Canal Boatmen & the Census

[nelmit]

Hi Malcolm and Annette,

The funny thing is that the William Biggart and Mary Simpson marriage I was looking at on the IGI took place 01 May 1867 and the ones I found were living in Calton at 35 James Street in 1871 with Maryann Biggart 3 years old and Mary's brother James Simpson. William was a bricklayer! Too many of these people out there!

I found the 1841 entry too, but nothing for 1851 and 1861, but if you have the right family in 1901 and William Jr's first three children were born in England, then maybe William's parents also had connections outside of Scotland and were living elsewhere in 1851 and 1861?

Carol

Hi Carol,

You've been drinkin' too much o' that funny water again.

It was their daughter Mary Ann (who married Joseph Gray) who was born on 1st May 1867. Mary and William married in 1866.



MARY ANN BIGGART
Pedigree
Female

Event(s):
Birth:
01 MAY 1867 Central District, Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland

Parents:
Father: WILLIAM BIGGART
Family
Mother: MARY SIMPSON

Best wishes,
Annette

[speleobat2]

No, just too many papers on my desk! I just found that mistake myself!

Carol

[malki]

Hi Anette

Sorry to ignore you since May 10 - other matters took precedence. Yes, that's the family you quote and yes, it's the 1851 & 1861 Census's that's evading me for both Mary Simpson and subsequent hubby, William Biggart. Interesting to see your comment about Mary and Saracens Lane in 1861 - what's the source?

malki

[nelmit]

Hi Anette

Sorry to ignore you since May 10 - other matters took precedence. Yes, that's the family you quote and yes, it's the 1851 & 1861 Census's that's evading me for both Mary Simpson and subsequent hubby, William Biggart. Interesting to see your comment about Mary and Saracens Lane in 1861 - what's the source?

malki

Here is the Mary Simpson I found at 10 Saracen St in 1861 from Ancestry, but looking at it again shows her age to be 10 years out unless it's been mistranscribed.

William Yates 47 born England
Amelia Yates 44 born Glasgow
Jessie Yates 20
James Yates 11
Mary Dalton Yates 7
Mary Simpson 25 Niece born Glasgow

Regards,
Annette

[nelmit]

Here is a Mary of the right age with a mother Susan in 1861at 22 Sydney Street -

William Simson 24 Head born Glasgow
Agnes Simson 23
John Simson 5
Mary Simson 3
Sarah Simson 2
Susan Simson 48 Mother born Ireland
Sarah Simson 22 sister, born Glasgow
Mary Simson 14 sister, born Glasgow, Bleacher
Ogilvie 36

What was Mary's occupation when she married William Biggar?

Regards,
Annette

[nelmit]

Interesting that in 1871 there is an Alexander Bradshaw at 10 Saracen Lane.

He is with his mother and uncle in 1851 - All born Ireland (including Alexander who says he was Glasgow in subsequent census records)

Robert Bradshaw 40 Head
Isabella Bradshaw 42
Mary Bradshaw 20
William J Bradshaw 12
James Bradshaw 9
Isabella Bradshaw 44 Sister
Alex Bradshaw 7

Regards,
Annette

[malki]

Hi Annette

You have been busy - thanks very much!!

Mary Simpson's occupation on her marriage cert is given as Bleachfield Worker.

The chances of a Bradshaw living at 10 Saracens Lane in 1871 must be more than coincidental. I have no idea who Alexander may be but he must be related to Mary Ann Bradshaw ( William Biggart's mother ). Alex's occupation on his marriage cert to Mary Cummings in 1865, which I have found today, is given as " Canal Boatman " - just as William and his father, and her occupation is " Bleacher " just as Mary S.

The marriage cert also has his Alex's father as Robert and his mother as Isabella, just as your Census of 1851 but I'm not so sure about the Alexander Bradshaw as a servant on the 1861 Census - but who knows?

My head is spinning - why is it always that you make one step forward for every two steps back - and I never was any good at ballroom dancing!

malki