Meeting Willie Park Snr's Direct Descendants

Sheila & Archie Baird Come Visiting

Publicity for Prestoungrange's maternal descent from his great great uncle Willie Park Senior, the renowned golfer, was always expected to trace other relatives in the area. And so it was with Sheila Baird of Aberlady who with husband Archie came to dinner at The Prestoungrange Gothenburg.

Sheila is a direct descendant of Willie Park Jnr's brother, Mungo Park, not to be confused of course with Willie Park Snr's own brother Mungo who himself won the Open. Which makes Willie Park Senior her great grand-father! And of course Willie Park Snr's father James Park, born in Wallyford 1797, married to Euphemia Kerr who died 10th August 1860, and died himself in the Inveresk Combination Poor House 12th February 1873, was great great grandfather to Sheila and Prestoungrange - and many more besides beyond doubt.

Some talk was of genealogical research to trace the secret life of Willie Park Snr's sister Grace who gave her Park family name [as what today is termed an 'unmarried' mother] to Prestoungrange's maternal grandfather, James. But most talk was of the extensive research that Sheila had completed, and looking at the old family picture album she has compiled.

Click image to enlarge


Archie Baird is himself a talented golfer and has for many years managed an exhibition called The Heritage of Golf next door to the Pro's Shop at Gullane - open by appointment. Just such an appointment is planned for end August when Bryan Wills, Head of the Family, will be vacationing from Canada in East Lothian.