Aussie hunts her roots in Cumbernauld

AN AUSTRALIAN woman who has been researching her family tree wants to know more about her Cumbernauld roots – and she is looking for your help.

Marion Walliss, of Greenwell Point in New South Wales, will be visiting the town with her husband Jim on September 24 and 25 where she will stay at the Old Mill Bed and Breakfast in Cumbernauld Village hoping to learn more about her family’s past.

She explained: “I am the great granddaughter of James Turnbull and Jeannie (Jane) Braid, residents of Cumbernauld till they died.

“They were born in 1853 and died in the parish of Cumbernauld. They raised six sons including James born 1854, John, 1856; Alexander, 1859; Andrew, 1861; David, 1869 and Joseph, 1872. A daughter Mary died in infancy in 1867 of whooping cough.

“The two youngest boys, David and Joseph migrated to Australia 1894. My grandfather Joseph came to Geelong, Victoria and in 1895 married Isabella Mair Main, who also migrated from Cumbernauld.

“My grandfather, Joseph worked as farmhand, baker and eventually settled in the Riverina on farmland before retiring to Wagga Wagga. They reared five girls and one son.”

Marion is desperate to learn more about her connection to Scotland, and in particular Cumbernauld.

For full story, see this week’s Cumbernauld News or Kilsyth Chronicle dated Wednesday, September 5.

What’s your view? Email our newsdesk or call 01236 725578.