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A woman’s dedication to genealogy at Arran’s museum has received special recognition.
Grace Small was presented with the John Strawhorn Quaich by Stuart Wilson, chairman of Ayrshire Federation of Historical Societies, at the Isle of Arran Heritage Museum, Brodick, on Sunday.
John Strawhorn was a well-known Ayrshire historian. The quaich is given once a year and only to someone especially deserving.
Grace, who lives in Brodick, will have it for one year but was also presented with a small replica to keep.
Kathryn Valentine, vice-chairwoman of AFHS, said Grace was chosen this year to recognise her encyclopaedic knowledge of the history and, in particular, the genealogy of Arran.
‘Her love of the island shows in her involvement in so many local projects and shines through in the many talks she gives throughout Arran,’ she said.
Grace was born in Brodick in 1927 and apart from nine years, when she, her husband Verner and their sons Murray and Ian lived in Australia, has lived on Arran. From a young age she was involved in Arran life, holding many offices in various organisations.
Kathryn said Grace was deeply committed to the museum. She has been genealogy researcher since 1996.
Kathryn told the museum committee and friends on Sunday: ‘In her genealogy Grace is in contact with people from all over the world who want to know about their Arran roots.
‘Her enthusiasm, her dedication, her humour and her genuine desire to help has made her friends worldwide and done nothing but good for her island.’
