My mother was born a Cathro in South Africa. Her father was James Thomas Cathro born on June 3, 1883, at Broughty Ferry, Scotland. He moved to South Africa. His father was also from Broughty Ferry and was a shipmaster. He married Georgina Burgess of South Africa on April 11, 1874.
Can anyone piece together any further information please.
You can also email me at b_s.hilder@xtra.co.nz.
Thank you Sheila Hilder

Sheila, my ggrandmother, Jean Croall Cathro was born Sep 29, 1861 at Aberlemno. Her parents are George Cathro (Born July 8, 1835)and May Grant. Jean had several brothers and sisters, Geroge, James, Donald, Margaret, May, Annie and John all born at either Brechin or Montrose. Jean married my ggrandfather, William Anderson Esplin in 1885 and lived in the Carmyllie district of Angus. Perhaps there is a connection way back as Broughty Ferry isn't far from these communities. I am interested in hearing back from you.

Hi there!. My great - great grandfather came from Scotland to New Zealand in 1840. His name was also James Cathro. He lived in Wanganui. I live in a small town out of Hamilton in the Waikato. I am trying to research my history back to Scotland, and, unfortunately, with not much success. It was very interesting to read your posting. By all means get back to me. I would love to hear from you. Take care...love from Tracy.

I live in Carnoustie, Scotland, about 10 miles up the coast from the ferry. The cathros are a tough lot to track down as even my father, David Cathro can attest to. We have some relatives near Glasgow and even some in Carnoustie who took a dislike to us suggesting we were related and I really wish we were not. The Cathros are stubborn as all hell and this has caused many fractures in the family which is probably why your having such a hard time. If you have any specific questions I can shoot them at my father and see if he can help.

-----Euan Bruce Cathro

Thank you for your reply. We agree as this is only the second response we have had. Unfortunatley the only details we have are those listed in my message and the Cathro Family we had in South Africa have all passed on. Any further help will be gratefully appreciated.
Best Regards Brian Hilder
PS My wifes mother was a Cathro

Well Euan, that made me and my partner laugh and laugh. Indeed it is a family trait to be so stubborn. I even printed out your message to show my Mum and dad and brothers and sisters - there are six kids in our family. I am 36 and i am the second to youngest. When my ancestors came to New Zealand (an awesome place) on the ship 'Aurora', about three branches of us were created. As far as we know, we are still the only Cathro's in our country. I would love to know things like - which clan we have affiliations to, is there a tartan for us,and do we have a family shield. My children especially are asking these questions, as they have family history lessons at school - and I guess there's always a deep seated need for knowledge. How would I go about searching further. Did the name Cathro originate in Scotland. Is there anything at all you could share with me.....?
Oh and by the way Euan...I am sure whether they like it or not, the Cathro's over there ARE your relatives, and I for one am very glad and grateful that we have made contact. Many thanks and kind regards...
Tracy X

Dear Brian, Sorry this has taken so long. I lost the link, and over time, have had many problems with my computer. I just found this site and these messages agin by sheer accident when I had another go at finding any Cathro data again today. The message left by Euan was very funny, as it does indeed describe our family trait. We are as stubborn as hell, but thank goodness we are helpful and loving as well! Anyway if you or your wife would like to keep in touch, I would be very willing as I am sure we are all rlated. The name is not a very common one, is it? Bye for now, and take care...Kind regards, from Tracy X

The name Cathro is of Scottish origin. Angus in Scotland is the origin is locative from a time when it was a big deal to be named after the place where you owned land and by all account our family did. Stracathro is still an area in Angus and there is even a Stracathro hospital. Cathrowseat is a place in Forfar in Angus, which was where my sister and myself were born. Two other variants of the surname are know Cathrow and Catrow, which are most likely due to poor grammer or spelling back in the day. The earliest records found about any Cathro are of a Jacobus Cathro who was a charter witness in 1533 as recorded in the Charters of the Abbey of Incholm. William Cathro was the burgess of Perth, Scotland in 1562 and a David Cathro (my fathers name and a popular Cathro name) was a miller in Kethinnes in 1602 as listed in the 'Criminal Trials of Scotland' read into that what you will. As we were not a large clan we, like many other small familes, came under the patronage of a larger clan. We were held in high esteem within the clan and looked on as brothers and sisters even with the different name. Clan MacDuff were our patrons and protectors and our affiliated Blazon of Arms is : Or, a lion rampant gules.
Crest: a demi lion rampant gules.
Or = gold (signifiying generosity)
Gules = red (signifying magnanimity)

Thats a little bit that I found out for you, sorry it has been a while in replying but I moved to Wales and became an Uncle etc etc etc (yes, Ethan Harris Cathro, the lastest Cathro to add to the list)

Hey there Little Bruv THX for the link to this. I was, not that long ago, speaking over the email (when I was working elsewhere) with a Warwick Cathro from Austalia who's Great Grandfather was a (Name?) Cathro from Montrose. He was in turn, the father of George Cathro who was befriended in 1924 by William Lamb (famous local artist) when he returned to his native Montrose and set up his first studio above George's shop in Bridge Street, Montrose. I also discovered that a Mrs Cathro left for the shores of the Americas/Canada way back in the late 18th early 19th Century from Dundee - amazing what you discover over the internet eh?

Dear Euan,
Thanks for that...and I don't mind waiting. It is strange really, because even though my ancestor came from Scotland in 1840 to New Zealand, my cousins, aunties, uncles and grandparents (now passed on) are all so proud of carrying the Cathro name. I know I am scottish - I once played tenor drum in the Royal New Zealand Airforce pipe band - and there is always a craving to know my ancestry, and to feel I belong. Living in New Zealand - the Europeans have only been here for not quite 200 years, so we have created a kind of new culture, and I, along with my cousins are always looking for the missing links. It is really awesome to be in contact with you. Was that your brother that posted around the same time as you. How many are in your family? What about your parents. What do you do with yourself etc etc (If you don't mind) I am training to become a teacher for children aged 5 - 13 years. I will graduate in October. My partner and I have 3 kids - Sian (f)15, Sophie(f)10, and Jamie(m)8. I am not married, although I have lived with my partner for 14 years.Kenneth wrote about Warrick Cathro from Australia. I have read about him also when I was searching in google for Cathros. Anyway...I have an assignment to finish and I need to go, but please, if you or any of your family feel like keeping in touch, I'd love it.
Many thanks for the info.....Kind regards,
Tracy.