Downie Family, of Kirkcaldy.

[pityackafromblyth]

I am trying to trace family who originated from Kirkcaldy, and who moved to the North East of England, I believe prior to 1900.  The christian names of the parents are not known, but they had 9 children. One was Sarah Jane Downie, who was born in 1884(@ Kirkcaldy), and who was my paternal grandmother.  She had sisters: Annie, Ella, Lizzie,Joanna, and Polly; also a brother(Christian name not known) who was a seaman, believed drowned at Bilbao, Spain, and buried there.  As regards the other 2 siblings, not known whether they were brothers, or sisters.  I think, possibly, all the children may have been born in Fife, before the whole family moved down to England, where they settled in the NE, and lived there lives there.  Any information, or suggestions as to where to start looking would be appreciated.  Initially I thought one spot - Kirkcaldy- but there is Kirkcaldy Burgh, and 2 other sites relating to areas around the burgh.

[weemanswife]

Hi

You could start by going to the Scotlandspeople website where you can buy credits.  £6 will get you the copies of about 5 certificates.

They have a Sarah Jane Downie born 1884 in the district of Kirkcaldy/Abbottshall.  The birth certificate will give you the name of parents, address where born & also the date of marriage of parents.

Regards
weemanswife

[weemanswife]

Hi

I don't know if this is your family

1901 Census  -  Alexander Downie  born Scotland  aged 59
                          Margaret Downie  born  Blyth, Northumberland  aged 51
                          Johanna Downie    aged   26
                          Sarah J Downie   aged 16
                          John Downie aged  15
                          Fannie Downie  aged 12
                          Ella  Downie  aged 11
                          Elizabeth Downie aged 10
                          Fred Ravenburn aged 18   Nephew
                          Alexander Downie son aged 24

They were living in Blyth, Tynmouth, Northumberland and all the family except Sarah and her Father seem to have been born in Northumberland.

Regards
Weemanswife

[weemanswife]

Hi Again,

Just had to look up Sarah's birth on Scotlandspeople.  She was born on the 10 April 1884 at 397 High St., Kirkcaldy, Fife in the District of Kirkcaldy & Abbotshall.  Father is Alexander Downie (Seaman, Merchant service) & Margaret Robson.  They married in England on the 17th May 18....  It is very hard to read as the writing is not very good. If you send me your e-mail address I will send a copy of the Birth certificate.

 

[ev]

hi all 

freeBMD has a possible marriage for them 2nd quarter 1869 tynemouth

the IGI has -
1881 earsdon northumberland(all born blyth northumberland)
margaret downie 30 sailors wife
thomas downie 10 son
jannie downie 7 dau.
margaret downie 5 dau.
alexander downie 3 son
george M(offat ?) downie 1 son

ev

[NorrieG]

The IGI gives that there was an
Alexander Downie born 14.3.1841 in Abbotshall
to a Thomas Downie & Jean Robb
from the IGI additional family of
 Thomas Downie, & Jean Robb

JANE DOWNIE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Birth: 18 AUG 1826 Abbotshall, Fife, Scotland

 THOMAS DOWNIE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Birth: 05 JAN 1828 Abbotshall, Fife, Scotland

 JAMES MILL DOWNIE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Birth: 14 FEB 1831
 
 WILLIAM DOWNIE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Birth: 14 FEB 1831
 
AGNESS DOWNIE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Birth: 29 OCT 1833

ISABELLA DOWNIE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Birth: 28 OCT 1836

ALEXANDER DOWNIE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Birth: 14 MAR 1841 Abbotshall, Fife, Scotland

JOAN DOWNIE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Birth: 07 MAY 1846

NorrieG

[NorrieG]

Family in 1841 Census Abbotshall
Linktown High Street


Thomas Downie M 35 Linen Hand Loom Weaver born Outside Census County      
Jane Downie 35 b Fife
Jane Downie  14  Linen Hand Loom Weaver           
Thomas Downie 13 Linen Hand Loom Weaver           
William  Downie 10  b Fife       
James Downie  10  b   Fife       
Agnes Downie  7 b Fife       
Isabella Downie 4 b Fife       
Alexr.  Downie  2m  b Fife
( note Thomas Downie was not born in Fife)
NorrieG

[ev]

looks like alexander downie born c1841 is on the 1891 and 1911 census
(died 4th quarter 1911 tynemouth ?)
it just might mention his bithplace in scotland 

failing that his marriage or death cert. would hopefully give a fathers name and
occupation

just to add to the census NorrieG found -
freeCEN website 1851 census
high street abbotshall fife(all born abbotshall fife exept thomas senior)
thomas downie 49 widower -  linen weaver born dundee angus
william downie 20 wright(apprentice)
james downie 20 linen weaver
agnes downie 17 factory spinner
isabella downie 14
alexander downie 10

ev

[pityackafromblyth]

Thank you all for the information, as you have come up with the correct family.  They lived in Blyth, Northumberland, and at the time Blyth was under Tynemouth for local government;and as regards C of E Earsdon was the parish which covered Blyth.  In the early 1900s, possibly about 1911, Blyth merged with Cowpen and they became Blyth town council/borough.  I always thought that Frederick Ravenburn was a family friend, as he lodged with my paternal grandparents, before or during WWI.  However, he is shown on the census as a nephew.  He was lost at sea in the Baltic, in 1919, when his ship went down with all hands. I have recently seen a probate notice which showed that one of the Downie daughter's was granted probate.  We assume that she may have been engaged to him.  The ship he was on was the steamer "FLUSH", which had an Inverness connection.
Many thanks to you all.