some divine intervention. She was indeed correct. Sadly, Minnie died in October 2002, quite unexpectedly, but very peacefully. She is buried in Newbattle Cemetery, close by her parents and many Aikman relatives.
At mum’s funeral, I was touched to see so many cousins, descendents of John Aikman and Margaret Manson. My daughter commented that we all look alike, indeed, if Doreen Berry and I coloured our hair the same, we’d be identical twins. I was glad to meet James Combe and give my email address. A few weeks later, I was on the Internet, searching RootsWeb.com and I came across Lena Wilson’s bulletin. I thought the names in our families were so similar that I emailed, unsuccessfully. A few days later, I found Jim Combe’s plea for Lena to contact him, and that confirmed for me that I had been on the right track. I sent a message to Jim and am now glad to be in touch with you all. I look forward to sharing Aikman stories and maybe some old photos with you.
Best wishes, Cousin Margot.
Margot mentions her mother’s sojourn to Skibbo Castle. What she did not tell us was her mother being taken into Edinburgh by her Granny for the job interview, then being packed off all on her own at the tender age of 14 years to travel 200 miles to Skibbo. Minnie related this story to me a couple of times during our relatively brief spell of telephone correspondence. She recalled being driven in style from the station to the castle with other new members of staff. Whereas I thought it was very harsh treatment to send such a young lass so far away from home, she claimed she had no problem with it at all, and thoroughly enjoyed the excitement of the experience. By the way, according to Minnie; the young Missus Carnegie was a very nice lady, fur aw her siller. (For all her money)
Intro Number 11
Here the diagram gets rehashed again, in an attempt to illustrate where twin cousins Charlotte and Jane have their perch on "Ye Olde Auk Tree".
Their Grandfather was Robert McKinlay Aikman. (I do not have the foggiest idea where the McKinlay comes from.) Robert married Charlotte McLuskie in South Queensferry in 1911. They only had the two sons, George and John. Whilst both sons married, only George and Bella became parents. Bella was a "Pryde frae Nitten", but more importantly, she was a cook at the Lady Victoria Pit when she met and married Uncle George. No wonder he always had a smile that stretched from ear to ear any time you met the man. A well-fed man is a contented man, so they say. Take a good look at this photo and decide for yourself!
I always found Uncle George to have a “pawky” sense of humour, which amused me greatly. I often tell the story of my visit to 6th Street Newtongrange just months after the twins were born on August 12 (my mother’s birth date) 1947.
They were being prepared for bed in the early evening. One little bundle was lying kicking on the floor in front of the fire; the other was being cosseted by her mother, who was standing by the doorway linking the living room to the “back kitchen” (local vernacular).
“What are their names George?” I asked “James” says he, “They didnae tell me they came in twaes, so ah’ve decided, am ca’in’ that yin on the flair "First" and the yin in her mither’s airms "Last” “There will be nae mair” he added. And the man was true to his word, no more children, just pigeons, budgies and canaries!!!
For the benefit of our American cousins and others more accustomed to more refined speech I will interpret Uncle George’s reply.
"James" say he, "They did not tell me babies came in twos, so I have decided I am naming the one on the floor "FIRST" and the one in her mother’s arms "LAST" "there will be no more!"
I can picture Charlotte and Jane, when they read this, turning a blushing pink and saying “Awe Chucks”, but they are a couple of awfy nice pleasant lassies who have done their parents proud, and in turn, are now proud parents themselves.
In 1955 they were flower girls at my sisters wedding, and in due course, they themselves became blushing brides. Charlotte married her husband Peter Boyd June 4 1968, and Jane married a lad by the name of William (Billy) Gentles on March 4 1969.
Peter and Charlotte started married life here in Bonnyrigg, before moving to Zambia in 1973 for a 2-year stint. They returned home to Hamilton in Scotland in 1975, and in the June of 1985 they finally moved to Corstorphine on the west side of Edinburgh, just a few minutes drive from the airport - on a good day! By this time daughter Wendy made three.
Wendy was born in October 1977. She stills stays at home with her parents in Corstorphine, although she has a flat in South Gyle, which she rents out. Wendy works in the advertisement department of The Scotsman newspaper.
Charlotte works on a part time basis as a Proof Reader with Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre, and Peter retired in June 2002 from his post as Manager of one of the Royal Bank of Scotland Call Centres.
Sadly, retirement got off to a bad start for Peter, when he developed serious heart trouble, which required major surgery. Thankfully, he recovered sufficiently to allow him to go on a preplanned extended holiday in November/December. The good news is he continues to make good. Well-done Peter.
Jane immigrated to New Zealand almost immediately after marrying in 1969. She returned home in 1976. Divorced 1977. Jane has settled here in Bonnyrigg with her son, Martin James Gentles, born 1969. Martin works in the Royal Bank of Scotland. She also had a daughter Gayle Jane Gentles. born March 25 1977. Tragically Gayle died very suddenly at the tender age of 21 in February 1998.
At long last it is time for Nikki to be put under the spotlight. To identify her place on "YE OLDE AUK TREE" it is necessary to go as far back as our Great Grandparents. Everyone introduced to date, have been descendants of George Aikman and Barbara Love. Nikki, on the other hand, is a descendant of George Aikman’s brother, James.
Brother James was born 1840, and married Mary Ann Cooke on November 25 1867, and that was the start of the growth of Nikki’s branch of the family. Before I crawled out of the woodwork, Nikki and her Aunt Ann had already completed a comprehensive piece of work on the history of that branch of the Aikman family. From their efforts I am gaining valuable information, which is helping to clarify the puzzle, which is our branch of the family – i.e. George Aikman’s descendants.
