Mary Fraser Cromdale

[Jean Jeanie]

Hi All
In 1881 I have a Mary Fraser aged 80, unmarried, shown as a boarder, living with Alexander Martin and family in Cromdale. Alexander was the widower of Lilias Fraser, who is in my husband’s direct line.

I am assuming that Mary Fraser must be a relative and so went off on the search!

In 1841 Ann Fraser 55, Jane Fraser 60 and Mary Fraser 20, living at Tomnagaun Cromdale. Mary’s age is way out!

In 1851 Jane 72, Mary 46 daughter and Ann 67 sister, living at Tomnagaun, Cromdale.

In 1861 Jane 85, Mary 58 daughter living at Tomnagaun Cromdale. Next door to them is Alexander Martin, Lilias and family.

1871 proving difficult to find them.

1881 Mary Fraser 80 living with Alexander Martin.

As Mary Fraser was born and lived all her life until 1881 in Cromdale I thought it would be easy to find her death. Just can’t see her moving from Cromdale after the age of 80.

I searched in all of Moray from 1881 -1921. There are 6 of them. Looked at 3 likely ones in Inverallan and it’s not her.

Looked in all of Inverness 1881 -1921. There are 36 of them. Looked at the ones who died in Duthil. Not her either.

The words, needle and haystack come to mind with this one. I think I have covered all the angles but where the devil is she?

Before I blow my remaining credits on SP can anyone shed any light on this one for me?

Feel free to ask any questions as I may have omitted some of the info I have gathered as I have been looking for this one for quite some time now.

Best wishes
Jean

[SarahND]

Hi Jean,
You may already have this, but Alexander & Lilias are there in 1871 (Ancestry transcription):

Tomnayann (cottage), Cromdale and Advie, Moray
Alexander Martin, 44, Head, born Cromdale, Moray, Maser (journeyman)
Lilias Martin, 48, Wife, born Cromdale, Moray, Masons wife
Mary Martin, 12, Daughter, born Cromdale, Moray, Scholar
William Martin, 7, Son, born Cromdale, Moray, Scholar

Two possibles for Mary, the second not too likely if she never married. You'll know whether or not she had a sister Margaret who married a Grant:

1871
Belchcole, Cromdale and Advie, Moray
Margaret Grant, 63, Head, born Cromdale, Morayshire, Ag Labr
Mary Fraser, 69, Sister, born Cromdale, Morayshire, Formerly Domestic Servant

1871
Clary, Cromdale and Advie, Moray
Mary Fraser, 70, Head, born Kilmorack, Invernessshire
Mary Anne Grant, 20, Grandaughter, born Inverallan, Invernessshire, Servant
Catherine Carr, 5m, Grandaughter, born Inverallan, Invernessshire

All the best,
Sarah

[Jean Jeanie]

Hi Sarah

I knew I would omit some of my finds!

I have Alexander and Lilias in 1871.

I did find the Mary Fraser and her sister Margaret Grant in 1871. However I can't find a birth for Margaret Fraser (as she would have been) Nor can I find a marriage for a Margaret Fraser to any Mr. Grant! So no way of knowing if this is my Mary living with her sister!

The birth place for the second one you found is way out. She is always shown as Cromdale.

There is a birth for a Mary Fraser on the IGI to William Fraser and Jean Fraser, but no other children to be found!

This one just goes round in circles!

Best wishes
Jean

[SarahND]

Hi Jean,
I knew it couldn't be that simple, or you would have already found it!
Looks like the cheapest way out is to look at them all in NRH in one day, if you can get up to Edinburgh...
Sorry, that's not much of a help!
All the best,
Sarah

[Jean Jeanie]

Hi Sarah

I think you may be right.

I was just hoping that I couldn't see the wood for the trees

These Frasers are an elusive lot.

Best wishes
Jean

[karenmcc]

Hi Jean,

Don't know if you saw this one from the IGI:

Margaret FRASER m Alexander GRANT 23 May 1827 Aberneth and Kincardine, MORAY.

I think I've got the right time frame and places.


Karen

[Jean Jeanie]

Thanks Karen

If and when I establish that Jane, Mary and Ann are "mine" I will keep that marriage in mind for Margaret.

Why didn't at least one of them have an unusual name

Best wishes
Jean