Find Ancestors

Ellen - thanks a million for the Gillespies - could you help me with the Porteous' - I don't have much data, but here we go: William PORTEOUS - I think he was born about 1820 in the Dumfries area, and I think he was a shepherd or miner. Elizabeth PORTEOUS (nee Telfer), wife. William PORTEOUS, born 1868, son. James PORTEOUS, son Mathew PORTEOUS, son. John PORTEOUS, son. Agnes PORTEOUS, dau. Hannah PORTEOUS, dau. George PORTEOUS, dau. Elizabeth PORTEOUS, dau. Any information would be a great help. Thanks, Elaine in Denmark.

Sandra Sorry - no Partick Caveney at all in Scotland in 1881. Several Patrick Cavanagh/Kavanaghs around that age, but none married. May be that he and Jane did not marry till after 1881 census and had young Patrick straight away. Plenty of Jane Walkers, but without more info would not be able to narrow it down. Sorry couldn't help. Regards Ellen.

Hi Elaine Here is the family, but looks as though all the children are from the Alexander/Jane marriage by the ages. Dwelling: Burnfoot Census Place: Girthon, Kircudbright, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0224056 GRO Ref Volume 866 EnumDist 5 Page 4 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Alexander GILLESPIE M 41 M Kirkgunzeon, Kirkcudbright, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Shepherd Jane GILLESPIE M 45 F Kirkmichael, Dumfries, Scotland Rel: Wife Occ: Shepherds Wife Margaret GILLESPIE 14 F Kirkmichael, Dumfries, Scotland Rel: Daur John GILLESPIE 13 M Parton, Kirkcudbright, Scotland Rel: Son Occ: Scholar Alexander GILLESPIE 11 M Twynholm, Kirkcudbright, Scotland Rel: Son Occ: Scholar Charles GILLESPIE 9 M Twynholm, Kirkcudbright, Scotland Rel: Son Occ: Scholar James GILLESPIE W 76 M Dalry, Kirkcudbright, Scotland Father. Hope this helps. Regards Ellen.

Hi Ellen, Thanks once again for your offer. Would be great if you could find the following family for me:- Alexander Gillespie, born 1839, in Kirkgunzeon, Kirkcudbrightshire. Occ. Shepherd. Jane Gillespie (nee Crosbie), born 1849. wife. Charles Gillespie, born 1872, in High Compotone, Kirkcudbrightshire. Son. ??? ACCORDING TO THEIR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE ALEXANDER WAS A WIDOWER. I would also love to know who his first marriage was to and if they had any children? Thanks again - Elaine in Denmark

Hi Ellen this is a long shot, word of mouth tells me that my rellies come from Scotland here is the infor i have would you see if you can find anything. Patrick Caveney dob c 1860 married Jane Walker dob c1860 they had 2 sons Patrick dob c1880 and George dob 1888 Patrick senor died late 1890's early 1900's and Jane and here sons were moved to Cardiff. not much to go on I know Thanks Sandra

Thank for the 1881 census return for John and his family though. I had notes about it but not a transcription of the census return itself!

I found Donald by accident when I was trying to piece together John's parents. I'd found Mary Grahame's death and saw that although she was single her son's surname was McLean. Decided to go out on a limb and look at McLean marriages on Colonsay and was delighted to find a Donald with the same supposed parents as my John. I think that Donald and John are illegitimate yet knew their father (not difficult on a small island I suppose!). I've downloaded several Archibald's in the past (yes I have spent a fortune on this one!) and I still don't feel I'm any closer. Donald's marriage certificate however does throw some interesting light on the problem though. Archibald McLean's occupation is given as merchant rather than agricultural labourer so he could have died anywhere! Once I feel I can dent my bank balance again (I spent £18 alone last night) I think I might try and track down the children from Archibald's marriage to Lucy McMillan. Perhaps their marriages might suggest when he died. So far I know it was between 1860 and 1872, if the certificate I have are to be believed!

