Patrick Durning / Durnion

Thank you Roger. Yes, I've downloaded most of these documents over the years, but without more information tied to them, it's a guess as to if one of these might be the right Patrick. This Charles Durnian is one and the same as Patrick's brother. I don't know if I can assume from that, that Patrick lived really close by. It seems as if they either never left "home" or really went for it and went to Scotland, America, Canada, and Australia.

I'm looking for more information about my grandmother Sarah Brown. She was born in Hedon, England and her mother died shortly after Sarah was born. She was adopted by Christina and Hugh Durning sometime around 1896. She lived with the Durnings until she married Lawrence O'Toole Torley (who apparently lived up the street from the Durnings) and moved to America.                                                                                                                                                                                              When we were children, Christina and her daughters Christine and Margaret would send presents to us in the United States. Beautiful gloves and handkerchiefs, beautiful plaid kilts. Christine and Margaret (Chris and Meg) visited with us in the states as well. Because my grandmother (Sarah Brown) was adopted, I'm running into a wall when tracing her heritage. I have her biological mother's name, but am unclear of her biological father. My information about the Durning's matches what you have mentioned about them. My understanding is that Christina Munro Durning was a Ladies Maid for the Duchess of Sutherland, but I have not been able to find documentation to substantiate that. I have photos of my grandmother with Christina Durning as well as with Margaret, Christine and Hugh. One such photo is of Margaret receiving an award from the President of the Singer Sewing Machine Co...after she had worked there for a long time.                                                                                       If you know anything else about the Dunrings or about them adopting a little girl, can you help me with this? Thanks for any information you are able to provide...I would be greatly appreciative.

Hello Maureen,

I assume you are closely related to Jackie Smith. She and I have been sharing information about my During/Munro family for years. Chris and Meg were my great-aunts. I wished I had found them before their passing.

Alas, I know nothing about your grandmother, other than what Jackie has shared with me. I'd highly suggest you do DNA testing so that you might have a chance to connect with those sharing that DNA. 

I would love to get a copy of the pictures you have of the Durnings if you would be willing to share them. You can contact me directly at kitzkamp@yahoo.com.

Good Morning - Thank you so much for responding so quickly. I'm sad to learn you don't know much about my grandmother...I was so hoping I had found a connection.   Jackie Smith is my cousin, but unfortunately we haven't seen each other in years as we live in totally different parts of the US. I do have some information she shared with us several years ago, but was hoping you were another sourse for information about my grandmother.   I 'm happy to share some photos with you. I'll send directly to your email later today.