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Research in Other Countries => United States of America => Topic started by: sandir03 on Wednesday 19 March 14 23:57 GMT (UK)
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Hi,
I’m trying to find some information on a particular branch of the Cossar family who lived in the Newbattle, Temple, Newton, Lasswade areas in Midlothian, Scotland.
The family consisted of William Cossar (Snr) b. 1802 in Newton and his wife Isabel/Isabella Black b. abt 1801 in Temple. Married 2nd Oct, 1827 in Temple. William’s parents were William Cossar and Beatrix Brown.
I have found the family in Scotlands 1841 Census –
Wm Cossar 39 Coal Miner
Isabel Cossar 40
Wm Cossar 18 Coal Miner
Walter Cossar 14 Coal Miner
John Cossar 10 Coal Miner
David Cossar 7
Beatrice Cossar 5
Rica Cossar 1 (from freecen, name is down as Ric'd, likely Richard - https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XYSS-PRF)
Address: Whitehill, Dalkeith Midlothian
Information on the above children and others –
William (Snr) had a son with Isabel Black – Walter born 21st May 1827 in Temple; then they married on 2nd Oct 1827 in Temple. Other children followed – Agnes b. 26/04/1829 in Newbattle (doesn't appear in 1841 Census), John b. 20/11/1831 in Newbattle, David b. 1834, Beatrice b. 1836, Richard b. 1840.
Also found a death record for an Eisabell Cossur 31st Aug 1843 (d. 3 days old) in Dalkeith – father William Cossur.
Unable to find any signs of this family in Scotlands 1851, 1861, 1871 or 1881 Census.
After much searching I think I have tracked them down..... to Utah, USA in the 1850 Census!!
- https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MCSX-44W -
William Cosser - United States Census, 1850
birth: 1802 Scotland
residence: 1850 Weber county, Weber, Utah Territory, United States
other: Isabella Cosser, Walter Cosser, David Cosser, Beatrice Cosser, Richard Cosser
Can't seem to find the family in the United States Census for 1860.
Also, https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MZMW-ZZ1 - Wm Cosser, United States Census, 1870
Who are these people?
L Cosser M 36 Scotland
I Cosser F 13 Kentucky
And, https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MDCC-B16 - Wm Cosser, United States Census, 1880
And this, https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M8P2-HKY - Richard Cosser, "United States Census, 1920"
- according to son Richard, they immigrated in 1848. From where and to where?
How can I find out when they left Scotland and when and where they arrived in the USA, what happened to the family after they arrived in the USA, what about the children – who did they marry and where did they end up, did any of the family return to Scotland, finding marriage and death records, etc?
Also, what happened to two of their children - Agnes b. 26/04/1829 and John b. 20/11/1831 both born in Newbattle. Did they travel to USA or stay in Scotland?
Any help would be appreciated as I'm not familiar with US records and searching through them.
Regards,
Sandi
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http://www.castlegarden.org/ tends to have early passenger lists - the family didn't appear for me but worth playing around with the name.
Early Members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Isabelle Cosser born 1801 Loves Hill, near Edinburgh, Scotland. Died October 1886 Mottsville, Nevada.
Genoa Cemetery - Saints' Herald Obituaries, 1886, p. 687
This is the 1870 Census Douglas, Nevada you quoted showing Isabella - - The original image looks more like Coper than Cosser ???
Wm Cosser 68 Born Scotland. Farmer.
I Cosser 69 Born Scotland
L Cosser (Think that is D Cosser) 36 Born Scotland. Labourer
I Cosser 18 Born KY
Will follow them thru, see what else turns up.
Sandra
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1880 Carson Valley, Douglas, Nevada - all born Scotland. Could look positive.
Wm Cosser 78 Farmer
Isabella Cosser 79
Walter Cosser 53 Farm Labourer
Sandra
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1875 entry for W Cosser aged 48 years. Born Scotland. County :- Douglas County. Occupation Wheelwright. Father William Cosser.
Sandra
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History of Nevada and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, 1881 has a small piece about Walter crosser who arrived in Nevada 1852 and had remained there ever since - in the fall of 1852 he was mining in Gold Canon. Apparently a lot of Mormon Miners from Salt Lake City who went prospecting for gold in gold canon.
Another small piece says "In the fall or winter of 1953 - Walter Cosser started in the mercantile line at a place which later became known as Johntown and it was the first establishment of its kind at the time. Also references to Mrs Cosser - a kind Scottish lady.
