finding a grave in Banffshire

[Dubby Lane]

Ive been trying to unpick the threads of our family over the last number of years.
In particular my great grandmother who died in Portsoy in 1910.
Christina Bain Smith, born in 1874 died 1910. I have spoke to local groups and tried basic on line searches but drawing a blank as to where she was buried.
I have found her on an earlier census and have the record of her death but i feel im literally chasing a ghost!
can anyone help?

[Calleva]

Other information which may help the search for her grave -

Christina was born in Chapel of Garioch, Aberdeenshire (coincidentally where I was married!), her father James was present at her death while her mother Jane (MS Durno) was deceased.

Presumably you’ve ruled out Portsoy.

Pure guesswork but wondering if she is buried with her Mother? A search of Chapel of Garioch graveyard on Findagrave didn’t identify any Smiths though.

Have you details of her Mother’s death?

[Calleva]

Just realised that her name on both birth and death records is Christina Smith without the middle name Bain - please could you clarify, thanks.

[Dubby Lane]

I've searched for details with and without her middle name and continued drawing a blank.
When I was back in Scotland over Christmas I had a wander around the Portsoy graveyard but couldn't find it, in fairness some older stones are pretty weather beaten.
I found another record on the Scottish paternity index records where she is pursuing someone over paternity for one of her kids.

[hgs46]

I noted a James Smith (1838-1914) headstone iin Chapel of Garioch Churchyard. His wife - Margaret A Archibald died 1903. Would this be the Father of Christina. Other Smith family are listed. Ref. A press notice, this James was also a railway surfaceman.

[Dubby Lane]

The record for her death shows her father being present.
Her father was a James Smith, 1833-1920 and her mum Jane Durno 1837-1873.
the dates seem to change depending on where you look.

[hgs46]

Sorry .. I might have confused things. It seemed to be quite a good match, but as you know James died in 1920 .. I am fairly sure I have found Christina in 81, 91 and 1901 Census. I’m not sure if you have the 1901 one with her father as head of the house at Back Green, Fordyce, Portsoy and her 4 children - Frank aged 9, Christina aged 8, Helen Isa aged 6 and James aged 1. They were all born in Portsoy. Christina herself was described in the Census as born in 1884 and this made it difficult to find. I presume a mistake. From records checked by me, which you may not have, the 4 children above were all born to Christina Bain Smith.

[Dubby Lane]

Yes those are the four children at that time 1901. Frank as I understand was the only one born to Francis Gauld (info i found has Francis Gauld emigrating to canada and died in 1950) So far as i've found Christina raised them and had two more children, a son in 1905 (records have her pursuing a william skinner in portsoy over paternity on the Scottish paternity index. She then had my grandmother in 1909 and she was put into foster care. Christina died the following year. My grandmother knew nothing of her mother other than a name on her birth certificate and her father remains unknown. She died in 1996 before i had started digging into this and sadly didnt know she had siblings.
Im just at a loss finding christinas grave. I have been in touch with various council offices, cemeteries and burial north amongst other and keep being sent in circles

[hgs46]

Thank you for completing the family set up.

I see a record in Findagrave which slightly confuses me, as it appears slightly different from others, but just to say that it states - "Christina Smith bo 26/4/1875 Chapel of Garioch, dd 7/2/1910 aged 34 yr. at Portsoy, Aberdeenshire. Buried Portsoy Graveyard. "Died at Backgreen, Portsoy. F. James Smith; M. Jane Durno. Do not know if there is a headstone." The creator is Miss Julie - I don't know what this refers to, but someone might clarify this.

You have probably already noted the article in the Banffshire Reporter of 2nd June 1920 which includes 'On Wed. interred in Portsoy Cemetery the remains of Mr James Smith .. for 46 yrs had resided at Backgreen.. lately with dau. Mrs Gauld at Portknockie where he passed away. A well known and respected figure in the community. A Foreman surfaceman but better known as skilled gardener. Latterly he had officiated a good deal at Portsoy Cemetery on the occasion of funerals and saw the last rites paid to not a few of our citizens. Of bright and genial disposition. His wife predeceased him but he is survived by several members of his family."

Hopefully, this helps.