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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/181425466/james-irvine

James Irvine
Birth 1896
Death 21 Apr 1950 (aged 53–54)
Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, USA
Burial
Riverside Memorial Park
Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, USA
Plot Lawn Aloysius, 39N--14W, Sp 12a
Memorial ID 181425466 · View Source


Sadly there is no photo but perhaps you could request one?

"I would assume Ann (Henry) Irvine was living with John Irvine (brother-in-law) son of William (born 1830 father of William born 1862)"

When do you think that was, Neil? After 1911 (posted earlier) , when she's with three of her children, and no other adult Irvine?

The last few posts are making my head spin, the fact that my great grandmother gave birth to twins John and Thomas in 1891 then went to Leith, had James in Leith 1895 then Catherine in 1898 then moved back to Shetland where George was born.
I know the marriage fell apart and William took on another partner sometime before 1918
I would assume Ann (Henry) Irvine was living with John Irvine (brother-in-law) son of William (born 1830 father of William born 1862)
Neil

I would say the reward notice is definitely our (well, Neil's !) man.

But yes, the assault charge could be the other man. He and Georgina married in 1897.


The reward notice is dated almost 3 weeks after William's announcement that Ann had left him, and that he wouldn't be responsible for Ann's debts. (Posted 24 June, 18:35.)

Maybe that is this man though :-S

1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census
13, Citadel Street, Edinburgh, Leith, North Leith, Midlothian, Scotland

First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
William Irvine Head
Married Male 39 1862 Trawler Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland
Georgina Irvine Wife
Married Female 32 1869 - Midlothian, Scotland
Andrew Irvine Son
Single Male 15 1886 Scholar Midlothian, Scotland
James Irvine Son
Single Male 15 1886 Scholar Midlothian, Scotland
William Irvine Son
- Male 1 1900 - Midlothian, Scotland


This William's parents are James Irvine and Barbara Gray. He married Georgina Marshall nee Patterson.

William Irvine?

REWARD- A REWARD of ONE GUINEA will be PAID by the INSPECTOR of POOR. North Leith, to ANY PERSON who will give Such Information as will lead to the apprehension of WILLIAM IRVINE, a MARINE FIREMAN, a Native of Lerwick but long resident about North Leith who has DESERTED his CHILDREN.
29 December 1892 - Edinburgh Evening News - Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland


and a possible.

Before Sheriff Hamilton, the Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court to-day, William Irvine, a fireman, charged with having on 21st inst., on board the steamer North Star at Leith, assaulted Frederick Little Moore, a customs officer ...
26 October 1891 - Edinburgh Evening News - Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

Yes it is very sad, AG. After his mother died in 1932 there were only his sisters left living in Lerwick so perhaps he decided it was just too far!

How sad!

It's interesting that the death cert has his correct DOB even though no other details were known.
Maybe from his employer, Great Northern Railway.

Presumably he only worked for them sporadically, or maybe they were just the most recent employer. Being an alcoholic transient with no fixed abode doesn't suggest a good employment record.

Speculating - maybe James was ashamed to contact his family, because of how his life had turned out.

The following is an article in The Spokesman Review (Spokane) 23 Apr 1950. You will note that the age given in the article is 49 however the death certificate gives date of birth as 18 Jun 1895 together with the place of death ie Bob's Tavern.

Transient Found Dead
James Irvine, 49, a transient was found dead late Friday night in the rear of Bob's Candy Tavern, W315, Trent, police reported yesterday. He had visited the Tavern shortly before he was found. No investigation would be necessary , police said. The body is at Hazen-Jaeger funeral home.

The following is the Death Certificate for the James that died in Spokane which is on FamilySearch. You will note that it states that his place of birth was California but that could be information provided by an Informant who knew that he had lived in California and assumed that was where he was born. However, the WW2 Draft Document states he was born in Scotland. Also, this James was no longer a Sailor but occupations can change during the 31 years that he had last made contact with his family (1919).

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-679Q-SSQ?i=228

Found the following US Social Security Application and Claims Entry but sadly it doesn't say where! Could be Spokane

Name: James Irvine
Birth Date: 18 Jun 1895
Death Date: 21 Apr 1950
Claim Date: 2 May 1950
SSN: 568283294
Notes: 06 Apr 1979: Name listed as JAMES IRVINE

Thanks, Neil. As AG says we do like a good mystery and we can be like "a dog with a bone". So pleased we were able help!

You're welcome, Neil. We love a good mystery!

James's birth is 9 months after the incident in Sept 1894 - just a passing thought !

After reading all the posts I feel extremely positive that Uncle James has finally been found, for me it means a lot but for a 96 year old in Shetland I think it will mean a lot more, my deepest thanks, Neil

To all those who have been helping in my quest to try and find James Irvine I thank you, as I am new to this part of Genesreunited I was unsure of haw it worked. I think I am starting now to see how it works.
I am trying to work my way through the replies and will try to implement some of the suggestions.
Thanks again for your patience.
Neil

Considering that there's 26 years between the two signatures, it's not surprising they're not absolutely identical - though similar.

Anyway, there's enough other evidence to be pretty sure the two documents are for the same man - mother's details on the NZ record, and DOB and birthplace on the US one.

I've found the Service Record it was on Ancestry

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/3369740:61564?_phsrc=EHz113&_phstart=successSource&gsfn=James&gsln=Irvine&ml_rpos=1&queryId=abce5d7908f1341ce2c3f65fdca36a56


Don't know why it doesn't come up automatically!

From Valuation Rolls on SP:

IRVING
WILLIAM
Tenant Occupier
HOUSE NO 2 HAMILTON STREET
LEITH
1895
VR005500045-

Occupation: seaman


Photo of Hamilton Street:

http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_street_h/0_street_views_-_hamilton_street_1976.htm

I'm sure it came up on Ancestry, AG.

I've now gone into Fold3 and found it.

Description on there

Ht 5ft 8in
Black Hair
Brown Eyes
Dark complexion
144 lbs

In fact the Fold 3 looks to have more pages than those I saw on Ancestry

Was the NZ Army record on FMP, LondonBelle?

It doesn't seem to be on Ancestry - only the Nominal Roll record which I posted, but that's just a list of names. No signatures.