Military Chat

Now that I have the hang of this keepsake thing, I am uploading the marriage certificate of John Macdonald (town clerk) & Mary Dougall, as well as his death certificate. You can see that the ages shown on these certificates point to two different years of birth, which is why I have been so confused about them.

https://www.genesreunited.co.za/keepsafe/asset/details/68034509
https://www.genesreunited.co.za/keepsafe/asset/details/68034498

For those that may be able to gleam more information off them, here are the marriage certificate of Alexander (Stationmaster) and Anne Munro and the death certificate of Alexander.

https://www.genesreunited.co.za/keepsafe/asset/details/68005894
https://www.genesreunited.co.za/keepsafe/asset/details/68005785

Argyllgran!!!!....... I thought I had lost contact with you when my computer was stolen and all my records and logins for this site lost. Fortunately I had put a copy of all of the information you gave me on the cloud when I first started my search last August when I was in London. You were instrumental in helping me in those early days, and the reason I am so far along with my research today. I started these two new queries to fill in a few gaps I still had, ie a DOB/Military Records for John Macdonald and to see if I could pick up a DOB for his son, my grandpa, Alexander Macdonald who was born in Bulawayo.

Chris & Kath have been so helpful with filling in some gaps, especially the links to newspaper articles giving such amazing details of their lives. And it is nice to hear your affirmation that we are on the track and are following the right family. That makes me so happy. Now I am on a mission to confirm that I have the correct DOB and military info for the right John Macdonald which will make my year!! Chris says to have patience, but it is not in my Scottish blood ;-)

(lol, now can you see the problem AG, Janet has credits to get Birth, but...which and where?, phew!, glad I'm orf' in a minute, lunch at garden centre!, will look in later)

Chris :)

(yes, below was previous)

https://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/ancestors/thread/1367328?page=0

Here I am, Chris - couldn't resist your prompt, though I'm just about to go out!

Looking up the 1871 census for Alexander (railway guard) in Inverness, I see I've already viewed it in the past - must be on one of your other threads, Janet.

(I'm pretty sure there's another long thread about John.)

So I haven't had to pay again to look at it.


EDIT:
I see you've already got it, Chris!


John's age on the image is just given as 7 - but could be a mistake by the clerk.

If it was my search, I'd be satisfied that it's the right family. Everything else fits.
Alexander born Kiltarlity, and Annie in Alness, both as in 1901 census - already on the other thread, but posting again here for ease:

1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
Wynis Cottage, Fodderty, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Gender Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
Alexander MacDonald Head Married Male 60 1841 Railway Stationmaster Kiltarlity, Invernessshire, Scotland
Transcription
Annie MacDonald Wife Married Female 60 1841 - Alness, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland
Transcription
Annie MacDonald Daughter Single Female 24 1877 General Serv Inverness, Invernessshire, Scotland
Transcription
Catherine Munro Visitor Single Female 63 1838 Annuitant Alness, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland

At the time of John's birth it looks as if Alexander was still a Railway Guard and not a Stationmaster, so that could be the reason the family home was still in Inverness and not at Dingwall or Edderton. He would only get to live in the Stationmaster's house when he became a Stationmaster.

Kath. x

(brief version, to help with finding Birth on SP, particular interest in 1869 one, to match John on 1871)

(without seeing actual 1871 image, not sure on that age!)

Chris :)

02 February 1866 - Elgin Courier - Elgin, Moray, Scotland

Birth
At 6 Albert Place, Inverness, on the 29th ultimo, the wife of Mr Alex. Macdonald, Guard, Highland Railway, of a son.


