Needle in a Haystack?

A Search for Sisters

Information had come from family sources which were based on handed-down verbal descriptions that Annie Edgar, who died around 1930, was buried in a cemetery in the Glasgow area.

The description was that it was thought to be near Hogganfield Loch and

that there was a Jewish Section in the cemetery.

The only place matching that description had to be Riddrie Park.

Annie Edgar had married, but who she married was unknown.

She had an elder sister Isabel whom had died a few years earlier – sometime around 1925.

It was unknown whether Isabel had married.

Their parents were thought to be David and Mary Edgar.

Not much to go on!

However, the clue that narrowed things down, was the fact that the Jewish section is at the

extreme west end of the cemetery and that the nearest sections to this

might be either ‘A’ or ‘B’ so either of these could be where the sisters were laid to rest.

A large portion of Section A is cordoned off as it sits above old mine-workings

and the whole area is at risk of subsidence. The remaining area still accessible, but

after a thorough search, no existing stone bearing the surname Edgar was found.

On to Section B!

Again, every existing stone was scrutinized – but still nothing.

Section B

Just at the point of admitting defeat, the edge of a stone - just visible – almost

entirely engulfed by a huge rhododendron bush appeared.

After attempting to avoid a million bumble-bees buzzing around ……

Lo and behold – TWO EDGAR SISTERS!!!

Inscription:

Fleming

Sacred to the memory of my dear wife NAN EDGAR

Who died 9^th March 1930 aged 31 years

ISABELL EDGAR her sister died 3^rd June 1924 aged 31 years

The details didn’t match exactly, but as everything else was a bit vague,

 it HAD to be them!

Isobel’s name had changed slightly in spelling and Annie had become Nan, but most importantly,

the inscription revealed Annie’s married name of Fleming.

A search for a marriage revealed the full details:

On the 24^th December 1920, at 10 Queen Margaret Crescent, Glasgow

Robert Fleming, Commercial Traveller, age 24

Son of John Fleming, Farmer and Annie Fleming nee Ferguson

and

Annie Robina Porteous Edgar, age 22

Daughter of David Edgar, Commercial Traveller and Mary Edgar nee McFarlane

The couple both listed their place of residence as 15 Arlington Street, Glasgow

Their witnesses were David Edgar and Isabella Edgar

A subsequent search for Annie’s death verified that this was the same person.

Annie and her family are found on the 1901 Census as follows:

Living at 14 Cathedral Street, Glasgow

David Edgar, Head, age 43, Storeman, South Knapdale, Argyll

Mary Edgar, wife, age 36, Glasgow

David Edgar, son, age 16, Scholar, Glasgow

Isabella Edgar, daughter, age 9,  England

Annie R. Edgar, daughter, age 2, Glasgow

The moral of the story?

A needle CAN be found in a haystack!!

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