Who Do I Think I Am?

A new series of 'Who Do You Think You Are?' has just begun, it's compelling viewing. My own family tree goes back to 1774. My paternal Grandmother kept records, she died in 1944 so my aunt carried on, Milbrough was her only daughter and oldest child (dob 1901). My Aunt had no children so I inherited the tree but have done nothing more. It's always been a 'later on' project. My maiden name is Hope. The tree starts with Robert Green (dob 1774) marrying Milbrough Price. They lived in the Worcestershire area. My great Grandfather was Richard Hope, he married Robert and Emma's grand daughter, Emma Green. Richard's son, my Grandfather, William Calder Hope, left home at an early age due to a family rift and not much is known about that family. My father's name was John but was known in the family as Iain, which is Scottish for John. My Mother told me that the Hopes originated from Scotland and were related or linked to the Linlithgows. They were Earls so this is quite a fanciful theory. I don't believe I have any aristocratic blood in my veins. Here's a link to Hopetoun House, family seat of the Linlithgows Yesterday I had the surprise of my life. While Googling 'Scottish Hopes' I discovered that West Calder is situated just outside Edinburgh, quite close to Livingston. So how did my grandfather acquire Calder as a middle name? There is another theory, I could be descended from families dispossessed by the Scottish land clearances. I am most probably red blooded and 'blue blood' ancestry is only a flight of fancy. My appetite is whetted and I intend finding out more.