Digging Up Your Roots

Chris Paton · Post by **Chris Paton** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:34 pm

Keep an ear for the fourth programme this coming Sunday. "There's been a murder" (Taggart voice!) - it was my great great great granny, and it involved an axe...!

Chris

Post by **marilyn morning** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:55 pm

I didn't think Lizzie Borden had any children

Sorry Chirs, I couldn't resist.

Marilyn

Chris Paton · Post by **Chris Paton** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:14 pm

Haha, my secret is out! Well the murder weapon was the same...! lol

Actually, whilst the murder is featured early on in the programme, the story we look at is actually something that happened as a consequence, which was equally as shocking. Stay tuned...!

Chris

Post by **Ina** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:11 pm

Ah Chris, I already know the answer, but can't wait to hear the broadcast.

Will you be interviewed for the broadcast?

Regards,

Ina

Chris Paton · Post by **Chris Paton** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:22 pm

Hi Ina,

I was interviewed in the archives of the University of Dundee a few weeks ago - much more relaxing than telly! It was great fun, but also very productive, as we found some truly unbelievable records. I won't say what we were looking into, but as a result of our time there, I also discovered in addition to our main topic that my four greats grandad had previously died of the flu in 1852, and his wife of heart disease some time before that, information that just could not be found in any other records.

But as for the rest of it, I'll say no more just yet...!!! lol

Chris

Post by **Anne H** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:12 am

Can't wait, Chris...sounds intriguing

Regards,
Anne H

ASGROOMBRIDGE · Post by **ASGROOMBRIDGE** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:19 am

Sound facinating, cant wait.

Audrey

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:07 am

Don’t forget to listen to this week's programme, possibly the best so far. http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/radioscot ... pyourroots

The Perthshire axe murder.

When Chris Paton was researching his family history using the records at New Register House he didn't think it was unusual that no cause of death was listed for his 3 x great grandmother. But one year later Chris discovered the unexpectedly gruesome facts - Janet had been bludgeoned to death by an axe at her brother William's farm in Perthshire.

Using newspapers and records at the National Archives of Scotland in Edinburgh Chris pieced together more information about the murder, the subsequent court case and the devastating effect the murder had on William whose final years were spent in the Murray Royal Asylum. Claire and Chris visit Dundee University Archives and use medical records to uncover the details of William’s fate.

Alan

Post by **Ina** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:50 am

Hi Alan,

It was a very interesting show this week.

Chris,

You must be thrilled at BBC radio interviewing you regarding your research. Well done!!

Regards,

Ina

Post by **Anne H** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:43 am

I agree Alan...although I find all of them interesting, this one is possibly one of the best broadcasts I've heard

Chris,
Fascinating events and such a sad ending for Janet and William.

Regards,
Anne H