John Davidson where have you gone??

[lilly14]

Hello Everybody
I'm looking for a John Davidson no idea when born, if he married or where he lived o when he died. This is all I have to go on from his son's records. He's not  listed on any census records with his son either William is down on 1851 census with William and May Davidson in Auchinhalrig Bellie and stated as nephew and in 1861 with William and May again in Port Tannachy banffshire as there grandson which is likely to be correct? John is not listed with William and May in 1841 census have searched for a birth marriage and death in morayshire and banffshire and dont no where else to try. Is John William's son or brother ? or should I just leave it at that? suggestions/tips much appreciated.

Fiona

[loobylooayr]

Hi Fiona.

Do you know who William Davidson's mother was?

Looby 

[loobylooayr]

Silly me.....just moved along the documents you have attached and seen the names - Ann Simpson/Diana Simpson. 

Looby

[loobylooayr]

Hi again Fiona.
Can I ask - what is the first record you have attached ? Is it a baptism (OPR) and if it is which Parish is it in please?

Have you noticed this baptisim - https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQ74-W8Q
Alexander Johnston or Simpson born 8th July 1845 bapt. 22nd Jul 1845 to John Johnston and Diana Simpson at  Birnie, Morayshire .
Same mother's name ....could there be a connection 

Looby

[lilly14]

Hi
 its an OPR baptism  in Drainie Morayshire in 1847. I've  not seen the other baptism I've  only searched  john/diana for possible  other siblings or marriage but not found anything. I haven't  looked much at Diana as I've  been trying  to pinpoint  John so I'll have a look at that.

Thankyou
Fiona

[loobylooayr]

I wonder if William's parents were not married. Certainly on his marriage certificate 'Ann' Simpson is not recorded as Davidson then m.s. Simpson as is the usual when parents are married.
Looks like William's mother did not play much of a role in his life - perhaps she died??

Looby

[loobylooayr]

There are 2 Diana Simpsons on the 1841 Census
a 12 year old female servant on a farm at Birnie working for a Margaret Johnston and her 15 year old son John Johnston.....possible candidates for for parents for the 1845 birth of Alexander.
The other girl is 14 and living with her family at Drainie Parish - Lossiemouth.

[Millmoor]

Hi

Further to the above from Looby the 1851 census has
John Johnston unm. 26 Farmer 25 acres b Elgin
Margaret Johnston wid 47 b Elgin
Alexander son 5 b Moray
Address Rashcrook, Birnie (same as 1841 census).

Then there is this death notice in the Elgin Courant and Morayshire Advertiser 18 July 1851. " At Rashcrook, parish of Birnie, on the 8th inst., Mr John Johnston, aged 28 - much regretted".

The census entry would seem to confirm the implication from the wording of the birth for Alexander that he was illegitimate.

Have you tried looking at the libindx for John and Diana?

William

[Millmoor]

Hello again

I note that William Davidson b 1847 place of birth is given as Lossiemouth in the 1861 census. This might lead to the Diana Simpson in Drainie as being his mother. She is showing as a servant in the 1851 census and would appear to have married in 1852.

I have to say that I have lost count of the number of illegitimate births I have found in my own family in Moray and Banffshire in this period and very often the parents subsequently married but not to each other!

William