Sarah- you must have at least one child to have got back to Donald/Ann??? Or how did you get to them? I've been trying to piece together the full story from your other threads. A possibility - could the John Grahme age 2 with Donald age 7 on the 1841 census at Colonsay be your John McLean, and both be the illegitimate children of Mary Graham (Grahme) with Archibald McLean? I take it you already have these 1881 census details of John & Christina? Dwelling: 8 Ballygrant Census Place: Kilarrow, Argyll, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0203562 GRO Ref Volume 543 EnumDist 6 Page 3 Marr Age Sex Birthplace John MC LEAN M 39 M Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Stone Mason Christina MC LEAN M 35 F Kilslevan, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Wife Angus MC LEAN 8 M Ballygrant, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Son Occ: Scholar Catherine MC LEAN 5 F Ballygrant, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Daur Occ: Scholar Mary MC LEAN 3 F Ballygrant, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Daur John MC LEAN 1 M Ballygrant, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Son If you decide to take the plunge and spend credits on sp to check out the Archibald MacLean deaths 1855-1872 in Argyll - don't check the 1861 death in Kilmeny. I've checked that one and its not him. Seemed the obvious place to start, as John and Christina settled there. So you're now down to 7 to check by my reckoning - as you say, IF he died in Argyll! Good Luck. Ellen.

Just replied and it disappeared! Thanks again ,Ellen -that could be Rachel -oddest thing is RATTRAY is my maiden name.! This Joan or Johanna is a puzzle -why would she be in Guthrie. Grateful thanks for your searching, Rosalyn

I'm afraid I have no idea about their children. Have so far only found the death of one in 1861. Thanks for looking anyway. I think I'll have to go back to the drawing board in my attempts to find this elusive Archibald McLean with possibly 2 families!

HI Sarah What are their kids' names/dobs? In the meantime, here are the Galbraith families on Colonsay in 1881 - mother/siblings of Ann? (Poor Effie - look at her occupation!) Dwelling: Kilchattan Census Place: Colonsay & Oronsay, Argyll, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0203561 GRO Ref Volume 539-2 EnumDist 1 Page 10 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Effie GALBRATH W 67 F Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Diseased Cathrine GALBRATH U 34 F Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Daur Occ: Domestic Servt Cathrine MC NEILL 9 F Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Granddaur Occ: Scholar Dwelling: Machrin Census Place: Colonsay & Oronsay, Argyll, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0203561 GRO Ref Volume 539-2 EnumDist 1 Page 14 Marr Age Sex Birthplace John GALBRAITH U 37 M Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Shepherd Margaret GALBRAITH U 32 F Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Sister Occ: Housekeeper Margaret MC NEILL 2 F Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Neice Dwelling: Kilchattan Census Place: Colonsay & Oronsay, Argyll, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0203561 GRO Ref Volume 539-2 EnumDist 1 Page 9 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Janet MC FADEN W 76 F Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Crofters W Of 4 Acres Arb James GALBRAITH U 35 M Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Grandson Occ: Ag Lab James MC FADEN U 33 M Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Son Occ: Ag Lab Mary CAMPBELL U 19 F Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland Rel: Granddaur Occ: Domestic Servt Regards Ellen.

According to his 1860 marriage certificate he was a fisherman and his wife's name was Ann Galbreath. His parents are a little tricky as he put Archibald McLean and Mary Graham on his marriage certificate but his mother's death certificate (where he is listed as the witness and son of the deceased) has her as Mary Graham, single. Archibald appears to have been married to a Lucy McMillan despite having at least two children with Mary... all very complicated! If I'm really unlucky he will have left the country. I haven't had any luck finding him on the 1871 census either :(

OK Sarah - nothing obvious at first look, so what other info do you have on them? What did Donald do for a living? Ann's maiden name? Parents names from marriage cert? Where did they marry? Any children's info? Anything might help to narrow it down. Although there are no Donald Mc/MacLeans saying born on Colonsay, there are a few that just say Argyll who could be contenders. Regards Ellen.

