RootsChat.Com

Another sibling found, Alexander Riddick died 20 March 1870 in Coylton aged 67. Parents listed as Alexander Riddick agricultural labourer and Grace Crawford, both deceased.

This is still unsolved as present, but I have gotten around to looking at William's siblings. Starting with Ann. Got her death certificate, she died 13th April 1881 aged 73 at 234 High St. Widow of (1) Andrew Hamilton (in the 1851, 61 censuses their son Andrew is recorded) and (2) James Rodgers (m. 12 July 1845). Informant is son Andrew Hamilton.
Mother unknown but father is listed as William Riddock Labourer (deceased).

William's brother John - died 10 October 1868 aged 84, also at 234 High St. Coal miner married to Margaret McClaves. Parents listed as Robert Reddock Labourer and Grace Crawford, both deceased.

The informant was grandson Joseph Douglas which I know to be the Joseph Douglas that William's daughter Annie married in 1856 - making them cousins. (Joseph's mother was a Ruddock as per his records).

In a correction to John's death certificate it is stated that he died from being run down by a horse the day before. His age is also stated on the correction as 86 rather than 84. Such a shame to go that way - especially at that age.

I am still on the lookout for a viable death for William's wife Ann but of course if she died before 1855 then a death/burial record will be few and far between.

As per William's death cert (which I thought I had already posted, but apparently not) his father is Alexander Ruddocks general labourer (deceased) and unknown mother.

My 4th great-grandfather William Owens (1841-1918) lived in Bogside Row (which is possibly on a 'Montgomerie Estate'?) from around 1885 until his death. My understanding is from looking at valuation rolls is that he owned some land (being listed as a proprietor) and there were a few folk living also on the row, with him as landlord. I should mention that as per these valuation rolls, William is an engine driver and as per his death certificate he is a 'colliery engine keeper'.

In 1895 there seems to be six houses there and two attics (I assume it means the same as attic does today) of which he owns both the attics and two houses. In 1905 it looks to be seven houses but it doesn't state if any of them are attics. William owns four.

By 1905 my 3rd great-grandparents James and Elizabeth Stead (née Owens) lived on William's land and as did an uncle of James and his family. My 2nd great-grandmother Catherine Kerr Stead was born in Bogside Cottage in 1901.

It seems as though once William died the land stayed in the family and went to his son in law James Stead who appears to own the four cottages in Bogside in 1920 and 1925. The other cottages owned by someone else seem to no longer exist at this point. It might be worth mentioning that in 1925 James also owned two houses in Gatehead where his son-in-law, William Samson (married to the aforementioned Catherine) lived. My great-grandmother was born here in 1925. The other house was occupied by a John Stead, which I think was probably James's brother.

In the 1930s, things get a bit confusing. James and Elizabeth moved out of the area to Crosshands (about two miles north of Mauchline), but in 1930 and 1935 Elizabeth, rather than James, was the proprieter of the four cottages and one of her tenants was the widow of James's aforementioned uncle. James still owns the two houses in Gatehead, one of which is condemned. In 1935 James now only owns one house in Gatehead which is empty. Elizabeth still owns the four houses in Bogside. Elizabeth dies in 1936, followed by James in 1937. I am not sure what happened with the Bogside houses after this but the house in Gatehead I think must've been knocked down as in 1940 it's in the ownership of William Samson but it listed as a "site for house".

William and Catherine's youngest son, my great-uncle, is still alive and mentioned a while ago having title deeds to a small piece of land which we thought might be related to Bogside or Gatehead, but if it is then I'm not sure why it would go to him, being the youngest child. I will have to speak to him.

My first question is about Bogside itself - I've had a look online and what I can find is very lacking. It seems like some sort of very small settlement that no longer exists. From the 1895 valuation roll it's mentioned that it is on the road from Crosshouse to Gatehead (presumably the B751, visible on google maps).

I suppose my second question, perhaps a bit more difficult to answer, but by what means would an assumedly working class Scot be able to obtain land? I am not sure how a lot of this stuff works so any help would be appreciated!

yes, apologies, should've shared those originally!

#1 his death certificate, no cause of death shown. Informant was grandson James Doolan of Annbank.

#2 register of corrected items, telling us more in detail what happened. It's a bit of a rough read but roughly transcribed:
Went missing from his home Colvingston (Colviston) Farm, Tarbolton on the evening of 24th August 1906. Probably drowned in the River Ayr near that farm, that night. Dead body found on 1st September 1906 in the River Ayr near Auchincruive Bridge (now known as Oswald's Bridge) in the Parish of Coylton.

Cause of death a few lines below is listed as 'Drowning suicidal'.

I can't see any mention of an inquest but if I have missed something do please correct me - also - I have had to compress the second file in order for it to send so if there are any problems with it please let me know.

Apologies for a late response, have been travelling, but thank you both. That does seem about right and is what we think too.