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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Topic started by: erica236 on Friday 03 April 20 15:12 BST (UK)

Title: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: erica236 on Friday 03 April 20 15:12 BST (UK)
This is a long, long shot but I wondered if anyone recognized this building from the entrance. I can't find anywhere that has a pillar in the center like this. It is most likely in the Edinburgh area or possibly Aberdeenshire but could be anywhere in Scotland. These are the family of John Cran - Shipbuilder in Leith and I would guess it was taken around 1900 - 1910.
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Many thanks, Erica.
Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: CaroleW on Friday 03 April 20 15:37 BST (UK)
Have you looked for the family on the 1901 &  1911 census which will give you their address at that time?
Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: CaroleW on Friday 03 April 20 15:42 BST (UK)
Was his wife Isabella?  1901 has a John Cran b 1850 Rhynie Aberdeen marine engineer & shipbuilder living @ 11 Brunswick St Edinburgh

Where was he in 1911?  If same address - you possibly have your answer. If he was still in Edinburgh then at least you know which part of Scotland
Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: ruthhelen on Friday 03 April 20 16:00 BST (UK)
11 Brunswick St is now a hotel/bistro: https://www.11brunswickst.co.uk

If you have a look on Google Street View, you can see what the front of the buildings on this side of Brunswick St look like - they've got quite elaborate columns at the foot of the steps, which I can't see from this photograph, so I'm guessing this photo wasn't taken there.

Assuming the John Cran that CaroleW has found is the correct one, there is a likely John Cran, aged 61, living in Inveresk & Musselburgh in the 1911 index on SP.

Ruth
Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: erica236 on Friday 03 April 20 16:22 BST (UK)
Thank you,
Yes he was at Brunswick Street in 1901. I haven't yet found a census for 1911 but will have a look.
I have looked at all the possible other family member's homes and it is certainly not any of them. It looks as though it is some sort of Mansion. There is another photo with many more family members in the group and I think they must have been having some sort of family gathering. John's brother Robert emigrated to Vancouver around this time so it could possibly have been some sort of farewell party?! I can work out who the people are in the picture but am curious to know where the photo was taken. It looks very grand!
Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: barryd on Friday 03 April 20 16:43 BST (UK)
Boy holding the baby. Is that a bit unusual or is it just me. No law against it.
Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: ruthhelen on Friday 03 April 20 16:48 BST (UK)
John Cran's death notice of 1940 gives his address as Backhill House, Musselburgh.

I can't quite work out if the house still exists, but there's Backhill Farm, Backhill Farm Cottage, and The Dower House, Backhill, all part of the Carberry estate, just outside Musselburgh.

Ruth
Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: ruthhelen on Friday 03 April 20 16:54 BST (UK)
The 1909-10 and 1911-12 post office directories also give his home address as Backhill House, Musselburgh.

Ruth
Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: MonicaL on Friday 03 April 20 22:57 BST (UK)
This fits with what you mention, Ruth.

Link shrunk - www.rootschat.com/links/01p9y/

Monica
Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: erica236 on Saturday 04 April 20 10:51 BST (UK)
I looked at the 1911 census and John did live in Backhill House at that time but I can't find any pictures of it.
I have a copy of the tree you posted Monica - these are my ancestors and quite an interesting bunch!
The house in the picture could be anywhere, possibly connected to John's wife's family who were Iron merchants so quite wealthy.
I know it was a long shot - just thought someone might recognize the unusual pillar in the middle of the entrance.
Thank you all for your interest.
I give up!!!
Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: mayainscotland on Friday 06 November 20 01:44 GMT (UK)
Hi Erica

I am a descendent of Ann Elizabeth Cran who married a Robert Cran in her second marriage. They lived at Ardmore House (Ross and Cromarty) in the 1901 census. I am wondering if you know anything about these Crans?

Cheers
Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: Forfarian on Friday 06 November 20 13:15 GMT (UK)
They lived at Ardmore House (Ross and Cromarty) in the 1901 census.
Which parish is this Ardmore House in?

See https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=758930.0

Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: erica236 on Friday 06 November 20 15:10 GMT (UK)
Hi, Robert Cran is a common name on my tree. Do you have any more details or a surname for Ann Elizabeth? I have not been able to find her so far, sorry.
Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: mayainscotland on Saturday 19 December 20 22:48 GMT (UK)
Hi, Robert Cran is a common name on my tree. Do you have any more details or a surname for Ann Elizabeth? I have not been able to find her so far, sorry.


Her maiden name was Reid and her first marriage was to a Sharpe. She was born 1833, died 1909. Anne Elizabeth Reid married Robert Hardie Cran in Gartly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on December 25, 1862 and they had 3 children.
Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: Ruskie on Sunday 20 December 20 00:17 GMT (UK)
If this is the correct “Backhill” in this fairly detailed map, there is no sign of the bay windows which can be seen in the photograph. I am not sure if this is proof enough or not that the house in the photo is not Backhill.  :)

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=18.283075280069884&lat=55.91259&lon=-3.00234&layers=168&right=BingHyb

It is still there - on the old map a front “porch” can be seen. It looks like some kind of extension to the front of the house has been added between then and now.

Added: it might be worth looking at where the wife’s family were living 8n 1901 and 1911.  :-\
Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: Rosinish on Sunday 20 December 20 01:17 GMT (UK)
My initial thought was a church event?

Were the family Catholic, maybe a 1st Holy Communion or Confirmation?

Annie
Title: Re: Cran family. Where could this house be?
Post by: rachcroz on Sunday 26 March 23 20:04 BST (UK)
Hi Erica, I would love o know the names of the Crans in the photo. John Cran is my 2 x great grandfather.

Thanks
Rachel