Robert emigrated to Melbourne, Australia in 1852
Why could I never find the Scottish roots of this man who went on to marry, have 10 children, invest in several gold mines and finally die in his own gold mine? His descendant Australian family historians knew of him, recording all his steps on Australian soil. We even had a picture. Robert was about 18 years of age when he left Scotland in 1852, clearly drawn by the possibilities of wealth in the Victorian Gold Rush that began in 1851. On 22 September 1860 he married Margaret Hannah Bain in the Minister's residence, officiated by Alexander Minson. Margaret was from Rosshire, the Highlands of Scotland and Robert was from Edinburgh, the Lowlands, according to this marriage certificate. Both declared they 'held commission' with the Independant Denomination. His parents were Robert Buchan, Brick Tile Maker, and Janet McCray (almost certainly the more Scottish spelling of McRae or McCrae). He said he was a 25 year old labourer from the area of Melbourne called Hawthorne. He sig...