My GGF has disappeared from the face of the earth.

scotofthesouth · Post by **scotofthesouth** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:21 pm

My GGM Helen McKechnie b 1861 married James Davidson 1881 in Law Carluke, she had 2 children who both died and she was a widow in 1887.

In 1888 she had my GF Isaac Caldwell in Ballyhackamore Co Down,( I beleive he was born illegitamate, registerd by Mother Helen McKechnie Davidson and Father given as Isaac Caldwell a Porter), she then returned to Law Carluke and had 2 more children in 1890 and 1891, both children was registered by my GGF also Isaac Caldwell a Hammerman. Both children's birth certificates state Helen and Isaac married in Motherwell December 1889, I can not find any marriage.

The 1891 Census shows Helen at Lawmuir Dimity Carluke with her parents Adam and Helen McKechnie along with my GF and his brother and expected sister. The only Isaac Caldwell I can find is a boarder in Motherwell with a son James age 12 born Dalziel, and a marriage to a Jane Watson in 1879, but I found no death for Jane.

In 1899 my GGM Helen now marries a John Wilson and states she is a widow of Isaac Caldwell? I have not been able to find a death for him. The only death for an Isaac Caldwell I can find is in 1896 in Govan age 76 a Blacksmith.

When my GF and his siblings married in 1914 they all say that there father Isaac Caldwell deceased was a Railway Guard (Goods).

I have tried the National Archives to see if there was an railway records that would give names of employees, but no such luck.

I would be so grateful to anybody that may help me to solve this mystery.

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:23 pm

Hello and welcome to Talking Scot,

Like you I have been unable to find anything on the Isaac Caldwell living at Motherwell after 1891. Maybe he returned to Ireland.

Jane Watson was still alive and living with her parents in 1881 along with James and a daughter Margaret born 1880 at Dalziel.

In 1891 Margaret is living with Jane's father James and in 1901 she is with his 2nd wife Lavinia as Maggie. I don't know whether it would help to try and find a marriage for her to see what she says about her father.

Sorry I can't come up with anything more concrete. He is a wee mystery right enough.

Regards,
Annette

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:08 am

Hello Scotofthe,

I can’t find his death only what was almost his death. It looks like him, there’s only one Scottish occurrence of the name that I can see pre 1900. That’s in the Glasgow Herald, Tuesday, January 13, 1885.

CAMBUSLANG,—MIRACULOUS ESCAPE. —As the 9.30. train from Motherwell was approaching the Cambuslang Station on Saturday night, a porter named Isaac Caldwell, following the usual practice, crossed from the down to the up platform, and was caught by the buffer of the engine and dragged 30 yards along. He was picked up underneath one of the carriages, and strange to say, escaped with some bruises to his left side and injury to the little finger of his left hand. He was sent on to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where his finger was amputated.

If you want the article image just send me a PM with an email address and I’ll send it.

Hope that’s interesting,
Alan

scotofthesouth · Post by **scotofthesouth** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:29 pm

Thank you Annette. He is certainly a wee mystery indeed. I have looked at all the the other Caldwell's in Motherewell and I know that William Caldwell married Elizabeth Irwin in Limavady Londonderry NI. I will try and see if I can find a death for Isaac there.

Jane Watson living with her parents in 1881 along with James and Daughter Margaret born 1880 in Dalziel, was she Jane Watson or Jane Caldwell her married name?
I will try as you suggested for a marriage for Maggie and hopefully that maybe will help me.

Many thanks
Anne

scotofthesouth · Post by **scotofthesouth** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:39 pm

Thank you very much Alan, I am over the moon to hear something about my GGF Isaac Caldwell at last.
I really do appreciate your time looking for me.

kind Regards
Anne

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:09 pm

scotofthesouth wrote:Thank you Annette. He is certainly a wee mystery indeed. I have looked at all the the other Caldwell's in Motherewell and I know that William Caldwell married Elizabeth Irwin in Limavady Londonderry NI. I will try and see if I can find a death for Isaac there.

Jane Watson living with her parents in 1881 along with James and Daughter Margaret born 1880 in Dalziel, was she Jane Watson or Jane Caldwell her married name?
I will try as you suggested for a marriage for Maggie and hopefully that maybe will help me.

Many thanks
Anne

Jane's surname was given a Caldwell in 1881.

Regards,
Annette

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