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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Renfrewshire => Topic started by: lizzie mackay on Friday 02 March 12 10:16 GMT (UK)

Title: WILLIAM DOWNIE AND JANET SOMERVILLE
Post by: lizzie mackay on Friday 02 March 12 10:16 GMT (UK)
Hi there all, can anyone look up the 1881 Scotland Census for William Downie b. 1949/50 and Janet Downie (nee) Somerville b. either 1853/4 or 1857 please? They had two children John b. 1873 and Ann b. 1874.  I think they lived in Greenock, Renfrewshire at this time.  They also moved about this time, to West Ham in London, where William worked as an engineer in a sugar refinery.  I believe Janet was born in Carnwarth in Lanarkshire.

Thanks a lot and looking forward to hearing from you all!!! ;)
Title: Re: WILLIAM DOWNIE AND JANET SOMERVILLE
Post by: elaine447 on Friday 02 March 12 10:56 GMT (UK)
Hi Lizzie
this looks like the family 1881
Address 1 Ratho Street Greenock
William Downie--------1850--Greenock-------Iron turner
Janet Downie----------1853--Glasgow
John Downie-----------1872--Greenock
Ann Downie------------1874--Greenock
William Downie--------1881--Greenock
Elaine
Title: Re: WILLIAM DOWNIE AND JANET SOMERVILLE
Post by: lizzie mackay on Friday 02 March 12 11:06 GMT (UK)
Dear Elaine,

Thanks so much for your reply - and so quick!!! Saved me a lot of searching.  The information is correct and I am really pleased you took the time and bother.  I am keen to find out the parents of William senior b 1850 and know he married in 1872.  If you have the ability, could you look up 1861 and 1871 census, to find out his parent's name? If not, don't worry but again, I would be very grateful. Thanks again and look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers, Lizzie
Title: Re: WILLIAM DOWNIE AND JANET SOMERVILLE
Post by: elaine447 on Friday 02 March 12 11:13 GMT (UK)
Lizzie
there was another daughter Janet
she died 1880 aged 3yrs 7 months (inverclyde Intimations)
have you tried obtaining a copy of their marriage cert
this would give the names of both sets of parents
their marriage took place in Greenock 1872
I will see if I can find them on the other censuses
Elaine
Title: Re: WILLIAM DOWNIE AND JANET SOMERVILLE
Post by: elaine447 on Friday 02 March 12 11:43 GMT (UK)
1871
Address 50 East Hamilton Street Greenock
John Downie-----1825--Ireland------Ship Smith Finisher
William------------1849--Greenock---Iron Turner
Jane---------------1852--Greenock---House Keeper
John---------------1855--Cardross Dumbarton-----Hammer Driver
Elizabeth---------1857--     "              "
Robert------------1862--Greenock
Francis------------1864--Greenock

no mother on this census
but looking at childrens births on family search
it looks like the mothers name is Jane Lennox
and that 1855 birth cert for John would give you that little bit more info
than the others

Title: Re: WILLIAM DOWNIE AND JANET SOMERVILLE
Post by: elaine447 on Friday 02 March 12 12:05 GMT (UK)
1861
Address 66 Cappielow  (just around the corner from Ratho Street)
John Downie------1806?--Ireland-------Iron Finisher
Jane----------------1829----Ireland
with them are
William, John, Elizabeth, and Robert
info as above births may vary by about a year
there is also a
James Leitch living with them
no info for him except that he works from home,
Elaine
Title: Re: WILLIAM DOWNIE AND JANET SOMERVILLE
Post by: lizzie mackay on Friday 02 March 12 12:05 GMT (UK)
Wow!!!! You are truly amazing.  I thought there'd be an Irish connection there somewhere.  Thanks so much.

This is my son's father's family, who are both very excited to know their ancestors were from Scotland, as I am myself, though live in London now.  By 1883, William and family had moved to Silvertown, which is in West Ham, London.  Again, they lived by the docks, working in the sugar factories in that area.  My ex-partner was born in West Ham and is delighted to know his family were east enders for a few generations but were originally from Scotland.

You've made our day!!! Thanks again and if I can help you out with any English queries, let me know.

Cheers, Lizzie ;D
Title: Re: WILLIAM DOWNIE AND JANET SOMERVILLE
Post by: elaine447 on Friday 02 March 12 12:21 GMT (UK)
lizzie
that 1855 birth cert for John
would give them the info of where in Ireland
John and Jane came from
Good luck
Elaine
Title: Re: WILLIAM DOWNIE AND JANET SOMERVILLE
Post by: lizzie mackay on Friday 02 March 12 12:23 GMT (UK)
Brilliant!  Will follow your sound advice.  Have a nice day/weekend/life etd. Lizzie
Title: Re: WILLIAM DOWNIE AND JANET SOMERVILLE
Post by: davieboy on Saturday 03 March 12 21:50 GMT (UK)
Hi there all, can anyone look up the 1881 Scotland Census for William Downie b. 1949/50 and Janet Downie (nee) Somerville b. either 1853/4 or 1857 please? They had two children John b. 1873 and Ann b. 1874.  I think they lived in Greenock, Renfrewshire at this time.  They also moved about this time, to West Ham in London, where William worked as an engineer in a sugar refinery.  I believe Janet was born in Carnwarth in Lanarkshire.

Thanks a lot and looking forward to hearing from you all!!! ;)

Lizzie,


On a side note, there used to be many sugar refineries located in Greenock (the last being Tate & Lyle which closed around 20 years ago) so there is a good chance William Downie worked for one of the sugar companies up here too.
Title: Re: WILLIAM DOWNIE AND JANET SOMERVILLE
Post by: lizzie mackay on Sunday 04 March 12 07:41 GMT (UK)
Hi Davie, thanks for your reply re sugar factories in Greenock. William and family definitely worked in one or the other.  I was lucky enough to get the census info from another Rootschatter, which is great.  They eventually left Greenock and moved to West Ham in London, where they worked at another sugar factory.  It must have been big business in it's day and it would seem every dock had sugar processing going on.  Cheers for your help.

Lizzie