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Topic: Armstrong of Wigtownshire (Read 5536 times)
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Gadget
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 24480
Holy Island - Pilgrims' Path
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Hi Celia
Yes John Jackson Ferns died 15 May 1884 in Glasgow, aged 48. He appears to have become a coastguard at some point between 1861 and 1871. Gadget xx
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Hi Tom~
From the two censuses that we have on John Armstrong, he was born circa 1818 in Stoneykirk.
These are Armstrongs in Wigtownshire OPRs for the 1810-1820 period:
17 Nov 1810, Portpatrick: Thomas McKenzie, to Thomas Armstrong and Sussana Renney
27 Aug 1811, Kirkmaiden: Mary, to Thomas Armstrong and Mary Ann Brown
27 Nov 1812, Portpatrick: Helen, to Thomas Armstrong and Susannah Reinney
22 Nov 1813, Kirkmaiden: John, to Thomas Armstrong and Mary Brown
19 July 1814, Kirkmaiden: John, to John Armstrong and Jean Room
1 Jan 1815, Portpatrick: James Gillespie, to Thoams Armstrong and Susanna Reinney
27 Feb 1815, Stranraer: Patrick, to George Armstrong and Jane Lilburn
2 Oct 1815, Stranraer: Mary, to Thomas Armstrong and Jane Warren
26 Nov 1815, Kirkmaiden: Susannah, to James Armstrong and Elizabeth Mean
27 Nov 1815, Stoneykirk: Robert to Robert Armstrong
27 July 1816, Stoneykirk: Andrew, to Richard Armstrong and Jane Thorburn
7 Jan 1818, Inch: James, to Feorge Armstrong and <no name> Lymburn
24 Oct 1818, Stoneykirk: Robert, to James Armstrong and Elizabeth Main
14 Nov 1818, Portpatrick: Mary, to Thomas Armstrong and Susannah Reinney
7 Jan 1819, Leswalt: William, to Robert Armstrong and Grissel Biggam
29 May 1819, Stoneykirk: John to Richard Armstrong and Jane Thorburn
19 July 1819, Inch: Elisabeth, to Robert Armstrong and Sarah McEwen
Regards
Gadget
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Gadget
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 24480
Holy Island - Pilgrims' Path
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Hi Tom
It might be worth you putting a request up on the Co Antrim board, Ireland fo your Fleeten/Flitting, etc. There are a number of Fleeting baptisms on the IGI for Ballinderry, Antrim.
Gadget
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Gadget
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 24480
Holy Island - Pilgrims' Path
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Also a Sarah Fleeting marriage 10 Feb 1829, Portpatrick. Sarah married Thomas Shanks.
Here, they are in the 1851:
East Tarowe, Stoneykirk
898 ED 1 Page 12
Thomas Shanks, 45, weaver, b. ireland
Sarah, 41, b. Ayrshire
William, 12, b. Inch
John, 10, b. Inch
Sarah, 6, b. Inch
Martha, 3, b. Inch
Anthony, 2 mths, b. Stoneykirk
Possibility of Sarah being a sister - just a theory. Maybe they were in Ayrshire and moved to Portpatrick before Susan was born. Worth investigating anyway.
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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Hi Celia,
..................... and I really thought that I was doing the "right thing" in trying to split the tasks into two!  I didn't want to confuse anybody by trying to do too much all at once.
TASK ONE
Try to find out if Great-Grandfather, John Jackson FERNS did indeed serve in the Royal Navy. Mention that "Sancti" spoke about an Able Seaman, John T Jackson on an 1861 Census. Try not to confuse Celia with other tasks being carried out by Gadget.
TASK TWO
Try to find out more about the first marriage of Great-Grandfather, John Jackson FERNS. Don't confuse Gadget by going into detail about the possibility of John serving in the Royal Navy.
Oops! In trying to do what I thought was right, I only succeeded in creating confusion. I'm terribly sorry, folks. However, compared to just a short time ago, the terrific information about this part of my family is mind-blowing, and I really am most grateful.
My very best wishes to you, as always.
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,
You will have read my little apology to poor Celia. I had no intention of causing any confusion, but certainly succeeded in doing so, eh? I feel quite comfortable in just asking Celia to plug away on anything she may be able to find about the possibility of my Great-Grandfather, John Jackson FERNS serving in the Royal Navy. I bet the poor woman feels like burying a hatchet in my thick skull! (only kidding!)
