My best guess is the the coft is a mis-transcribed loft. No room was wasted there - looks like everywhere from the cellar to the loft was inhabited.C wrote:... But the address...they lived in a cellar? Does anyone know what a coft is? I tried googling but didn't come up with anything.
Felix Garvie's death can be found next-door to Dundee in Liff and Benvie in 1894.
At Felix's 1856 marriage (registered in 1857), neither of his parents are marked as deceased. William was one of the witnesses.
From Felix's marriage certificate, you get the mother's maiden surname.
Using that maiden surname, you can find the mother's death certificate (1867). James, the widower, was the informant.
James's death certificate is reasonable to find. There are only two adult deaths for a James Garvie in Dundee between 1867 and 1900 (reasonable guess for latest year).
James's death certificate reveals that he re-married after the death of Felix and William's mother. Wife #2 was the informant at his death registration.
Neither son was a witness at James's second marriage. marriage.
The parents' names found in these certificates support Sarah's 1851 census find given in her post above this one.
All the best,
AndrewP