Magdalen Portman 1808-1838

[Mamsoth]

I'm trying to find out a little more about a potential ancestor of mine, Magdalen Portman who died in 1838, 30 years old. I can only find a mention of her in 1 record, her death. She is said to have been from Blackfriars Wynd and is buried in "N Smeatons Ground".

This is why I'm sure she must be an ancestor, I have another Portman ancestor who is buried in "N Smeatons Ground" also.

Can anyone help me track down some more records pertaining to this Magdalen Portman?


 

[MonicaL]

Struggling to see much more on Magdalen Portman, although there does seem to be a possible family for her with parents Joseph Portman and Margaret Monro. Was it mother Margaret that died in 1841?

There is certainly gaps for their children given that only daughters Grace's marriage shows in 1824 (born c. 1803 after parents married in 1802) and birth of daughter Margaret in 1812.

Patch info isn't there 

Monica

[MonicaL]

Joseph Portman, spirit seller, shows at 234 Cowgate, 1837-38 www.archive.org/stream/postofficeannual183738edin#page/86/mode/2up

A stone throw (nearly!) from Blackfriars Wynd https://canmore.org.uk/site/search/result?NUMLINK=117866&view=map

Monica

[Mamsoth]

Hi Monica, Joseph Portman and Margaret Monro (who did indeed die in 1841) are my 5 x great grandparents. I did hope to prove Magdalen was their daughter but hadn't managed to. I also thought it was a bit strange the gap between grace and margarets births. I always expected to find more children, but never did.

When I searched on google maps for blackfriars wynd and Cowgate its showing as over 40 miles, is that right or do I have the wrong blackfriars?

[MonicaL]

There is a Blackfriars Wynd that pops up in Perth in current maps. You need to search for the Edinburgh one. Blackfriars Wynd is now also known as Blackfriars Street. 234 Cowgate (where Joseph shows on the Directory) is right at the corner of Cowgate/Blackfriars Wynd (Street). See https://canmore.org.uk/site/120912/edinburgh-234-cowgate

Monica

[Mamsoth]

Thanks alot Monica, there are so few Portmans in Edinburgh around the start of the 19th Century, I feel sure Magdalen has to be Joseph and Margarets Daughter.

 Also I know that Joseph was born in "Foreign Parts" and I may be wrong but Magdalen sounds possibly German or Polish or Czech perhaps. I know several Magdas from Poland.

Still wish I could find a birth record though. I wonder why there doesn't appear to be one?

[MonicaL]

Official Scottish registration only became a requirement from 1855. Before this date you are reliant on the Old Parish Registers. These cover in the main events for the established Church of Scotland, ie presbyterian.

In addition, many registers have been lost or destroyed over the years.

Only about a third of BMD events were noted in the registers at the time, with burials being the worst recorded.

All a bit of hit and miss pre 1855  And when you check the registers, very often only very limited info was recorded. Often no more than a one liner...

Monica

[Mamsoth]

Drat! Well, seeing as I've not found another Portman family living in Edinburgh at this time I think I will add her to the tree 

Thank you very much for the help 

[MonicaL]

Just in case you are curious where Smeatons Ground was, it seems after much discussion here www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=456682.0 that it is to be found in the Canongate Churchyard (for background www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=639768).

Monica