02 December 1869 - Inverness Courier - Inverness, Inverness-shire, Scotland

Birth
At 6 Albert Place, Inverness, on the 26th ult., the wife of Mr Alex. Macdonald, Railway Guard, of a son


(from google, The 1871 Census for Scotland was taken on the night of 2/3 April 1871)

Annie Mcdonald
in the 1871 Scotland Census
Name: Annie Mcdonald
Age: 32
Estimated birth year: abt 1839
Relationship: Wife
Spouse's name : Alexander Mcdonald
Gender: Female
Where born: Alness, rossshire
Registration Number: 98
Registration district: Inverness
Civil Parish: Inverness
County: Invernessshire
Address: 6 Albert Place
ED: 10
Household schedule number: 293
LINE: 25
Roll: CSSCT1871_17
Household Members:
Name Age
Alexander Mcdonald 30 - Railway Guard
Annie Mcdonald 32
Alexander Mcdonald 5
John Mcdonald 7months


1881 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
Railway Station, Edderton, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Gender Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
Alexander McDonald Head Married Male 40 1841 Station Master Invernessshire, Scotland
Transcription
Ann McDonald Wife Married Female 40 1841 Station Master's Wife Ross & Cromarty, Scotland
Transcription
Alexander McDonald Son - Male 15 1866 Bank Clerk Inverness, Invernessshire, Scotland
Transcription
John McDonald Son - Male 11 1870 Scholar Inverness, Invernessshire, Scotland
Transcription
Ann McDonald Daughter - Female 9 1872 Scholar Inverness, Invernessshire, Scotland

The keepsafe link worked this time. Having looked at it I don't think it is a medal. It seems to be a crown coin minted to commemorate Queen Victora's Silver Jubilee. See here:-

https://www.silveragecoins.com/en/details.php?item=2198

Kath. x

(grief, we used to go there years ago!)

Chris :)

If you have credits, would take a look at that 1871 census image, for age of John (7mths?)...(the 1869 Birth could have died)

Chris :)

(you need Scottish help, be patient, lol)

(1869 newspaper searching, you need to filter...(name of newspaper) (year) (month) (then date range) (keyword box, albert place)

(leave first and last name boxes blank) (newspaper searching not always a case of using surname)

Thanks so much Chris for that military info which is hopefully our John (if only his parents had given him a 2nd name it would have made searching so much easier!). I am holding thumbs like mad that this is the right one. The web link you sent me charges 80 pounds per hour (min an hour) So I want to be sure I am barking up the right tree so to speak before committing to a huge amount like that.

I have just bought another set of credits for Scotlands People, and I will start trying to find John's birth entry based on those newspaper announcements you sent me. Btw, I tried to find those two birth announcements using all the right key words. If it is not too much trouble to ask, would you be able to send me the exact link or what exact page of that edition the announcement is on, then I can find it more easily.

02 December 1869 - Inverness Courier - Inverness, Inverness-shire, Scotland
Birth
At 6 Albert Place, Inverness, on the 26th ult., the wife of Mr Alex. Macdonald, Railway Guard, of a son

Many thanks once again.

Sorry Kath, I am not sure what I am doing with keepsake. The first link I sent you was for the whole folder, so maybe that was wrong. This link is just for the front and back of the coin. Let me know if it works.

https://www.genesreunited.co.za/keepsafe/asset/details/68000967

https://www.genesreunited.co.za/keepsafe/asset/details/68000873

Thanks a million for the info guys:-

@Kath: I am also really hoping that birth date is correct. What puzzles me a bit is this- I downloaded your newspaper article and studied it at length yesterday. By 1862 John's father (Alex) was already serving as stationmaster at Dingwall and by 1874 he was on his was to Georgemus. As stationmaster at Dingwall, surely they would have stayed in the stationmasters house there? Then why on the 1871 census shown above (assuming we have the correct one which I think we do), did the address show 6 Albert Place, Inverness? And the 2 birth announcements we assume of Alex & John show the same?

When I do a search for Dingwell births for John, only 2 in 1869 come up, nothing for 1870 and 1871 for Dingwell under his name. And, I don't know if I am doing it wrong, but no births come up for John Macdonald in Inverness from 1869-1871. I have my credits ready and waiting to use, but I don't want to make a mistake and waste credits on the wrong entry which I have already done enough of.

Think you need to contact that link below, to see about getting that Record, you need to see details on it...