Intro Number 12
Hello from deepest Somerset.
My name is Nikki Vine and I was born in 1956. I live with my son Joe Vine (aged 14) in Wells, Somerset. I have had many "careers" from Manager of a training department, through being a secondary school Maths teacher to my current career as a self employed publisher of magazines for parents.
I have been interested in Family History for a relatively short time (3 years) largely because, when my father became ill, I helped him sort through some documents he had inherited. They turned out to be transcripts of old diaries written in the 1800's. Not wanting to leave my mother out, I started asking loads of questions about her side of the family - the Aikman's. She pointed me towards her cousin Ann McKay who I found to be a font of all knowledge. Ann had worked on her family history for many years and had done some marvellous research.
I am descended from John Aikman and Helen Thomson through their son James Aikman who was born 26 October 1840 in Liberton. According to Ann, James escaped from the poverty of farm labouring by going to sea and eventual prosperity. Scottish education was good and he became a seaman, later a Master Mariner, and his three sons also went to sea. He married Mary Ann Cooke in Hexham Abbey on 25th November 1867. They lived in South Shields after their marriage until 1881 when they moved "up market" to North Shields. In 1885 the Aikmans moved to Cardiff. They had five children.
Their third son was Alexander Coates Aikman, my great grandfather who was born in 1872. Alex met his future wife Jessie Ann Arabella Smith in Cardiff, through the church. They married in 1896. They had two children, James Alexander Stanley Aikman (my grandfather born 1898) and Margaret Edna Aikman (born 1900).
My grandfather Stanley was wounded in the First World War. After the war he got a job in the wool trade through an uncle. He then worked for Walter Stockwell who owned Alexandra Mills in Morley. Stanley married Walter's daughter Constance in 1922 and they lived in Leeds. Their children are Elizabeth Marcia Stockwell Aikman (my mother) born 22nd June 1923 and John Stanley Holliday Aikman born 28th March 1926. Elizabeth married my father John Stanley Howard Vine in 1951.
My brother Tim (Timothy John Howard Vine) born in 1954. He lives in San Francisco with his daughter Kimberly (aged 13). Tim is a landscape gardener. My sister Debbie (Deborah Jill Howard Vine) was born in 1959. She lives in Reigate, Surrey with her husband Frank Dolan and their daughter Samantha (aged 15).
Having given my siblings' full names, I feel I should also give you my full name (although it is very embarrassing - I wish my parents had known that one of my names would gain another meaning!) Nicola Gaye Howard Vine.
When I am not selling advertising and putting together a magazine I enjoy watching my son play football, walking my three dogs, playing table tennis and getting together with lots of like minded people and sorting out the problems of the world (otherwise known as gossiping).
My son Joe enjoys playing football (soccer) and has just been chosen to train with the County side. He also plays table tennis and trains in the County squad. Joe was one of the other reasons I started to research my family history; he was born with a cleft lip and palate. I have been told that this is often passed on genetically, so I have been trying to find if any of his ancestors had the same condition. No luck so far.
I am trying to persuade my Uncle John (John Stanley Holliday Aikman) to join us all. Unfortunately his wife is not well at the moment, so he may not be able to at the moment. I have also invited some "cousins" in USA) related through another of James Aikman and Mary Anne Cooke's children - James Thomson Aikman).
I have quite a lot of information on my Aikman side of the family on "Family Tree Maker". If anyone would like me to send some or all of this information, please let me know.
Anyway it is great to meet you all.
Love from your distant cousin - Nikki
Although there have been new names added to the original mailing list, this concludes the introductions of the persons for whom information was/is available. It is hoped, newcomers will provide a short personal profile of themselves whenever they have the inclination to sit down and rattle the keyboard.
When "From Little Acorns" started there were 8 names on the mailing list, Barbara, Irene, Graham, Margot, Lena, Jacque, Charlotte and Nikki all of whom have now been introduced. Along the way we were joined by, Rosemary Hooker, Roy Keys and Bill Aikman.
Cousin Bill Aikman is Cousin Jacque’s wee brother. I was able to share with you, the introductory email message he sent me soon after I had contacted him for the first time, not so long ago.
I barged my way into the lives of Rosemary Hooker and Roy Keys after having received their email addresses from Cousin Nikki. Rosemary and Roy are from Nikki’s branch of the Aikman dynasty. And the list grows, with the addition of Bruce Aikman, and Chris Aikman, both brothers of Rosemary. John Bruce Davis an uncle of Roy and Roy’s cousin Diana E Davis.
If "From Little Acorns" is to continuing growing and fulfil its purpose, those family members who join the original gang of 9 hopefully will submit a profile of themselves, supplemented with photographs, along the lines of the preceding entries
By now, everyone will be aware of the sterling work Nikki is doing on her web page. It is hoped "From Little Acorns" can become part of the web page content. By the time that happens, it is to be hoped we have grown beyond the 29th page.
It would be particularly satisfying if some of you were to make contact with a new found cousin as a result of reading this small time rag, so don’t be shy, if you have not already done so, do something about it today. At least contact Nikki and offer her some information, help or advice for her web page.
If there is nothing to add to "From Little Acorns" on my return from holiday, I will be embarking on another project, in an effort to clarify the Aikman story and which, hopfully can make some sort of contribution to Nikki’s web page also.
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