Blairs in Melbourne from 1922 onwards

[woodlander]

I am currently working on a "mini-tree" ( back to Gt Grandparents only) as a gift for a friend in Scotland who will be 90 in July this year.
This is a longshot but it seems a shame to "waste" the info I've gathered from the Scotland's People site as well as family members if anyone just might be researching the same family.
Brother and sister still living, Agnes Blair Halliday born 1922 and her elder brother Forbes Ewen Halliday born 1920 were children of Diana Dickson Blair, daughter of Agnes Blair, husband William Dickson Blair, Agnes' maiden name Durrant. The following is an excert from my notes on Agnes:-
Daughter Bess (Elizabeth) and her husband Bill Fraser were married in April 1922 and emigrated to Australia in May, arriving in Sydney then living in Kew, Melbourne.They were followed there in September 1927 by her two sisters May (Mary) and Isa (Isabella)who Bess had secured jobs for as tailoresses. One week into the voyage their sister-in-law Jean Blair gave birth to nephew David in Glasgow and died seven days later. Their mother Agnes and their widowed brother Bill (William Blair) joined them in Melbourne with his children (except David) sailing out in December 1928. Bess had secured a job as a printer for her brother Bill.
Son James, wife Jessie and their 3 children also emigrated to Melbourne Australia in January 1948.
Although daughter Diana's family had planned to join her siblings her husband George Halliday decided against leaving Scotland and refused to sign the final emigration papers. Son John and his family also remained in Scotland.
If anyone spotting a possible connection sends me a pm with e mail address I will happily share information.

[gibbo]

Hey Woodie,

This is really exciting! did you know that william blairs ww2 army records are on line at the national archives of australia site? Maybe your friend might like some other family trivia ?? If you want to have a look and have trouble finding them just give me a yell.

http://www.naa.gov.au/

[ ps well im assumeing its him as all the info you have on here matches the militery records]

[gibbo]

OOOOoops im just doing some rechecking :rolleyes: i may have made a boo booeek)

[woodlander]

Thanks Gibbo, I'll have a look round the site - searching Australian records is totally new to me.
Extended info for anyone interested:-

Agnes Durrant born 1866 in Falkirk married William Dickson Blair in 1887 at Edinburgh WD Blair was born 1861 in Edinburgh. Agnes was widowed January 1828 and went to Melbourne December 1928 with son Bill.

Their children:-

Agnes Scobie Blair born Edinburgh 1888 - nothing found after 1901 census

Diana Dickson Blair born 1890 Falkirk - married George Halliday in Glasgow 1912, stayed in Scotland

Elizabeth (Bess) Blair born 1892 Glasgow - married James Fraser in Glasgow 1922, arrived in Sydney, lived in Melbourne. Returned August 1930 for unknown indefinite spell to care for sister Diana's family during Diana's long illness. Return not yet found.

John Buchanan Blair born 1896 Glasgow - married Florence Smith 1919 in Glasgow. Stayed in Scotland

William Dickson Blair born 1898 Glasgow - Married Jane (Janet) Lyle Taylor in GLasgow 1920 widowed after 5th child born in 1927 and went to Melbourne
with mother Agnes and four of his five children December 1928. Remarried later in Australia.

Mary (May) Bates Blair born 1900 Glasgow - emigrated to Melbourne with sister Isa September 1927

James Buchanan Blair born 1902 Glasgow - married Elizabeth Jessie Douglas Gilmour at Kirkintilloch in 1928 went with wife and family to Melbournw January 1948

Isabella (Isa) Dickson Blair born 1905 Glasgow - emigrated to Melbourne with sister May September 1927

I should add that there is no request/interest from the Hallidays re contacting any descendants. Just my personal thoughts that the certificates/info I've gathered might be of use to someone over in Melbourne.