RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => South Africa => Topic started by: jjcale on Wednesday 26 March 25 13:05 GMT (UK)
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Born in Glasgow, Scotland (1883), and died in Bloemfontein in 1920 of ”extent fever”.
Is it possible to get the following information?
– Year of immigration
– Who was his spouse
– Did he have any children
The death notice states that was married, so probably he could have children, but as the spouse is unknown it is difficult to say if she lived at the time of his death.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7VLZ-CH6Z (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7VLZ-CH6Z)
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Name of spouse shown as unknown. Only info is he was a dentist & his father was Thomas.
Where does he fit into your FH?
What is the last Scottish census you have him on? if he was still in Scotland in 1911 he would have been 28 so may have been married
1891 has 2 possible entries for his birthyear/birthplace
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I have been looking for the parents for my orphan grandmother. This guy looked a promising candidate.
I have no information of his life in Scotland. If he is the right guy, he should have immigrated before 1904.
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Given his occupation was dentist - by 1901 I would have expected him to have been a student.
The 1901 has 15 entries matching his profile - have you checked the occupations on those entries?
When you say he "looked a promising candidate" was that from DNA info?
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Could you give the link to those matches?
Yes, he should have been an Irishman or a Scot. Also: her both parents shoud have been died before 1922.
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The matches are on Ancestry - subscription needed to view
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/1101/
The SA doc shows birthplace as Glasgow so where does Ireland feature? Does DNA show one of his parents was Irish?
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I don't know have a subscription...
It is my ethnicity estimation which contains both Irish and Scottish, so that lineage is the one.
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Here's my two cents, for what it's worth.
In my experience, it can be most productive to start with your grandmother and any records that are connected to her. These might include (if they exist): birth certificate(s); adoption papers; baptism record(s); adoptive/foster family recollections; marriage record; death record; etc. If you have her date of birth, you could search for a birth notice in the local newspaper.
In terms of searching for this Alexander Brown, have you searched for an obit for him in the local newspapers? Have you sent queries to the local cemeteries and funeral homes? Have you asked the local libraries if he appears in any city directories (which might list his home address and possibly his wife)? Since you know he died in 1920, it's possible that his widow would have been in the city directory at the same address in 1921 or 1922.
Good luck in your search.
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Name of spouse shown as unknown. Only info is he was a dentist & his father was Thomas.
Where does he fit into your FH?
What is the last Scottish census you have him on? if he was still in Scotland in 1911 he would have been 28 so may have been married
1891 has 2 possible entries for his birthyear/birthplace
There's a Mr A Brown aged 33 sailing to Capetown on 2nd August 1916--occupation Dentist.
SS
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Another thought:
The FamilySearch.org record that's linked is in the "Probate Estate Case Files" record set.
The record says it was unknown if Alexander Brown had left a will or an estate, but it does have a file or case number, which should help. Have you contacted the relevant authorities to find out if a will and/or probate were ever filed?
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Good find Softly - poster said emigration was pre-1904 in earlier reply. No wife or family travelling with him.
You need to check the 1911 census which is only available on Scotlands People on a pay per view basis
www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
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Possible birth
BROWN
ALEXANDER
mother's maiden name MCELWEE
M
1883
644 / 3 / 30
Dennistoun
1891 census
Thomas Brown 46 Head died 1893
Margaret Brown (McElwee)45 Wife died 1896
Catherine Brown 12 Daur (Daughter)
Alexander Brown 8 Son
Mary Brown 5 Daur (Daughter)
1901 census
Name Alexander Brown
Age 18
Estimated Birth Year abt 1883
Relationship Boarder
Gender Male
Where born Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Registration Number 685/4
Registration District St Giles
Civil parish Edinburgh Buccleuch
County Midlothian
Address 10, Brighton St
Occupation Medical Student
ED 35
Household schedule number 74
Line 4
SS
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Deleted
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Well, once again a wrong Brown. Thanks for you help.
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I have been looking for the parents for my orphan grandmother. This guy looked a promising candidate.
I have no information of his life in Scotland. If he is the right guy, he should have immigrated before 1904.
Would you be willing to share what details you have of your orphaned grandmother, her place & date of birth, marriage etc.
SS
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His estate file in Bloemfontein which shows that he did have an estate.
DEPOT VAB
SOURCE MHG
TYPE LEER
VOLUME_NO 0
SYSTEM 01
REFERENCE B4847
PART 1
DESCRIPTION BROWN, ALEXANDER.
STARTING 19200000
ENDING 19200000.
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I have been looking for the parents for my orphan grandmother. This guy looked a promising candidate.
I have no information of his life in Scotland. If he is the right guy, he should have immigrated before 1904.
Would you be willing to share what details you have of your orphaned grandmother, her place & date of birth, marriage etc.
SS
As she is quite a close relative, I prefer not to share her closer details in public, but I can do it in private.
I will send you a private message.
If others are interested, please contact me.