Brick wall — Thomas McGregor (b. Greenock c.1886)

[SearchingforThomas]

Hi all,

I’ve hit a long-standing brick wall and would really appreciate fresh eyes.

My Goal is to confirm the parents of my dad’s grandfather Thomas McGregor, born in Greenock about 1886, so I can push the McGregor line back.

What I know so far...

Thomas McGregor was born ~1886, Greenock, Scotland (age from later records). Thomas arrived
sometime 1886–1915 (can’t find an immigration record). Thomas enlisted 1915 at Rockhampton, Queensland with the 26th Battalion, AIF.  The next of kin on AIF file: John McGregor (described as brother).  Thomas died Oct 1917, World War I. The year before he married Bertha Ellen Lenton, and they had a son, born in England Oct 17.

I’ve already tried...

Birth searches: ScotlandsPeople for Thomas around 1883–1889 (including variant spellings: Mc/Mac/M’Gregor; McGrigor, etc.) in Greenock East/West/Middle and wider Renfrew/Lanark. Birth searches on Ancestry.com.au

Census: Looked for households with brothers Thomas and John of the right ages; no convincing match.

Military (possible brother John): Checked WWI Gordon Highlanders and Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders for Johns from Greenock; also reviewed Greenock casualty lists to see if any had a brother Thomas—no luck.

Leads explored: One John had Mrs McPhail named as aunt/next of kin. I’ve looked for McPhail ↔ McGregor links in Greenock without a proven connection yet.

DNA: My dad has taken a Y-DNA test (happy to share haplogroup / match levels if that helps).

I would really appreciate any ideas on alternate spellings/registrations or nearby districts I should target for Thomas’s birth.  Any suggestions for records specific to Greenock/Renfrewshire (e.g., parish registers, valuation rolls, local newspapers/“intimations”) that might show a Thomas & John as brothers with parents named.

Tips for tracking pre-1915 immigration to Queensland (Rockhampton/Brisbane arrivals) for a Thomas McGregor who later enlisted at Rockhampton.

Any insight into a McPhail connection to McGregors in Greenock (late 1800s–WWI).

If anyone has access to local directories or school rolls around Greenock that might list McGregor children with a parent/guardian, I’d love a lookup.

I am most grateful for any guidance, lookups, or fresh angles anyone can offer.

I’m grateful for your time!

[jorose]

Hi there and welcome to Rootschat!

Did he marry in Queensland? If so can you provide all the information from his marriage certificate?
I would expect a marriage in Queensland to show his parents' names.

[gc1]

There is a tree on Family search site that might help

https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/pedigree/landscape/LDMX-5N5

Sorry if this your tree 

[Neale1961]

Updated NOK on WW 1 record says
Aunt - Mrs LENTON, 18 Falcom Grove, Battersea.

Lots of crossings out and address is changed to
50 Northcote Estate, Papanui, Christchurch, NZ.
His memorial scroll and plaque were sent to that address, which was also where his widow resided.

[Biggles50]

Welcome.

Does your Dad’s yDNA have any close matches?

If he has not taken an Ancestry DNA test then I suggest that he does so, if he has any First Cousins (or their children) who share the same Grandfather then having them take an Ancestry DNA test will help.

If you are unsure of using DNA then this thread may help.

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=863488.0

Good luck.

EDIT.
Just seen Ancestry DNA tests @ £39 + postage, which is excellent value.

[Neale1961]

Tom McGregor married in 1917 Wandsworth to Bertha Ellen Lenton.
You need to see the marriage certificate for his father’s name and occupation.
Do You have that record?

[Little Nell]

Commonwealth War Graves entry here:

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1599384/thomas-mcgregor/

It gives his father as Thomas McGregor.

Nell

[ciderdrinker]

Hi
I'm with the Familysearch tree.
His enlistment papers say he is 27 and 11m9onths in April 1915 so birth May 1887.
School records for Woolmore St Scholl  Poplar 20.1.1891
Thomas Mcgregor born 2.5.1887  s of thomas 19 Grove Villa former school Glengall Road.
It fits for the 1891 entry Grove Villsa
Thomas 39 blacksmith Scotland
Kate 34 Scotland
James 12
John 10 Scotland
Maggie 7 Poplar
Thomas 3
Kate 1

Kate's GRO says mother McDougall.

Ciderdrinker

[Elwyn Soutter]

Looking at the tree on Familysearch, Thomas’s parents are shown as Thomas McGregor and Catherine McDougal. Scotlandspeople has a marriage for that couple in Govan, Glasgow in 1878. It also has the birth of a son John 9th July 1880 to them in Govan at Kensington Terrace, Paisley Rd Govan, Glasgow. Father Thomas was a journeyman mason. Don’t see a birth in Scotland for Thomas junior c 1886. I think that's because he was born in London.

1991 census for Grove Villas, Poplar, London lists Thomas 39, Kate 34, James 12, John 10, Maggie 7, Thomas 3 & Kate 1. Last 3 all born London, the others in Scotland.