Help finding James Nicol's parents in Abbotshall

[CanadaScot]

I require some assistance and advice in finding Jame Nicol's parents, distant ancestors of mine.

Based on age records from the marriage registers in the OPRs, I know that James Nicol was born in approximately 1820. Upon doing a familysearch.org search in Fife, there is more than 1 James Nicol coming up in the results born around 1820.

He married Jane Ormrod in 1842 and had two children, Janet and William. Sometime between 1845 and 1851 Jane either died (cannot find death record) or they were divorced (can they do that back in the mid-1800's?). He remarried in 1851 (I believe) to Christian (Christina) Fraser and had more children.

Based on this information, I considered that I could locate his statutory death register and confirm the identity with the name of his spouse. Using that record, I could then find his parents' names. I had success, and located the death record with the spouse Christina Fraser and witness by his son W. Nicol. However, upon looking at the parent name section - it is blank.

I am at a loss of how to move forward on this part of the tree and need advice. Should I hire someone in Scotland? I am not sure what other resources are available to me from Canada.

I would appreciate any and all advice. Thank you in advance!

[GR2]

There is a James Nicol, 31, flaxdresser, b. Abbotshall living in Watery Wynd, Abbotshall in 1851 along with two children, both born in Abbotshall (Jessie, 8, and William, 6). Is this him?

It is far more likely that his first wife had died. Divorce was not a serious proposition for most of the population in the 19th century.

As to his parents, if he remarried before 1855, there will not be a statutory marriage certificate which would name his parents. Perhaps the witnesses to the baptisms of his children might give a clue (if the records survive). He might possibly appear with his parents at the time of the 1841 census.

[robo196]

hi there just been on find my past there are three james nicols born fife kircaldy/limekilns the two in kircaldy are the same person I think one shows 1818/the other 1820 both with the same parents the other in limekilns born 1819
the first two father james nicol mother Isabel greig
the other 1819 father Thomas nicol mother Isabel peddie

[robo196]

James Nicol Head Widower Male 31 1820 Flax Dresser Abbotshall, Fife, Scotland
Jessie Nicol Daughter Unmarried Female 8 1843 Scholar Abbotshall, Fife, Scotland
William Nicol Son Unmarried Male 6 1845 Scholar Abbotshall, Fife, Scotland
is this them the only difference jessie instead of jane

[GR2]

Jane is dead by this time. Jessie is a form of Janet. She's the daughter.

[isobelw]

In 1861 there is a 13 year old daughter called Helen living with James and Christina. In 1851 3 year old Helen is living with John Duncan and his wife Ann N Duncan in East Wemyss, described as their niece. They also have a 10 year old son William Duncan with them, born Wemyss. From Familysearch William seems to be the son of John Duncan and Ann Nicol who is likely a sister of your James. She appears to have died in 1874 (Ancestry index for Ann Nicol or Duncan). Perhaps her death cert will have parents named.
Isobel

[Rosinish]

Good find Isobel....

The death for Ann definitely worth a look.

Isn't it great when other family members are in households on census night 

Annie

[buckhyne]

Here is my contribution but it’s all conjecture.
This is from the IGI
Name            Robert Nicol
Spouse:   Agnes Irvine
Event Date:   21 Aug 1815, Abbotshall, Fife, Scotland

Name           Elisabeth Nichol
Gender   Female
Birth:   03 Nov 1816, ABBOTSHALL, FIFE, SCOTLAND
Father:   Robert Nichol
Mother:   Agnes Irving

Is this the above Elizabeth with most of her siblings.
Bear in mind the 1841 census rounds ages up or down.
1841 census: Newtown, Abbotshall, Fife, Scotland
Andrew   Nicol   20   1821   Fife, Scotland   
William   Nicol   15   1826   Fife, Scotland   
Betsy   Nicol   25   1816   Fife, Scotland   
Jane   Nicol   25   1816   Fife, Scotland   
Margt   Nicol   20   1821   Fife, Scotland   
Mary      Nicol   15   1826   Fife, Scotland

Is James one of the family but living on his own.
1841 census: Linktown, High Street, Abbotshall, Fife, Scotland
David   Oliphant   20   1821   Fife, Scotland   
Margt   Oliphant   25   1816   Fife, Scotland   
Durham   Robertson   35   1806   Fife, Scotland   
Cathrn   Robertson   77   1764   Fife, Scotland   
Wm   Cooper   60   1781   Fife, Scotland   
Elizabeth   Cooper   60   1781   Fife, Scotland   
James   Nicol   20   1821   Fife, Scotland   

Two James Nicol
1881 census: 199, Links Street, Abbotshall, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland
James   Nicol   Head Married   60    1821   Flax Dresser   Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland   
Christian   Nicol   Wife  Married   58    1823   -   Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland   
….   

1881 census: 320, High Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland
Emelia   Irvine     Widow              71       1810   -   Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland   
Isabella   Irvine                             26        1855   Shopkeeper    Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland   
James   Nicol   Brother  Widower 60        1821   Shoemaker    Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland   

James Nicol, shoemaker, died 1897, High Street, Kirkcaldy.
Widower of Ann Douglas and son of James Nicol & Isabella Greig.

[buckhyne]

Marriages 1840-55 in Abbotshall/Kirkcaldy
Name                   James Nicol
Spouse:           Jane Ormrod
Event Date:   18 Sep 1842, Abbotshall, Fife, Scotland

Name                   James Nicol (died 1897)
Spouse:           Ann Douglas
Event Date           26 Jul 1847, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland
Father:           James Nicol
Mother:           Isabella Greig
   
Name                   James Nicol
Spouse:           Isabella Dingwall
Event Date           13 Jan 1850, Abbotshall, Fife, Scotland
         
Name                   James Nicol
Spouse:           Christian Fraser
Event Date    06 Apr 1851, Abbotshall, Fife, Scotland