Rosalyn D... No sign of Johanna/Joan or the parents, but this could be Rachel?? Dwelling: Rattray St Census Place: Dundee, Forfar, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0203481 GRO Ref Volume 282-2 EnumDist 9A Page 49 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Robert NICOLL M 44 M Dundee, Forfar, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Cabinet Maker & Upholsterer Employing 7 Men 3 Boys Janet NICOLL M 38 F Dundee, Forfar, Scotland Rel: Wife Elizia W. NICOLL U 15 F Dundee, Forfar, Scotland Rel: Daur Occ: Assistant Clerk Cathrine M. NICOLL 13 F Dundee, Forfar, Scotland Rel: Daur Occ: Scholar Janet NICOLL 10 F Dundee, Forfar, Scotland Rel: Daur Occ: Scholar Robert NICOLL 10 M Dundee, Forfar, Scotland Rel: Son Occ: Scholar David H. NICOLL 8 M Dundee, Forfar, Scotland Rel: Son Occ: Scholar William NICOLL 6 M Dundee, Forfar, Scotland Rel: Son Occ: Scholar Agnes NICOLL 4 F Dundee, Forfar, Scotland Rel: Daur Thomas NICOLL 2 M Dundee, Forfar, Scotland Rel: Son James NICOLL 8 m M Dundee, Forfar, Scotland Rel: Son Rachell HAMILTON U 16 F Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland Rel: Servt Occ: Gen Servt Domestic I'll keep looking! Cheers Ellen.

Hi Rosalyn I take it this is the family you have already - the weaver? Dwelling: 43 Walkinshaw St Census Place: Barony, Lanark, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0203631 GRO Ref Volume 644-1 EnumDist 77 Page 8 Marr Age Sex Birthplace William HAMILTON M 48 M Beith, Ayr, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Woolen Weaver Jane HAMILTON M 44 F Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland Rel: Wife Jane HAMILTON U 18 F Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland Rel: Daur Occ: Japanner William HAMILTON U 16 M Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland Rel: Son Occ: Billiard Marker David HAMILTON U 11 M Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland Rel: Son Occ: Scholar Thomas HAMILTON 8 M Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland Rel: Son Occ: Scholar Alexander HAMILTON 4 M Rel: Son I can't find a railway worker William Hamilton within 5 years either side of the age of 48. Hang on - I've just found Guthrie on the map, and its near Forfar, so we may have been looking in completely the wrong place. I need to go and swop over cds and I'll get back to you. Ellen.

Hi Ellen, I wonder if you can help me work out where a possible relation was in 1881? Hi name was Donald McLean/MacLean and he was born abt 1834 on Colonsay, Argyll. His wife might be Ann, b abt 1842 but as the last info I have about them is when they married in 1860 anything could have happened! Would really like to know who is in their household. best wishes Sarah

Hi Rosalyn This is the only Joan (joanna) Hamilton who comes up at 2 years either side of the age. I'll go have a look again for the family. Dwelling: The Manse Census Place: Fogo, Berwick, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0224031 GRO Ref Volume 740 EnumDist 1 Page 1 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Robert F. PROUDFOOT U 63 M Shotts, Lanark, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Minister Of The Parish Fogo Joanna HAMILTON U 17 F Cambusnethan, Lanark, Scotland Rel: Serv Occ: Domestic Serv Lizzie FAIRBAIRN U 18 F Fogo, Berwick, Scotland Rel: Serv Occ: Domestic Serv Cheers Ellen.

Ellen I wonder if you could help again, please.It`s these HAMILTONS again. I got the info from someone else (don`t think it was you) -1881 CENSUS - WILLIAM -48 JANE 44 AND CHILDREN living in Glasgow but when Joan got married in 1885 it was in Guthrie and father was Railway worker-deceased. In Glasgow he was Woolen Weaver. Can`t find any record of the family in 1871 or 1891 (SP) and can`t find JOAN IN 1881. In 1881 there were 5 children at home but no Rachel or Joan who would be 16 and 17.Any suggestions as to where they were-I know you looked before but I`m not sure we have correct family in Glasgow. Rosalyn

Ok thankyou Ellen I think he must have been hiding in a cupboard somewhere. I dont recognise the others I'm afraid, most of his siblings that I have found so far have come from Luss where the family where for many years many thanks for looking jamie

Sorry Jamie. Been through all the Duncan's in Argyll in case of mistranscription, and no likely suspects at all. Regards Ellen.