Chris :)

https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/london-metropolitan-archives/family-history/Pages/paid-document-research-service.aspx


Anglo-Boer War records 1899-1902 Transcription (Find My Past)

First name(s) J
Last name MacDonald
Service number 681
Rank Lieutenant
Regiment Southern Rhodesian Volunteers
Other regiments/units Unit: served with City Of London Imperial Volunteers, Rank: Lance-Sergeant, Number: 681
Rolls WO100/231 page 252 WO100/267 page 43
Notes QSA Clasps: J,DH,CC,OFS,R


Then it's a case of going on below, to search for a Birth (credits needed)

https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/


(not sure about you Kath, if you could find it, but I don't have the 'knowledge' for those things Scottish, lol)

(will keep an 'eye out' for AG or rg!, they helped on other 'Thread')

In the newspaper cutting I mentioned earlier it says that Alexander commenced his railway career in 1859 at Queen Street Station, Glasgow on the old Edinburgh and Glasgow Line. He thereafter joined the Highland Company and was resident at Inverness. On 1st June 1862, on the opening of the line to Dingwall he was transferred to that station. As passenger guard, Mr. MacDonald ran on the second train that left Inverness for Perth on 9th September 1863. On 1st August 1874 he was stationed at Georgemas Junction, and on 10th October 1878 he was transferred to Edderton.

Kath. x

The ult in the announcement means the previous month, so yes, 26th November 1869 (not 1870). I really hope this is John's birth that you are looking for.

There must be something wrong with the link you have given for your keepsafe as when I click on it, it takes me to my own keepsafe.

Kath. x

Wow... Chris....could these finally be the birth announcement of John (& his elder brother Alexander)? What does the "ult" stand for in the announcement? Do I assume John was then born on 26th November 1970 if the newspaper ran the story on 2nd December?

It is also helpful to know the exact date of the 1871 census, if that is his birth notice above he would have been more like 4 months old than 7 months.

It can certainly all get confusing. I am going to do some consolidation now and start populating an electronic family tree.

Hey Chris/Kath,

Here is the link to my keepsake shared folder: https://www.genesreunited.co.za/keepsafe/folder/contents/1 . It has the "medal" in as well as a few other document that I have downloaded.

Chat later.... supper time.

Hey Chris/Kath,

Here is the link to my keepsake shared folder: https://www.genesreunited.co.za/keepsafe/folder/contents/1 . It has the "medal" in as well as a few other document that I have downloaded.

Chat later.... supper time.

(Son Alexander)

Chris :)

02 February 1866 - Elgin Courier - Elgin, Moray, Scotland

Birth
At 6 Albert Place, Inverness, on the 29th ultimo, the wife of Mr Alex. Macdonald, Guard, Highland Railway, of a son.


(from google, The 1871 Census for Scotland was taken on the night of 2/3 April 1871)


02 December 1869 - Inverness Courier - Inverness, Inverness-shire, Scotland

Birth
At 6 Albert Place, Inverness, on the 26th ult., the wife of Mr Alex. Macdonald, Railway Guard, of a son


(below might have related)

22 June 1866 - Elgin Courier - Elgin, Moray, Scotland

Death
At 238, High Street, Elgin, on the 20th inst., Ann, daughter of Mr Alexander Macdonald, railway goods deliverer, aged 9 months.


https://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/ancestors/thread/1367328?page=0

(was above your previous 'Thread'?)


(not sure if below related at Address, but as it came up!)

09 January 1868 - Inverness Courier - Inverness, Inverness-shire, Scotland

Death
At Albert Place, Inverness, on the 25th ult., Ann Munro, daughter of Alex. Munro, Mason


(wondering on that 1871 Census, actual image would be on below (also Births etc.) credits needed though)

https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/


(below reference from other 'Thread)

safc Report 25 Jul 2017 18:26

1881 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
Railway Station, Edderton, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Gender Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
Alexander McDonald Head Married Male 40 1841 Station Master Invernessshire, Scotland
Transcription
Ann McDonald Wife Married Female 40 1841 Station Master's Wife Ross & Cromarty, Scotland
Transcription
Alexander McDonald Son - Male 15 1866 Bank Clerk Inverness, Invernessshire, Scotland
Transcription
John McDonald Son - Male 11 1870 Scholar Inverness, Invernessshire, Scotland
Transcription
Ann McDonald Daughter - Female 9 1872 Scholar Inverness, Invernessshire, Scotland


