William Duncan Fyffe was born 19th November 1906 at 28 Albion Rd, Leith. He was a buthcer's assistant and was in the Scottish National Fire Service during World War 2
Being a butcher during the war, he was fortunate to be able to provide some sausages and meat to his and his wife's family. His mother in law Christina would leave the kitchen window open, and on his way home from work he would drop a little parcel through the window onto the kitchen bench.
He married Nancy Baillie Gilchrist on the 18th March 1942 at 94 Pilrig St, Edinburgh. His first child Adam died of cot death.
Nancy's parents emigrated to Australia in their 60's surprising the children. She and William emigrated to Australia in 1959. They travelled on the "Fairsky" as part of the"ten pound tourist" scheme of the then Australian Government. (The Australian Government sponsored British citizens to emigrate after the war by charging only 10 pounds per adult for the trip).The cost for himself, his wife and three children to emigrate from Scotland was 20 pounds.They arrived in Australia in December 1959.
They lived in Richmond,Victoria. His wife Nancy died in 1963. In his own way he spoiled his youngest daughter, Christina. On one occasion her brother Edward would not let her watch a television program. Christina (Tina), ran to Willy and cried in her Scottish brogue: "Daddy, Eddie won't let me watch 'Lawst in Speece' (Lost in Space)" to which Willy replied in his brogue: "Eddie, let the wee bairn watch her television show".
He died 6th of January 1972 Melbourne, Vic. Australia.
His sister in law Christina Gilchrist remembers him as a kind man and gentle soul with a lovely nature.
Nancy Baillie Gilchrist was born 21st July 1921 Leith Midlothian, Scotland. She was closest in age to her sister Christina. The two worked together later in life at the Scottish Railways - Christina in the office and Nancy as a ticket checker. She would initial the tickets NBG. Some travellers thought she was marking their tickets as "No Bloody Good".
She married William Duncan Fyffe on the 18th March 1942 at 94 Pilrig St, Edinburgh. Her first child Adam died of cot death.
Her parents emigrated to Australia in their 60's surprising the children. She and William emigrated to Australia in 1959. They travelled on the "Fairsky" as part of the"ten pound tourist" scheme of the then Australian Government. (The Australian Government sponsored British citizens to emigrate after the war by charging only 10 pounds per adult for the trip).The cost for herself, her husband and three children to emigrate from Scotland was 20 pounds.They arrived in Australia in December 1959. Nancy was very lenient on her daughter Christina (Tina). In 1962, she visited her parents who were living in Mildura, Victoria at the time. She, Tina and her sister Christina travelled by train. On the trip, Tina amused herself by going into the toilet, putting paper in the bowl, flushing the toile, then running into the carriage to see the toilet paper floating outside. Christina Gilchrist said to Nancy, "You shouldn't let her do that Nancy". Nancy replied,"She's doing no harm". Christina replied,"Not until someone has to got to the toilet and there's no paper!"
Nancy's sister, Christina, says that on the way back, Tina didn't flush any more paper, because her Granny was on the train.
Nancy died 2nd of August 1963 in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
He was the eighth of nine children. He was a bookbinder according to his wedding certificate.
Grace Fyffe, Adam's granddaughter through William, remembers him as a big man who was bald. He would come over for a roast dinner, then after dinner he would fall asleep in a chair. Grace and her brother Edward would then sometimes draw on his head.
Grace and Edward's mother Nancy would tell them off for drawing on her father in law's head, but Adam's wife Mary Sewell would always say good naturedly to let the children have their fun, that they were doing no harm.
Adam died about 1952.
Source: Conversation between Grace Fyffe and her nephew Robert Fyffe 1999.
William Duncan Fyffe was born in Carnoustie, Forfarshire, according to the 1881 Census record Vol:282-4 Enumeration:24 Page:5
He was a labourer at the Iron Works
I believe his parents are David Fyfe and Ann Gairy for two reasons:
1)The 1881 census gives his birth place as Carnoustie and approximate birth year as 1829/30.
Carnoustie is in the parish of Barry, and this William is the only one on the IGI who was born in the right period in the right Parish
2)This William has a sister Lindsay Fife. My William named a daughter Lindsay Fyffe. I searched the IGI for Lindsay Fyffe in Scotland, and there are only three listings- one of which is my William's daughter, and another is the Lindsay who I believe is my William's sister.
The combination of Lindsay and Fyffe is very uncommon, and for the name to be in two generations, and William to be born in the right Parish, leads me to believe I have the right William.I believe he was alive in 1903, his son Adam's marriage certificate in 1903 does not list him as deceased.
Helen Robertson was born 1829/30 in Dundee (Source 1881 Census) to John Robertson & ?(Source:Her OPR wedding transcription)
I suspect she may be Helen Patullo Robertson,and that when the transcription of the 1881 census listed her as Helen R Fyffe, it hould have been Helen P. Fyffe - will need to order film in.
I believe she was alive in 1903 as her son, Adam's wedding certificate does not list her as deceased.
