McMinn Mystery Deepens...

[Daisy Loo]

Just another point, that may be totally irrelevant...

But on the Discharge Papers, when Alexander signs up in Sheffield, his occupation is down as "None", which would be rather unusual for a 21 year old surely?  So could indicate he was lying about his age, and he was a lot younger than that.  Just a though 

[Gadget]

Could be - have there been any searches for a later bpt.?

However, as his age at death is consistent, he was either telling the truth or living/dying a lie 

The McMinn name is very much centred on Dumfries and Galloway on the 1881 distribution map, with some in the neighbouring counties.

Are there any other documents at all that give a place of birth?


Gadget

[Gadget]

Just remembered this site:

http://www.old-kirkcudbright.net/

It has some interesting bits and pieces tucked away if you want to spend an hour or so having a read.


Gadget

[Daisy Loo]

Could be - have there been any searches for a later bpt.?

However, as his age at death is consistent, he was either telling the truth or living/dying a lie 

The McMinn name is very much centred on Dumfries and Galloway on the 1881 distribution map, with some in the neighbouring counties.

Are there any other documents at all that give a place of birth?


Gadget

Living/Dying a lie wouldn't surprise me...his daughter Elizabeth, my great great Grandmother was the informant, and even his rank was suspect    

I haven't personally looked for any later baptisms, I don't know if any of the others have or not.

I don't have any other documents as yet that give his place of birth.  What other documents would there be?

[Gadget]

Not sure what documents - I've not read all the thread or the previous ones but I assume that you have him on some censuses in England.

I'll have a quick look for later bpts.


Gadget

[Daisy Loo]

Unfortunatley, I don't have Alexander on one single census   I believe he was in England pre-1851, then went back to Ireland...and he returned to England after 1871, but before 1881, he dies in 1878.

He's been a hard man to track down.  To be honest, I am surprised we have found this much out about him, and delighted.

[Gadget]

I think a wider search of the Galloway area might be called for. If he thought he was born near Kirkcudbright, he could have remembered the area as  a child rather than being actually baptised there.  Tis difficult - we all have them and try all sorts of ways to find out but sometimes the records just aren't there    I have a Robert Roberts b.c. 1822, who's father was John - but can I find him - I've been looking for 8 years and so have various cousins 

It might be that there would be something in the Kirk Sessions minutes but these are not online yet and can only be viewed in Edinburgh, Dumfries or Kirkcudbright at the moment.

Sorry my lurgy seems to be coming back with a vengeance 


Gadget

[Daisy Loo]

Thanks Gadget.

Have a rest so, and take a nice hot toddy, snuggle up and relax...get rid of the lurgy!  My 2 kids have had Gastric flu over the last few days...ah, the laundry!

[Daisy Loo]

Just thought I would share another little discovery made by Dimps...

She has found Alexander McMinn's grave....he was buried in Woolwich (I have the grave number etc, and it's still there), and joining him there in 1893, was his wife, Bridget McMinn...


and....another person was buried there....a John Thomas Wilder, in 1864!!!!