05 February 1920 - Aberdeen Press and Journal - Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire

LATE MR A. MACDONALD, FOCHABERS.
The funeral of Mr Alexander MacDonald retired stationmaster, Fochabers, took place on Tuesday to Tomnahurich Cemetery Inverness. A large gathering of the general public accompanied the funeral to the railway station, while the members of Lodge Lennox of Freemasons also attended.

Guys, thank you so much for all the information. Kath, I found your comments on John maybe being born in Dingwell most useful because up until today I had no information on him or his father Alexander (Stationmaster) before they were in Edderton, except this census for his mom in 1871. This puts them at 6 Albert Plac, Inverness and John is 7 months. I will go and check out births in Dingwell 1869 - 1871, and also Inverness. If I get Jon's correct DOB, getting finding his military records may prove easier. Thanks for explaining keepsake to me. I have uploaded the medals as well as an obituary from Rhodesia for John. You were right about the date on the medal, it was 1890, not 1830. I am still not sure if it is a ware medal or not though.

Annie Mcdonald
in the 1871 Scotland Census
Name: Annie Mcdonald
Age: 32
Estimated birth year: abt 1839
Relationship: Wife
Spouse's name : Alexander Mcdonald
Gender: Female
Where born: Alness, rossshire
Registration Number: 98
Registration district: Inverness
Civil Parish: Inverness
County: Invernessshire
Address: 6 Albert Place
ED: 10
Household schedule number: 293
LINE: 25
Roll: CSSCT1871_17
Household Members:
Name Age
Alexander Mcdonald 30 - Railway Guard
Annie Mcdonald 32
Alexander Mcdonald 5
John Mcdonald 7months

(lol Kath, I'm no military expert!, there are a lot of forums online now with Military knowledge, or even google images! with medal pictures. For LMA you would need below)

https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/london-metropolitan-archives/family-history/Pages/paid-document-research-service.aspx

Chris :)

05 September 1919 - Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire

JOHN M'DONALD, TOWN CLERK. BULAWAYO. Mr John M'Donald, town clerk of Bulawayo, Rhodesia, South Africa, died Saturday at Springfield Cottage, Fochabers, the residence of his father, Mr Alex. M‘Donad, retired stationmaster, Edderton Railway. The deceased was in broken health, when he left South Africa a few months ago, accompanied by his wife and younger son. Unfortunately his visit to his native country did not materially prolong his days.
When the Boer War broke out almost 20 years ago, Mr. M'Donald held a clerkship in London. Being a member of the Volunteer Force and a crack shot, he early joined up for active service and went out with the C.I.V.'s.
After the war was over he decided to remain in South Africa, becoming in time Town Clerk of Lobinguela's former capital, which he assisted to develop into a city of some 50,000 inhabitants.
He is survived by his widow and two sons.


(if below was him)

03 August 1888 - Ross-shire Journal - Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

Volunteer News.

Dingwall B. Company Volunteers.
Teams of this Company met for practice on the Dingwall Range on Monday and Tuesday last, when the following scores were made...

Tuesday
J. Macdonald TL (total) 58


04 September 1888 - Inverness Courier - Inverness, Inverness-shire, Scotland

DINGWALL—VOLUNTEER DINNER.

On the evening of Thursday last, the members of B Company of the 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, were entertained to dinner in the Masonic Hall by Lieutenant W. J. Bell of Scatwell, in commemoration of his first inspection with the regiment attached to B Company (Dingwall). Major Ross presided...


(again below would probably have more info.)

http://www.thehighlandersmuseum.com/research-archives/

(or as usual, a google search, but gets confusing, so many Battalions, lol, you need the experts!)