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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Ayrshire => Topic started by: pcoups on Wednesday 20 July 05 05:38 BST (UK)
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I'm taking a stab here..........as Elizabeth COUPERTHWAITE was born in Ayreshire hopefully there'll be thread I'm after.
I have Robert BLAIR b 1883 married to Elizabeth Wilson COUPERTHWAITE b 1881 Cumnock, Ayreshire.
William McGil BLAIR married to Janet Dunlop WILSON.
Both are sons of Robert BLAIR and Elizabeth McGIL.
I'm hoping that SKS can find then on a census and perhaps help me with some more info.
Thank you
Lynn
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Hi Lynn
Robert BLAIR & Elizabeth McGILL married 1874 in Irvine according to IGI.
This may be them on C1881 - the most likely couple I found in Ayr. Unfortunately, none of the children were born early enough to make it onto IGI - the marriage only just squeezed in :) There is a son William which may be your William McGill BLAIR. The connection is helped by Elizabeth on the Census having been born in Irvine, and the first child too , as this is where they married, probably in her parish.
Cheers
Anne
Dwelling: 141 High Row
Census Place: Auckinleck, Ayr, Scotland
Source: FHL Film 0203588 GRO Ref Volume 577 EnumDist 4 Page 17
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Robert BLAIR M 25 M Coylton, Ayr, Scotland
Rel: Head
Occ: Iron Miner
Elizabeth BLAIR M 24 F Irvine, Ayr, Scotland
Rel: Wife
Alexander BLAIR 5 M Irvine, Ayr, Scotland
Rel: Son
Occ: Scholar
William BLAIR 3 M Auchinleck, Ayr, Scotland
Rel: Son
Annabella BLAIR 1 F Auchinleck, Ayr, Scotland
Rel: Dau
John SMITH U 23 M Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright, Scotland
Rel: Lodger
Occ: Farm Serv
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Thank you just the confirmation was needed that I had the right family.
You are a star
Lynn
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Lynn
There is indeed a William McGill BLAIR born in Auchinleck in 1878 to these parents.
The same family appear in the 1891 census with 4 further kids, and in 1901 with yet 2 more kids, - see www.scotlandspeople.go.uk
ibi
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Hello Lynn,
In the IGI, there's a likely (father) Robert BLAIR b 11 Feb 1855 in Coylton, son of Alexander BLAIR and Marion FERGUSON (note - from the census - that your Robert's first son is named Alexander which fits in with Scottish naming patterns). It is good to find a record from 1855 as certificates had more information in this, the first year of Statutory Registration in Scotland.
And also in the IGI, there's a likely (mother) Elizabeth MCGILL b 4 Aug 1856 in Irvine, daughter of William MCGILL (note that Robert and Elizabeth's second son is named William) and Annabella HIGGINS (note that Robert and Elizabeth's first daughter is named Annabella).
JAP
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Thanks to all for the help.
I'd a Robert Blair from Scotland killed in a mining accident and on his death cert (not properly completed) it mentions a brother (no name) working on another mine.
So with all your help I've connected them.
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Hi! I am new to Rootschat. I saw that you are looking for a William McGill Blair. I am not sure if you know that there is a whole line of William McGill Blairs who came from Scotland to South Africa. I think they are now already third or fourth generation South Africans.
Regards
Polie
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Polie
Thank you that is the family I'm chasing. Have just applied for the death notices etc
Have you the info or access to it?
William's brother Robert was killed on the mines and his wife and daughter immigrated to USA. Connecting the families would be good.
Lynn
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Hi Lynn
The last offspring of William McGill Blair is a good friend of mine, who is also William McGill Blair.
As far as I know, his grandfather came to South Africa, got involved in the mining industry. His father with the same name, was also involved in mining. They developed the Blair shaft which is still in use today.
My friend's father married a lady with the name of Joy (will find surname for you). They had 4 children, William McGill Blair, John McGill Blair, a daughter Margaret Blair and Michael McGill Blair.
William McGill Blair was born 5 January 1959 in Johannesburg South Africa.
Will contact them for more information.
Regards
Polie
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Polie,
William McGill BLAIR had a brother Robert who also went to South Africa to work on the mines. Roberts brother-in-law John COUPERTHWAITE was also there working on Brakpan Mines. Robert was working on Witwatersrand Deep Mine and was killed in a mining accident 26 Aug 1911. Robert BLAIR was married in Scotland to Elizabeth Eaglsham COUPERTHWAITE. They had one child a daughter. After Robert's death they moved to the USA. Their Granddaughter has contacted me through the Couperthwaite connection. She was thrilled to learn that there is family in South Africa. So yes please if William McGill BLAIR is interested I'll connect the families. Gosh isn't this fantastic...........nearly 100 years later and it's possible for the families to get together.
Lynn
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This site may be of interest to you:-
http://home.freeuk.com/wcouperthw/fam00016.htm
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Hi Lynn
I got hold of William McGill Blair's mother and this is her reply:
Robert Blair who came from Scotland and worked on the mines had 4 sons.
There were 4 sons:
William, Douglas, Robert and James.
Douglas was killed in the second world war in Toebrouk Africa. He was in the airforce.
Douglas apparently had 2 daughters.
Robert who came to South Africa had one son whom he named William McGIll Blair. Robert married a lady named Margaret Barbara Lesley.
RObert himself was a mining engineer for Anglo America and invented a lot of mining infrastructure which is still in use today.
His son William became a mine manager and with his first long leave cheque he started his own business called Emdeen which was later British General Electric company. He passed away on 31 December 1989. He was married to Joy Deeble, They had 4 kids called John, Michael, William and Margaret.
John married Ross and they have 2 kids Jemma and James. Michael Married Nichola and they also have 2 kids, Gabriella and Murray.
Margaret is still single and such is the case with William.
James, on the other hand had 2 children, a boy called Robert and a girl called Janette. We do not know much else about them.
I am sure if this is the McGill Blair's you are looking for, that they would love to get into contact with their American relatives.
Regards
Polie
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What a coincidence.
I have:
Robert BLAIR b abt 1855 and Elizabeth McGILL b abt 1857 of Auchinlech, Ayreshire. Scotland had 9 Children.
Four sons: Alexander b 1876, William McGill b 1877, Robert b 1883, James b 1890
At the time of Roberts death in 1911 William was a Shift boss on Brakpan Mines.
He was married to Janet Dunlop WILSON in 1901 Auchinlech, Ayreshire, Scotland.
I've also found a Hugh McGill BLAIR who died in Natal, South Africa. Born Ayreshire, Scotland but not of the family I'm chasing
Thank you very much for that. Interesting...................
Lynn
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This site may be of interest to you:-
http://home.freeuk.com/wcouperthw/fam00016.htm
Thanks I know of Bill's site. Fantastic site! I've chatted to him already swapped a few bits and pieces and added my sixpence worth.
Lynn
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I just read your blurb on the blairs/elizabeth mc gill.
Are these relatives?
Elizabeth McGill is my ggg grandmothers sister, Mary McGill is my claim to fame.
Is that someone you have in your family?
thanks for looking.
K
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My interest was in Robert Blair b 1883 son of Robert BLAIR and Elizabeth McGILL as he married into our Family when he married Elizabeth Wilson Couperthwaite.
But am always interested.
Regards
Lynn