Well, here's another first for me; a suggestion that I go onto the County Antrim Board, Ireland. When I was at work during the Stone Age, I paid a visit to a place called Clonmel where the company that I worked for had a factory. What a truly beautiful country Ireland is - and the people so genuinely friendly.
Sure, I will try doing a posting about the Flettin/Fleeton/Fleeting family, but I hope that I make a better job of "keeping it simple". 
My very best wishes, as always.
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,
I would like to point to Replies #39 and 40 where Gadget was asking about the connections to the Ferns Family by "Sancti" and myself. I think everyone on the site now knows that John Jackson Ferns was my Great Grandfather, and that his son, Peter Cochrane Ferns was my Grandfather. Peter died at No 2 Pit Bowhill, Auchterderran in Fife in September, 1908. Sancti replied that he had an unconnected Ferns line.
Since the whole point of RootsChat is to give a helping hand to each other, I thought that it may be of some help to give details about some members of the family that I came across that don't appear to be connected to my branch.
1881 Census.
Dwelling: 28 Duncan Street,
Census Place: West Greenock, Renfrew.
Source: FHL Film 0203575 GRO Ref. Vol. 564-3
Enum. District: 38 Page 21.
James Ferns Head Age 45 born in Ireland. Occ. Carting contractor.
Eliz. A. Ferns Wife Age 44 born in Ireland.
Elizabeth Ferns Dau Age 20 born in Greenock, Renfrew.
Ellen Ferns Dau Age 18 born in Greenock, Renfrew.
Mary Ferns Dau Age 16 born in Greenock, Renfrew.
Thomas Ferns Son Age 8 born Greenock, Renfrew.
Another Irish connection:
Address: 60 Bay Street, Highland Close
Census Place: Port Glasgow, Renfrew.
Source: FHL Film 0203586. GRO Ref. Vol. 574.
James Ferns Head Age 60 born in Ireland Occ. Gardeners Labourer
Agnes Ferns Wife Age 55 born in Ireland
Patrick Ferns Son. Age 31 born in Ireland.
Elizabeth Ferns Dau. Age 25 born in Port Glasgow, Renfrew. Occ. Canvas Wvr.
James Ferns Son. Age 23 born in Port Glasgow, Renfrew. Occ. Carpenter.
I hope that the above may be of some assistance to other researchers of the family.
My very best wishes, as always.
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 all the interesting facts that are coming to light, I have totally neglected to refer back to Elizabeth FERNS, the daughter born to the first wife of my Great Grandfather, John Jackson FERNS.
The eight year-old girl shown on the 1871 Census, which was taken at 83 Shore Street, Kirkmaiden, Wigtown, saw her mother die in 1873 at Kirkmaiden and then, a year later, saw her father marry once again. This time to Susan Armstrong at Milton. So, whatever happened to this unfortunate little girl?
When I look at the 1881 Census taken at Main Street, Inverkip, Renfrewshire, Source: FHL Film 0203576 GRO Ref. Vol. 567-1 Page 19, I see John J. Ferns aged 45 as the Head of the Household, his wife, Susan Armstrong aged 36, their two sons, John and Peter Ferns, their daughter, Susan Ferns and Old Peter Ferns, the 82 year-old ex-Block Printer.
It would be nice to know what happened to John's oldest child, the result of his union with Elizabeth McDonald. Incidentally, I can find no trace of her Grandparents, no matter how hard I try. Put it down to the "pretty ordinary" resources that I'm using. 
Best wishes,
Tom.
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Gadget
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 24480
Holy Island - Pilgrims' Path
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Hi Tom
Please be assured that I have not been confused at all by your requests. Neither do I think has Celia.
It is always polite to inform people fully of what and where you have asked for information. This means that no one then does unnecessary work.
We are all more than happy to help others but we do want people to be up front with (and link where necessary) their requests.
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 Celia,
Very many thanks for your very welcome message. It really is nice of you to go to such a lot of trouble to help me out. I wonder if there is some Defence Department that I could contact - probably in London?, where I could make enquiries. Problem is, I haven't actually seen that 1861 Census - only the mention of it.
My very best wishes to you.
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 Gadget,
Ouch! I'm suitably chastised. Again, I'm terribly sorry for any inconvenience caused. I thought that you would have noticed that I have been trying hard to put sources on my latest postings - even to the point of highlighting such sources.  I couldn't agree more with what you say, though.
