WE are planning a visit to Helensburgh from Dayton, Ohio USA. From what I can find out about my maternal family — many generations — they were from Helensburgh.
They included Robert Jardine and Graham Jardine. Do you know of anyone I could contact who could help me with my research, particularly address or employment information, dating 1770's-1900's?
I would like to find out as much as possible before I visit. I'm sure I would have family still living there as there were many offspring.
You may pass my email and home address to whoever you think may be of help to me in my research. Thank you so much for your help.
Karen Ondrasek
Edith Marie Drive
Beavercreek
Ohio 45431
After receiving this letter, website editor Donald Fullarton suggested that Karen might be related to James Jardine, who emigrated from Helensburgh to Ohio and was awarded the United States Medal of Honor in 1894 for bravery in the American Civil War (see 'Burgh Hero in American Civil War' in the Military section of this website).
Heritage Trust webmaster Jim Chestnut also visited the town library in West King Street and uncovered the following early Jardine family members:
Fowlers Directory of Renfrewshire 1834-35
Graham Jardine — sawer Sinclair Street
Miss Jardine - Barnpark House Clyde Street
Fowlers Directory of Renfrewshire 1836-37
Bryce Jardine — slater Clyde Street
Dunbartonshire Directory 1877
Andrew Jardine — bootmaker 40 King Street
Andrew Jardine — farmer Ballymenoch Farm Glen Fruin
Helensburgh Directory 1864
Bryce Jardine — slater 30 James Street
Mrs G Jardine — feuar 1 Sinclair Street
James Jardine — shoemaker Springwell Cottage 35 King Street (East)
Miss M Jardine — Glennan Farm Queen Street (West)
Miss M Jardine — dressmaker 3 Sinclair Street
Peter Jardine — grocer 68 Clyde Street (East)
Robert Jardine — slater 26 James Street
Karen Ondrasek replied:
Thank you so much! I just got to read my home e-mail and this information is so helpful. Yes! James Jardine would be my great great uncle — if I have my 'greats' correct. His parents were Mary (Brodie, I believe) and Graham Jardine, born 1795. Graham’s father was named James as well but I can’t find anything about him. I haven’t gotten any information on Mary Brodie either.
According to the 1851 Census, their children were: James 14 (born 4-16-37), Peter 12, Catherine 10, Graham 6 (my great great grandfather), Marion 3, Malcom 11 months. This great great grandfather somehow died in Australia which I find kind of weird because so many generations of Jardines lived and died right there around the Helensburgh and Cardross area.
A lot of the names in the list above I certainly recognize from some of my research.
I am coming to Scotland for a few days in the first week of August. I am very, very excited that I may be able to find the cemetery that my ancestors are at, or a church where they were married. So I’m still researching a lot.
Actually I’m very excited about finding out that I’m Scottish. Now I know why I have so many of my likes/dislikes! The info you have supplied will certainly help save some time when I do get to your fantastic country. I can’t wait to see Scotland and visit Helensburgh — it looks so beautiful on the web!
■ Karen and her husband Mike did visit the burgh in August 2010 and learned much more about her roots. Read about her visit here.
