Maggie Lachie is the story of one woman’s amazing journey from abject poverty to considerable social standing and financial security.


Born in Oban in the highlands of Scotland in 1872, Maggie was orphaned at the age of two. She was brought up by relatives, separated from her four older sisters, and as a young adult went into service as a maid in Lanarkshire. What happened in her life as she grew older is a fascinating tale of the social mobility that was possible in the Scotland of that era.


The book also describes the ups and downs the author experienced in researching her family tree and touches on some significant historical events which impacted on Maggie’s life.


This book is partly about the addictive lure of the chase when researching genealogy and partly a record of the lives of Maggie and her sisters after they were orphaned. It reflects the stories of countless families. It is written in the hope others will be inspired to start looking into their family’s history.