Any suggestions for a mis-index?

[Muriel]

I've got a . He's Alexander Marshall, born about 1842, in Cumbernauld to Thomas Marshall & Mary Johnston. He married Janet McLaren in Larbert in 1873. I've got him nicely in all the censuses up to 1901 (except 1871). In 1901 he is with wife & children where he always was, Eastfield, Cumbernauld. In 1906 both his mother & his wife died & in both cases one of his sons was the death informant. This is not too odd as Alexander could not write (he was the death informant for his father in 1882 & made his mark). However, Janet's d.c. shows her as "married to".

I've searched everywhere for his death - even going back to 1901 - & his is none of the 5 Alexander Marshalls who died 1901-2006, birth 1842 + or - 1. I've tried wild cards, I've tried male Marshalls in Cumbernauld.

Has anyone got ANY ideas?????

Muriel

[speleobat2]

Hi Muriel,

Did any of the other family members immigrate to other countries? My gr great grandfather came over to the USA in 1916 when he was 77 and the last of his four children made the move. His wife had died in 1907 already. I tried finding his death certificate in Scotland for the longest time, then discovered that he had died over here in Ohio!

Carol

[trish1]

I did a check for all Alex* Marshall born 1842 +/-2 and came up with 10 results (excluding a couple with other first names) - a few are in Lanark - the closest is probably Coatbridge 6 miles away - would that be possible? (aged 64 in 1908) Do you know if any children moved and where? He may have lived with one of his children after his wife died.

1911 Census isn't too far away - if all else fails!

Trish

[Muriel]

Hi Carol & Trish

Thanks for the suggestions. I think it's unlikely he left the country - I have the impression they were a fairly static family. The son, Thomas, who was the informant for his mother & grandmother stayed at Eastfield, Cumbernauld until he died in 1943. I haven't yet found what happened to the other children, I suppose Alexander could have eneded up with a daughter somewhere.

No, he's not the one in Coatbridge, I've already checked that one. I think the 1911 may be my only hope.

Muriel

[Rach]

I couldn't find my Grandmother's death in Berwickshire for some time but discovered that she had died miles away in hospital in Edinburgh. It had her home on the d.c but not in the searches. Just something to keep in mind.
Did all his children live near him or could he have gone to stay with one after his wife died?
Rae

[Muriel]

Definitely a case for tracing all his children. But in that case he has to have ended up outside Scotland or be mis-indexed as I've checked all the deaths for Alexander Marshall b. 1842 + or - 2 from 1901 - even the one in Aberdeen! He's a relatively recent find when his grandmother's will revealed another daughter, Alexander's mother, so I haven't followed up all his children yet.

Thanks for the suggestions anyway & roll on 1911.

Muriel

[ninatoo]

Muriel, I always go for an age estimate of + or - 5 years, and if that doesn't work, 10 years, and if that doesn't work, no age entered in the search.

I have had many an ancestor who was listed with the incorrect age, one notably by 15 years!

Nina

[AndrewP]

Hi Muriel,

I see no obvious sign of his death being registered in Glasgow, Stirling or Falkirk where he could feasibly have ended his time in hospital.

All the best,

AndrewP

[Muriel]

Thanks Andrew, you've confirmed what I thought. Nina, I've looked +-2 because his age was always the same on then census returns (quite rare in my family!) giving a birth date of 1842. There is no OPR record for his birth but I've definitely got him in all the census returns except 1871. Unless, of course he died before 1901 but still got listed - hadn't thought about that one before. However, can't check it just now as I'm about to try to drive from Edinburgh to Aberdeen - wish me luck

Muriel

[Rach]

Hi Muriel,
In 1871 there was an Alexr Marshall, 26, Servant, born Cumbernauld, living with John Paul and family at Drumgelloch, New Monkland. John Paul was a Master Carter Contractor and Farmer.
Rae