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WHEN told that a Brock family member in the United States starred in silent movies, it became the start of a fascinating quest to discover more. We had heard that some of the Brocks were known to have lived in Buffalo, in Erie County. That became the starting point. A visit to the Ellis Island site confirmed that Robert Thomson Brock, a son of William Manson Brock, emigrated to the United States in 1923, along with his wife Mary Ann Shirreffs and their 3 children, Cecelia and twin boys Robert Alexander and George Henry. Whilst researching this line, a chance connection was made on the internet with a descendant of Robert Thomson Brocks sister, Janet. A fascinating story unfolded, telling of the emigration of several members of this same family, including their mother, Janet (Thomson), the wife of William Manson Brock. The house in Buffalo was described as a sort of 'way station' where many immigrants passed through on their way to new lives. The town of Barre, Vermont also cropped up as a place where they at first lived and worked. Further research revealed it was 'The Granite City of the World'... an obvious connection with Aberdeen - Scotland's 'Granite City.' From stonecutters and polishers in Thurso, to the granite yards of Aberdeen and now the quarries of Barre - the Buffalo Brocks had made new lives for themselves across the Atlantic. But the trail didn't end there. Next stop... Beverly Hills, Hollywood, California! | |||||||||
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Picture: Malcolm Brock, born in Scotland, is later listed in the US Census working in 'a bird and dog store' | |||||||||
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Picture: Janet Brock, also known as Jessie, one of William Manson Brock's daughters. She married John Innes Thomson in Aberdeen and then emigrated to live in Buffalo, USA. Their picture is below. | |||||||||
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