Day 26: Margaret Harcomb, Shirt Maker

Day 26: Margaret Harcomb, Shirt Maker

Crop of photo of Margaret Harcomb Broadfoot,
 courtesy of California Cousins, Used with permission

Margaret Harcomb, wife of Thomas Broadfoot died at the age of 89 on April 9, 1922 of senile decay.  She was born 25 July 1832 in Dalmellington, Ayshire, Scotland to Hugh Harcomb and his wife Elizabeth Templeton. (Her death record gives the wrong maiden name for her mother).

The surname Harcomb or Harcombe is not Scottish but is of English origin. 

In this undated photo, Margaret is wearing a capote bonnet (thanks to Maureen Taylor for the help) and her clothes are those of a widow. When her husband died in 1899, Margaret was 67 years old. (The same age that I am now.)

It could be that when her son John Broadfoot went to have his photo taken with his second wife Helen Tait, he took his mother along to have her photo taken too. I am very grateful for my Broadfoot family to have sent this photo of Margaret.

In 1911, she is living alone as an old age pensioner. In 1901 she is living next door to family but has their daughter taking care of her. Her occupation is shirtmaker. She was 69.

I have found a Harcomb researcher to work with. It will be fun to see if we can learn more about her.