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Topic: Armstrong of Wigtownshire (Read 5514 times)
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Leaver
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi,
I am entering this Board rather apprehensively, because I don't want to do the wrong thing. First, I had to ensure that I was on the correct Board, and I believe that I am, because the individuals that I'm looking at are from places such as Inch and Stranraer. Secondly, I could see that people like Meg Greenwood and Randy Chapple had done an absolutely wonderful job, and so I certainly liked the level of expertise on the Board. Third, I liked the friendly feel to the Board, and that too is of great importance to me.
I have an area on my Family Tree that is causing quite a few problems, and quite simply, I need the assistance of others. On the plus side, I have all the time in the world on my hands, and a willingness to work alongside anyone. Because of a few health problems, I don't always dot all the "i's" and cross all the "t's" with regard to the work that I do. However, I'm a great listener!
Susan Armstrong was born on 10th September, 1848 at Stranraer in Wigtownshire. She married John Jackson Ferns, a widower, on 28th July, 1874 at 4 Windsor Terrace, Milton in Glasgow. Susan died on 15th May, 1895 at Kinning Park in Glasgow. Death Certificate details show that her father was John Armstrong, but the spelling of his wife's name is causing me a few problems - Flittin - Fleetin, etc, etc. Maybe I need to get a new pair of specs, eh? John married Susan Flittin - Fleetin on 15th November, 1836 at Inch in Wigtownshire. Twenty years later, John Armstrong died on 7th December, 1856, at the age of 48 at a place called Newton Stewart. His parents are given as John Armstrong and Elizabeth Little. His wife, Susan died on 17th August, 1870 at 3 Hanover Square, Stranraer, her age at death being shown as 58 years. The informant on the Death Certificate is her daughter, Susan.
That's it! I am up against that proverbial Brick Wall now. Certainly, I can give a few more sparse details such as detail from the Death Certificate for the 58 year old Susan Armstrong shows her father as .................. Fleet... and her mother as Dolly Fleetin, Maiden Surname, Black.
There are some who may criticise the way that I write and the length of the posting, but, what you see is what you get with this Old Buzzard! I do my level best to get the message across, which I don't think is a bad idea. How about you?
I look forward to hearing from anyone on this Board who is prepared to stretch out a friendly helping hand.
My very best wishes to you all, and I congratulate you on such an informative and friendly Board.
Tom.
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Leaver
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi!
Further to my previous posting, I was looking at an 1841 Census record that has caused me some interest due to the names of the individuals on it, their ages, and the location. I certainly don't want to make a bad start to my postings and breach any Copyright, thus raising the ire of the Moderator!
Piece: SCT1841/886 Place: Inch - Wigtownshire Enumeration District: 9
Civil Parish: Inch. Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: Inch.
Folio 9 Page 7
Address: Village of Lochans.
ARMSTRONG John M 20 Agr. Labourer born in Wigtownshire
ARMSTRONG Susanna F 20 born in Wigtownshire
ARMSTRONG William M 1 born in Wigtownshire
ARMSTRONG Robert M 3 born in Wigtownshire
I wonder what the connection, (if any), is to the John Armstrong who married Susan Fleetin - Flettin? on 15th November, 1836 at Inch in Wigtown.
Again, I would be absolutely delighted if some kind soul, (or souls), out there would be willing to give me a bit of a helping hand.
My very best wishes to you all,
Tom.
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Leaver
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi!
Because of the brick wall that I have hit on my research of this part of my Family Tree, the thought crossed my mind that perhaps the family had originated in Ireland. I don't believe that this would be a crazy idea, since, in recent times, I have noticed connections to Ireland in other parts of my family.
Turning once again to the 1841 Census, I found an entry that shows quite clearly that some of the individuals on it did indeed cross over from the Emerald Isle.
Piece: SCT1841/895 Place: Penninghame-Wigtownshire Enumeration District:12
Civil Parish: Penninghame Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island -
Folio: 12 Page: 3
Address: Merton Hall West Lodge.
ARMSTRONG John M 35 Male Servant Where Born: Ireland.
ARMSTRONG Sarah F 35 Ireland
ARMSTRONG Margaret F 14 Ireland
ARMSTRONG Janet F 12 Ireland
ARMSTRONG Robert M 9 Born outside Census County (1841)
ARMSTRONG Hugh M 6 Born outside Census County (1841)
ARMSTRONG Catrine F 4 Wigtownshire
ARMSTRONG Eleanor F 2 Wigtownshire
Perhaps, other researchers of this family may find the details on these postings of some use to them - I certainly hope so.
My very best wishes to you all.
Tom.
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Gadget
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 24474
Holy Island - Pilgrims' Path
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Hi Tom
I note on Susan's wedding cert of 1874 that her father, John ,was down as a coachman (deceased).
This is the only family that I can find on the 1851 that seems to match. The age of Susanna is a bit out but it's worth throwing them into the ring. The image is very poor so i cant see the address very clearly:
Dunoon and Kilmun, Argyll
District 510 ED 1 Page 5
John Armstrong, 33, Coachman, b.Wigtown, Stoneykirk
Susanna, 33, coachman's wife, b. Wigtown, Portpatrick
Robert, 13, coachman's son, b. Wigtown, Inchporrick (?)
Susanna, 8, coachman's daughter, b. b. Wigtown, Inchporrick (?)
William, 3, coachman's son, b. Wigtown, Inchporrick (?)
It is quite possible that, as a coachman, he would have travelled around.
