I was sorting through books on our bookshelves yesterday morning, trying in vain to reduce the number, when I came across an old book (Antiquities in the Neighbourhood of Dunecht by Right Rev. Bishop B.F. Browne). More interesting to me than the book itself, was the gift label inside, which shows it was a gift to my grandparents on the occasion of their marriage in 1927, from Baroness Annie Cowdray.
Wikipedia tells me that 'Baroness Cowdray was an English society hostess, suffragist and philanthropist. She was nicknamed the Fairy Godmother of Nursing due to her financial patronage of the Royal College of Nursing and her work to promote district nursing throughout England and Scotland.'
She and her husband donated Cowdray Hall to the city of Aberdeen and in 1919 they moved into Dunecht House (pictured at the top of the gift label)
I asked my dad about the link, and he tells me that granny's father knew the Baron & Baroness, hence the gift of the book, but also that courtesy of the Baroness, my grandparents were married in Dunecht House Chapel (pictured on the bottom half of the label) in 1927.
I am fortunate enough to have my granny's engagement ring, also in the picture, and which I wear regularly.
I am constantly surprised by learning things about the past that I never knew.
It goes without saying that this book stayed firmly on the shelf.
So interesting! Like something out of the programme, 'Who do you think you are?'. Your Dad knew a lot but if only you had their reosurces at your disposal to research further!
Definitely a keeper with all that amazing history to go with it! Also wonderful that you have your dad to tell you all the stories :) I had my mother's engagement ring that I would wear too - then my youngest daughter said several years ago that if she ever got engaged she would like to have granny's ring. I then put it away and last year Matthew had to come and ask for the ring!! I was delighted and then they were married in December :)
@gilbertwood Yes, dad is full of history both family and Scottish, so I'm always pumping him for information! How lovely that your daughter was able to wear your mum's ring. I have my mum's ring and wear it occasionally, but not all the time as the gold has become so thin ... it wasn't new when she got it, I don't think they could afford to buy a new one at the time. Dad did buy her a new one much later in life though which my daughter now has. Although my mum never liked the new one as much as her original one.
