IT'S A SMALL WORLD - THE BYERS AND THE ANDERSON FAMILIES MAY WELL HAVE MET LONG BEFORE MY DAD AND MUM DID!

So, the 1921 Scotland Census was at last published - on 30th November 2022, long after the English Census for 1921 went online. Not entirely sure why, but it's now available for research purposes, so that's a good thing!

I haven't investigated too many of my ancestors yet, but I did check the whereabouts of my maternal grandfather, Archibald Hardie Anderson. My grandpa was working at Unthank, a farm in Ewes Parish in Dumfriesshire. He was aged 15 years 6 months at the time the Census was taken on 19th June 1921, and was employed as a Cattleman on the farm of James Douglas (who was a tenant of the Duke of Buccleuch). Also staying at Unthank at that time was an 18 year old "general domestic servant", Agnes Byers. (She was born in Halfmorton, Dumfriesshire, and am not aware of any family connection). Additionally, and probably next door, at Unthank Hope, was a Thomas Byers, who was born in Canonbie, was aged 29 and employed as a Ploughman by the same James Douglas. (Again, no family connection known).

There is however a more compelling case for a Byers/Anderson connection back then. My great grandfather, James Byers, had passed away by the time of the 1921 Census, but at the time of his death in September 1920, his "usual residence" was stated as Unthank Hope. For whatever reason, a corrected entry was made in the Registry which altered his age to a correct 59 years, but also changed his "usual residence" to Unthank Farm Cottage. Depending on when my grandpa started work at Unthank, he may well have known my great grandfather. Perhaps.

James Byers did not die at Unthank however. He had passed away at Howgillcleuch (in Canonbie Parish) and this was the farm of Robert Douglas (also a tenant of the Duke of Buccleuch). The above James and Robert Douglas may well have been related and indeed known to my great grandfather, James Byers.

By way of note, at the time of the 1921 England Census, my great grandmother, Mary Jane Byers (James' widow) was living just over the border in Longtown, with two of her children, Mary Isabella and my grandpa, George Byers.

I'm not sure how much more information on this may come to light, but it's a very intriguing situation, which I will keep a close eye on.

A SECOND COUSIN CONTACTS ME OUT OF THE BLUE

Back in February last year, I received a note via Facebook Messenger from the daughter of a Janet Smith, who was keen to make contact with me. She is the granddaughter of Janet Glendinning Byers, my great aunt and my grandpa's oldest sister. [More can be read about this lady and her husband in my post from March 2018 "Socialism And Aristocracy In My Family"].

She had seen this Blog and had asked her daughter to message me. And in that same February, Janet sent me a letter telling me about visiting her grandmother and great aunts and uncles around Carlisle and the Scottish Borders, during her school summer holidays. And describing her and her grandmother's later life. Very interesting to hear about another branch of the Byers family, of which there are many. Great aunt Janet was the eldest of 12 and my grandpa, George, was the third youngest, being some 18 years younger than Janet.

I phoned Janet later that month (may have been into March) and we spoke about our reminiscences and what we knew of the various members of the Byers family. 

I have been a bit remiss in writing up this post - it's taken me almost two years, which is ridiculous, but it's funny how life sometimes gets in the way of good intentions. Anyway, we have exchanged Christmas cards these past two years and I will make an effort to phone Janet in the New Year. And update this post accordingly.