Alexander Gray

[isobelmacle]

 Alexander Gray. My Grandfather was born about 1880's and am trying to find out info re him. I know where he was in 1901 from his daughters birth certificate . It was a place called Stranathra, Muchalls, Aberdeenshire. Am trying to find him on the Scotlands people web site. Without knowing his place of birth am finding there are pages and pages of Andrew Grays in the 1901 census and of course it costs money.  Where would the nearest census place be for that date. Am new to all this and at times find it very frustating and any info would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in  anticipation.

[MonicaL]

Hi,

Probably best to take it a stage at a time to try and find Alexander. The birth certificate that you have for 1901 will show mother's details and also date and place of parents' marriage. From that you can find the marriage of Alexander and his wife which will include his parents' names to let you try to both find his birth details and family from this, including census entries.

When was the birth that you have in 1901? We might be able to find the family in the 1901 census in the meantime.

Monica 

[isobelmacle]

Unfortunately I can find no marriage between them the mother was a Margaret Jane Petrie and the daughter was Jane Gray(my Mum) born 10/7/1901 at Cowgate, Old Meldrum. Thank you so much for the very quick reply.

[bleckie]

Hi isobelmacle

I did a search on the 1901 census for Aberdeen
search criteria I used was Alexander Gray second person Margaret age range 20-30.

1 1901 GRAY ALEXANDER M 29 ST MACHAR ABERDEEN CITY/ABERDEEN 168/02 045/00 031   
2 1901 GRAY ALEXANDER M 21 ST MACHAR ABERDEEN CITY/ABERDEEN 168/02 011/0A 056   
3 1901 GRAY ALEXANDER M 20 LOGIE BUCHAN (ABERDEEN) /ABERDEEN 216/00 001/00 001

Yours Aye
BruceL

[MonicaL]

Was there no marriage date showing on the birth entry for your mum? It may be that they didn't marry.... Was mother's name Margaret showing as Margaret Janet Gray, maiden surname (m.s.) Petrie or simply Margaret Jane Petrie?

There is a marriage showing on Scotlands People for a couple with these names, but too late, by long way, to be yours mum's parents.

Monica

[isobelmacle]

No my Mums birth certificate reads illegitimate and her Mum was Margaret Jane Petrie. Thank you all for your help your all being so kind.

[MonicaL]

What was the occupation showing for Alexander on your mum's birth cert? I have had a quick look on the 1901 census transcript and not easily seeing anything that helps much at the moment.

Have you managed to trace your grandmother in later years? Did your mum's marriage cert show anything about Alexander that could help you trace him/

Sorry for all the questions!

Monica

[isobelmacle]

Alexander Gray was a Farm Worker as per Mums birth certificate and I have tried to find a marriage certificate for my Grandparents but all to no avail. At the time of Mums birth Grandad stayed at Stranathra Village, Muchalls ?again as per the birth certificate and Grandma had my Mum at Cowgate, Old Meldrum Aberdeenshire. 

[MonicaL]

There is a little bit here on Stranathra and Muchalls http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/h/r/Stuart-Christie/FILE/0006text.txt which were in the parish of Fetteresso in Kincardineshire. Mostly a fishing community from what I can see. Can't easily see much reference there in the 1901 census to the surname Gray but many farm labourers moved around following the jobs so he may not have been originally from there.

Monica