Here's one side of the pendant:
I think that reads: KSB - or could it be RSB?
And the other side is:
My father's mother Margaret came from a large family, as most people did in the late 19th century. One of her sisters was called Charlotte and she married a McGown. The story we were told was that he came from Ayrshire farming stock, although he became a seafaring man according to family legend. Charlotte and her husband had a daughter called Irene and her husband is the person my desk belonged to. Complicated, huh? I'm guessing the J in this inscription stands for James which is the English version of Seumas.
But what is this a medal for? Attendance - I'm guessing perfect attendance - for what? School? Sunday school? Where was attendance so important that it merited a silver pendant? This was almost a century ago, after World War 1, when money was tight.
I'd love any thought from people. If this is a historical artifact, I'll happily hand it over to a museum which can record it and keep it safe.
According to a search on Scotlands People there were only three 'Irenes' who married someone with the surname McGown. If any of these look likely, I can download the information to check the occupation.
ReplyDeleteSurname Forename Spouse Surname Year Ref Entry Number RD Name Image View
BISLAND
IRENE MCKINLAY
MCGOWN
Spouse details
1968
496/ 163
163
Dumbarton
DONALD
IRENE JEAN
MCGOWN
Spouse details
1983
503/ 122
122
Vale Of Leven
MORRISON
IRENE
MCGOWN
Spouse details
1984
617/ 201
201
Glasgow, Martha St