John Douglas, Blacksmith - Strathkinness

[Bloosman]

Folks,

Another query for you....

My Gt (x3) Grandfather was John DOUGLAS, a Blacksmith from Strathkinness. He married Elizabeth MYLES in 1852 and had at least two sons that I've been able to identify. I believe he was a grandson of Spence DOUGLAS, also a blacksmith, who appears to feature in a book by Nelda Seed (A Glimpse of a Scottish Village). However, John DOUGLAS died in 1854 at the age of 23 and I am having a hard time justifying my belief with regards to his lineage.

Anyone else out there trying to follow this line...

Douglas.

[Hollander]

Hi Douglas.

Unable to help with your query, but it may be worth your while placing details on Ann Spiro's Blacksmiths of Scotland list.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~blacksmiths/scotland-1.htm#D

I got some useful feedback from the English equivalent.

[Bloosman]

Many thanks FInbar, I'll give it a go.

[Chiad Fhear]

My Gt (x3) Grandfather was John DOUGLAS, a Blacksmith from Strathkinness. He married Elizabeth MYLES in 1852

Hi Douglas ... the IGI gives this as 3 Dec 1852 and spells the spouse as 'ELISABETH MILES'

... and had at least two sons that I've been able to identify.

There's only one child on the IGI - JAMES born 7 Mar 1855, St Andrews and St Leonards, Fife

... However, John DOUGLAS died in 1854 at the age of 23

Taking his y.o.b. as 1831 (1854-23=1831), I can't seem to locate him on the 1861 Census on A*

Regards

Chiad Fhear

[Chiad Fhear]

Sorry Douglas ... silly old me ... he wouldn't have been around then, would he? 

His widow Elizabeth seems to have remarried though and appears as 'Betsy Pullar' at Port Office, St Andrews, Fife (most likely Post Office) with a husband Andrew, 26, b. St Monance, Fife, an Ironstone Miner.  Young James is shown as 'Stepson' and a scholar.  Then there's Andrew Pullar, 2, Son, b. St Andrews, Fife and Margaret, 1 month, Daur, also born St Andrews, Fife

No mention of another Douglas son though.

1871 Census young James is an Agricultural Labourer living at Wormit Farm Bothy, Forgan, Fife

Regards

Chiad Fhear

[Bloosman]

Chiad,

Thanks also for the reply....

I do have the second marriage for Elizabeth Myles to Andrew Pullar and the subsequent move to the Post Office.

Her link to my John Douglas comes from the latters Statutory Marriage certificate to Elizabeth Davidson (1874) showing father and mother to be John Douglas & Elizabeth Myles, the same also his death certificate of 1917.

However, I can find NO record of his birth in the OPR's which I find strange, given the fact that everyone else in their family is there...so no connection on paper between my John and his supposed sibling James, who's own Statutory Birth Certificate shows father (John Douglas) to have 2 living sons, and James (b.1855) to be 2nd child of mother, Betsy Myles.

It also shows father (John Douglas) to have died when aged 23 years the previous December. (1854).

I am pretty certain I'm on the right track, but I've already taken a wrong turn on this line, and wanted to be sure. It is possible that gravestone inscriptions at St. Andrews MAY assist me further, I'll just have to see.

Thanks again for the help and encouragement.

John Douglas McMann.

[Chiad Fhear]

... It is possible that gravestone inscriptions at St. Andrews MAY assist me further, I'll just have to see ...

Hi again John

I had a feeling that someone on RootsChat had said they had the MIs for the north east of Fife and I think this link may help you ... http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,433049.0.html

Cheers

Chiad Fhear

[diddymiller]

Hi -that would be me!!  but the MI's only cover pre  1855. I have looked up Douglas /myiles/miles for St Andrews and cannot find this family sorry.

the fife death CD has:

John Douglas died 22/12/1854  bur 24th. smith  strathkiness

john Douglas 1/4/1846 bur 3rd. labourer strathkiness

william Douglas s/o john (smith)  21/2/1849

Diddy

[diddymiller]

SP has the death of John Douglas 1854 as John Douglas junior

Diddy