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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Lanarkshire => Topic started by: akissling on Saturday 23 December 17 22:23 GMT (UK)
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Does anyone know why you can't find death records from around 1830-1850 for Hamilton on the popular Scottish website (not sure if I can name it) in the Old Parish Records? I am trying to find the death of my ancestor William Barr, clockmaker (born 1780). He lived in Hamilton on Muir Street. Wm was named in a marriage announcement of his daughter Margaret Barr to William Lyon in Wellington, NZ in 1844 and he wasn't referred to as deceased (although it is possible that he was). His 2nd wife Margaret Ferguson Barr's had a death notice in the Glasgow Herald in 1846 and she wasn't listed as relict. Maybe that wasn't the custom. Just to add to this Wm had a son Wm, also a clockmaker. I didn't find his death record either but found a notice Jan 1849 that he had died probably the month before.
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Prioir to 1855 there were no death records just entries in the parish books. Very few deaths were recorded and the information recorded varied sometimes it may only be a record of the rental of the mort cloth which was recorded
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Have you checked ScotlandsPeople to see if William Barr senior left a will, or if there is an inventory for him?
Not relevant, but the following notice appears in column 5 of page 2, Glasgow Herald 19 Sept. 1845.
LOST
Upon the Farm of Low Carbarns,
A DOUBLE BOTTOM VERTICAL GOLD WATCH,
No. 5471 - with Gold Chain and Key.
Any person who has found the same, and will return it to Mr.
Kerr at Carbarns, or to William Barr & Son, watchmakers,
Hamilton, will be handsomely rewarded.
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Hi ,
There is a William Barr(aged 60) watch maker and Margaret Barr(age 55) on the 1841 Census(FreeCEN) , Muir Wind Hamilton.
ev
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1851 Census(FreeCEN)(all born Hamilton Lanarkshire).
58 Cadzow Street , Hamilton Lanarkshire
William Barr(Mrs) 30 widow female watch maker emp. 1 man
William Barr 8 son
Margaret Barr 4 dau.
Could that be the son's family ?
ev
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1851 Census(FreeCEN)(all born Hamilton Lanarkshire).
58 Cadzow Street , Hamilton Lanarkshire
William Barr(Mrs) 30 widow female watch maker emp. 1 man
William Barr 8 son
Margaret Barr 4 dau.
Could that be the son's family ?
ev
It fits with the birth announcements that I saw a while ago. No death notices for William Snr. so far.
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Thanks everyone. The 1841 census is Wm Sr and his second wife for sure. The newspaper from 1845 is a nice detail and appreciated. The 1851 census is the wife of Wm Jr (his wife was also Margaret, just to make it more confusing!). I will double check the wills and see if I can find something. Thanks again!
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Does anyone know why you can't find death records from around 1830-1850 for Hamilton on the popular Scottish website (not sure if I can name it) in the Old Parish Records?
Because the Hamilton OPR dosn't include deaths between those dates. See https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files//research/list-of-oprs/detailed-list-of-old-parochial-registers-of-scotland.pdf
I presume that you have checked and there are no separate cemetery or burial records in the care of the local council?
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@ AK, I checked to see if they appear in the relevant Trade Incorporation lists for Glasgow around that time, which was the Hammermen, but no joy. If Hamilton had Trade Guilds there should be something in the Burgh Records with South Lanarkshire Council. Rutherglen & Lanark did have so worth a try there as they could have been apprenticed outside Hamilton but might appear in the Burgess Rolls for any of these. The Lanarkshire Family History Society might also be worth a try! (originally the Hamilton & District Family History Society I think)
Skoosh.
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Thanks very much for the pdf Forfarin! The pdf is helpful not only for Hamilton but some family in Polmount and Falkirk. Very helpful. One family member is buried in Bent Cemetery but I haven't found a list of burials there. No Barr family members are in the FindaGrave but I know that is reported by people and not an actual list of who is buried there. I have not contacted local council either. Skoosh, thanks for check the trade inc. lists! It sounds like I need to get in touch with the Lanarshire Family History Society. Thanks both of you for reminding me of that and your help!
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In case you haven't seen it (can be found on line) the entry from "Old Scottish Clockmakers from 1453 to 1850" by John Smith, Edinburgh 1921 reads:
BARR, WILLIAM. Muir Wynd, Hamilton 1808-1837.
"FIVE GUINEAS REWARD:- Whereas early on
Tuesday morning, the 13th curt., the shop of Wm. Barr,
watch and clock maker in Hamilton, was broken into
and nine watches carried off, makers' names and numbers
as follows:-
D. Williamson, London, No. 371
N. Preston, London, No. 6013.
B. Richardson, London, No. 5577.
A. Anderson, London, No. 243.
A hunting watch with a small glass by Richardson,
London. A close hunting watch, Wm. Barr, Hamilton;
a new watch, Edmonds, flat chapter dial, and other
two watches, names and numbers unknown.
This is to give notice that whoever will give such
information to Wm. Barr, in Hamilton, as will lead
to the detection of the above articles will receive five
guineas' reward and no questions asked."
Glasgow Courier, 15th September 1808.
That's all the entry says. It sounds as if this is the earliest mention the author could find as he gives the dates 1808-1837. It is possible that he has found from some source that William Barr senior died in 1837, hence that date.
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That is an interesting find and theory. Thanks very much!