Using DNA to find Scottish GR-GR-Grandfather in Renfrewshire

[carolineasb]

Was just wondering if anyone has checked whether the records of the Industrial School in Albion Street still exist?  Maybe more info in those if they do exist?

[anne_p]

I'm pretty rubbish at Maths so can someone please confirm this calculation?

20 Oct 1914
States he is 43yrs and 120 days
1914- 43=  20 Oct 1871

deduct another 120 days

to start of Oct = 19 days
Sep                = 30
Aug                = 31
Jul                  = 31
Jun                 =   9
Total                120

Date 22 Jun 1871

The missing William was born 22 Jun 1870

The 1901 marriage for William Reid and Elizabeth Alexander took place 22 Jun 1901
Therefore it seems that whoever he was, he married on his birthday?
His age says 27yrs but the 1901 census just prior to this. says 29yrs

[carolineasb]

I note that in his distinguishing marks it appears to read "Tattoos WR right forearm odd marks left forearm and hand "JR"

[ladyk]

It seems that years of birth were so often wrong, esp in census records. The fact that his age comes back to 22 June indicates to me that this is Caroline's William Reid. I found another woman on ancestry who has William and his wife and children on her tree, but so many of her associations are incorrect, that I'm pretty sure she is combining my William Reid's identity with another one. However, some of her William's children's names are the same, and she has photos of some of them. I have messaged her to clarify what she can prove and what is only supposition on her part to try to determine if these photos are Caroline's William Reid's children. Not holding my breath.

[ladyk]

I note that in his distinguishing marks it appears to read "Tattoos WR right forearm odd marks left forearm and hand "JR"

"JR" were his grandfather's and brother's initials. Seems kind of odd to have those initials tattooed, but who knows.

[anne_p]

I am going to the GRO tomorrow and will look for :
The death of Caroline's father John Reid
Will also  search for the death of William Reid who married Elizabeth Alexander in 1901 to see if the parent  details on this differ from those listed his marriage.

With any luck, William was Caroline' son and whoever registered his death would have known this

[ladyk]

Wonderful, Anne! I did communicate with the woman on ancestry who has William Reid and Elizabeth Alexander as her ancestors. According to her figuring, this William's son John is her grandfather. I told her of my current theory that William who married Eliz Alexander might be the child of Caroline Reid. She replied that it would make sense, since she has searched for his parents, William Reid and Eliz McVay or McKay, and cannot find hide nor hair of them. IF this does turn out to be Caroline's William it will be extra fun because this woman has a photo of Elizabeth Alexander as an elderly woman, and of several of their children, including her grandfather. She too is awaiting any further news that might come to light about William, so I will report anything found on your expedition! Unfortunately, this woman has not had her dna done, so I can't tell if we are dna cousins or not, but if her William Reid is Caroline's son, that would make us first cousins 3x removed... I think, I have to look at that to confirm.  Fingers crossed that William turns out to be the son of Caroline Reid!!

[anne_p]

I have located the death of Caroline's father.
He died in 1865 in Bathgate which means that his 2nd wife Hannah Geddes was a widow when she died in 1870.
 ( Her DC says "Married to John Reid rather than"Widow of John Reid")

I also located the 1938 death of the man named William Reid.
This is the man from the WW1 papers which show that his DOB worked out to 22 Jun 1871.
 This William Reid married Elizabeth Alexander in 1901 stating parents as:
William Reid and Elizabeth McVey

His son William, was the informant to his  1938 death.
No father was named on the DC
Mother: CAROLINE REID ( Bleacher)

It would seem that the "parents" named William Reid and Elizabeth McVey on his marriage... were a fabrication after all

[anne_p]

I have located the death of Caroline's father.
He died in 1865 in Bathgate which means that his 2nd wife Hannah Geddes was a widow when she died in 1870.
 ( Her DC says "Married to John Reid rather than"Widow of John Reid")

I also located the 1938 death of the man named William Reid.
This is the man from the WW1 papers which show that his DOB worked out to 22 Jun 1871.
 This William Reid married Elizabeth Alexander in 1901 stating parents as:
William Reid and Elizabeth McVey

His son William, was the informant to his  1938 death.
No father was named on the DC
Mother: CAROLINE REID ( Bleacher)

It would seem that the "parents" named William Reid and Elizabeth McVey on his marriage... were a fabrication after all