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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Moray (Elginshire) => Topic started by: Doddie on Monday 21 March 11 07:06 GMT (UK)
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I am hoping that somone has a family link to the Alexander Stewart I am researching. I am trying to establish the facts behind his birth. Alexander was married in Cullen Banffshire in 1830. His first wife was Elspet(h) Grant. They went on to have seven children. Alexander and his family lived for quite a few years at Cullen House where he was employed as the gatehouse keeper. He married a second time in 1850. I have managed to find out a great deal about him and the family in general but one aspect of Alexander's life puzzles me. On almost all the documentation I have come across it states that he was born in Urquhart (which I believe is in Morayshire). When Alexander died in about 1883 the informant was his son-in-law Charles Taylor. It states on the death certificate that Alexander's parents were Alexander Stewart and Ann Maclae. The only marriage I have found for two people with those names was in Barony, Glasgow in about 1801 (Ann's surname was spelt 'Maclea'). They had a son Alexander who was born in 1805. I have been trying to find a connection to urquhart - maybe the family moved there when Alexander was very young so he thought he was born there - but with no luck. I think now that only somebody with a family link will be able to clarify things for me. Here's hoping. Apologies, by the way, for the dates mentioned not being precise. I do not have my paperwork in front of me at the moment.
Regards
Doddie
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Hi Doddie
I have also found the birth to parents called Alexander and Ann McLea
whose son is called Alexander Stewart but the date is different
to yours. The one I found was born 31st May 1805 in Glasgow
Many people in those days did move around looking for work
so it would not be impossible for this to be the correct couple.
There are quite alot of Alexander Stewarts born in 1805 but
this one is the only one born with the parents you have mentioned.
Hope this helps
regards
Sandymc
p.s. I have found the marriage of Alexander and Ann and it was
16th January 1803 and as you said Barony, Lanarkshire
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Hi again
Found this Ann with slight spelling mistake but think it is Alexanders Mum
Anne McLae born 14th December 1787 c on 23rd Dec
born in Barony, Lanarks
parents John and Margaret Houston
You mention that you know alot about Alexander when he was older.
Do you know the names of his children as they normally include a
grandparents name as well??
regards Sandymc
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Hi Sandymc, thanks for getting in touch. Good spot for Ann's birth. Alexander's children with Elspet(h) were Elcie/Elspeth, Alexander, John (my g.g. grandfather), George, James Duncan, Daniel and William. There were no children from the second marriage. Alexander's father was a weaver, if I remember correctly. Perhaps he might have moved up north for work reasons. I don't suppose I will be able to persue this line of inquiry much further.
Regards
Doddie
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The answer is to find Alexander on the census for 1851 and see where he was born! Then check subsequent censuses to make sure he is consistent.
Graham.
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Hi Doddie,
Bear in mind that the "son-in-law" informant may have been wrong when giving parents names. I had it happen to me. Luckily mine was in more recent times and the erroneous mothers maiden name was easily spotted.
I would suggest any location mentioned in more than one census would be more accurate. Any placename would probably have been supplied by his wife or close family member who would have known is birthplace. Possibly even visited the place.
I also have GRANTs in Arradoul so do you know your Elspeths parents?
Regards
George
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Hi George, no, the frustrating thing is that I have been unable to find birth or death details for Elspet(h). The best I can do deathwise is between 1845 and 1850 - the birth of her last child (William) with Alexander and the year of Alexander's second marriage. At one point I thought I had found a death of an Elspeth that looked a good 'candidate', but it turned out she was single when she died. Also, I have a correction to make as well, not that it makes much difference. Some of the documentation for Alexander's death in fact points to Urquhart, Invernesshire as well as Morayshire. The whole business becomes more and more confused.
