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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: JenkinsFamilyHistory on Tuesday 26 January 21 17:38 GMT (UK)

Title: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: JenkinsFamilyHistory on Tuesday 26 January 21 17:38 GMT (UK)
Hello, I'm trying to decipher this ocean arrival document and am having no luck.

My great grandmother Jean Mcfall put her sister as the closest relative on this sheet annd I'm hoping it'll direct Me to exactly where in port Glasgow she was and why she left.

I'm unable to read her sister's last name...

Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: bbart on Tuesday 26 January 21 18:27 GMT (UK)
Possibly a variant/mispelling of Cushnahan or Cushnaghan? 
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: GR2 on Tuesday 26 January 21 18:39 GMT (UK)
I'd agree. There is no record of a Cushnahan (or any variant) marrying a McFall (or any variant) in Scotland from 1880-1940. Perhaps they married in Ireland, unless the document is from the 1950s.
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: JenkinsFamilyHistory on Tuesday 26 January 21 20:22 GMT (UK)
Wow you guys are incredible,  I definitely see Cushnahan.

It looks like ms Mary Cushnahan,  I wonder if she was an adopted sister of Jeanie Mcfall.
Jeanie's mother Ellen died in 1911 and I don't know what happened to the family after.

Can't find a death for her father William either.

There's also a Mary Ellen Cushnahan from port Glasgow born 1909.
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: MonicaL on Tuesday 26 January 21 22:07 GMT (UK)
An Edward Cushnahan married a Mary Jane Girvan in Port Glasgow in 1917. Not sure how Mary Jane could connect to Jean McFall though  :-\ Maybe have a look at the marriage on SP for further details.

This Canadian arrival card entry is from 1923 I think from what I have seen on her before. Parents William and Helen married in 1900 in Port Glasgow as you have.

Valuation Rolls for at least 1920 and 1920 show an Edward CUARNAGHAN or CUSHNAGHAN at 10 George Street Port Glasgow. Spelling of this surname will be tricky. I am searching for C*U*H*N for the surname.

Monica

Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: MonicaL on Tuesday 26 January 21 22:09 GMT (UK)
Found this as a possibility for Mary Jane Givan https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LYCT-8LL/mary-jane-girvan-1891-1952

I think you have a family tree on Ancestry for Thomas McDonald and Jeannie McFall don't you? There is this family tree for Edward and wife Mary Jane www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/163093070/person/102156554562/facts

Monica
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: MonicaL on Tuesday 26 January 21 22:22 GMT (UK)
With William McFall being left a widower following the death of wife Helen in 1911, have you considered that he may have remarried? He was still relatively young, born 1874.

There is a possible marriage:

WILLIAM MCFALL and ANNIE BLANEY
1913
574/ 128
Port Glasgow

If you do confirm that it is the correct William McFall, you also have Annie Blaney McFall's death in 1932, aged 59, in Port Glasgow. A quick check on that will let you know whether husband William was still alive. Like you, can't easily see his death so far.

Monica
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 26 January 21 23:37 GMT (UK)
From the VRs (Valuation Rolls)

CUSHNAGHAN EDWARD Tenant Occupier
HOUSE C GEORGE STREET PORT GLASGOW (doesn't show a no.)
1931 - VR007100046-

From at least 1921 - at least 1925

CUSHNAGHAN EDWARD Tenant Occupier
HOUSE BLOCK 10 GEORGE STREET PORT GLASGOW
1921 - VR007100041-

Same address 1920 as CUARNAGHAN

Looks like he was at the same address throughout, No. 10c although on the doc. it looks like 19c...

CUSHNAGHAN EDWARD Tenant Occupier
HOUSE NO C GEORGE STREET PORT GLASGOW
1915 - VR007100038-


1911 - CUSHNAHAN EDWARD 21
574/ 7/ 14 Port Glasgow Renfrew


Annie

Add...Sorry for duplication, hadn't noticed Monica's 1920 VRs ref.  ::)
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: bbart on Wednesday 27 January 21 08:43 GMT (UK)
Sadly, the Arrival cards only ask for an address of a contact person.

The address for Jean herself on the actual passenger list is 8 Bachron Lane, Glasgow.  I can't find it on a map; perhaps it has been renamed?
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: Rosinish on Wednesday 27 January 21 10:49 GMT (UK)
Not finding 'Bachron Lane', is it possible someone can post a snip please, in case it's a misheard interpretation of somewhere similar?

