The Stewarton & District Historical Society have just acquired a booklet on 'The History of the Stewarton Mackies' which was purchased from Australia and should be of assistance to anyone having a 'Mackie' in their family tree.

They have also had an enquiry recently from a lady whose ancestor was Robert Kerr a bonnet maker, in Stewarton in 1851. She also claims to be connected to David Dale, but even more interesting is the fact that Mary Downie was living at the same address in Main Street in 1841. Her relative, William Downie, went to America and discovered large gold deposits in California and founded the town of Downieville there.

The things we never knew about Stewarton!