George and Harry Donald

[enfrance]

Thanks, flst. I'm there now. 

Mike

[enfrance]

Due to all the information about Horatio, George/Maggie etc, I rather lost sight of my need to find Harry Gordon Watson Donald.

If anyone could have a shot at finding him I would be very grateful as he is pivotal, being my wife's grandfather. I cannot find his birth record. He was born in 1889 in Banchory Ternan, Kincardine - from the 1891 census aged 3 - and died in Portsmouth in 1966.

His name seems to have developed with the Watson from his mother's side but we don't know where the Gordon name comes from.

His parents - see above - are George and Maggie (Margaret) Donald who lived in Aberdeen. He married Nellie Calder in 1913 in Aberdeen and they had two sons, Harry James Calder Donald and Douglas Donald and a daughter Margaret Helen Donald.

I hope this is enough background.

PS: After all the advice about the IGI I have used it but to no avail in this case

and one last question, is the case that a 'tailor', (today's meaning) could be expressed/spelt as 'Taylor' on a Scottish document? We have a census answer which shows the occupation as 'taylor' and wondered.

Mike

[Flattybasher9]

For info, as Skene is where I live :- Leddach was a small estate of Skene. Basically, the only thing that is left is Leddach House, which is at the Mason Lodge on the main Aberdeen to Alford road, imediatley West of Elrick. You can google it on google maps. There is a video of it on you-tube :-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRJu8VuJ7y8

The name "Leddach" is retained in street names in Westhill and the surrounding area.

Here is a link to the Skene Heritage Society :-

http://www.skeneheritage.org/uploads/3/8/8/9/3889945/newsletter_20.pdf

Horatio and Ann along with their son John is buried at plot 162 of Kirkton of Skene Churchyard.
The inscription reads: In mermory of Horatio Donald, died 29 January 1855 aged 43, his son john, died 7 September 1869 aged 14. his spouse Ann Watt, died 8 december 1881 aged 62.

Regards

Malky

[enfrance]

Hi Malky,

Many thanks for all that information, especially about the sad death of John Donald. Although I had the details the insciption brings it to life.

As if losing Horatio soon after John was born wasn't enough, Ann had to deal with John's death not that long after. I must try to find what he died of. Other relatives living in Aberdeen had died on both smallpox and typhoid fever so things were a bit fraught to say the least.

Thank you for the inscription wording. Someone has offered to take a picture of the headstone as well so as usual Rootschat members excell!

We will be reading the Skene Heritage newsletter with a better insight.

Regards,

Mike

PS; Presumably 'Flattybashing' in some form of Higland game like tossing the caber

[1pds]

You might want to take a look at this Forum Thread about "Donalds":

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,560962.0.html

Regards,

Phil.

[enfrance]

Hi Phil,

MoreGubbins and I are in touch, as they say  .

I found his thread when browsing and he has already been a mine of helpful info.

Many thanks for pointing it out,

Mike

[RedMystic]

As so much work has been done by others, being a local thought I'd do my share.  Mike didn't advise if he'd downloaded the deathe ntry.  I've just done so.

Shows that Horation Donald, aged 43 years,  a farm labourer married to Ann Watt died on 29 Jan 1855.  Died at Crombie Cottage, Blackhill, Parish of Skene.  He'd lived in the parish for 6 years.  had 2 sons george 5 years and Robert 3 years.

Parents:  Charles Donald and Rachel Donald, maiden name Rabbit.  The maiden name, as the entry is of good + quality.

Informant was Robert Watt, brother in law.

Initial cause of death has been crossed out and now looks to be pneumonia of the right lung.

Regards, Steve 

Hi enfrance,

I don't want to hijack your thread, but have a quick question. I wondered if Fattybasher/Malky or someone else from the area can confirm the location of the cottage. I descend from a family (many buried in Kirkton of Skene) who moved to Crommie Cottage, Kingwells between 1881 & 1891 & lived there until the mid 1920s. (Malky generously went & photographed it for me a few months ago. )

On an old map (c.1850 if I recall) the house at what is now referenced as the Kingswells location was noted as Crombie. I assumed the old map contained a typo.

Are these two cottages one & the same?

[Flattybasher9]

Ammended due to further research. See subsequent post.


Regards

Malky

[RedMystic]

Thanks very much Malky. I don't see any family connections between my Bains of Crommie Cottage & enfrance's Donalds/Watts, but thought it was worth a look. I always appreciate your thoroughness.