Burgher Church, Pollokshaws ca 1817-1849 ???

[DamonC]

Ive hit a brickwall with certain ancestors that i am trying to investigate. John Crawford b. 1817? and Janet Taylor b.1819?
The only thing we have for sure from Scotland (they migrated to Australia in 1849) is an 1838 marriage certificate- see attatched. Its a personal possession and matches the more more basic one available on SP etc.

The names attatched Robert MacIntyre, Pro Arch MacIntyre sess clk. Its marked Pollokshaws June 1838. The 2 people there seem to be involved with the Eastwood COS but also have a role as parish clerk.
The last line says "The above mentioned xxxxx were married by me - Finlay Stewart, Min. ".

When i investigate this name it seems that he is very much associated with the Burgher Church. So i have inferred therefore that they were married and associated with the Burgher Church in 1838.

The issue that i have is not finding birth records for their son George in 1843, definitive census records for 1841 (51 they were in Australia) as well as birth records for John Crawford in ca 1817.

My investigations of the Burgher church at that time shows it was a fairly turbulent time with splits in the church, then after F. Stewart died no minister for a bit and then the church burnt down potentially. So, It would seem that maybe the reason i cant find certain records is that they simply do not exist anymore.

Ive found reference to a Scottish record set CH3 1171 that contains some records for Pollokshaws Burgher. I thought therefore that this could be a place for me to search for some information. However, i just saw this referenced in Scotlands people so probably now i think that whatever has survived is already in Scotlands People databases. I am going to Glasgow likely next week (ive never been before) just wondering if theres any point trying to dig out this from the archives and have a look?

Thoughts on trying that? or any other resources or groups that might be more knowledgeable about Pollockshaw church records and have an idea of what was retained and what is missing?
Obviously id like to find the people im looking for but it would also be interesting in a way to know if the records were intact but actually my people werent there.

[maddys52]

Can't help with the Burgher Church. There is this mention in 1806:

"On the 27th ult. the Associate Congregation in Pollockshaws, unanimously made a choice of Mr. Finlay Stewart, preacher, to be their minister."
Wednesday,  Apr. 9, 1806
Publication: Aberdeen Journal

[Neale1961]

Marriage banns, Eastwood 1838
Gives John Crawford's occupation as a warper in the cotton works.

Immigration shipping list gives his occupation as shepherd

Have you looked through the Eastwood Kirk Sessions in case there is mention of the family? They may have received parish relief.

[Neale1961]

The parish of Eastwood (and the town of Pollokshaws) was southwest of Glasgow and was originally in Renfrewshire.  Pollokshaws eventually became a burgh of Barony.
When searching with modern search methods, remember to include both Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire.

Also consider that George may not have been the first born child. Since they married in 1838, one might expect at least 1 child born before 1843. There may have been infant deaths.


A few possible 1841 census entries to consider, and research further.
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a14ee89f4040b9d6ef60ec8/john-crawford-1841-lanarkshire-barony-1821-?locale=en

https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a14f3a3f4040b9d6efbcb39/john-craufurd-1841-lanarkshire-gorbals-1816-?locale=en

https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/67ffd968b18f7c2fafd567b2/john-crawford-1841-renfrewshire-lochwinnoch-1821-?locale=en

[DamonC]

Marriage banns, Eastwood 1838
Gives John Crawford's occupation as a warper in the cotton works.

Immigration shipping list gives his occupation as shepherd

Have you looked through the Eastwood Kirk Sessions in case there is mention of the family? They may have received parish relief.

Yes, seen the marriage banns and the shipping list. I suspect the cotton work was correct and the shepherd was more just to get a visa. Although he did end up working as a farmer in Australia.

Ive had a bit of a look but need to dig there a bit more.

[DamonC]

The parish of Eastwood (and the town of Pollokshaws) was southwest of Glasgow and was originally in Renfrewshire.  Pollokshaws eventually became a burgh of Barony.
When searching with modern search methods, remember to include both Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire.

Also consider that George may not have been the first born child. Since they married in 1838, one might expect at least 1 child born before 1843. There may have been infant deaths.


A few possible 1841 census entries to consider, and research further.
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a14ee89f4040b9d6ef60ec8/john-crawford-1841-lanarkshire-barony-1821-?locale=en

https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a14f3a3f4040b9d6efbcb39/john-craufurd-1841-lanarkshire-gorbals-1816-?locale=en

https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/67ffd968b18f7c2fafd567b2/john-crawford-1841-renfrewshire-lochwinnoch-1821-?locale=en

thanks. the 1st and 3rd id seen but not the second. likely because of the spelling it hadnt shown up in my search previously. thats interesting for sure. theres another candidate that i have that also has 2 young infants in the 41 census that presumably passed away at some point. Id tend to think 2 kids passing away would be a solid motivation to move somewhere else.