I received an email from
my cousin (very removed) in Australia about your quest. I decided to
offer my story to your collection.
In the early 1920's, my
father George Crichton Stevenson and a friend decided to immigrate. My
father wanted to come to America, his friend wanted Australia. They
decided to toss a coin and my father "won". They arrived in Ellis Island
sometime between 1921 and 1923. My father never spoke of what happened
to his friend, (wished I had asked) but dad went on to be an electrician
working big construction jobs.
My father was born, March
25, 1900, in Paisley. His father, John Stevenson had married Annie
Crichton. Both of their families were (coal) miners. John and Annie
actually came to the states in the late 1800's and settled in Illinois
where mining was what most people did in those days. They had two
daughters while living in America, but Annie became homesick for the
heather and they returned to Scotland in the 1890's. John Stevenson
wanted to break the chain that kept the family in the mines and put his
three son's through college. No other Stevenson worked the mines again.
Annie Crichton's brother,
Lawson came to the United States in the 1800's, and settled in Illinois.
That may have been the reason for John and Annie to come to America.
However, he stayed and produced heirs.
My father met and married
my mother while they both worked for RCA. They eventually moved to
Florida where I was born. Being in construction work, we moved
frequently to follow the jobs. My father retired in 1967, and died on
his birthday in 1983.
My mother's grand father
was from Scotland and his wife was English. I married an English girl
while stationed in England in the Air Force and my son was born at
Lakenheath, RAF station.
So, as you can see, we
are truly a family of immigrants deep roots in Scottish soil.
I invite you to visit my
website,
www.clan-crichton.com/. The rest of my story is there. It details my
search for the origins of my ancestors and my name, Lawson. Please let
me know what you think about my story and if you need additional
information.
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