Mair/Lindsay connection
In June of 1995 my husband (Woody Hardman) and I went to Scotland. He was going to England and Scotland on a business trip and I (Ruth Jeffs Hardman) went along to visit relatives and see the homeland of my Scottish ancestors.
Before the trip, I talked with Leah Lindsay, who is a 1st cousin 1 time removed to me, about the possibility of meeting two sisters whom Leah has been in contact for many years through letters. With Leah’s help, again through a letter and a phone call from me, I was able to set up a meeting time, to meet with Jessie Mair Robertson and Christina Love Mair Harkness when we arrived in Scotland. Jessie Robertson, Christina Harkness, Ruth Hardman
When we finished our time in England, I once again called Jessie to confirm our date and time of the meeting. We were a little late arriving, but as we parked the car, we saw these sweet relatives looking out the window of Jessie’s flat with some concern on their faces for our behalf. Before I met them I recognized the family resemblances and felt their love.
It was a delightful meeting and I felt very much at home with them. It was so comfortable to be with them and to talk about our common connections. We shared stories and information of families on each side of the pond and talked about the broken link with the Allen Fould’s line that remained in Scotland. They shared with and give me their family histories coming down through their father, James Mair (circa 1882), who married Christina Love and their descendants. We talked into the evening hours and on into the night. There was so much love to share.
Five years after our visit, Jessie has passed away. She died in June 2000. For the last few years I haven’t heard from Christina Harkness, so I will get in touch with Leah Lindsay and get an update and renew that connection with her family. Christina has two daughters; Christine who married Martin Hainey & Aileen who married Fergus Henry. Both have families of their own.
It is a memory that I will never forget.