Born in Forfar in 1797, George Don was a pioneering botanist, best known for his four-volume book ‘A General System of Gardening and Botany’. Son of George, a Superintendent of the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden and elder brother to David, also a botanist. His groundbreaking work was published between 1832 and 1838, although he died in 1856, Don’s contributions to the study of plants live on.
Born in Brechin in 1904 to a performer at the local Opera, Catherine Hollingsworth was a musician and cultural leader. After studying at the Royal Academy of Music, she went on to establish Aberdeen’s first municipal children’s theatre and the Festival of the Spoken Word. She was made a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in 1954 and died in 1999.
Born and educated in Montrose, James Christison was appointed librarian of the town’s new Public Library in 1904. He was the first to live in the librarian’s flat within the library itself. Passionate about books, Christison believed librarians should be more than distributors – they should be guides. A trusted friend to local writers like Violet Jacob, who often sought his literary advice, he delivered numerous lectures across Angus on topics including Robert Burns’ poetry.
Christison was dedicated to preserving Montrose’s local history. He collected printed, photographic, and archival material for the Local Corner of the library, which eventually became the foundation for the Montrose collections now housed at the Angus Archives.
Christison retired in 1941 at age 74, having served as both burgh and county librarian for nearly four decades. He passed away on 20 July 1945, leaving a lasting impact on Montrose’s literary and historical heritage.
For many visitors to Angus, tracing their family roots is a deeply personal journey. It’s about uncovering the stories of what their ancestors did, where they lived, and how they shaped history.
Angus Archives and the local libraries offer a wealth of research materials to aid your search. Knowledgeable staff are always on hand to assist, making it easier to delve into your family’s past.
For those tracing their genealogy, our WW1 Heritage Trail may be a useful resource to provide historical context and give you valuable insights into the lives of past generations.
The best of luck with your search, we hope to see you soon!
