iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Open on Bluesky →

Alison Spring @acspring.bsky.social · 18h

#31DaysofGraves #Brick Distant relatives the Rankins were for many generations owners of a brick and tile works in Stranraer. The family grave is in Inch Old Parish kirkyard & a good example of the idea to always check the other faces of a gravestone - transcript in alt txt. More at buff.ly/r8XnSbz

A square gravestone has the following inscription over two of its sides: Erected by Thomas Rankin senior, Stranraer, in memory of Deborah his wife, who died 1st May 1868 in her 91st year. Their children, Elizabeth died 12th April 1820, aged 11 months, Thomas died 20th June, 1820 aged 2 years & 7 months. Thomas Rankin who erected this stone died on 23rd July 1872 aged 93 years. “He was a faithful man and feared God above many” Neh. 7.2. “She stretched out her hands to the poor, and in her tongue was the law of kindness” Prov. 31.20.26 James Rankin their eldest son who died 16th June 1887 aged 77 years. P. Collins (Sculptor)
[On the north side] Also Richard Rankin his father died Octr 182 aged 73 and Elizabeth Perrie his mother died April 1821 aged 69. John Rankin his brother, died March 1839 aged 46. And Elizabeth Rankin his sister died March 1845 aged 64. Mary Ann Rankin sister of the erector, died 3d June 1879 aged 75.
Picture credit: Barbara Lewis on Findagrave

The 1851 census shows that in the village of Inch the Rankin family consisted of Thomas, a 71-year-old brick and tile maker; his wife Deborah and 35-year-old son Alex, a farina manufacturer (not bricks), and Thomas's sister Mary Ann, who was 45.