According to the Nicol, from left to right we have Auntie Annie, Auntie Margaret, Auntie Claire, Auntie Theresa, Auntie Catherine and Auntie Mami

So these aunties were in fact Grandpere's Aunties, though I understand they may have been known as Aunties by my 8 uncles

Anne Mitchell tells me that the McGinness family came from Ireland in 1850 (was this emigration linked to the Great Famine I wonder?). Hugh McGinness (born 1851) was in the wool trade and seemed to have done quite well for himself, Brigid was from Edinburgh.

Hugh and Brigid had 12 children, 6 boys and 6 girls although Nicol Gorman recalls there being 13 siblings not 12. Anne Mitchell recalls an Auntie Clara who have recorded below but I presume is not on the photo above! Again the sharp eyed amongst you will wonder where the boys are in this picture - alas not here, but perhaps we will find photographic evidence sometime, somewhere!

The 6 girls in the photo were our 6 mystery aunties, and one is missing, Auntie Clara. According to the lovely Anne Mitchell we have the following details of these Aunties:

(Note: Anne Mitchell is our widely acclaimed font of all knowledge. Anne deserves separate a page for herself and family but see Auntie Margaret's listing below to see where Anne came from!)

Auntie Annie (far left)

Born 1880, died 1970

Annie was a Sister of Charity though a teacher by vocation, becoming a nun at the age of 30. She could apparently vamp all the music hall tunes of the day on the piano and was a wicked mimic with a wonderful sense of humour. Even when she became deaf she could apparently still have the community of nuns at Mill Hill convent in stiches!