Category: photos/images/video

Jean Jeffrey McTaggart

 

This picture is of Jean Jeffrey, my Great Great Grandmother, (sometimes spelt Jeffray or Jeffries) who was married to Neil McTaggart and lived at 13 Dennyholm Street, Kilbirnie, by the mill on the site of what is now Dennyholm Wynd, Her Mother was Mary Jeffrey who married Andrew Stevenson, whose family were coal merchants in the town.

There is a family story that Neil was a twin with a brother Malcolm but I have not been able to prove that from any government records.

Jeanie had a very large family, including my Great Grandfather Neil as well as a daughter Elizabeth. Elizabeth married Samuel Cairns and two of their children are sitting on Jean´s lap. Jean was red haired and used to walk from the Dennyholm out to Glengarnock barefoot to visit some of her children

Jean died in 1927. I estimate this photo to have been taken around 1923.

 

Knox Institute, Kilbirnie

 

It is great news that the Knox Institute in Kilbirnie will be restored.

Here is a picture of the man who built it, Robert William Knox:

The original portrait was last seen in the “Stables Museum” underneath the Walker Hall in the 1990s. I have been trying to get information about what happened to the stuff that was in there. I have asked North Ayrshire Council but Im not getting any replies except to say they are looking into it and that was a few years ago now.

There is also a lamp which was donated to the town by RW Knox and it sat upon one of the bridges. Last seen also in the Stables museum.

“Willie Mackie´s Homecoming” #kilbirnie #northayrshire #scotland

 

Willie Mackie left Kilbirnie Scotland to emigrate to the USA as many people did before him, in search of a better life. As the title suggests, this was his homecoming celebration in Kilbirnie Gospel Hall Brethren Assembly.

This photo would be from the 1930s. I’m not sure if he returned to the USA at a later date or settled in Kilbirnie again.

Remembering Abdur Razak

Memories.

One thing I always loved about Arab people is their culture. They have the innocence of Children yet the tenacity of hope. Unlike us, very cynical brits.

On the corner of Edgware Rd and Sussex Gardens London W2 during the 2000’s Abdur Razak from Libya was always on this corner defending Islam. It was a summer mission post for Christians to offer free resources to the Arabs and it became a great place to exchange thoughts and religious ideas.

As the Christians had set up a book stall, Muslims set up their own table to defend Islam right next to it.

He went on to preach at Speakers Corner every Sunday but his voice changed after an operation.

After the 2006 tube bombings, the tables vanished. The picture shows that large empty space. In these covid years its unlikely they will ever return.

I never knew what happend to Abdur Razak, maybe someone can tell me.