A new question for you clever people :)

[Scottygirl56]

Hi Sarah - yes I had already noticed that there was another surgeon in London by the same name. When I was searching the newspapers his name came up often. Going by the fact though that James was alive in 1858 but dead in April 1861 (Census time) then I'm happy enough to log that timeframe. I'm just amazed that in a couple of days on this thread, I have narrowed it down to that! Wonderful help here from everyone, thank you.

[carlineric]

The strange thing with the James who claims to be a doctor in London is he does does not appear in the 1859 or 1863 Medical Register. It is interesting that both James Morrisons refer to themselves as "Surgeon" and this may explain why James was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in London. To be a member of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh or Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow a MD degree was required prior to entry. The 1858 act sought to standardise the qualifications which before could come a variety of sources and it is possible that James simply served an apprenticeship with a doctor or surgeon in order for him to become a doctor/surgeon. I remember reading years ago there was a strained relationship between the medically trained doctors and surgeons. The doctors saw the surgical profession as barborous although surgery as well as medicine was advancing rapidly in its sophistication (remember at the the time anaesthetics and antiseptics were only just coming into use and a surgeon's skill was measured in how quick he could perform an amputation and probably if he did not amputate his assistant's fingers as well). This distinction remains in the UK to this day for although all surgeons have a Medical Degree they are referred to as Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms and not as Dr.

Eric

[Scottygirl56]

The strange thing with the James who claims to be a doctor in London is he does does not appear in the 1859 or 1863 Medical Register. It is interesting that both James Morrisons refer to themselves as "Surgeon" and this may explain why James was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in London. To be a member of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh or Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow a MD degree was required prior to entry. The 1858 act sought to standardise the qualifications which before could come a variety of sources and it is possible that James simply served an apprenticeship with a doctor or surgeon in order for him to become a doctor/surgeon. I remember reading years ago there was a strained relationship between the medically trained doctors and surgeons. The doctors saw the surgical profession as barborous although surgery as well as medicine was advancing rapidly in its sophistication (remember at the the time anaesthetics and antiseptics were only just coming into use and a surgeon's skill was measured in how quick he could perform an amputation and probably if he did not amputate his assistant's fingers as well). This distinction remains in the UK to this day for although all surgeons have a Medical Degree they are referred to as Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms and not as Dr.

Eric

Hi Eric, doesn't it make you glad just a little to be alive today? No anaesthetics! oh dear... I suspect that going by his date of birth, 1800, that he would not have had too much formal training - also bear in mind that he was a farmer. Unusual occupation for a surgeon I would have thought. I'm happy enough with the info I have on him now and his family but do feel a little sad that I don't know where my Christian Morrison came from. On her death cert the J in Janet Davidson looks like a written "I" but the writer wrote James with the same style. It is funny the little things that get your attention while doing your tree. There are many holes and gaps in my tree but I keep coming back to the same few that I can't figure out.

James Morrison's mother was supposedly Mary Skene born approx 1793 in Aberdeen. Most of the family trees I have seen have her dying about 1795 after only having her first child Charles. I can't find any evidence or proof and the children born in the 1800s have the name Skene as a middle name or thier children do. Maybe I'll try to tackle this problem now but with Old Parish Records it is just not so easy. Maybe I'll call it quits on James Morrison and move on

[SarahND]

Sorry, what are the Kirk sessions and how would I find then?

The Kirk Sessions are fascinating gossipy minutes from the meetings of the elders of the church. Usually, they are discussing various transgressions of the parishioners, very often trying to get the details of who is responsible for getting an unmarried woman pregnant. If you want a taste of what they are like, check out this link of Rathven Kirk Session records: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/sheena_charles/sessmins.htm

The Aberdeen Kirk Session records (St Nicholas) are, I believe, held by the Aberdeen City Archives. Old Machar may still be held by that church. Unfortunately, they are not yet accessible online outside of Scotland. You would need to find some kind person in Aberdeen who could look for you. I'm rushing at the moment trying to get ready to leave tomorrow and drive about 1,400 miles (not in one day!) over to another state, but I'm sure someone will be able to advise you. It is the only way I can think of to find out who Christian Morrison's parents were.

Cheers,
Sarah

[Scottygirl56]

Oh those Kirk records are amazing! "The author of a pregnancy"... "Antenuptial fornication"... fantastic! At least they were all human back then.

I would love for somebody from Scotland to help me with this - if I need somebody from Scotland to access the records.

Lynda

[grannysrock]

Hi there
Looks like James died in Grenada on 2nd January 1860 - hope this link to Google books works !
http://books.google.com/books?id=oRgCAA ... da&f=false


Cheers
Sally

[SarahND]

=D> Brilliant, Sally! Now why didn't the Aberdeen Journal pick up that story? Wonder how long the news would have taken to get back to Scotland


Sarah

[Scottygirl56]

Thank you Sally - How on earth did you find this, amazing!!

From this knowledge I have trawled through the Aberdeen Gazette and I FOUND IT!!!! On Wednesday, February 8, 1860; Issue 5848

=D> =D>

[Scottygirl56]

Here is the Obituary from the Aberdeen Weekly - I'd call this a resounding success from you all.

"At his residence, in the Carenage, early on Monday the 2nd Jan after a few days illness, from a severe cold, JAMES MORRISON, Esq, MD. The deceased was born in Inverury, Aberdeen in the year 1800, and was for a number of years in the East India Company's Service, on quitting which, he settled in the Vale of Alford, Aberdeen, as a farmer and medical practitioner, where he resided for many years. Having been induced to come to Grenada, he arrived here in the latter end of 1858, and was shortly after appointed Medical Officer of the Parishes of St George and St John. During his short sojourn amoung us, such was his urbanity of disposition, that he had gained the respect and esteem of all classes. Having been appointed Surgeon to the Volunteer Artillery Corps, he was interred with military honours. - Grenada Record"

[SarahND]

Brilliant results! Now you have some additional information on his life. If he was in the East India Company Service, he may be found in their records in the British Library in London. http://indiafamily.bl.uk/UI/Home.aspx He doesn't show up in their online index, but it is very far from complete.

Users should note that probably less than 10% of the biographical sources available in the India Office Records was incorporated into the index, although future additions to this website are planned.

If no one gets around to it before then, I'll put it on my list of things to look up when I'm there next November.

Now if only that obituary had mentioned Christian... !

Cheers,
Sarah