Author Topic: Circumstantial...again (Read 4472 times)

Windsor87 · « **on:** Sunday 23 December 07 22:24 GMT (UK) »

For some time I have been looking at the case of my greatx3 grandfather, James Sinclair.

He was born in about 1825 in the small village of Strichen according to the census information. In 1853 he married Jane Trail, and he died in Pitullie in 1900 aged 75. His father was John Sinclair, a tailor. The problem boils down to the question, who was his mother?

Unfortunately, the informant at death did not know the name of his mother. To add to this, the census data (that which I can find) gives no clue to who his mother could be. Which was rather annoying.

I have recently discovered a death certificate for a John Sinclair. He died in Strichen in 1880 aged 60. I was annoyed to see that it could not possibly be James father. But I thought, could it be his brother? Good news. This John's father was a John Sinclair who was a Tailor. His mother was given as Jean Forbes. I looked for a birth record for this John Sinclair but couldn't find one. I can't find one for James either.

So, what do you think the chances are of James and John being brothers, and of Jean Forbes being the 'mystery mother' of James Sinclair?

Richard Knott · « **Reply #1 on:** Sunday 23 December 07 22:41 GMT (UK) »

I haven't looked at the entry but the index on Scotlands People seems to suggest that John Sinclair married Jean Forbes on 24 Dec 1812 in Strichen.

They are both in Strichen in 1841 (aged 50 and 49) together with Georgina, 9.

Richard

forthefamily · « **Reply #2 on:** Sunday 23 December 07 22:48 GMT (UK) »

On LDS there are two children for a John Sinclair and a Jean Forbes. Extracted birth records rather than christening records.

Marjory 19 Aug 1835 Strichen

William 12 Aug 1832 Strichen

mab

forthefamily · « **Reply #3 on:** Sunday 23 December 07 22:56 GMT (UK) »

I found Marjory Sinclair age 25 in the 1861 Census with a Jane Sinclair age 76. Marjory is her daughter.

Jane is the head of the household and is a Tailor's widow???

Two other people are with them.

John Sinclair age 11 - Grandson
Jane Rattray age 1 - Grandaughter

mab $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$

Windsor87 · « **Reply #4 on:** Sunday 23 December 07 23:00 GMT (UK) »

Quote from: Forthefamily on Sunday 23 December 07 22:56 GMT (UK)

I found Majory Sinclair age 25 in the 1861 Census with a Jane Sinclair age 76. Majory is her daughter.

Jane is the head of the household and is a Tailor's widow???

Two other people are with them.

John Sinclair age 11 - Grandson
Jane Rattray age 1 - Grandaughter

mab $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$

Thanks for your prompt replies.
Jane Sinclair (nee Forbes) died in Strichen in 1869 aged 77. $:-\$
Her father is given as John Forbes (Carpenter) and Jane Forbes.
The informant is her grandson, John Sinclair.

BlackBat · « **Reply #5 on:** Saturday 19 March 11 10:24 GMT (UK) »

Hi there

I was surprised to find that someone else was looking for James and John Sinclair. I am researching the Sinclair family tree and have found a baptism record for John Sinclair 28/6/1790 in Strichen. His father was James and mother Girsel Milne witnessed by Peter Sinclair and Robert Scott. This matches up with the 1841 census. I am planning to trail around the kirk yards to see if there is any more information on the grave stones as the MIs do not appear to be on line.

Windsor87 · « **Reply #6 on:** Saturday 19 March 11 16:04 GMT (UK) »

Hi BlackBat,

I have been to Strichen Kirkyard and there is a stone for some of those Sinclairs. I did transcribe it, but I have managed to lose it. If I remember correctly the stone was for John Sinclair, son of John Sinclair and Jane Forbes. Others were mentioned on it too. The stone is on the right hand side of the cemetery, just within the railings.

As you will see I'm not 100% sure if we are related or not. My great great great grandfather was James Sinlcair. Census material/death records show that he was born in Strichen in about 1825, but sadly whoever registered his death in 1900 didn't know who his mother was. His father was listed as John Sinclair, who was a tailor. There can't have been many tailors in Strichen called John Sinclair in 1825.

Windsor87

BlackBat · « **Reply #7 on:** Saturday 19 March 11 18:42 GMT (UK) »

Hi again

The Sinclairs are my husband's family and James Sinclair was his great, great grandfather so I assume there is a family relationship somewhere. My husband is Bob Sinclair, ex Principal of Banff and Buchan College. His great grandfather was George who had 3 brothers, James, William and Alexander and 3 sisters, Mary (who I believe is buried at Peathill Cemetery), Margaret and Jane.

I'm currently trying to piece together the John Sinclair children and also his siblings if possible. If I find any further information I'll be back in touch. I'm also willing to share any information that I have gathered so far.

Regards

BlackBat

Windsor87 · « **Reply #8 on:** Saturday 19 March 11 19:31 GMT (UK) »

Quote from: BlackBat on Saturday 19 March 11 18:42 GMT (UK)

Hi again

The Sinclairs are my husband's family and James Sinclair was his great, great grandfather so I assume there is a family relationship somewhere. My husband is Bob Sinclair, ex Principal of Banff and Buchan College. His great grandfather was George who had 3 brothers, James, William and Alexander and 3 sisters, Mary (who I believe is buried at Peathill Cemetery), Margaret and Jane.

I'm currently trying to piece together the John Sinclair children and also his siblings if possible. If I find any further information I'll be back in touch. I'm also willing to share any information that I have gathered so far.

Regards

BlackBat

Ah yes - I know who Bob Sinclair is. We must be quite closely related as I've heard my grandfather mention the connection to Bob.
My great grandmother was Isabella Watson Sinclair (1895-1976). I think we are related through one of her brothers? Her father was George Sinclair (1868-1945)?

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