Anderson in Dundee/Edinburgh

mdurie · Post by **mdurie** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:31 pm

Help, please. I'm stuck with my great grandfather, Alexander Boswell Anderson, born Edinburgh 1868/69, son of John and Elizabeth Anderson (ms McKay) and brought up in an Edinburgh orphanage. No trace of him in birth records, 1871 or 1881 census. He married Ann Mitchell Rae in Dundee 13 June 1890. I found them in 1891 census, where he is listed as A. Boswell Anderson; 1894 he registered birth of his son, Walter Donaldson Boswell Anderson (my grandfather). No sign of any of them in 1901 census. But he was living in Dundee later - 1911 he registered the deaths of his sons, Albert Boswell Anderson and Thomas Boswell Anderson, and in 1924 on the marriage of his son, Walter. He died in Dundee 27 April 1937 (certificate gives his parents as Alexander and Jane). I know he was in the army at some point and may have been in France asa he spoke fluent French, but so far I've drawn a blank. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Post by **AndrewP** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:15 pm

Welcome to TalkingScot

I see one likely suspect out there. Alexander Anderson McKay, son of Elizabeth McKay, born Edinburgh 06-Oct-1867. It was very common for children born illegitimately to be given the father's surname as a middle name. Assuming this is the one you are seeking, perhaps another middle name was taken on after the parents married, as his surname became Anderson at that time.

The online IGI shows another son Robert born in September 1871 in Edinburgh. Both of the couple are named for this one.

In the 1871 census, there is an Alexander Anderson, age 4, boarder, staying with a Boswell family in central Edinburgh - a likely suspect.

All the best,

AndrewP

mdurie · Post by **mdurie** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:11 pm

Hi Andrew

Brilliant - thank you SO much.

Regards,
Margaret