Robert Nicolson, about 1908-1980

[explorer2015]

I'd be grateful for any information about Robert Nic(h)olson, born around 1908 in Glasgow, died 1980 in Palma de Mallorca. At the time of his death, his usual residence was in Clarkston, Glasgow. I'd like to establish whether he was related to my father.

I recently found that my father had a half-brother, James, through my grandfather John Holmes's first marriage to Jessie Nicholson (married in 1896). James died in Glasgow in 1975 and Robert Nicolson, "brother", was the informant of the death. This could mean that he was also my father's half-brother. However, I can't find any evidence that would confirm the relationship.

[CaroleW]

Hi

Are you saying that Jessie Nicholson was either previously married or had an illegitimate son James Nicholson born before she married John Holmes in 1896?

Have you downloaded a copy of the 1896 marriage cert?  Is Jessie shown as a widow or a spinster?  How old were Jessie and John when they married?

If James Nicholson was born before 1896 and Robert Nicholson was only born 1908 Robert would have been surname Holmes - not Nicholson

[explorer2015]

Hi

Thanks for replying. The story is a bit complicated.

According to their marriage certificate, my grandfather John Sinclair Holmes, 23, bachelor, married Jessie Margaret Nicholson, 20, spinster, in Glasgow in 1896. They had 2 sons that I know of: James Holmes, 1897-1975 (he later changed his name to James Holmes Nicholson, using his mother's maiden surname as his surname), and John Nicholson Holmes, born 1899, who died in 1900.

At some point my grandfather John and Jessie separated. According to both the 1901 and 1911 census records, Jessie was living with her parents and son James. John was not there, and there is no mention of Robert, born about 1908, in the 1911 census.

John divorced Jessie in 1919, just months before marrying my grandmother. Jessie didn't remarry and died in 1925.

So far, everything makes sense. However, the informant on James's 1975 death certificate is "Robert Nicolson, brother". I've been unable to verify this relationship (which would make him my father's half-brother) as I can't find a birth or death certificate for Robert, and only have a copy of a Minor Record of his death in Majorca. This doesn't give parents or next of kin, and the informant is a doctor at the clinic where he died.

[MonicaL]

Hi there

You mention a divorce in 1919 which is pretty unusual at the time. Have you tried to access these papers to see what the background to the divorce was. You may find details there on children.

Monica

[explorer2015]

I have a copy from the RCE (Record of Corrected Entries) which states that the Decree of Divorce was pronounced in an action at the instance of John Holmes, against Mrs Jessie Nicholson or Holmes, his wife. It doesn't mention reasons for the divorce or children. Do you know where I would get more information?

[MonicaL]

Some help notes here www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/guides/divorce-records  I tried the search index here for the online catalogue http://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue/welcome.aspx but couldn't see anything.

However, you have the RCE which should include reference numbers which will hopefully help.

Monica

[MonicaL]

Just found mention of it on the online catalogue from the link above:

Country code GB
Repository code 234
Repository National Records of Scotland
Reference CS253/2077
Title John Holmes v Jessie Nicholson or Holmes: Divorce
Dates 1921
Access status Open
   
Location Off site
Description Year of Calling 1919: Reference No. of Transmission: Office 218 A (Cairns)
Level Item

Not sure where you are based and whether you have access to records in Edinburgh. Alternatively, you could contact the NRS (details on their site) and request a quote for paper copies to be sent to you.

Monica

[MonicaL]

....So far, everything makes sense. However, the informant on James's 1975 death certificate is "Robert Nicolson, brother".....

At this time, it was common practice to give a residential address for the informant to a death. Is this where you got the reference to Clarkston that you mentioned earlier? What makes you think that the Spanish death connects to the 'brother' Robert? Also, how do you know that this Robert was born c. 1908? Is this from the possible death in Mallorca in 1980?

Monica

PS. Sorry about all the questions!

[explorer2015]

Hi Monica

Thanks for the reference for the divorce. I can take a trip to Edinburgh to view the record.

Robert's address in Clarkston was given on James's death certificate, and the Minor Record has the same name and address. I also have him living there on the 1976 Electoral Register and on the 1969-70 Valuation Roll, so I'm sure it's the same person. Also on the ER was Jean Nicolson, though I don't know if she was his wife or another family member. I haven't been able to find a marriage certificate.

The Minor Record of his death states that Robert was a retired bank employee. I've contacted various bank archives departments to see if they have a record of him being on their staff but with no success.