James Rankin Laing

[Rodeo]

That 1855 death registration shows Margaret's mother's surname as Hamilton and other surnames as Barr and Black.

Cheers,

Rodeo

[akissling]

Thanks so much Rodeo! This is fantastic information! Hamilton is her mother's maiden name so that makes some sense. I spent the weekend combing through newspaper death notices and couldn't find one for her. I assumed she died during childbirth (she had a daughter Mary Rankin Laing in February of the same year). I guess that theory is wrong. Thanks so much for solving this mystery!!
Alison
ps thanks to lizci for the link to the Laing website. I am amazed that they are still around!

[Skoosh]

Always worth a look in the National Archives,

http://www.nas.gov.uk/onlineCatalogue/

Skoosh

[akissling]

Thanks for the link to the archives Skoosh. I will take a look at the two records in there. They look pretty interesting. Rodeo, I tried to locate the death  record on a large site with Scottish BMD records and couldn't find it. I know it won't give my any more information  than what you kindly posted but am wondering if it can be purchased.Thanks again for helping me solve this family mystery!

[Rodeo]

Hi Alison

The information I gave you was merely from the index record on the ScotlandsPeople website. I didn't view the actual certificate. You can download it for 5 credits on SP -- and definitely well worth it.

Cheers,

Rodeo

[Rodeo]

I meant to add that Margaret's death was registered in Tradeston --- not Hamilton. Perhaps that's why you couldn't find it.

Cheers,

Rodeo

[akissling]

Hi Rodeo,
Fantastic! Found it! I wish everyone had such complete death records! Thanks again for your help. I couldn't have done it without you!

[loveleelaydee]

So interesting as I am researching the Laing family! The present company is now in two parts - Laing's of Glasgow and Laing Edinburgh. Its always been a mystery as to how James Rankin Laing got into watchmaking. I did find the marriage between him and Margaret and noted with interest that her previous husband had been a watchmaker. Anyway just wanted to say thanks as your information has provided me with some further detail.

Ps Margaret's daughter Mary Laing died young at 2 and a half in May 1857 by which time James had remarried.

[akissling]

Interesting! You probably already know this but James's second wife Elizabeth Miller married his brother William in 1867. I appreciate the information about Mary the daughter because I couldn't find it. Do you remember if that was in the newspaper or death records? I am still trying to find James Laing and Margaret Black's son James born around 1853. He was living with his stepmother Elizabeth in 1861 while his half brother and sister lived with Margaret's sister. After that he disappears.