User:CGMS

My name is Charles Graham MacLeod-Stuart. My Father was Ian Graham MacLeod-Stuart b 1911 (Ardler) d 1970 (London, UK) My Great Grandfather was Archibald Graham Stuart who was the second minister of the Presbyterian Church in Ardler. Archibald also had a daughter named Ann Bruce who I believe was born in Ardler around 1905. Archibald’s wife was Lorna Bruce Mackenzie, a writer of love stories and several years younger than Archie!

The church eventually moved them to Govan and took over a parish there, where they all lived until Archibald died in 1932. It was quite the funeral and made the front of the newspaper at the time (I have a copy somewhere!)That church is now demolished, as is New Street, where they all once lived in Glasgow.

I first visited Ardler when I was 4 years old back in 1959 and met a Ms.Bella Dargie who I believe was my father’s nanny. It was also the only time I ever met my aunt Anne who was still there, perhaps on a visit? I believe she re-married and moved to Australia. I again visited Ardler about 4 years ago (2001) and saw the old church, the manse and the village. It saddened me to see the church was now a private home and the graves so poorly cared for. I cannot tell you how many stories my late father shared with me about that church, my grandfather’s fiery sermons and the manse which was considered at the time to be quite an amazing home. Mr. Christopher Dingwall kindly sent me a copy of his book about Ardler some years ago, but I was unable to see him when I visited the village where I believe he still lives.

So, if ANYONE remembers my family or knows where the several brothers and sisters of Archibald went to, or know of cousins etc, please let me know.

This has been a long road to search for my family, whose name I carry with great pride. I am now 51 years young and have lived in England, Ireland, the Far East, the Middle East, America and now Canada.

I found and met my half brother’s John Graham MacLeod-Stuart and Hamish Graham MacLeod-Stuart in 1983, just before I left for America. We still write and talk on the phone, but I know there are so many more of us out there!

I have 3 sons, Andrew Robert MacLeod-Stuart, James Alexander MacLeod-Stuart and Robert Adam MacLeod-Stuart. My daughter Louise Ann Pyres (nee: MacLeod-Stuart) married in 2001 and I now have 3 grandchildren Katie Louise Alex Dean and Jack Andrew MacLeod-Stuart, so the name and blood line will carry on, but for them, more than myself, I would like to give them “their history” before I move on!

If you have a story, or know something or someone that may help me, I would be eternally grateful!

Yours aye,

Charles.

E-mail replycs@yahoo.ca