Johnnie Walker

[gb58]

Johnnie Walker (as in the whisky) was born Riccarton 25 July 1805.
Does anyone know (or point me in the right direction to find out) if he had any brothers or sisters and if so their names. Family rumour has it that we are descendants of a brother of his.

[daval57]

According to IGI his parents were Alexander Walker and Elizabeth Gemmel.
I've only done a quick search on IGI and ScotlandsPeople but there are no results coming up for other children.

Perhaps the best way to go about this is to research your family backwards and ascertain whether you have Alexander and Elizabeth as ancestors.

Dave

[ev]

hi

welcome to rootschat  

this could be john on the 1841 census(freeCEN)

kilmarnock ayrshire
(all born ayrshire)

john walker 35 grocer
elisabeth walker 30
alexander walker 4
robert walker 2
elisabeth walker 1m

have you seen this site -

http://www.whiskymerchants.co.uk/#/johnniewalker/4527776539

ev

[gb58]

Thanks for your messages ev & daval57.
I have the census details already.
Will try the website you have given me for further information.
I have got as far back as 1830 on my walker line but all live in & around York/Leeds area.  Would be a big jump from Kilmarnock area to Leeds/York in one generation.
Thanks again

[daval57]

Sounds as though you've got a wee family myth.
Console yourself by pouring a double, sit back and enjoy (Although my first choice would not be a Johnnie!  )

Dave (in Glasgow)

Just an afterthought.  Perhaps the family link goes back further, maybe you are related to a brother of JW's father or even further back.    Keep the myth alive.

Good luck with the rest of your research. D

[daval57]

Alexander and Elizabeth were married (or at least the banns were read) in Riccarton on 11 May 1804.  (source IGI)

Unlikely that document, available on SP for a small charge, will show you much detail but might possibly have fathers names, ie JW's grandfather.

Depends on how much you wish to pursue their line to try and find a connection to yours.

There are a few possible births for Alexander on IGI and SP but nothing definite from the few searches I've done.

Have you thought about checking MI's for the area.  Having money, it is quite possible JW had a stone erected for his parents / family?

Dave

[daval57]

I'm probably duplicating your own research, however, just in case, I'm throwing stuff at you.  You never know where you'll find a connection.
Searching for parents, rather than JW himself, I found this which gives their death dates (might narrow down possible MI's) http://www.nndb.com/people/169/000178632/

[gb58]

Thanks for all your help & information Dave.
Your suggestions will be taken up.  I can forsee a trip to Kilmarnock in the summer months!

[daval57]

"summer months" ??!!