"I have recently discovered that two of my grandmother's sisters emigrated from England to Alameda in 1908/9. Their married names were Margaret Ann Waldie and Rachel Straughen.
The Waldies had a daughter (Rachel Minnie) and a son John Ernest. The Straughans had two sons (Thomas and William Lloyd) and two daughters (Dora and Vera) The daughters married two brothers called McClelland who were from Scotland.
I have a little information about these families, but I wondered whether anyone could illuminate further."
I have been able to find quite a bit of information for you. I'll group the two families together so it is easier to follow. From the California Death Index:
Straughen, Frank R.; born 28 April 1871; died in Alameda County on 31 August 1955
Straughen, Rachel; born 7 April 1877; died in Alameda County on 18 November 1948
Straughen, Thomas; born 6 July 1901; died in Alameda County on 5 July 1970
Straughen, William; born 11 July 19o4; died in Alameda County on 10 January 1992
McClelland, Dora; born 1 November 1902; died in Alameda County on 23 April 1963
McClelland, Vera; born 1 November 1902; died in Alameda County on 20 December 1974
Waldie, Ernest Cecil; born 18 May 1885; died in Sonoma County on 13 January 1952
Waldie, Margaret Ann; born 7 February 1881; died in Sonoma County on 17 August 1950
Moller, Rachel Minnie; born 29 April 1908; died in Sonoma County on 2 March 1997
Waldie, John Ernest; born 22 July 1909; died in Marin County on 2 March 1951
I also found some obituaries (unfortunately I was unable to find one for both Rachel Straughen and Margaret Waldie):
Ernest Cecil Waldie ObituaryOakland Tribune, Alameda County, CA
14 January 1952
Frank R. Straughen ObituaryOakland Tribune, Alameda County, CA
1 September 1955
Thomas Straughen ObituaryOakland Tribune, Alameda County, CA
5 July 1970
Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. Good luck with your research!
