Gertrude M. Ayton & John Robert Copland

[RedMystic]

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,579594.0.html

Hi Chatters,

I had hoped my request would be a simple one so placed it in the Common Room several days ago. I've put the link here so you can see the great finds that have been made.

I am looking for information on Gertrude M Ayton. According to family lore she was an actress. Helpful Chatters did prove that out (and it appears she was quite active), but were not able to find a biography, photo, or an obituary; things one might expect to find for an actress.

The more I look for her, the more I'm beginning to think that "Gertrude Ayton" might be a "stage name". I can't find a record of her.  (Hmmmm, perhaps 1911 census might hold a trace. )

In order to come at the search from a different direction, I'm hoping someone can find her husband's obituary in the Edinburgh papers. He was a dentist of some repute as he started the first Scottish blood transfusion service.

John Robert Copland
Birth 14 Mar 1889 in Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland
Death 19 Mar 1949 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

Family records show that he married Gertrude in 1916 (SP).

The family home was at 22 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh.

An obituary for John might provide some indication as to Gertrude - at least whether she was alive at the time of his death. Are obituaries for that period in Edinburgh's history available on-line?

Thanks in advance for any assistance that can be provided.

[MonicaL]

Hi Redmystic

You always have good mysteries and interesting people!

Just a point on the marriage you mention. Doesn't appear they married in Scotland going by this comment:

According to the data I have from ScotlandsPeople, GRO, etc., Gertrude Margaret Ayton married John Robert (Jack) Copland in 1916, in Gloucester. Jack was born in Lerwick in 1889 and died in Edinburgh in 1949. He was a dentist who started the Scottish blood transfusion service, for which he received the MBE, according to the King's Birthday Honours List of  1945.

I've been looking in vain for information about and photos of Ms Ayton, and would greatly appreciate being notified if anyone finds such, particularly a photo. In the meantime I'll keep looking and will post here if I find anything.

There is a child showing as born the following year in Gloucester, with mother's maiden showing as Ayton.

Monica

[hugatree]

Did anyone pas you this link to a newspaper pantomime review Dec 19 1921. It;s the column about the Edinburgh pantomime.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19211219&id=6ZdAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=N6UMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5853,5697397

[groom]

Here is the marriage

Marriages Sep 1916   

Ayton    Gertrude M    Copland    Gloucester    6a   692    
Copland    John R    Ayton    Gloucester    6a   692   

That might give you her father's name

[MonicaL]

There is no mention of John Robert Copland's wife on his death notice. Just his son, as mentioned born in 1917. Death date slightly different, 29 March 1949. Service was at Warriston Crematorium (We need to take some care here. John and Gertrude's son was still alive in 2008 at a fine age and commemorating his father and his effort for the Scottish Blood Transfusion Service on a BBC report).

Can't easily see a death for Copland/Ayton on SP before this date.

Monica

Added: Just in case it turns out to be relevant....Can't see a death as mentioned, can't see a divorce...but there is a possible marriage in 1950, the year after JR's death in London for a Gertrude M Copland in London.

[RedMystic]

Did anyone pas you this link to a newspaper pantomime review Dec 19 1921. It;s the column about the Edinburgh pantomime.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19211219&id=6ZdAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=N6UMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5853,5697397

Thank you hugatree. I really appreciate you helping with the search!    That link was provided in the Common Room, so you might not have seen it. (It is getting a wee bit complicated with two threads going at the same time.)

[RedMystic]

There is no mention of John Robert Copland's wife on his death notice. Just his son, as mentioned born in 1917. Death date slightly different, 29 March 1949. Service was at Warriston Crematorium (We need to take some care here. John and Gertrude's son was still alive in 2008 at a fine age and commemorating his father and his effort for the Scottish Blood Transfusion Service on a BBC report).

Can't easily see a death for Copland/Ayton on SP before this date.

Monica

Added: Just in case it turns out to be relevant....Can't see a death as mentioned, can't see a divorce...but there is a possible marriage in 1950, the year after JR's death in London for a Gertrude M Copland in London.

Thanks Monica, for this report back on the obit for John. Is it possible, if I provide you an e-mail address in a PM to get a copy of that sent?

Also, are more recent obits in Edinburgh available on-line? I wondering, given that Gertrude & John's son, J was 90 in 2008, if he may have passed away since then & if so, if his obit may lead to some hints about his mother. (I didn't know he existed before I made the inquiry about Gertrude in the Common Room.)

Hmmmmmm. I wonder if an obit for Gertrude exist somewhere, perhaps under her 2nd married name .

[MonicaL]

Can't see if John and Gertrude's son may have already died...SP's index is only up to 2009.

Monica

[MonicaL]

  http://announce.jpress.co.uk/8883543?s_source=jpsc_scot

Also http://scotblood.scot.nhs.uk/early_years.asp