Alexander Smith:died 1868, Busby

[bmanson]

Looking for any information re origins of Alexander Smith who married Agnes Stewart in 1856 in Busby; parents listed as James Smith, farmer, and Sarah TEAS (not shown as deceased). On the 1861 census he was shown ('Alew' Smith) living at Mainstollnewland, Eastwood with wife Agnes and children Mary, James, and Sarah.
Alexander, a mason, died of pneumonia September 1868 in Busby, leaving wife Agnes with 6 children (cannot locate them on the 1871 census).
Agnes remarried to widower Thomas Wilson in Dec 1872 in Busby, and then emigrated to Massachusetts by 1886.
Been stuck on Alexander and his parents for a decade. Any suggestions or help would be immensely appreciated. Thanks
Brian in Toronto

[MonicaL]

Hi Brian

Alexander showed in 1861 as born in Neilston, Renfrewshire. Wonder if it could have actually been Ireland? There is this entry in 1841:

Mrs Smith 40
Elisa Smith 15
Alexander Smith 15
Janet Smith 15
Sarah Smith 14
Mary Smith 12
William Smith 15

Address: Gateside, Neilston, Renfrewshire

All the Smiths show as being born in Ireland.

From a quick check on IGI www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true there was this member submitted entry:

William A. SMITH b. 4 MAR 1822 Ireland   
Parents: James SMITH and Sarah TEASE

Also an IGI submitted entry for his marriage in Raphoe, Donegal in 1862 and death in 1905 (death place not shown).

I also found this http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~sheehan/notes.html which seems to be someones genealogy notes (which are confusing if you don't have the whole story  ) but there is a reference there to a daughter (I think!) of James Smith and Sarah Teas.

Monica

Added: See you have some of this already http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/IRELAND-ROLL-CALLS/2001-09/0999971762

[bmanson]

I strongly agree that the family probably was from Ireland, and judging by the 1841 census, father James might have passed away by that date.

In death information on William (death in Donegal) is very interesting.

Tracking any Smiths and Stewarts in Scotland is tough enough; add in Ireland and it almost is a lost cause.

Thanks very much for your efforts.

[MonicaL]

Brian, not sure if that death in 1905 for William was in Ireland, place of death is not shown, just place of marriage and other entry for birth.

Monica 

[MonicaL]

There is a death cert showing for an Elizabeth Gailey in Mason, New Hampshire in 1899 on the LDS pilot site, parents James Smith and Saray Teys. Elizabeth shows as having been born in Ireland. http://search.labs.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=home

Monica

Added: Elizabeth and husband William GALEY show in Mason, Hillsborough, New Hampshire on the 1880 census.

[MonicaL]

The marriage on IGI:

Elizabeth SMITH and William GAILEY Marriage on 9 August 1844 in Neilston.

At least three children show as born in Neilston between 1845-8.

Monica

[MonicaL]

Sorry about all the dribs and drabs of info!

The Smith family, I think, left for the US after 1848? Alexander must have come back in time for his 1856 marriage.

There is an 1850 US census entry in Suffolk, Massachusetts:

Robert Smith 28, slater b. Scotland
Sarah Smith, 51 b. Scotland
Jane Smith, 25 b. Scotland
Wm Gailey b. Ireland
Elizabeth Gailey b. Ireland
James, 4 b. Mass
Eliza, 3 b. Mass
Infant 2 months b. Mass
Alexander Smith, 23 stone cutter b. Scotland

A bit of a mish mash on birth places I would say....

Monica

[bmanson]

Monica,
Wow. You certainly know how to dig. Great!

I will follow this up.

Thank you VERY much
Brian