Birth place of Alexander Stewart (born c. 1805). * Completed with thanks*

[Doddie]

I am hoping that somone has a family link to the Alexander Stewart I am researching. I am trying to establish the facts behind his birth. Alexander was married in Cullen Banffshire in 1830. His first wife was Elspet(h) Grant. They went on to have seven children. Alexander and his family lived for quite a few years at Cullen House where he was employed as the gatehouse keeper. He married a second time in 1850. I have managed to find out a great deal about him and the family in general but one aspect of Alexander's life puzzles me. On almost all the documentation I have come across it states that he was born in Urquhart (which I believe is in Morayshire). When Alexander died in about 1883 the informant was his son-in-law Charles Taylor. It states on the death certificate that Alexander's parents were Alexander Stewart and Ann Maclae. The only marriage I have found for two people with those names was in Barony, Glasgow in about 1801 (Ann's surname was spelt 'Maclea'). They had a son Alexander who was born in 1805. I have been trying to find a connection to urquhart - maybe the family moved there when Alexander was very young so he thought he was born there - but with no luck. I think now that only somebody with a family link will be able to clarify things for me. Here's hoping. Apologies, by the way, for the dates mentioned not being precise. I do not have my paperwork in front of me at the moment.

Regards

Doddie

[Sandymc47]

Hi Doddie

I have also found the birth to parents called Alexander and Ann McLea
whose son is called Alexander Stewart but the date is different
to yours.  The one I found was born 31st May 1805 in Glasgow
Many people in those days did move around looking for work
so it would not be impossible for this to be the correct couple.
There are quite alot of Alexander Stewarts born in 1805 but
this one is the only one born with the parents you have mentioned.
Hope this helps
regards
Sandymc

p.s. I have found the marriage of Alexander and Ann and it was
16th January 1803 and as you said Barony, Lanarkshire 

[Sandymc47]

Hi again
Found this Ann with slight spelling mistake but think it is Alexanders Mum

Anne McLae born 14th December 1787 c on 23rd Dec
born in Barony, Lanarks
parents   John and Margaret Houston

You mention that you know alot about Alexander when he was older.
Do you know the names of his children as they normally include a
grandparents name as well??

regards Sandymc

[Doddie]

Hi Sandymc, thanks for getting in touch. Good  spot for Ann's birth. Alexander's children with Elspet(h) were Elcie/Elspeth, Alexander, John (my g.g. grandfather), George, James Duncan, Daniel and William. There were no children from the second marriage. Alexander's father was a weaver, if I remember correctly. Perhaps he might have moved up north for work reasons. I don't suppose I will be able to persue this line of inquiry much further.

Regards

Doddie

[GR2]

The answer is to find Alexander on the census for 1851 and see where he was born! Then check subsequent censuses to make sure he is consistent.

Graham.

[George J]

Hi Doddie,

Bear in mind that the "son-in-law" informant may have been wrong when giving parents names. I had it happen to me. Luckily mine was in more recent times and the erroneous mothers maiden name was easily spotted.

I would suggest any location mentioned in more than one census would be more accurate. Any placename would probably have been supplied by his wife or close family member who would have known is birthplace. Possibly even visited the place.

I also have GRANTs in Arradoul so do you know your Elspeths parents?

Regards
George

[Doddie]

Hi George, no, the frustrating thing is that I have been unable to find  birth or death details for Elspet(h). The best I can do deathwise is between 1845 and 1850 - the birth of her last child (William) with Alexander and the year of Alexander's second marriage. At one point I thought I had found a death of an Elspeth that looked a good 'candidate', but it turned out she was single when she died. Also, I have a correction to make as well, not that it makes much difference. Some of the documentation for Alexander's death in fact points to Urquhart, Invernesshire as well as Morayshire. The whole business becomes more and more confused.

Regards

Doddie

[fifer1947]

Is this Alexander and Elspet's children

ELCIE STEWART -  Birth: 27 JUN 1833 Female Christening: 03 JUL 1833 Cullen, Banff, Scotland
ALEXANDER STEWART Birth: 07 APR 1835 Christening: 03 MAY 1835 Cullen, Banff, Scotland
JOHN STEWART Birth: 14 DEC 1836 Male Christening: 18 DEC 1836 Cullen, Banff, Scotland
GEORGE STEWART Birth: 23 NOV 1838 Christening: 09 DEC 1838 Cullen, Banff, Scotland
JAMES DUNCAN STEWART Birth: 12 JUL 1841 Christening: 08 AUG 1841 Cullen, Banff, Scotland
DANIEL STEWART  Birth: 06 SEP 1843 Christening: 11 SEP 1843 Cullen, Banff, Scotland
WILLIAM STEWART Birth: 16 NOV 1845 Male Christening: 29 NOV 1845 Cullen, Banff, Scotland

[fifer1947]

This explains a lot

1841 Census
6 Records found
Cullen -Banffshire
Address: Deskford Street
STUART       Alexander       M       30       Ag Labourer        Outside Census County (1841)           
STUART       Elspeth       F       30               Banffshire           
STUART       Elcy       F       7               Banffshire           
STUART       Alexander       M       6               Banffshire           
STUART       John       M       4               Banffshire           
STUART       George       M       2               Banffshire

Isn't soundex a wonderful thing!