Some info here :- http://archive.org/stream/nevadahistorica00socigoog/nevadahistorica00socigoog_djvu.txt
Sandra
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U.S., Federal Census Mortality Schedules Index shows David Cosser - died 1880 (alcoholism) aged 45 years - farmer.
David Cosser (along with Walter Cosser (seems to be 2 entries for Walter Cosser) was also listed U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists May 1865 and 1866
Sandra
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Richard Cosser appears divorced by 1880 Carson Valley, Douglas, Nevada - listed above Wm, Isabella and Walter.
The 1875 Nevada census has an entry for a W Cosser aged 9 years - Head of household R Cosser - Douglas County. Another brief entry quotes M Cosser (housekeeper - mother) with R Cosser.
This could be W Cosser with his mother and siblings (family of R Cosser ???) in 1880 listed directly below Wm, Isabella and Walter. Children with Mother born Ireland and Father Scotland.
Mary Cosser 32 Born 1848 Ireland. Divorced.
Wm. Cosser 13 Born 1867 Nevada.
John Cosser 12 Born 1868 Nevada.
Mary Cosser 10 Born 1870 Nevada.
Isabell Cosser 9 Born 1871 Nevada.
Agnes Cosser 6 Born 1874 Nevada.
Geo. Cosser 2 Born 1878 Nevada.
Sandra
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The Reno Evening Gazette - Octiober 1926 has the headline " Richard Cosser Pioneer Dies"
Richard Cosser a descendant of one of the first mormon families to settle in Western Nevada died last night at the Reno Hospital after an illness of more than a year. He was in his eighty-sixth year. He came to Nevada with his father in 1852 with other Mormon settlers from the Salt Lake Valley. They first settled on a ranch at Dayton, later removing with the old Motts family to the location which has since been known as Mossville. He had made his home at Carson for many years where he was engaged in the upholstery business and at the same time conducting his rance at Genoa. He was a native of Illinois and is survived by 3 daughters, Mrs W J Swail and Mrs George Allerman of Carson and Mrs Belle Calhoun of Reno and one son William Cosser of Goldfield. The remains will be taken to Carson Valley tomorrow and the funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon.
Sandra
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It was the daughter Agnes Cosser who married George Allerman - here they are with his parents in 1910
Mottsville, Douglas, Nevada 1910
Herman J Allerman 67
Elizabeth Allerman 53
Henry H Allerman 34
George A Allerman 27 Son born 1883. Marriage 1 for 3 years. Labourer. Home Farm.
Agnes M Allerman 35 Daughter-in-law. Marriage 1 for 3 years.
1910 - https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MKLQ-4LJ
1920 - https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M6PR-PHF - living with Mary Cosser.
1930 - https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XKJL-HXW
1940 - https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VYHS-C8Y
George Andrew Allerman married Agnes Cosser 27 January 1902 Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada.
Witnesses :- N. D. and Nellie Wright
Couple don't appear to have had any children.
Sandra
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Isabella Cosser married John Calhoun. Here they are in 1900 Township 5, Tuolumne, California
John Calhoun 23 Born Dec 1866 California. Married 1890. Engineer. Saw Mills.
Ise Belle Calhoun 21 Married 1890. Born August 1871.
Viola Calhoun 4 Born Feb 1896.
Belle Calhoun - [Belle Cosser] 17 Aug 1872 Nevada - Alameda
Mothers Maiden name was Redington - Father Cosser
Died 9 May 1958 Alameda California.
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VPZF-XML
In 1920 the daughter of John and Bella is married to Le Roy Thatcher and the family living in Reno, Washoe, Nevada.
Le Roy Thatcher 38 and Vira Thatcher 23
Peggy A Thatcher 2 - Donn Thatcher 1
Bell Calabrin 47 Widowed.
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M6PY-F82
Leroy and Vira married Elko, Nevada 18 August 1915
http://abish.byui.edu/specialCollections/westernStates/westernStatesRecordDetail.cfm?recordID=302286
1930 - https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XCXK-NMJ - the couple are divorced.
Suspect this is the son Don Leroy Thatcher - 20 Nov 1918 - 12 May 2007 - Last Residence 93727 Fresno, Fresno, California. SSN issued Texas (Before 1951)
Sandra
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Mottsville, Douglas, Nevada 1900 shows
William J Swail 37
Mary Swail 29 Born Feb 1871/Father Scotland and Mother Ireland. Married 1886.
Ethel V Swail 12 Born August 1887.
Nels Johnson 45
Adam Lantz 58
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MMB3-HH3
1910 - https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MKLQ-Q1C
1920 - https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MHWS-W6M
1930 - https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XKJP-VBD Mary is widowed.
