I am an Ayrshireman, born and bred. I spent 11 years living in Kilmarnock (’Killie’), went to secondary school there (ages 11-18). Killie is close to my heart.
I am fascinated to read your link to the Ewarts. Now you have another hero in your family. If you wish, I can PM you some local groups here if you wish to get them to research on your behalf or if they can give you more info.
My Jane Ewart was married to John Harris born in Killie about 1816, who had a brother named Adam born in Dundonald about 1821..the brothers were coalminers and boarded while they were single with the David and Mary Bowie family in Riccarton..
Jane and John were married in the Parish Church of Kilmaurs, Church of Scotland 21 Jan 1842 and had at least 2 children..Adam born in Killie 2 Dec 1842 and Andrew Ewart born in Irvine in 1845..
By 1851 Jane had died (maybe in one of the cholera epidemics) and John was living in Knockentiber/Kilmaurs with the 2 boys..
The 2 sons were also coalminers and as teenagers boarded with the Maxwell family and later went to New Zealand about 1865..
Andrew Ewart Harris was my great grandfather..
The offer to give me info on local groups is most welcome..