strachan and Martin of Hamilton, Scotland

[paul_mc]

I'm looking for some help

Here's what I have so far

Margaret HARRIS born Hamilton, Lanarkshire 1807 (No actual birth date or location confirmed)

she went on to marry James Strachan November 6th 1825 Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

They then went on to have 2 kids

Peter born May 17 1830, Hamilton Lanarkshire
Indexed as 'Strachine' in the 1841 Census

and

Ann Strachan
Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK
Feb 27 1828 - I have no further info on Ann but would love some.

At some point Margaret and James divorced - I have no information on that

and she went on to remarry

I have no other info on James - No idea what became of him. Did he die and that's why she remarried or did they part company?

She then married Robert Martin (Birth Moffat, Dumfries Jan 23 1803) who already had 2 kids Mary (B.1829) and John (B. 1831) I have no idea who the mother was of these children but would like to.

I have no idea what became of these children

As a couple Margaret and Robert had 4 children in Hamilton - however 2 must have died young

Elizabeth b.1832 - must have died young
Ann kelly Martin - b 1836 - Appeared on various census's but no record of what happened to her - did she marry? have kids?
Janet b.1838 - Again appears on census' but no idea of what became of her
Margaret 1841 - fails to appear in furure census' so I fear she died young.

Can anyone help me with this

I should mention James Strachan's son Peter is my ancestor.

Thanks in advance

[MonicaL]

Hi Paul

Divorce at this time highly improbable. Very likely that James Strachan died and Margaret remarried. Lots of social history, covering all sorts of topics here www.gla.ac.uk/schools/socialpolitical/research/economicsocialhistory/historymedicine/scottishwayofbirthanddeath/.

Just adding link to previous post as this helps everyone in seeing what has already been found http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=718479.0

One key note from Alastair there which is useful here now;

The younger James died sometime between 1830 and 1834 in Hamilton, Glasgow. His son Peter Strachan was born 17th May 1830 in Hamilton (indexed as Strachine in the 1841 Census) and James was not described as "deceased" then. His widow Margaret Martin married another Journeyman Shoemaker named Robert Martin. Their marriage was proclaimed in Hamilton on 15th December 1834. Hope this helps. Regards, Alastair MacDonald

Monica 

[MonicaL]

Just re-reading that other post.  The main problem you will have is finding any trace of James' death unfortunately. Burial/death details in the OPRs are the worst reported (and even then only about a third of all events show on the remaining OPRs for lots of reasons).

Can I ask something? How have you made the connection between James Strachan, father of Peter, to the couple in Forres who had a son James in 1804?

One thing you could consider is checking local cemeteries' monumental inscriptions. However, there may be no record of that either unfortunately. Not everyone could afford a stone, or stones don't survive over time. Worth checking though.

The most obvious cemetery for the Hamilton area is Bent Cemetery. Some details here www.lanarkshirefhs.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=176.0

Monica

[MonicaL]

As a couple Margaret and Robert had 4 children in Hamilton - however 2 must have died young

Elizabeth b.1832 - must have died young
Ann kelly Martin - b 1836 - Appeared on various census's but no record of what happened to her - did she marry? have kids?
Janet b.1838 - Again appears on census' but no idea of what became of her
Margaret 1841 - fails to appear in furure census' so I fear she died young.

If Margaret and Robert Martin married in 1834, daughter Elizabeth born c. 1832 is possibly James Strachan's daughter given the dates?

You have this I am sure, just for background here, the family entry in 1841:

Robert Martin 35 shoemaker b. Scotland
Margaret Martin 36 Tambourer
John Martin 10
Mary Martin 12
Ann Martin 5
Janet Martin 3
Peter Strachan 11
Margt Cunninghan 85 Pauper

Address: New Wynd Hamilton

From this list, there looks to be only two likely Martin/Harris children? You mentioned more? Given they went on to have a daughter Ann Martin, likely Ann Stachan b. 1828 died young and before the birth of Ann Martin c. 1836. Can't see an Elizabeth born c. 1832 nor a Margaret born c. 1841?

Monica

[MonicaL]

Possible entry for Robert's daughter Mary's birth in Hamilton. Family Search is playing up to copy the link, but the details on there show as:

Mary Lucan Mairtin
christening: 24 June 1829, HAMILTON, LANARK, SCOTLAND
father: Robert Mairtin
mother: Elisabeth Wright

Marriage or Banns showing as:

Elisabeth Wright & Robert Mairten
marriage: 4 January 1829 Hamilton, Lanark, Scotland

Original images as you know are available to view on Scotlands People.

Monica

[MonicaL]

Last one for now 

From Margaret Harris' death entry, what were the names given for her parents?

Monica

[paul_mc]

Monica this is fantastic

I've gone back and all of the dates match so Elizabeth Wright was the children's mother - I could never have found this out without you as the spelling of Roberts surname changes slightly with each entry.

Margarets parents were Thomas Harris (1783 - ?) and Anne Harris born Cunningham (1785 - ?)

Anne's mother and there for Margaret's Grandmother was called Margaret Cunningham (1756 - ?) I suspect she is who you found on the 1841 census living with her granddaughter and her family

Anything else you can add would be appreciated

[Forfarian]

Do you have some definite evidence to prove that James Strachan, born 1804 in Forres, is the one who married Margaret Harris?

[paul_mc]

Hey all

This thread is still unresolved so I'm hoping for some more help....

James Strachan (B. 16 Feb 1804) who married Margaret Harris - I just can not find a death for him anywhere - Now I'm wondering if he died in service overseas?

Can anyone help me out?