Denholm family of Moffat

[Meriwether]

Can anyone help with a link between William Denholm, who is on the 1841 Census at Holmend, Moffat, to James Denholm who died at Bellsmains, Gorebridge, Midlothian, in 1847. I estimate James to have been about 39 when he died. Could he have been William's brother? All clues gratefully received.

[Maggie1895]

Meriwether, there is a possible pairing - searching Denholm births between 1810 and 1820.  (sorry that's a typo - it was 1800 - 1810 I searched)

9 records came up for James Denholm in a search and 3 for William Denholm - these are the only ones that had parents in common.    That doesn't necessarily mean they are yours - if your James Denholm was one of the other 8, or even not listed at all..

James Denholm, born or baptised  18.09.1808, Currie, Midlothian
Parents: James Denholm and Margaret Ferguson
Ref: 682/00 0020 0283

William Denholm, born or baptised 24.04.1809, Currie, Midlothian
Parents' James Denholm and Margaret Ferguson
Ref: 682/00 0020 0233

You head your post 'Denholm of Moffatt' and if these 2 are linked then it would appear that James stayed in Midlothian and it's William that moved.   No idea if the ages fit with what you have of William?   What might help you identify would be anything else you know of William - marriage?   Death?    If his death was after 1855 you should get some details of his parents so you'd know if your William and the one above could be the same person.   Did he appear in the 1851 or 1861 census?  If he did it should give you a birth place.

If you want to follow these two entries up up, go to Scotland People and search OPR (Old Parish Records) for births and baptisms - you can look at the originals for 5 credits, and the references for each are given.   

[Meriwether]

Thanks for the information, Maggie. I have been looking for James's parents for some time and have tried Scotland's People, etc. I have probably discounted the Currie Denholms but I will research them again.

James actually moved to Peeblesshire and married Elizabeth Ormiston. They had 4 sons: 2 born at Traquair (George and John) and 2 at Borthwick, Midlothian (James and William). All 4 sons were baptised at Borthwick so I am assuming James had lived there before going to Peeblesshire. The family moved back to Midlothian. I know their histories.

Walter Denholm, son of William Denholm of Moffat and Rachel Wilson, married twice. His first wife was Marion Gray who died. George Denholm (son of James) had a daughter called Marion Gray Denholm (known as Minnie). She married and went to Canada. Is the name merely a coincidence do you think? By Scottish naming patterns James's father should have been George.

Also at the address (Loquhariot - a farm) in Borthwick is a William Denholm with his wife Janet Temple with their children. Were they brothers? William died in England so no parents on the death certificate.