Regards
Doddie
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Is this Alexander and Elspet's children
ELCIE STEWART - Birth: 27 JUN 1833 Female Christening: 03 JUL 1833 Cullen, Banff, Scotland
ALEXANDER STEWART Birth: 07 APR 1835 Christening: 03 MAY 1835 Cullen, Banff, Scotland
JOHN STEWART Birth: 14 DEC 1836 Male Christening: 18 DEC 1836 Cullen, Banff, Scotland
GEORGE STEWART Birth: 23 NOV 1838 Christening: 09 DEC 1838 Cullen, Banff, Scotland
JAMES DUNCAN STEWART Birth: 12 JUL 1841 Christening: 08 AUG 1841 Cullen, Banff, Scotland
DANIEL STEWART Birth: 06 SEP 1843 Christening: 11 SEP 1843 Cullen, Banff, Scotland
WILLIAM STEWART Birth: 16 NOV 1845 Male Christening: 29 NOV 1845 Cullen, Banff, Scotland
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This explains a lot
1841 Census
6 Records found
Cullen -Banffshire
Address: Deskford Street
STUART Alexander M 30 Ag Labourer Outside Census County (1841)
STUART Elspeth F 30 Banffshire
STUART Elcy F 7 Banffshire
STUART Alexander M 6 Banffshire
STUART John M 4 Banffshire
STUART George M 2 Banffshire
Isn't soundex a wonderful thing! ;D
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1851 with new wife
Cullen -Banffshire
Address: Cullen House Gate
STEWART Alexander Head M M 47 Gate Keeper Inverness-shire - Urquhart
STEWART Mary Wife M F 44 Gatekeeper's Wife Inverness-shire - Urquhart
STEWART Elspet Daur U F 17 Student(Orig:scholar) Banffshire - Cullen
STEWART Alexander Son U M 15 Scholar Banffshire - Cullen
STEWART James Son - M 9 Scholar Banffshire - Cullen
STEWART Daniel Son - M 7 Scholar Banffshire - Cullen
STEWART William Son - M 5 Scholar Banffshire - Cullen
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Elspet Grant dau of John Grant and Elspet Hay christened 06 JAN 1801 Inveravon, Banff, Scotland. Looks right to me and follows the Scottish naming custom in her children.
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Urquhart http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/INV/Urquhart/index.html
Just thinking he could have been Free Church as there was one in Urquhart and their OPR records sometimes aren't as good as CofS.
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Hi Doddie,
I've been looking at LIBINDX for you Stewarts.
Found records as follows which you may already have.
Alex d. NM242454 & NM259911
Elcy NM18958.
George
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Hi George, can you let me have the reference number for Elcy again. Have tried it but it comes up with "No matching entries". Is there a digit missing?
Regards
Doddie
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Elspet Grant dau of John Grant and Elspet Hay christened 06 JAN 1801 Inveravon, Banff, Scotland. Looks right to me and follows the Scottish naming custom in her children.
Alexander Stewart marriage was not in Cullen in 1830 according to SP, it was 15 Nov 1831 at Inveravon, Banff.
Which is looking even better for the above Elspet Grant to be his spouse. Marriages normally took place in the brides parish, though banns were called in both the grooms and brides parish if CofS.
Following the Scottish naming customs Elspet/Alexander would have a first daughter Elspet (I note Elcy reverts to Elspet after her mothers death on 1851 census) and second son John.
As that is so then it looks likely that Alexander's father was also Alexander as this is what he names his first son.
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Outside Census County 1841 and Inverness Urquhart 1851 are consistent and information supplied by Alexander himself.
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Very interesting fifer1947. On my visits to the GRO in Edinburgh I could have sworn I came across a marriage in 1830 in Cullen. The actual record refers to an Elspeth Grant and an Al. Stewart. As I haven't got the details in front of me - I am on a break at work just now - I don't remember seeing another marriage between an Alexander Stewart and an Elspet(h) Grant. Will check again when I next visit.
Regards
Doddie
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Just checked that Al Stewart yes that is correct not Alexander and in Cullen 1830. Most unusual could even be Alan, Albert etc, how did you know it was Alexander?
My apologies, I trust the time I and others have wasted without response (up to now) is appreciated.
Personally I love when I can visit Register House quite an atmosphere and I loved handling the record books with cotton gloves took me back!
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To be honest, I originally found the 1830 marriage from working backwards. My g.g. grandfather is John Stewart (A & E's son). On his marriage cert. (under the Stuart spelling) his parents are given as Elspet Grant and Alexander Stuart. Also on other documents. I have always had to presume that Al. was short for Alexander in this instance. My belated apologies for not thanking you for the census information by the way. While I am working I have to do my research checking on my breaks so things get a bit erratic. I am sometimes half way through doing things when I have to stop.
Regards
Doddie
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Good luck with your research. ;)
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Hi Doddie,
Sorry, digit dropped off end - try NM189584. Its for the death of dau Elsie.
George
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Thanks for that. Will check it out.
Regards
Doddie
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Just thinking he could have been Free Church as there was one in Urquhart and their OPR records sometimes aren't as good as CofS.
The Free Church only came into existence in 1843 so no use for Alexander's birth/baptism.
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Hi Doddie,
I've been trying to find out if the 1808 Catholic census included Urquhart. I suggest you contact the Local Heritage Centre in Elgin, via http://libindx.moray.gov.uk/mainmenu.asp
and see if they can help.
George
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Sorry for late reply (haven't been active lately). Thanks for latest feed back. Will check out 1808 Catholic census.
Regards
Doddie
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Hi Doddie, I am responding to your post of Alexander Stuart
His first wife was Elspeth Grand and his second wife's name was Mary MacLeod (1850 approx date of marriage.) Alexander was my gggrandfather as well. George was my great grandfather. From George's line I can give you quite a bit of information.
Shirley