Annie
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: aghadowey on Wednesday 27 January 21 11:53 GMT (UK)
Quote
It looks like ms Mary Cushnahan,  I wonder if she was an adopted sister of Jeanie Mcfall.
Doubtful 'Ms' would have been in use at the time. I read it as 'Mrs'

Quote
An Edward Cushnahan married a Mary Jane Girvan in Port Glasgow in 1917.
1914 marriage showing on SP and possible son Edward born 1915 (died 1920?)
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: scotmum on Wednesday 27 January 21 13:19 GMT (UK)
Not finding 'Bachron Lane', is it possible someone can post a snip please, in case it's a misheard interpretation of somewhere similar?

Annie

It certainly reads as 'Bachron', but I wondered about the former Buchanan Lane as a possibility. No number 8 that I could see, but there was a resident at number 1 in 1920 and 1925 VR, by name of Colin MacPhail....could well be red herring though.
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: JenkinsFamilyHistory on Wednesday 27 January 21 14:43 GMT (UK)
So yes it looks like Monica got it right.

William remarried annie blaney and she died qn 1932. Still no death for William Mcfall.

I also was thinking that her address on the manifest might be "8 backrow lane" but that's just a theory.
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: Rosinish on Wednesday 27 January 21 14:59 GMT (UK)
If you do confirm that it is the correct William McFall, you also have Annie Blaney McFall's death in 1932, aged 59, in Port Glasgow. A quick check on that will let you know whether husband William was still alive.

At least it will give you a window of search.

Annie
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: Rosinish on Wednesday 27 January 21 15:06 GMT (UK)
Possible death?

MCFALL WILLIAM 61
1932 - 644/8 109 St Rollox

Annie
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: JenkinsFamilyHistory on Wednesday 27 January 21 15:46 GMT (UK)
Possible death?

MCFALL WILLIAM 61
1932 - 644/8 109 St Rollox

Annie


I had a similar thought, unfortunately that's not him.
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: scotmum on Wednesday 27 January 21 15:50 GMT (UK)
8 Backrow Lane, Port Glasgow has various surnames listed against it in VRs. Worth a look to see if you recognise any. No obvious McFall though.
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: scotmum on Wednesday 27 January 21 15:58 GMT (UK)
An old picture taken in Backrow Lane in c1920s:

https://www.rootschat.com/links/01q91/
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: JenkinsFamilyHistory on Wednesday 27 January 21 16:17 GMT (UK)
Looks like Mary Macallister (widow) lived there for quite a while.

In 1921 it says proprietors are "trustees of Roman catholic church"
Jeanie was also Roman catholic which makes sense but i don't know why she would be living here.
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: bbart on Wednesday 27 January 21 17:19 GMT (UK)
Throughout the passenger list, there were many from "Pt. Glasgow", and many from "Glasgow".
Jean's was "Glasgow". 
This snip shows a few extra people to include a "Pt Glasgow" person, to show they were differentiating.

Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: MonicaL on Wednesday 27 January 21 17:23 GMT (UK)
An Edward Cushnahan married a Mary Jane Girvan in Port Glasgow in 1917.
1914 marriage showing on SP and possible son Edward born 1915 (died 1920?)
[/quote]

Thank you for correction, aghadowey  :)

Monica
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: Rosinish on Wednesday 27 January 21 18:22 GMT (UK)
In the 1920s many Scots emigrated to Canada from all over.

My g g/mother & 9 or 10 of her 11 kids as well as my 2 uncles & my aunt with many more relations all left between 1920 & 1924.

They were all promised jobs on arrival as well as having accommodation when they arrived.

Annie
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: Rosinish on Wednesday 27 January 21 18:46 GMT (UK)
Age slightly out on this but adding just in case...

MCFAULL WILLIAM 49
1919 - 644/15 695 Hutchesontown

And a last possible longshot although in Renfrew which would be prior to Annie's death...

FAULDS WILLIAM 58
1929 - 567/2 144 Gourock

Was William deceased or alive on Annie's death?

What was his occupation, could it have taken him elsewhere?

Annie
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: MonicaL on Wednesday 27 January 21 19:14 GMT (UK)
.
William remarried annie blaney and she died qn 1932. Still no death for William Mcfall.


