Alexander McNicol - is this the missing one, or not?.....

[joette]

Lesley dont be surprised by the sudden change in occupation.I have a connection by marriage who starts of as a Seaman(Marriage in Leith), 2nd child-two years later Chemical Labourer,3rd childCoal-Miner4th&5th,paper-Maker & then back to Sea before chucking it all in emigrating to Canada via USA & becoming a farmer.
As to the money he may have had Parents/ widowed Mother, siblings to support with an allowance going to them. Also "belongings" could have gone astray.I am sure there must be Records somewhere just where the heck? put it on your list for the Christmas fairy- records that appear when your at "Wits End" a place I frequently visit in my search.

[LesleyB]

Hi Joette
Yes, I'll just have to keep banging away at it.

As to the money he may have had Parents/ widowed Mother, siblings to support with an allowance going to them.

None of the above - parents both dead, the 3 remaining children (from a family of 7) inherited the estate having discharged the trustees in 1885 on the coming of age (21) of the youngest who happened to be - one Alexander McNicol. Eldest of the three remaining children, James (my gr grandfather) was the one who ended up with the responsibilities I think, judging from who signed deaths in the family, who is listed in the valuation rolls etc.

I suspect one way to go is to trace this Alexander back - chase up the ship Kirkcudbright O.N. 89952 records, find from there his previous ship (if any) and try to take it back a few years to 1881. If it was an Australian voyage each time then we're only looking at probably one, or at the most a couple of ships as it seemed to take about 18months there and back. And then, if this one is on a ship in Sydney or similar in when the 1881 census was taken then he is NOT my one! What I need from that Christmas Fairy of yours is an unlimited fund with which to pay remote researchers!

I'll get there...eventually!

Best wishes
Lesley

[StewL]

Hi Joette

You are right about modern medicine and screening.

The children I looked after also died young, but they also had intellectual disabilities. I worked in what was then called a "Special Care" hostel. In this day and age if the shunt is inserted early enough there is a much lesser chance of the child becoming intellectually disabled.
The children I looked after had multiple disabilities, with causes ranging from "unknown" to specific syndromes and other pre and post natal causes that I wont bore you with.

Actually the place I worked was not a good place if you had problems dealing with wains who died young