William Davidson

[robang66]

Hi:  My gr-gr-grandfather, William Alexander Davidson, was born 10-25-1806 in Scotland - married Margaret Kerr.  His parents are Alexander Davidson and Jean Ross.  He lived in Edinburgh and worked as a chair man.   I cannot find his death certificate, nor do I even know his dod.  I have searched Ancestry, FamilySearch etc. to no avail.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.  R. Nelson

[CaroleW]

Scottish deaths can be found on Scotlands People which is a pay per view website via purchase of credits

www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk 

Deaths up to 31.12.1854 can be found on the Old Parish Registers (OPR's) and from 1.1.1855 they are shown under Statutory Death Registers

Although he lived in Midlothian - the 1851 shows he was b Laggan, Inverness

What is the last census you have found him on?

[loobylooayr]

Hi Carole,

I've found William Davidson on the 1851 Census at William Street, Edinburgh, He's 45 a Chairman (Sedom) place of birth Loggans ? Inverness-shire.
I've been trying yo find this chap in the Post Office Directories but as yet no joy. Also trying to fathom out what Sedom is/was
Looby

[CaroleW]

Just found him in 1861 - occ chairman

[CaroleW]

Still alive and widowed in 1871 - living with daughter.  Occ sheet porter

I suspect Robang66 already has all this info though

So knowing he was still alive in 1871 - you can check SP for his death between 1871-1881

[robang66]

William Davidson was born 25 Oct 1806 in Kingussie Laggan Inverness.  Baptised on 1 November 1806 in Laggan, Inverness.  The latest census record I have is 1871 when he was residing with his daughter and son-in-law, John and Margaret Nowal (Noval) at 51 William Street, Edinburgh St George.  He was a chairman, also known as a street porter.  His wife, Margaret Kerr, had died in 1868 when he moved in with his daughter, Margaret.  After the 1871 census, I have lost track.  I have tried ScotlandsPeople, to no avail.  I checked if he migrated to Australia where his oldest son, Alexander (my great-grandfather) lived in Queensland, and also checked if he moved to Canada, where some of his siblings/children migrated.  Nothing and I'm frustrated.  I know he's dead - just where is he?   Thanks for any help.  R.

[loobylooayr]

I'm puzzled
I thought a chairman sounded like the Chairman of a Bank/Company or something like that. So what was a chairman/ street porter?
Please excuse my ignorance

[robang66]

Thanks but that's what I was hoping for too.  Nothing as grand as that, I'm afraid.  Unfortunately, he was a street porter with a partner either in front or at back, two poles on either side with handles, and they carried people in a 'sedom' along streets that, at that time, were probably two narrow for carriages etc.  r.

[CaroleW]

SP shows only one match in Midlothian for a William Davidson death between 1871-1881 birthyear 1807+- 1yr and that was in 1880

Have you already viewed and discounted that entry?

It was a sedan - sedom is a mis-transcription

a closed chair for one passenger, carried on poles by two bearers. It was commonly used in the 17th and 18th centuries. Sometimes shortened to: sedan