Regards
Gadget
Added - Inchporrick could be Inch parks to the west of Lochinch Castle
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« Last Edit: Tuesday 24 June 08 12:33 UTC (UK) by Gadget »
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Gadget
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 24474
Holy Island - Pilgrims' Path
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A possible for the family on the 1841, which I see that you have mentioned in your second posting:
Lochans, Inch
District 886 ED 9 Folio 9 Page 7
John Armstrong, 20-24, Ag Lab
Susanna, 20-24
William, 1
Robert, 3
All b. Wigtownshire
I'm wondering if they got the ages confused on the 1851 or the first William died .
The only other family which Includes a Susan/Susanna in Wigtownshire on the 1841 is the one married to the Robert, mentioned in the previous message. Robert, 31, was down as a coach trimmer (?), b. Ireland . On this one Susanna was 25-29 and b. Stranraer.
all very confusing 
Gadget
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« Last Edit: Tuesday 24 June 08 12:22 UTC (UK) by Gadget »
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Gadget
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 24474
Holy Island - Pilgrims' Path
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I don't see any birth/baptisms for children of John and Susan/na.
I've checked the Robert and Susan/na family on the 1851 and 1861. Robert is a fireman on a steam ship and was alive, but absent from home, in 1861.
I think that we might have to concentrate on the 1851 Argyll family. John b. Stoneykirk and Susan/na b. Portpatrick.
Gadget
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Gadget
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 24474
Holy Island - Pilgrims' Path
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1861
Inch
District 899 ED 1
Susan Armstrong, wid, 44, formerly sewer, b. Inch
Susan, dau, 18, domestic servant, b. Inch
This daughter Susan born circa 1843 seems to be the correct one. She was obviously 'economical with the truth' at her marriage 
Gadget
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Gadget
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 24474
Holy Island - Pilgrims' Path
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To gather together this family:
1836 - marriage of John Armstrong and Susan Flitting, Inch
1841:
Lochans, Inch
District 886 ED 9 Folio 9 Page 7
John Armstrong, 20-24, Ag Lab
Susanna, 20-24
William, 1
Robert, 3
All b. Wigtownshire
1851:
Dunoon and Kilmun, Argyll
District 510 ED 1 Page 5
John Armstrong, 33, Coachman, b.Wigtown, Stoneykirk
Susanna, 33, coachman's wife, b. Wigtown, Portpatrick
Robert, 13, coachman's son, b. Wigtown, Inchporrick (?)
Susanna, 8, coachman's daughter, b. b. Wigtown, Inchporrick (?)
William, 3, coachman's son, b. Wigtown, Inchporrick (?)
1861:
Inch
District 899 ED 1 Page 13
Susan Armstrong, wid, 44, formerly sewer, b. Inch
Susan, dau, 18, domestic servant, b. Inch
I don't think that the Pennighame (Newton Stewart) , 1856 death was your John Armstrong. It gives him as a miner and the informant is a Rachel Armstrong*. I don't see any promising ones. he might have died 1851-1854 and not be recorded in the available records.
Gadget
* see reply #12 below for details of the John who died
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Gadget
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 24474
Holy Island - Pilgrims' Path
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I'm thinking that John's father might well have been a Robert and Susan's, a William. Naming conventions and all that 
It might be worth checking if there was a Robert Armstrong having children in the 1800-1820 period in Stoneykirk/Inch and also following up any William Fleetin/Fleeten/Flittings Portpatrick/Inch.
Maybe the Robert, fireman, was a sibling or other relative.
Gadget
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Gadget
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 24474
Holy Island - Pilgrims' Path
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There doesn't seem to be any signs on a first trawl of the sons Robert (b.c. 1838) or William (b.c. 1848) on the 1861 census.
Gadget
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Gadget
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 24474
Holy Island - Pilgrims' Path
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The John Armstrong who died in 1856 is this one I would think:
1851
Newton Stewart, Penninghame
District 895 ED 5 Pag3
John, 40, lead miner, b. England
Mary, 34
and 5 children, including a Rachel
Regards
Gadget
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Leaver
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hello Gadget,
Reading through your postings is like a breath of fresh air. Very many thanks, your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Before I toddled off to bed last night, I was looking at the Death Certificate of the John Armstrong (miner) who died at the age of 48 at Newton Stewart. Now, as I said initially, I don't know this neck of the woods very well, but realised, being a true Jock, that Newton Stewart lies something like 25 miles east of Stranraer. The whole area seems like a nice place to be.
You have now given me quite a lot of information for me to work on, and that really is terrific. As you know, my resources are pretty Spartan, but, I do the best that I can. The important thing is that I really do enjoy my hobby, and if people like us can eventually produce a reasonable history of our ancestors and share it with others who may or may not be connected, then it gives one a good feeling.
Again, very well done, and a million thanks for your efforts.
Tom.
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Leaver
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hello Gadget,
Reading backwards, just a wee bit - you're absolutely correct - it is VERY confusing. Many thanks for stopping me going off at the wrong tangent with the second wife of John Jackson Ferns - that's a great help. On that point, I was trying to find out something about the 1861 Census for Royal Navy personnel where I believe that there is a mention of an Able Seaman John Ferns. However, I haven't found that entry.
I noted that Leswalt is only a couple of miles North West of Stranraer, so, I'm starting to get a feel for the place! I also had another look at the Death Certificate of the Susan Armstrong who died on 17th August, 1870 at the age of 58. That Certificate certainly shows that her Dad was John, the coachman. So, I'm back to square one again, asking myself who the blue blazes were the wives of John Jackson Ferns?
You know, Gadget, this is what I really like doing. It may not be "the accepted method" of doing things, but, like a lot of other people, I love to see a bit of colour on the postings.
Tom.
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« Last Edit: Wednesday 25 June 08 03:06 UTC (UK) by tommacgregor »
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Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 5
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Portpatrick-906.jpg