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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: IainW81 on Thursday 02 July 15 00:19 BST (UK)

Title: Deciphering parent names
Post by: IainW81 on Thursday 02 July 15 00:19 BST (UK)
I'm trying to find out the name of the parents of Robert McLaren in this certificate. I did think the father may be Walter, as that appears to be the name of Robert's first-born son, but I'm not too sure. I can't make out his mother's name either. Is anyone able to help? :)
Title: Re: Deciphering parent names
Post by: CaroleW on Thursday 02 July 15 00:35 BST (UK)
Is it a marriage cert?
Title: Re: Deciphering parent names
Post by: IainW81 on Thursday 02 July 15 00:38 BST (UK)
Looks like Robert to me occ iron miner

Have you looked them up on a census entry?

I mean the names on the right of the snippet I've posted. Blank McLaren occupation Farmer and his wife's name. Robert was born around 1780 and died in 1860, so his parents are probably deceased by the time of the 1841 census.
Title: Re: Deciphering parent names
Post by: CaroleW on Thursday 02 July 15 00:40 BST (UK)
Sorry - Had edited my reply before seeing your post as I realised it wasn't a birth cert.

Presume it's a death cert
Title: Re: Deciphering parent names
Post by: jaybelnz on Thursday 02 July 15 00:41 BST (UK)
Sorry, but I think it says Mother's name Unknown.

Father WALTER

Jeanne
Title: Re: Deciphering parent names
Post by: IainW81 on Thursday 02 July 15 00:50 BST (UK)
Sorry, but I think it says Mother's name Unknown.

Father WALTER

Jeanne

Thank you for your help. I did wonder if it looked like 'Unknown' or 'Mother'.

Yes Carole, it's a death certificate. Sorry for not being much clearer. :)
Title: Re: Deciphering parent names
Post by: Ruskie on Thursday 02 July 15 01:24 BST (UK)
I agree "Mother's name Unknown" - it might be wise to download Robert's marriage certificate which should give names of both parents.

If you ever find that a certificate is illegible contact Scotland's People and they will send you a better version. They're very obliging.
Title: Re: Deciphering parent names
Post by: IainW81 on Thursday 02 July 15 01:35 BST (UK)
I agree "Mother's name Unknown" - it might be wise to download Robert's marriage certificate which should give names of both parents.

If you ever find that a certificate is illegible contact Scotland's People and they will send you a better version. They're very obliging.

I didn't know they could help you like that. Thanks. :) Unfortunately Robert was married in the days of Parish Registers, so he's proving tricky to find.
Title: Re: Deciphering parent names
Post by: Rosinish on Thursday 02 July 15 01:54 BST (UK)
Where do census records record his place of birth as there are a few Walters on familysearch  ???

Do you know if he had any siblings as the mother's name may be on their death certs.  ???

Annie
Title: Re: Deciphering parent names
Post by: Ruskie on Thursday 02 July 15 05:20 BST (UK)
Where do census records record his place of birth as there are a few Walters on familysearch  ???

Do you know if he had any siblings as the mother's name may be on their death certs.  ???

Annie


Do you have Robert's birth? Sometimes, in some areas, the mother is named .... :-\
Title: Re: Deciphering parent names
Post by: IainW81 on Thursday 02 July 15 12:47 BST (UK)
He's listed in the 1851 census as being born in Perthshire, but its not very specific about where. He lived in the Balgrochan, Lennoxtown area of Campsie parish for a good number of years before following work and his sons to Lanarkshire and West Lothian. I can't find any siblings at the moment. His first daughter is a Jean (not Jane), so I wonder if that was his mother or perhaps his wife Marion Hume's mother.

Family Search is a great tool, I've found out a few things from it over the past week.