wanting to find something out about the bells in ecclefechan

[Charmed4ever]

I am looking for any information about the bells from Ecclefechan, Scotland.  My great grandfather was born there, the name is Thomas Bell.  He was born in 1888.  He later then moved to Lashburn, Saskatchewan, Canada, where he put up his homestead, and married Margaret DeJong of Belcarres, Saskatchewan.  Thomas's fathers name was James Bell, he was born in 1853, he was born and raised and died in Scotland.  Not sure where in Scotland tho, possibly Ecclefechan. James married Jane Clow, she was from Scotland as well.  She was born in 1857.  They were married in Ann, Scotland.  What I'm looking for is information going further back in my line, I don't know if I will find anything but its worth a try.

[MonicaL]

Welcome to RootsChat!

I have found James Bell and Jane Clow in the 1881 Census, they are slightly older than you thought:

BELL James, age 32, woolen weaver, b. Hoddam
BELL Jane, age 34, b. Hoddam
BELL Janet, age 3, b. Hoddam
BELL Christina, age 1. b. Hoddam
BELL James, age 1, b. Hoddam

Now also in the household are the following children:
CLOW Agnes, age 14, b. Hoddam, daughter
CLOW John, age 11, b. Hoddam, son
CLOW William, age 8, b. Hoddam, son

Address: Hall Road, Hoddam, Dumfries

The Clow children look to be have been born illegitimately. From IGI, these look like their birth entries, with only Jane Clow showing as mother:

1. JOHN CLOW  Birth: 04 MAY 1869 Hoddam, Dumfries, Scotland
2. AGNES CLOW Birth: 11 JAN 1867 Hoddam, Dumfries, Scotland
3. WILLIAM CLOW Birth: 27 DEC 1872 Hoddam, Dumfries, Scotland

Regards

Monica

[MonicaL]

I've found Jane Clow's death cert in 1901 in Ecclefechan. Her parents were John Clow and Agnes Armstrong both showing as deceased. James Bell is still alive and reported the death.

I haven't been able to find any further details on Jane. Nothing shows for her under Clow in the 1851 Census in Dumfriesshire for her and her parents.

Monica

[MonicaL]

My last bit!

I cannot find a marriage for James and Jane which is surprising given they state on their son Thomas's birth cert that they were married on 24 April 1875 in Annan but I haven't been able to find an entry across all Scotland (and using wildcards to pick up on spelling variants) on the searches on Scotlands People, the official pay to view BMD and Census site.

I have found James's death entry. He lived to the ripe of old age 86 and died in 1935. His parents show as James Bell and Margaret Johnstone.

From the 1851 Census, this looks like his entry:

BELL James, son of Margaret Johnston, age 2, b. Hoddam
BELL Robert, son of Margaret Johnston, age 4mths, b. Hoddam
JOHNSTON Jean, daughter, age 8, b. Hoddam
JOHNSTON Margaret, age 33, Bobbin Winder, unmarried, b. Hoddam

Address: Ecclefechan Village(829), Hoddam. Household No: 5/51

Hopefully this is a start to tracing your Scottish family! You will need to look at the Scotlands People site to widen your knowledge by looking at BMD certs and censuses. Have a look at the the two help guides here before you start, to help you know what to expect:

www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,24468.0.html

www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,43916.0.html

Regards.

Monica

[reb100]

Thomas was my grandfather.  He passed away a couple years before I was born.  I doubt I have any information you don't already have.  If you read this , please reply so we can compare notes.