John Boyd & Jessie Stevenson

[elna]

Trying to trace family of John Boyd and Jessie Stevenson who lived in Haughton Cottage, Fordyce until circa 1924.
Any info would be much appreciated.

[SarahND]

Hello elna and
Sorry you didn't get welcomed with your first post-- I've just seen it. This time of year with the moderators and administrators on holiday on and off, posts sometimes slip through the cracks…

Is this the family in Fordyce you are interested in?

1901
Gardenhead, Fordyce, Banffshire
John Boyd, 66, Head, born Fordyce, Banffshire, Blacksmith & Crofter
Jessie Boyd, 66, Wife, born Fordyce, Banffshire, Blacksmith's Wife
John Boyd, 35, Son, born Fordyce, Banffshire, Blacksmith's Son
Susannah Boyd, 25, Daur, born Fordyce, Banffshire, Domestic Servant
William Newlands, 25, Servant, born Rathven, Banffshire, Blacksmith (journeyman)

Are you trying to trace the children or the ancestors? I know from your other post that you also have a Samuel Boyd in the area. Is he John's father?

All the best,
Sarah

[elna]

Hello Sarah,
Thankyou for taking the time to reply. That is the correct family. I am trying to trace the children. Samuel Boyd was grandfather of John Boyd.
John`s parents were James Boyd and Jane McBeath both of Fordyce.
Regards

[SarahND]

Hello again,
From the 1881 census I see six other children:
James born abt 1865
Ann Reid born abt 1868
Alexander born abt 1869
Geo Stephen and Jane born about 1871
Robert born abt 1875
and then from 1891 I see there is a William born in 1881. Is this the lot?

Oh, I see in 1871 that there was a first William born abt 1866. Did he die and that was why they named another child William?

Presumably you already know the details of at least one of these children-- the one you are descended from. Which are the ones you are particularly having trouble tracing?

Best wishes,
Sarah

[elna]

Hello,
Thankyou for the latest info. William born 1881 was the grandson of John and Jessie. If my research is correct William is the illegitimate son of John Boyd jnr born 1866. Have not been able to establish mother of William 1881. Also have not been able to trace George Stephen born 1872. I suspect he died young.
Regards
Elna

[SarahND]

Hello Elna,
Could this be young William with his other grandparents in 1881?

1881
Fordyce, Banffshire
James Davidson, 48, Head, born Rathven, Banffshire, Quarry Labourer
Ann Davidson, 57, Wife, born Grange, Banffshire
Maggie A Davidson, 25, Daughter, born Grange, Banffshire, General Serv (Domestic)
John Davidson, 29, Son, Born Banff, Banffshire, Carpenter
James Morrison, 5, Grandson, born Marnoch, Banffshire, Scholar
William Boyd, 3 Mo, Grandson, born Fordyce, Banffshire


There is a birth of a William Davidson in Fordyce in 1880 on ScotlandsPeople.gov.uk
That record should give who his mother was and if you're lucky will have an RCE stating paternity.

All the best,
Sarah

Later: I used one credit and looked at the search results. The William Davidson born in 1880 has the middle name of Boyd... a time-honored way to give a hint to the paternity of an illegitimate child!

[elna]

Hello again,

Have looked up birth of William Boyd Davidson on Scotlands People. He was born on the 9th December 1880, Fordyce, to Maggie Ann Davidson. No father given?

Since made contact with a cousin who believes William is illegitimate son of John Boyd of Gardenhead, Fordyce. John (1866 - 1943) married Isabella Joss 1901.

Regards

[SarahND]

I would be willing to wager that William Boyd Davidson is the same as William Boyd in 1891 with his Boyd grandparents. Have you been able to follow him down the years? If he married or died in Scotland, then his parents should be listed on those certificates.

Was it William who married Isabella Joss or were you talking about John? If it was William, then that certificate would be very interesting to see.

Best wishes,
Sarah

[trish1]

I accept it is possible - or I am perhaps confused - but it it likely that a William born 1880/81 would be the son of someone born in 1866? Father at 14/15 years old?

Trish

[SarahND]

Good point, Trish I would like to see his marriage and death certificates to see who his father was supposed to have been. His mother Maggie was 10 years older than John

Best wishes,
Sarah