help! illigitimate relative

[klewis118a]

My great grandfather William Anderson was born 16-10-1873 in Bellshill married 3-3-1899 to Nessie Aitchison and died 1-12-1943 in musselbrugh.On his marriage certificate there is only a mother named - Annie Walker - and on his birth certificate Annie Walker is named again along with an Alexander Anderson.It is marked illigitimate.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to get any further details on the parents cause I am stumped.

[nelmit]

My great grandfather William Anderson was born 16-10-1873 in Bellshill married 3-3-1899 to Nessie Aitchison and died 1-12-1943 in musselbrugh.On his marriage certificate there is only a mother named - Annie Walker - and on his birth certificate Annie Walker is named again along with an Alexander Anderson.It is marked illigitimate.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to get any further details on the parents cause I am stumped.

Hello and welcome to Talking Scot.

I see William and Nessy living at Bothwell in 1901. First thing you''l have to do is find him on earlier census records which isn't proving too easy without more info.

So - a couple of questions.

Was his mother still alive when he married?
What was his address when he married.
What was the address on his birth certificate and what was Alexander's occupation and address?

Lots of people happy to help here - we like nothing more than a good hunt.

Regards,
Annette

[Andy]

I've got a feeling this is going to be like unravelling spaghetti!

In 1871 there is an Ann P. Walker 19 in Bothwell. Stepdaughter of James Anderson 42 and daughter of his wife Ann 37. Also at the house is Ann Anderson, 8, a niece. I'm 99% sure this is your Annie. This Ann (the daughter) married William McLaren in Bothwell in 1877 and died in 1917.

On the death cert the son-in-law got a bit mixed up. Father was an Unknown Walker and the Mother, Annie Buchanan. A "subsequent" husband was named as James Anderson.

Ann Prentice Walker was born to James Walker and Ann Buchanan 28th Mar 1852.

Anyway in 1881 there's William 29 and Annie McLaren 28 in Bothwell with two childern. However, RIGHT NEXT DOOR we have James Anderson 52 his wife, Anne 47 and Grandson William Anderson.

Also in Bothwell in 1871 there is an Alexander Anderson 25 a Coal Miner, his wife Jean Penman and a few kiddies. This is the only likely Alexander to be William's father in 1873. No scandal involved, Jean Penman died in 1872.

[nelmit]

Yup saw that Walker / Anderson combination Andy and thought it might be complicated. Hopefully address and other info from klewis will tell if this is the right family.

Regards,
Annette

[klewis118a]

Thanks very much for the help so far.
The mother was alive in 1899 when William married ( or wasn't marked as deceased on the certificate ).
I don't have the adresses at the moment but have a place booked in edinburgh on Tuesday so will write them down , as I probably should have the last time!
Alexander's occupation is listed as coalminer on the birth certificate.
William was a private in the 1st battallion scottish rifles when he married.
As I said ,thanks very much ,that gives me a bit to go on next Tuesday ,and I'll let you know how I get on.
Kevin Lewis

[klewis118a]

Hi,
I had another look at this today and unravelled some of the spaghetti.
The Annie Walker/McLaren is definately my girl.On Williams wedding cert. it has written "subsequently married to William McLaren" beside Annies name.Not sure how I missed that the last time.
Anyway Annies mother is an Ann Buchanan who has Annie with an "un-named Walker" and then later marries a coal miner called James Anderson.
I ran out of time before I could go any further but I'd say it is odds on that William is living with his granny Buchanan in 1881 and it could well be that Alexander will be somehow related to grandfather James.
Once again thank you all for your help in giving me a wee push in the right direction.
Kevin