Death of William Ralston

[Wilton Endeavour]

There is no cause of death on his certificate. But he was a lock keeper and he died at Underwood Lock, near Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, on 1st February 1862.
He was 30 years old and the informant was Brother-in-Law John Adam.
His Father James Ralston was also a lock keeper.
There is something written at the left hand side of the certificate in very small writing saying "See report"
So I wondered if perhaps there had been an accident of some kind and it went to a enquiry somewhere? 

Wilton Endeavour

[Wilton Endeavour]

Even more of a mystery is that when he was born Kilsyth in 1832.
William's parents were James Ralston and Mary Munro.
When he died in 1862, his parents were James Ralston and Mary Montrose.

Wilton Endeavour

[ev]

Hi Wilton ,

Just wondering about that writing at the left hand side , SP has this -
http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/content/help/index.aspx?r=551&1314

ev

Added - re parents names , Munro(s) & Montrose aren't that far apart pronunciation wise.

[Wilton Endeavour]

Hello EV,

Yes I found the red button costing two credits containing an RCE attached to the record.
Just going to get my magnifying glass out to read it.
As you say, Montrose isn't the surname, but it's actually Munro. The registrar must have picked up what he heard and wrote it down instead.

Wilton Endeavour

[Wilton Endeavour]

Accidental drowning by falling into said canal between 4pm and 5pm on 1st February 1862.
This happened at Lock 17 on the Forth and Clyde canal.
William Ralston age 28 years.

[Wilton Endeavour]

Going by the accident being in February, the weather could have been icy or snowy and maybe Mr Ralston has slipped and fell in. And it could have been early dark as well. As he was employed as a canal lock keeper. He could have been letting a boat pass through the lock when this accident has happened. Just wondering what any other readers on here think?

Wilton Endeavour

[apanderson]

Have a look here: http://maps.nls.uk/view/74430878

The map (1859-1865) will show you exactly where Lock 17 is on the canal. It's still very much in use as this is only a few miles at most from the Falkirk Wheel. (It's just outside the village of Allandale.)

The Lockhouse was in use up until recently as an Indian Restaurant, but it's in a pretty bad state now as it went on fire. The name of the restaurant was the Underwood Lockhouse.

If you 'google' the name, then choose 'images', there's loads of photos including old ones.

Anne

[Wilton Endeavour]

Thanks Anne for the link,

I live about 3 miles to the East of the Underwood Lockhouse. Opposite the Falkirk Wheel.

Wilton Endeavour

[apanderson]

Och, you'll know exactly where it is then!! 

I'm just five minutes along the road in sunny Bonnybrig.

Anne