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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: jimmijam on Friday 22 May 09 21:27 BST (UK)
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Hi there,
I'd really appreciate help on what could be an intriguing cause of death. I have an ancestor, a gunmaker who died in 1856 in Edinburgh and I've just received his Death Certificate. I can't make out how he died, and I'll post it up.
I think it partially reads, "A pistol that accidentally ? while examining a loaded ? as...December 24"
Also, I can't decipher his mother's maiden name, I think it starts with a P.
I'd really appreciate the help!
Many thanks for looking, best wishes, jimmijam
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Hi Jimmijam ;)
a pistol shot, accidently received while examining a loaded revolver
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... is the mother's name, Preston? (deceased)
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Hi Old timer,
Yes that looks good. I was having another look at it and wondered if the bottom bit might refer to a Doctor or something, because part does look like "as certified". (Spent so long on this, my coffees gone cold!)
Best wishes, Jimmijam
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Also, I can't decipher his mother's maiden name, I think it starts with a P.
Maiden name could be Proctor I think. Sorry Old Timer you beat me to it, I think you may be right. Name of certified person looks a bit like John Miller though I confess I can see no 'n' unless it is Jon Miller. It is quite a challenge!
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I read the mother's maiden name as Proctor as well.
Elin
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Now where are we? Could I be right?
I suppose Isabella Leslie is already known.
Word before December might be 'deceased' perhaps.
By the way Elin I love your stained glass window.
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By the way Elin I love your stained glass window.
It's a very small, but beautiful window from a tiny chapel at the almshouses where one of my ancestors
was a resident.
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What a lovely memento of your ancestor - knowing they too had looked on it and perhaps loved it.
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"as certified by Jas? Miller xxxx of Surgery who saw deceased December 24th"
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James Miller, Prof of surgery.
He lived from 1812 - 1864:
http://www.rcsed.ac.uk/site/PID=2612005151935/760/default.aspx
Richard
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Hi,
I've just done a search on Scotlandspeople for marriages in Scotland 1750 to 1810 for Alexander Leslie to any spouse, and there were 50 records. Those called Isabella / Isobel had surnames of:
Morison, Wilson, Rainy, Rennie, Littlejohn, Gibb, McRobbie, Scott
I wonder if she married with Isabella as her given name? I've done a search for those with any name but married in Edinburgh:
Mary Straton, Ann Turner, Janet Young / Gow, Elizabeth Whitlaw, Elizabeth Cockburn, Margaret Hunter, Elizabeth Lindsay, Marion Leadbutter, and finally Ann Swan.
Plus, could one of the words on the line second from bottom read "surgery"? mmm we're definitely getting there. AHH just about to post and I believe Richard and Geoff spotted it first! More clues to track down. Fantastic!
What do you think? Many thanks, Jimmijam
PS Anyone else interested in these marriages, let me know and I'll provide details.
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Hi there,
A big thanks to everyone, and what a collaboration. Its greatly appreciated.
I went onto Scotlandspeople this morning with the thought to check children born to Alexander Leslie in Edinburgh, in case it mentioned a mother. Bingo: 5 records for children born 1787 to 1793 to an Alexander Leslie and an Isobella Preston (Spot on Old Timer) even though there is no OPR to support this union. Neither did I find the birth record for Thomas, but still.
So Mother "Isobella Leslie maiden name Preston (deceased)".
and cause of Death "A pistol shot accidently recieved while examining a loaded revolver as certified by Jas (short for James) Miller Professor of Surgery who saw deceased December 24th".
Many thanks to Oldtimer, Graham Whitehead, Elin (ditto stained glass), GeoffE and Richard.
Best wishes, Jimmijam
PS I'll now try to modify my first post.