The McConnachies were an early genealogical brick wall for me 12 years ago.
https://robynandthegenies.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-mcconnachies-were-early.html
I had studied the McConnachie's relationship with us extensively when I was investigating what happened to an inheritance which my great-uncle Alf was convinced. was coming our way. John McConnachie his second cousin had died in the 70s intestate and childless and the local solicitors were looking for leads.
The solicitor's letter written by my great uncle was a family history joy see
previous links and was actually very informative. It has been useful in my
search for the music hall relatives from Glasgow complete with stage names.
However, they did find a closer connected relative who was legally entitled to
the money. Eventually it was established that Mrs McConnachie, as she was
always known, was my maternal great-grandmother's first cousin. The children
Annie, William and John of Mrs McConnachie, a.k.a. Annie Blackwood, were my
grandfather's and his siblings' second cousins.
When their Kerr cousins Alf and James moved to Australia in the late 1920s
followed by Frank and his mother, there were constant communications and
contact with the McConnachie’s. A little later my great grandmother, Mary Ann
Kerr returned to Scotland with her son,
Frank and ended up being nursed until her death by “Mrs McConnachie” and Great Uncle Frank also lived with them
until about the time of his marriage.
Therefore letters, photos and information were exchanged and there was lots of topical
news about the theatre.
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| Annie McConnachie |
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| John McConnachie |
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| Annie and John McConnachie |
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| William McConnachie groomsman at Frank's Wedding 1930 |
Finally, I had a photo of “Mrs McConnachie” to add to the existing photos I had of her children. Annie, William and John. There were 6 children born and only 3 remained after the 1920s. All were childless and none married but after my research they deserve to have their story recorded and a place in the family album recorded.
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| "Mrs McConnachie" nee Anne Blackwood and daughter Annie |
Frank Kerr’s involvement with Theatre Management included huge
opening nights where the stars came along as a promotion for their new film. In
1927 the Greens who Francis (Frank) worked for opened Green’s Playhouse on
Renfield Street, Glasgow, was a large cinema with 4,200 seats. One of the most
memorable nights was when Anna Neagle, star of Sixty Glorious Years
attended for a personal appearance with her co-star Anton Walbrook in October
1938.
This next shot is a new one in my collection was sent by Frank to Alf Kerr. This looks like a theatre gathering with his manager Mr Laddell his wife together with second cousins Annie McConnachie, her brothers John and William plus his wife Katie. The ladies are again dressed in their furs and jewels for a special night out.
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| l-r rear Annie, Frank Kerr, John, Mr Ladell , Mrs Mc C ? 1-r front Mrs Ladell and Katie Kerr |
Another photo was a group shot that also included my Great Uncle Frank. As his
brothers had moved to Sydney. His mother had passed away and his father also
lived in Sydney Frank spent time with his cousins, aunt and uncle. And in this
shot which looks to be late 20s early 30s they are seen holidaying at Glen Helen in Isle of Man.
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| McConnachie family rear l-r David McConnachie Frank Kerr front l-r William, Mrs McC, Annie and John |
Here's a few more shots...
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| A much younger John |
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| Willie as he was known to Uncle Alf |
To say I was excited to receive this bounty was an understatement. It’s been
fun bring these people to life.
A final photo amongst the pile was of William in his
Freemasons regalia opened up another side of their story………… to be continued.
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| William 1936-1937 at the Lodge! |
