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Thank you for your reply gaffy. I do think he was connected to the Railway. The reason I say this is on the marriage certificates of my GF Isaac and his siblings Adam and Nellie they all say their father was a Railway Guard (Goods).
Helen Barclay McKecnie is my GGM, she did marry a James Davidson in Carluke, they lived at Law Junction and he was a railway Plater, he died in 1887.  I wonder if James knew Isaac snr throgh through the railway.
My GGM Helen was born in Lanarkshire, married James there and lived there.  I am thinking that as my GF was born out of wedlock and his father was from Ireland he wanted his child born there, or maybe the shame for Helen?
GGM Helen had her GM's maiden Barclay, her daughter Helen had her GM's maiden name Barrie.  Traditional thing in Scotland, all of my siblings have family names, as has my grandchildren.  Sometimes this helps in tracing ancestors.
The Glasgow newspaper 1885 I followed up, everything seemed to fit.  I sent to NHS archives for the hospital report which gave me Rosebank Place Cambuslang as his abode, a place not so far from Carluke or Motherwell but I never was able to trace him after that.
William Caldwell and Elizabeth Irwin (father John Irwin a carpenter) married 20/7/1875 in Drumachose Newton Limavady.  William's father was Isaac Caldwell a drover, and mother Margaret Dollas (daulus) who died 1903 in Motherwell Scotland.  William and Elizabeth in 1876 had twins born Cambuslang Scotland, Isaac and Matilda Jane died at 10 weeks.
William's brother Isaac on 1881 cencus married a Jane Watson in Motherwell 1879.  I found in 1891 an Isaac with son James age 12 lodging with the Paterson family in Motherwell, I beleive he is Jane's husband and son named after her father.  Oh dear I have so much knowledge of this family but can not connect it to me!!  Thank you for the westminster avenue details.  That was another thing I done, I tried to get railway records connected to my GGF, none exist for his time frame.  Many thanks gaffy.

My GF Isaac Caldwell was born 1888 in Ballyhackamore, Belfast District, Castlereagh 3 according to his birth certificate.  His father was also Isaac Caldwell same dwelling, a Porter, and Mother Nellie Davidson Caldwell m.s. McKechnie.
I also have my GF's vaccination certificate dated 11th July 1888 which gives Westminster Avenue as his place of birth.
In 1890 my GF is in Carluke Scotland where his brother is born, followed by a sister in 1891, both children are registered by their father Isaac a hammerman, they are living at Nellie's parents house.
My GGF Isaac and GGM Nellie state marriage December 1889 in Motherwell Scotland, no marriage found for them.
There is no record of a death for my GGF Isaac Caldwell in Scotland who is supposed to have died before december 1899 when his mother married again and my GF gains a step father. 

County Down is the only clue I have for my GGF. I wonder if anyone could please help with suggestions as to 
where and how I could locate this elusive Isaac Caldwell. Thank you.

Hi Morag, Yes Ellen McKechnie was my grandfathers Mother and John Wilson was step father to him, his brother Adam and sister Nellie in 1899. In 1901 they stayed in Ratho Midlothian.  My Grandfather is Isaac Caldwell as was his Father whom I have never ever been able to find after 1892, Ellen McKechnie was a Widow in 1899 when she married John Wilson,  she was from Law Village Carluke and John Wilson was from Airdrie at the time.  I have the Will of John Wilson and Margaret Smith of Fortissat Shotts, do you have this? 

Thank you so much for this.  This is indeed the Duncan family although no mention of their parents - obviously some more digging on my part needed and perhaps I can find a link to the next grave. 
John Wilson's parents were John Wilson and Margaret Smith but he was brought up at Cairneyhead by his grandmother Janet while the parents moved to a farm at Shotts. John, my g grandfather, was born 6/5/1848 at Cambusnethan and his second wife Ellen McKechnie died in Bonkle in 19/3/1934.
Any other information gratefully received but once again thanks for this.
regards,
Moragb

John Wilson and Ellen McKechnie are also my GGrandparents.  John died 4/4/1925 at Inglisland Cryndledyke, he is not buried with Ellen in Cambusnethan Cemetery Lair No: 921A,  he may be buried in Shotts where his father and mother had Fortissat House and farm or he may be buried with his first wife Mary Greenhorn in Whitburn.  I hope Morag sees this message, would love to know her connection.