Cowie, Peterhead 1841/1851

[Neale1961]

I presume Alexander is the one in the poor house however with the age being a bit out and him not being with his brothers there was just a bit of uncertainty. Not important.

Alex is with his brother William in the poor house.

[Neale1961]

Does it not say 32 for Williams death in 1877?

The register says he drowned in the Baltic Sea on 31 December 1873, at age 32, from the ship “Industry”.
His death was reported when the ship returned to port on 4 March 1874.
This coincides with his wife applying for poor relief a week later on 10 March 1874.

Even if one could swim, I don’t think you would last for long if you fell into the Baltic Sea in December.
I wonder if William had been celebrating the new year rather too enthusiastically.

The poor law application may say he drowned on 1 Jany 1874 (which would make sense), but it looks like 1872 to my eyes - so perhaps a clerical error.

[Andrew C.]

Thanks for clearing it up.