I took your advice about the posting on the Irish Board and received a message from Rosemary Joan when I awoke this morning. I think we're moving forward ever so slowly, but at least we're moving.
Again, very many thanks for your kindness, patience and help.
Best Wishes,
Tom.
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Gadget
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 24480
Holy Island - Pilgrims' Path
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Hello Tom
Yes, I'd noticed that you have sourced your findings -well done I hope that you can find more information in Ireland.
Some of my ancestors travelled the Ireland - Galloway route and I'm still trying to find them (Spalding, Burgess and Carson).
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,
Many thanks for your words of encouragement, they spur me on to better things, but you have to bear in mind that I'm a mere novice on RootsChat - only about 6 months. Kidding apart though, yes it is vital that I should give as much detail about sources as I possibly can, but to be perfectly frank, I do sometimes become a bit forgetful about such things due to the medication that I have to take. I don't mind in the least when someone like yourself gives me a gentle poke in the ribs, or even a rather humourous telling off. I take it all in good part.
You will see from the Irish Board that I have had a couple of quick responses, and that really does make me feel good. I sent immediate responses, and explained in one of them, that, yes, the local Family History Centre seems to be a good idea, but, unfortunately, I am unable to travel that far due to my health restrictions.
The details that you gave about Thomas Shanks and his wife, Sarah Fleeting pushed me in the right direction, (I think!), and so I went onto familysearch to explore a bit. I went on to IGI Batch Numbers C118864 and C118994 and had a closer look of the sparse details that were on the Census. This is what I found:
Thomas Shanks married Sarah Fleeting 10th February, 1829 at Portpatrick.
Batch No: C118864 Date: 1819-1855 Source: 1068036.
Hugh Shanks chr. 14th Sept. 1832 at Stranraer, Wigtown Extracted b/chr.
James Shanks chr. 12th Sept. 1834 at Inch, Wigtown. Extracted b/chr.
Hugh Shanks chr. 14th Feb. 1837 at Inch, Wigtown. Extracted b/chr.
William Shanks chr. 12th Feb. 1839 at Inch, Wigtown. Extracted b/chr.
John Shanks chr. 9th Jan. 1842. at Inch, Wigtown. Extracted b/chr.
Martha Shanks chr. 16th May, 1847 at Inch, Wigtown. Extracted b/chr.
Anthony Shanks chr. 26th Jan. 1851 at Stoneykirk, Wigtown. Extracted b/chr.
I also had a look at Batch No. C118994 Dates 1819-1855 Source: 1068042.So, as you quite rightly stated on another posting, that should save other researchers from spending unnecessary time carrying out the same exercise. Having said that, would you believe that I came across a Sarah Shanks born 1845 at Inch, Wigtown,and then promptly lost the source. Such are the penalties of age and the wonders of modern technology! 
I think the interest being generated is quite promising, and the little bits of information being given is truly remarkable.
My very best wishes as always.
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 Gadget,
In my "epistle" about sources, I forgot to mention that whilst on the Internet I came across Census information transcribed from Crown public records by a Mr. John Roy. Searching around I came across some "fragments' of the 1851 Census, that may or may not have some connection to the SHANKS family.
Address: 135 North Drumlanry Street, Thornhill (843).
Parish: Morton.
Margaret SHANKS Relationship: Daughter of David SHANKS
Age: 1
Born: Thornhill, Morton, Dms.
I'm painfully aware of my rather poor resources, and so, even small snippets of information like that makes me go onto familysearch and try to find out more details. It's a rather laborious way of doing things, but it keeps me out of mischief.
As I said on the Irish postings, I really don't have an awful lot to go on with certain branches of my Family Tree, but tend to believe that the ARMSTRONG/FLEETING (Spelling!) connection is quite important and so, such things as Parish Records may, just may, hold the answers to many of my questions. I also believe that the Irish connection is probably just as important, and that would also apply to the parents and grandparents of my Great-Grandfather. It feels rather strange for me trying to extract information from the Emerald Isle at my time of life, but I seem to be enjoying my hobby even more, due to the wonderful support that I'm getting from so many different people.
My very best wishes as always,
Tom.
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Gadget
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 24480
Holy Island - Pilgrims' Path
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Hello Tom
I'm not sure if i gave you the reference to this site before. it's really good for Wigtownshire - Terry found some stuff on her family there - :
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~leighann/
Have a really good explore around and you might find lots hidden away!
Gadget 
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