Did you have a look at the image of the death? Was William still alive when Annie Blaney died in 1932?

Monica

Added:  ;D Annie, now it is my turn to cross over on posts!
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: Rosinish on Wednesday 27 January 21 19:17 GMT (UK)
Added:  ;D Annie, now it is my turn to cross over on posts!

 ;D Monica, as long as we don't have cross words  :P

Annie
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: JenkinsFamilyHistory on Wednesday 27 January 21 19:19 GMT (UK)
Age slightly out on this but adding just in case...

MCFAULL WILLIAM 49
1919 - 644/15 695 Hutchesontown

Was William deceased or alive on Annie's death?

What was his occupation, could it have taken him elsewhere?

Annie

Yeah it looks like Jean Mcfall was part of that scheme in the early 20s to get people out of the uk and working.

The reason I'm looking at port Glasgow and not Glasgow is because of the arrival form where she says she was born there and put Mary Cushnahan (sister) down as her closest relative.  I found Jean's birth certificate in 1904 under Jane Mcfall and it's the exact same day and month of my Jean.

William Mcfall was still alive in 1932 when his second wife died.  He was a Carter in all thr birth, death, and marriage certificates I've seen. 

Though I don't understand why Jean wouldn't say her father was her nearest relative in 1923. 
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: mckha489 on Wednesday 27 January 21 19:23 GMT (UK)
Quote
Though I don't understand why Jean wouldn't say her father was her nearest relative in 1923.

Even now I am inclined to pick different family members depending on the situation.

Perhaps her sister could read and write but her father couldn’t.  Going to Canada, you would want the Next of Kin to be able to cope with receiving a letter

Or perhaps her sister had a more secure address.
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: Rosinish on Wednesday 27 January 21 19:26 GMT (UK)
I think it's understandable Jean gave her sister' name as nearest relative as her father was now remarried i.e. her sister is who she'd feel closest to?

Annie
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: Rosinish on Wednesday 27 January 21 19:29 GMT (UK)
What info. is on Annie's DC, address & informant?

Annie
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: JenkinsFamilyHistory on Wednesday 27 January 21 19:37 GMT (UK)
Looks like an address but i can't read it
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: JenkinsFamilyHistory on Wednesday 27 January 21 19:42 GMT (UK)
HOUSE 7 GILLESPIE LANE

Looks like he's under William Macfall
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: MonicaL on Wednesday 27 January 21 19:53 GMT (UK)
He still shows there on the 1935 Valuation Rolls.

The 1940 Valuation Rolls shows entries for a William MacFall at a couple of different addresses. His son William could well be one of these?

Monica
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: MonicaL on Wednesday 27 January 21 19:56 GMT (UK)
I think it's understandable Jean gave her sister' name as nearest relative as her father was now remarried i.e. her sister is who she'd feel closest to?


Although Jean gave a Mrs Mary Cushnahan as her sister, she was we think a Mary Jane Girvan who married Edward Cushnahan. Other info earlier on this couple. No obvious link to the McFall family that we have found. Jean only had one sister, Margaret born 1906.

Monica
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: JenkinsFamilyHistory on Wednesday 27 January 21 20:09 GMT (UK)
He still shows there on the 1935 Valuation Rolls.

The 1940 Valuation Rolls shows entries for a William MacFall at a couple of different addresses. His son William could well be one of these?

Monica


Yeah in 1941 living at HOUSE 1 WILLISONS LANE
William Mcfall,  Carter
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: Rosinish on Thursday 28 January 21 17:02 GMT (UK)
I think there's a chance William may have been killed during the war as Renfrew was one of the worst hit areas?

Annie
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: aghadowey on Tuesday 02 February 21 09:43 GMT (UK)
I think there's a chance William may have been killed during the war as Renfrew was one of the worst hit areas?

You can search here (for 'served in' box select 'civilian war dead 1939-1945')
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/
Title: Re: Scottish or Irish last name
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 02 February 21 22:49 GMT (UK)
If he'd been killed during the war & was recognisable his death would be recorded on SP but my thought was if he was killed, his body may not have been recognisable i.e. not recorded although it's probably highly unlikely although not impossible, was just thinking of any possibility in the absence of a DC?

It's probably been missed during  indexing or he's been recorded with different/wrong details?

Annie