My fascination with tracing some family history began many years ago.  I am lucky and feel quite  privileged to have treasured memories of sitting in the garden with my grandma, Margaret Mary (nee  Pennant) in her later years. Surrounded by the beautiful gardens at "Claremont" South Melbourne  and listending to her stories of the old days.  My thoughts go back to grandma and her friend Mrs.  Mills sitting under the verandah at "Claremont" and strolling in the lovely gardens.  My grandma  was my ideal portrait, with her calm eyes watching over me.
 I have since travelled to the Shetland Isles, and sailed with the Endeavour as a crew member to  experience a little of how it might have been for my ancestors.  I've had family reunions with  relatives still living in the Isles.  Stayed with family in a home as old as white settlement in  Australia.  The beautiful dialect at a family gathering is something that I will treasure  forever.  I have researched at the local research centre in Unst as well as the centre in  Lerwick.  Just to open a document bound with ribbon, a hundred years old, has been priceless.   Thank goodness some of the old language has been recorded. Thank goodness for tradition.