Duncan McLaren Grocer

[marymac72]

Duncan McLaren was my GG Grandfather. I believe he was a Grocer somewhere between 1880 and 1907. Not sure if this was in Paisley or Glasgow. I would love to know about his life as a grocer and where his shop was. Is the name familiar to anyone ? Not sure how to proceed with my search.
Thank you
Mary 

[rosie17]

Do you have him in any census forms ? which should tell you what area he was in do you have a date of birth for him ...Was he married or single 

[marymac72]

Hi Rosie,
He was married to Jane McLean and they had a daughter (my Great Gran) Elizabeth Boyle McLaren in 1/1/1880 in Paisley. Thats about as far as i got

Do you have him in any census forms ? which should tell you what area he was in do you have a date of birth for him ...Was he married or single 

[RJ_Paton]

Checking the 1881 census for a family that fits your description draws a blank (or at least I did  ) 
There is one possibility for Elizabeth (but it muddies the waters quite a bit)

Dwelling:   42 Comley Park Street, Glasgow
   
Robert MC MILLAN Head of Household, Age 20 Slater to trade
his wife Maggie MC MILLAN, age 21  and son William age 1 born Glasgow
Boarders
Jane MC LAREN age 23 born Skelmorlie in Ayr
Rel:   Boarder
Occ:   Formerly Dressmaker
Lizzie MC LAREN, age 1 born Paisley   
Rel:   Boarder

If this is your family there is no trace of Duncan

[rosie17]

Checking the 1881 census for a family that fits your description draws a blank (or at least I did  ) 
But there is one possibility

Dwelling:   42 Comley Park Street, Glasgow
   
Robert MC MILLAN Head of Household, Age 20 Slater to trade
his wife Maggie MC MILLAN, age 21  and son William age 1 born Glasgow
Boarders
This same family in 1891 living 28.Lilybank Street Govan Glasgow
Duncan McLaren b Moulin Perthshire 1839 age 52 porter in railway
Jane ........b Skelmorie Ayrshire 1839 age 52
Elizabeth b Paisley 1880 age 11
Grace b 1882 Milngavie age 9
Jane MC LAREN age 23 born Skelmorlie in Ayr
Rel:   Boarder
Occ:   Formerly Dressmaker
Lizzie MC LAREN, age 1 born Paisley   
Rel:   Boarder

If this is your family there is no trace of Duncan

[marymac72]

I'm just looking at birth certificate for Elizabeth and it says born April 27th 1880 and it looks like 17 Sandyholes Paisley. I just looked that up and there is indeed a Sandyholes Street in Paisley !

Checking the 1881 census for a family that fits your description draws a blank (or at least I did  ) 
But there is one possibility

Dwelling:   42 Comley Park Street, Glasgow
   
Robert MC MILLAN Head of Household, Age 20 Slater to trade
his wife Maggie MC MILLAN, age 21  and son William age 1 born Glasgow
Boarders
This same family in 1891 living 28.Lilybank Street Govan Glasgow
Duncan McLaren b Moulin Perthshire 1839 age 52 porter in railway
Jane ........b Skelmorie Ayrshire 1839 age 52
Elizabeth b Paisley 1880 age 11
Grace b 1882 Milngavie age 9
Jane MC LAREN age 23 born Skelmorlie in Ayr
Rel:   Boarder
Occ:   Formerly Dressmaker
Lizzie MC LAREN, age 1 born Paisley   
Rel:   Boarder

If this is your family there is no trace of Duncan

[RJ_Paton]

Sandholes Street - it's in the west end of Paisley

It looks like the boarders could be your Elizabeth and her mother as Jane is listed as a Dressmaker on her wedding Registration details.

[marymac72]

Ah you have seen wedding certificate, brilliant I have just seen their marriege details on Elizabeths birth certificate and looks like 1879 and i think it says John St Glasgow. For Duncan it looks like under occupation looks like special assistant (whatever that means) I wonder where he was then !!

17 Sandholes Street

It looks like the boarders could be your Elizabeth and her mother as Jane is listed as a Dressmaker on her wedding Registration details.

[rosie17]

This is a bit of a jumble in the 1901 census with birth years and places so maybe 
Duncan McLaren b 1859 Pitlochrie /Pitlochry Perthshire age 42 ship yard redbader ?
Jane McLaren b 1864 Skelmorie age 37 domestic servant
Lizzie McLaren b 1882 Skelmorie Renfrews age 19 domestic servant
Living 54 Fairfield Street Govan