David Bell 1844

[marynunn]

Hi, I have my great great grandfathers marriage cert showing him marrying in 1869, his father was listed as George Bell (deceased). I believe that he was born in the dundee area but so far have not found out anything more. David was a seaman/mariner and settled in South Shields when he married an Elizabeth Jane Jennings, does anyone know how I can find more details on his birth and his ancestry, thanks Mary

[Gadget]

Hi 

The Scotlands People site is showing only one David Bell baptism with a father George around that time:

7 August 1845 David Bell. Parents George Bell and Marion Gray, Anstruther Wester, Fife

It's a bit further south than Dundee - on the Firth of Forth rather than the Tay :

http://scotlandsfamily.com/parish-map-fife.htm

This might not be him as only Church of Scotland baptisms are recorded on SP

Have you checked the 1851 census for him?  I'll look if you don't have access


Gadget

[marynunn]

Thank you for that, I have tried 1851 census on Genes Reunited but it didn't come up with any responses, I need to find his birth to find out the rest of the tree, thanks for your help regards Mary

[Gadget]

Hi

Here's the family in 1851

I'm having trouble reading their birth places so attach a snip to see if others can work them out:

1851

Brae Head, Kilrenny, Fife
438 ED 1 P 12

George Bell , 61, Carter, b. Grange
Mary, 51,
Helen, 19, Housework
Robert, 17, shoemaker's apprentice
Betsy, 15
Thomas, 11, scholar
David, 5, scholar b. West Anstruther

[marynunn]

Thanks for your help I found him in the 1881 cencus in South Shields and it gives place of  birth Scotland, My Mum seems sure it was Dundee, don't have any further info which is making it harder to find anything else out, I appreciate your help, regards Mary

[Gadget]

Hi Mary 

He is the only one with a father Geroge showing on the 1851 census  that I can find.

Did it give any occupation for his father on his marriage cert. or was he just 'deceased' ?

Who were the witnesses on the marriage cert?

Any clues from his children's names - e.g. were their children named George and Mary/Marion?


Gadget

[breaky]

The 1841 census, not from Scotland's People, has

George Bell, Mill Master, 50. born 1791, Fife, at Pekie Mill (Civil parish St. Leonards), Fife
Mary, his wife, 40, and the rest of the family are given as born in"Fife", although the 1851census has her as born in "Lundree"
Margaret 8
Janet 15
George junior 13
James 11
Helen 8
Robert 6
Betsy 5
Thomas 2

The National Library of Scotland maps have a "Pikie" and a "Peikie", (but no mill) - however, googling using
"Peikie" and "Fife" brings up a "Full text of Ecclesiastical records; selection of the minutes" which has this -

The millars of Peikie, Parke, Kenlie, and Kingfbarne mylnes, appointed to be fummoned to compeir befor the Prefbyterie the nixt day, for ther breke of the Lords day, by making ther mylnes to goe vpon it.

(The millers later appear, are contrite, and their censure is referred to the several kirk sessions where they dwell!)

Breaky

[Gadget]

Hi Breaky

It looks like the same family that I found on the 1851 - see above   

I note that this David Bell is a baker (apprentice) in Kilrenny  on the 1861 but is not on either the 1871 or 1891 censuses in Scotland.

Gadget

[marynunn]

Hi Gadget, the marriage cert shows George Bell deceased no occupation, witnesses were William Mcglashan and Mary Ann Mcglashan. David Bell we don't know if he had any siblings as we have not been able to find out any further info, not even a birth certificate. He had children called Mary Ann, George, Richard and Jane Elizabeth (named after his wife?

I spoke to my mum last night and she is sure he was from Dundee and believes he was from a large family but no one had ever been in contact. She also believes that they weren't catholics, if that gives any extra info. I have been on scotslandspeople sight and not found out anything.

I appreciate your help, regards Mary