Searching through Trove for info on my ancestors came across this this letter written by a 12 year old boy Vincent McGraa
The Catholic Press (NSW : 1895 - 1942), Thursday 30 March 1939, page 40, 41
THE CHILDRENS PLAYGROUND Conducted by Blubell.
14 Princes Place, Ardrossan, Scotland.
Dear Bluebell, — Just a short note in an
swer to your lovely letter from a distant
country. You know the 'Irish 'Weekly,'
of which I am a member of the 'Children's
Corner” Some months ago, I tried a
competition in the 'Corner,' and I won
a lovely watch, which I think a great lot
about. I also brought your letter to my
schoolmaster, Mr. Scullion, to read, and he
was very pleased to think that he had a
scholar in his school that had a letter from
afar, and he said I had to answer it at
once. Well, Bluebell. I must mention a
little about our school. Its name is The
Central R.C. School, South Cresent, Ar
drossan; When I started school, I had to
walk two miles to a town called Saltcoats,
but now we have a school of our own in
Ardrossan. It is built on the sea-front, and
we can see to the right of us Cumbraes,
and to the left of us the Heads of Ayr,
and facing the school the often spoken of.
'Paddy's Milestone,' or the Ailsa Craig,
all on 'the Firth of Clyde. So, Bluebell, you
have an idea of what our school surround
ings are like. Well, I think I have told
you all in this note until I get the next
letter from you. I would also like a pen
pal I haven't many stamps, but will en
close a few, and then I will start collecting
more. Well, Bluebell, my age is 12 years,
and I think I will 'tick off.' It is near
ing time to, get ready for school; time now
is 8 o'clock a.m., Monday morning. School
starts at 9 o'clock; takes from 8 to 10
minutes' run along the sea-front to get
there. Well, again, Bluebell, good morn
ing. I remain, your pal,
VINCENT McGRAA.
National Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106362523
Young Vincent McGraa of Ardrossan
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Re: Young Vincent McGraa of Ardrossan
A nice wee find 'kaymay'. Probably the same Vincent McGraa mentioned in the following topic.
http://www.threetowners.net/forum/viewt ... raa#p95245
http://www.threetowners.net/forum/viewt ... raa#p95245
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Re: Young Vincent McGraa of Ardrossan
I wonder if it is! Penny Tray, it would be interesting.
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Re: Young Vincent McGraa of Ardrossan
PLUMDUFF, in his post, talks about the McGraa family living above a pub and Vincent's address is given as 14 Princes Place in the publication posted by you.
I think 14 Princes Place was a property above and attached to the Bute Bar Public House.
I think 14 Princes Place was a property above and attached to the Bute Bar Public House.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
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Re: Young Vincent McGraa of Ardrossan
That would be right, Penny. My Cunningham relatives lived there, alongside the Ireland family above the Bute Bar around 1947. Aunt Margaret was the caretaker for the Bute Bar Hall, which was on the same landing. My mother's family lived at number 5 - across from the Castle Hill Vaults at the time Vincent McGraa wrote that letter.Penny Tray wrote:I think 14 Princes Place was a property above and attached to the Bute Bar Public House.
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Re: Young Vincent McGraa of Ardrossan
I knew May Mgra wonder if it is a relative?
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Re: Young Vincent McGraa of Ardrossan
May McGraa was brought up at 34 Rowanside Terrace. I don't think she's in this street photo but her brother definitely is. He's just right of centre in the second back row, with his hair hanging over his forehead. I'm trying to remember if his name is Billy?
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Re: Young Vincent McGraa of Ardrossan
Could this be Vincent's grandfather -McGraa John 25 05 1956 14 Princes Lane, Ardrossan. D 81yrs.& husband of Margaret Dailly
SC
Edit-Dailly Patrick 06/10/1922 Genoa D brother of Mrs McGraa, Ardrossan
Dailly Patrick 05/10/1923 Genoa MM Died 23/24 Sept 1922 Bro. Of Maggie McGraa
SC
Edit-Dailly Patrick 06/10/1922 Genoa D brother of Mrs McGraa, Ardrossan
Dailly Patrick 05/10/1923 Genoa MM Died 23/24 Sept 1922 Bro. Of Maggie McGraa
“He that has no fools, knaves, nor beggars in his family, was begot by a flash of lightning.” Thomas Fuller
Re: Young Vincent McGraa of Ardrossan
Penny .Its Joe Magra.sadly no longer with us ,