The genealogy service at the Townhouse has proved a huge hit with the former Provost. 

Joan Sturgeon says she is hooked on the Townhouse’s new genealogy service after being one of the first to have a try at tracing their family history.

With the help of staff at the beautifully-restored venue, Joan says she has uncovered lots of interesting facts from both her mother and father’s side of her family.

She said: “It is fabulous – it really is. I’m sure it will be really popular over the coming weeks, months and years.

“I’ll be honest, I had previously never had that much interest in genealogy and had never really considered it.

“But I was asked to give it a go and thought ‘why not!’. Now I’m absolutely hooked.

“I lost both my parents when they were in their 60s and that’s quite young really.

“When that happens, you lose a link to their families.

“The genealogy service has restored that link. It has given me an insight into who I am – it’s been fascinating.

“I would recommend it to everyone. You won’t be disappointed.”

The genealogy picture can’t be completed overnight and Joan is continuing to visit the Townhouse to ensure she finds out as much as she can.

At the moment, she is going in ‘straight lines’ through the family tree but wants to look wider afield and uncover as much as she can.

She added: “The staff have been great and ultimately I would like everything bound so I can take it home and pore over the details.

“I have found links on my mother’s side to New York, so I’ll be exploring that further.

“I’m sure to find out about some interesting family members over there. We’ve also got some links to Ireland, although that isn’t that uncommon.

“You can find out things that are not so nice to hear.

“I learned that my great grandfather was knocked down and killed in Prestwick Main Street in the 1800s. He was 81.

“On a nicer note, I discovered that my great grandmother was the first golf mistress at Prestwick St Cuthbert’s.

“Golf has always been a big part of Ayrshire life and it’s nice to learn my great grand-mother played a part back in the day.

“I’ve only scratched the surface and I’m really keen to find out more.

“I’ve not really looked at some of the more distant relatives.

“It’s going to be fascinating to find out more.”

Contact the Townhouse on 01294 310060 (choose option 2) or naheritage@north-ayrshire.gov.uk if you would like to book a time to carry out some research or to enquire about how to trace your family tree.