James McNeil

[Liz Aitken]

Hi, I've just discovered I have an ancestor called James McNeil who was born in Greenock, Renfrewshire in 1842. He is listed in the 1881 Census as listed as living in Middlesex, and was an "Overseer of Boiler Making", so possibly he was doing something similar to this on the Clyde, before he moved down to London.

I have found that he married Emma Frieda Hook and they gave birth to my Great Grandfather Frank James McNeil in 1866.

I can't seem to find James' birth certificate or trace him back to his parents.

Any information to help me trace him would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
Liz   

[keyboard86]

Hi Liz a difficult young man to locate ( at least by census) prior to this possible 1861:-

James MCNEAL 19 occ Boiler Maker b Greenock residing with others of a similar/associated trade at Doris Terrace, 26, Manchester Road, Poplar, London.
Census Ref RG09/311/35/5

I note in 1871 Emma F Mcneil aged 30 Married b Kent along with 3 Grandchildren, are with her parents Henry & Sarah Ann Hook residing at Town Wall Street, Dover, Kent
Census Ref RG10/107/50/37

The marriage (  for which possibly you will need to purchase the certificate) was Dec qtr 1864 Dover, James is shown as James MCNIEL 2a 1457 and Emma as Emma Fielder Hook 2a 1487
Keyboard86

[ColC]

There are two births for James McNeil 1842 Renfrew on Scotlands People.

Colin

[keyboard86]

Hi a possible 1851 for you:-

James Mcneil 31 occ Boiler Maker b Scotland
Ann 30 b Scotland
JAMES 9 b Scotland
Mary A 7 b Cheshire
John 5 b Liverpool
Catherine 4 b Scotland
Sarah 2 b Liverpool
Mary 45 Widow occ Annuitant b Ireland
Residing at 25, Raymand Street, Liverpool
Census Ref HO107/2177/530/44
Keyboard86

[keyboard86]

Hi again Liz, the probate for James and Emma:-

James McNeil formerly of Chiswick occ Goverment Inspector of Boilers, but late of Middlesex Lunatic Asylum, Banstead in the county of Surrey, who died 24th March 1885 at the said asylum, was granted at the Principal Registry to Emma Fielder Mcneil of Commerce House, Devonshire Road, Chiswick. Widow the Relict Personal Effects £221 6s 3d

Emma Fielder Mcneil of 42, Bloemfontein Road, Shepherds Bush, Middlesex, died 2nd August 1917 Probate 19th September to Ernest Henry McNeil occ Engineer & Frederick Richard Kennett occ Auctioneer Effects £998 4s 5d

Also the death of one of the children on the 1871 with Emma F:-

James Walter J Mcneil December qtr 1876 Sculcoates 9d 114 aged 7
Keyboard86

[keyboard86]

Hi again, living close by to James in 1861:-

James MCMAIL 39 ( Mcneil on original) occ Boiler Smith b Ayrshire?
Charlotte 29 Wife b Southampton
Sarah 11 b Liverpool
John 15 occ Apprentice to Engineer Smith b Liverpool
Charlotte Newman 7 Stepdaughter b London
Residing at 4, Canal Street, Poplar, London
Census Ref RG09/311/74/38
Keyboard86

[Liz Aitken]

Thank you so much for the great help you've given to me with this search. James' death in the Lunatic Asylum confirms my suspicions that Huntington disease has come through this line of my family. My uncle died from it a couple of years ago, but then, they didn't have a name for it. I can see that James and his sons had engineering ability which has also been passed down. Great info, but sad at the same time.

Liz

[keyboard86]

Hi again Liz, now pretty sure that James b c 1842 Greenock was the son of James & Ann, here is a bit more for you:-

Marriage James Mcneill to Ann McGuinnes 14th February 1841 East Parish, Greenock

In 1841 James aged 20 occ Engineer J ( Journeyman) b Scotland and Ann 20 b Renfrewshire are with a John MCGINNIS aged 45 and family at West Blackhall Street, Greenock
No Census ref shown

2nd marriage

James Mcneil Widower occ Engineer Father James (Dead)
Charlotte Newman Widow Father William Port? occ Farmer
30th July 1860 St Botolph, Aldgate

The will of James McNeil 22nd Jamuary 1887

The Will of James McNeil formerly of 10, Queens Terrace, Cubitt Town, Poplar, but late 239, Burdett Road, Limehouse, both in the county of Middlesex, Boiler Smith who died 2nd December 1886 at 239, Burdett Road, was proved at the Principal Registry by Charlotte McNeil of 239, Burdett Road, Widow the relict the sole executrix Personal effects £543 7s

Keyboard86

[Liz Aitken]

Thanks so much for all your help and great information about James McNeil b. 1841, (my great great grandfather) and I will investigate this further. You have gone to a lot of trouble to help me and I appreciate it very much.

I have just been told that one of his children, Horace Hook McNeil was murdered in 1921 in Shepherds Bush. I don't know where to go to confirm this information and find out more about it. I have just started researching my family and I am discovering new sites all the time.

Thank you,
Liz