1940 - https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VYH3-GRL
William J Swail died 4 th February 1927 - aged 64 years - San Francisco, California.
Sandra
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William (single - prospector - metal-mines ) - son of Richard and Mary doesn't seem to marry - lives in 1930 Hornsilver, Esmeralda, Nevada.
John (single - labourer - home farm) - son of Mary and Richard doesn't seem to marry lives Genoa, Douglas, Nevada 1920
Sandra
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FIND A GRAVE
John Cosser - 1870 - 1925
Burial Mottsville Cemetery. Douglas County, Nevada.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0yjs/
Reno Evening Gazette - John Cosser dies in San Francisco
Carson - (April 3 rd ) - Special - John Cosser formerly of Carson and the valley died in San Francisco last Wednesday Night . The remains are being brought to Carson for interment. Mr Carson was one of the early Western Nevada pioneers. He is survived by 3 sisters (who are names, who I have listed above) He also leaves his father a resident of Douglas County.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/nv/douglas/photos/tombstones/mottsville/motts-cj.html
Sandra
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FIND A GRAVE - There are 2 entries for Mary Cosser.
Mary Cosser - Born March 4 th 1847 Native of Loughrea Ireland - died March 15, 1924
Burial Mottsville Cemetery Douglas County Nevada.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0yjt/
and March 4 th 1847 Native of Lauchres - died 8 th August 1941
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0yju/
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FIND A GRAVE
William Cosser (son of Richard and Mary)
Born February 9, 1867 Genoa Douglas County Nevada. Died November 18, 1939
Gold Point Esmeralda County Nevada.
Burial Lone Mountain Cemetery Carson City Carson City Nevada.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0yjx/
This was rather sad, "drowning" and parents unknown - it looks as if William fell into a well due to a defective ladder :'(
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0yjx/
Sandra
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Hi Sandra,
Wow, thanks so much for all this fantastic information...very interesting. It will take me a while to sort it all out.
Re: Wm Cosser, United States Census, 1870 - I wonder who "I Cosser F 13 Kentucky" is?
I think I have found some immigration details -
I found this - Immigration details for a Beatrice Copar - Aged 11; arrival date 28 Oct 1848 in New Orleans - http://www.castlegarden.org/quick_search_detail.php?p_id=765196
And this - Immigration details for a William Copar - Aged 46; arrival date 28 Oct 1848 in New Orleans - http://www.castlegarden.org/quick_search_detail.php?p_id=765202
Found this interesting article about those who travelled on the same ship (Erin's Queen) as the Cossars (Copar) - all 232 passengers involved in the LDS church - http://mormonmigration.lib.byu.edu/Search/showDetails/db:MM_MII/t:voyage/id:135
Liverpool to New Orleans on the Erin's Queen (7 Sep 1848 - 28 Oct 1848) -
Passengers (248)
•Copar, William (Age: 46)
•Copar, Isabell (Age: 47)
•Copar, Walter (Age: 21)
•Copar, John (Age: 17)
•Copar, David (Age: 14)
•Copar, Beatrice (Age: 11)
•Copar, Richard (Age: 7)
Can you recommend any useful web sites I can use - that are free - so I can do some more searching on the USA side?
Apart from Ellis Island were there any other entry points into the US - are there web sites that can be searched? What about entry via Canada?
Regards,
Sandi
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You're very welcome - hope it all helped to fill in some blanks and put flesh on the bones.
A couple of sites that may be worth a look thru :-
http://www.cyndislist.com/us/
http://www.stevemorse.org/
Canadian Passenger Lists on ancestry don't start until 1865
http://www.theshipslist.com/index.html
Regards
Sandra
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Hi,
For those who may want to view details on various Cossar/Cosser families, further information can be found in the Scotland - General forum in the Midlothian section under the topic – “Cossar family from Lasswade/Borthwick”.
This is the link - http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=672611.0
Regards,
Sandi
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Hi, I am a COSSAR decendent living in New Zealand.
Copae/er is sometimes the translation from the old english COFsar..this on some censuses and also on legal documents. Cossar is correct Cosser sometimes as there were no rules of spelling once upon a time
I would like to make contact with you please Sandi/Sandra? Is that OK with you.
Liz Cossar Pryor
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Walter Cossar is definitely a family name and comes down our lines as well...
My sister had a Scots Research done in the mid1970s and it goes back a few generations via the OPR Old Parish Registers. Our families in Berwickshire/Scottish Borders were tenant Farmers and horse dealers. I am trying to find out what happened to an Agnes Cossar born to Mark Cossar from Greenknowe Farm Duns (Dunse)
Liz CP :)