Tears in the Glen is the family history of an Australian family who have traced their roots back to Baron McInturner of Craigcoll/Craighoyle, Glenfinart, Ardentinny.

Dedicated to the history of the Turners of Craigcoll/hoyle, their ancestors and their descendants who migrated to Australia in the 1800s. The video tells the story of the family from its beginnings until the 1850s.

Created by Richard Balsillie, the story recounts how Baron McInturner received his Barony from Robert the Bruce and how members of the Campbell clan killed him one night on his way to Whistlefield for his supposed support of the Lamont clan. Remains of the cairn still exist and it is one of Ardentinny Community Council’s ongoing projects to restore it.

Additional images and footage were provided by ardentinny.org. Richard would welcome viewer comments and any additional historic information. A video on the next part of the story, focussing on the Turners of Eaglehawk, Victoria is expected to be published late in 2011.

We’ve received some fascinating historical information from Janet Gardner Roy, a relative of former Ardentinny postmaster Matthew Gardener. Janet is researching the Gardener family history. As well as running the village store and post office, Matthew Gardener also published local Ardentinny postcards.

Gardener gravestone at Kilmun

Matthew Gardner was born on 4th. October 1809 in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, he married Helen Currie on 19th. April 1835 in Bothwell, Lanarkshire. Matthew died on 24th. January 1878 in Ardentinny and is buried in Kilmun Churchyard (see photograph).

Helen Currie was born about 1814 in Bothwell, the daughter of John Currie and Isabella Carstairs. Helen died on 11 May 1899 in the district of Kilmun and is not mentioned on the gravestone. Matthew & Helen only had 5 children that I am aware of namely: Euphemia born in 1836 in Stoke, Surrey, England, Janet Gardner born 1843 in Lanarkshire, she married James Gardner on 22 Jan 1879 in Dunoon & Kilmun Parish (Not sure if there is a relationship here, maybe cousins).

Matthew Gardner was born Jan 1854 in Lanarkshire – I believe Matthew had a son Thomas (born 1881 in Dunoon) with Christina Turner Wright, born 9 Jan 1866, daughter of Joseph Wright and Janet Turner. Matthew died on 25 Jan 1934 in Ardentinny.

Robert Gardner born 29th. October 1856 in Hutchestown, Glasgow. John Gardner born abt 1838 in Stocke, Surrey, England. John died on 2nd December 1875 in Glenfinart (see Gravestone). Janet Gardner born about 1842 in Stoke, England.

In 1851, The family were living in Leatherhead, Surrey, England. Matthew was a gardener, they had moved to Ayrshire by 1861, again Matthew was a gardener. In 1871, they were residing in Glenfinart, Matthew was still gardening, and in 1881, the family were living in at Rock Cottage, Ardentinny.

It was the son Matthew born in 1854 who became a grocer in 1891 and postmaster in 1901 and presumably he is responsible for publishing the postcards.

With thanks to Janet Gardner Roy.

If anyone has more information on the Gardener’s, please contact us.