Far From the Tree

Far From the Tree

Catherine Barrett

Catherine Barrett

One night, sitting alone with my two cats I decided to play around on my lap top. I have always been interested in my 'roots'and I recall asking my father and paternal grandmother many questions, but no real information was ever forthcoming. My paternal grandmother was Isabel Macleay, born and bred in Hay, New South Wales. Her mother was Susannah Macleay nee Haines. My Great Grandmother, Susannah was the daughter of George Haines and Catherine Ray (who I was named after). Well, there the story really begins. Looking at the family lines, so well constructed by Mr Harrigan, I see that I am also a descendent of Mary Wade. I have so many aunts, uncles, cousins etc who are also directly descended from her. Imagine the thrill of seeing photographs of people, although quite diluted! - related to me on the computer. Seeing the old images of the Ray family was also very exciting. I found the old photographs particularly intersting as I noticed resemblences to myself and others in my family. Perhaps the old saying is true, the apple dosen't fall far from the tree!