Alexander 'Sandy' Macdonald - Fort William

[Lauren Campbell]

My 3x great uncle Alexander 'Sandy' Macdonald was born about 1879 on the Isle of Rum to Alexander Macdonald and Catherine Nicolson. His family moved from Rum to Oban although I haven't got an exact date for this, somewhere between 1881 and 1902. From what I have found from a relative, Sandy went to either a workhouse or poorhouse in Fort William in the mid 1950s, although I am unsure as to how I can find anything else out about this. I know Sandy was an alcoholic and unmarried, but obviously I am keen to find out more about where he could have resided in Fort William and if I could find any date of death. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Skoosh]

Lauren,  a book which might interest you, "Bare Feet & Tackety Boots" by Archie Cameron, A Rum boyhood.

Skoosh.

[MonicaL]

Hi Lauren

The MacDonald family show in Oban living at 13 Soroba Rd in the 1891 census, with the youngest born Donald aged 9 showing as born in Rum.

Monica 

[Rosinish]

Wondering if this may be the place in question?

http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Lorn/

Annie

[Rosinish]

Is this the parents marriage?

NICOLSON CATHERINE
MCDONALD ALEXANDER
1858
644/6 367
367
Blythswood

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTTY-ZQD

Alexander Mcdonald & Catherine Nicolson
12 Oct 1858
Blythswood, Glasgow, Lanark

I couldn't find a birth on Rum (RD Small Isles) for an Alexander in any variation 1875 - 1882

I couldn't find a death in the Fort William area 1950 - 1979 which would match either name nor near year of birth.

I think it may be an idea to find his actual birth 1st?

Annie

[Forfarian]

1881 census (LDS CD-ROM)
Guirdle, Small Isles
Alexander McDonald, 44, Shepherd, born Duirinish
Catherine McDonald, wife, 37, born Snizort
Marion McDonald, daughter, 14, born Duirinish
John McDonald, son, 12, born Duirinish
Sarah McDonald, daughter, 9, born Bracadale
Donald McDonald, son, 7, born Small Isles
Catherine McDonald, daughter, 4, born Small Isles
Alexander McDonald, son, 2, born Small Isles       

So Sandy was indeed born in 1878 or 1879. Sarah's birth is also missing from the SP index and from the IGI.

If Catherine Nicolson's age is accurate, she would have been born in 1843 or 1844. In which case she would have been at most 15 on the date of that marriage in Glasgow. There is a marriage of Alexander Macdonald to Catherine Nicholson in Snizort in 1866, which looks more likely IMO.

[Lauren Campbell]

1881 census (LDS CD-ROM)
Guirdle, Small Isles
Alexander McDonald, 44, Shepherd, born Duirinish
Catherine McDonald, wife, 37, born Snizort
Marion McDonald, daughter, 14, born Duirinish
John McDonald, son, 12, born Duirinish
Sarah McDonald, daughter, 9, born Bracadale
Donald McDonald, son, 7, born Small Isles
Catherine McDonald, daughter, 4, born Small Isles
Alexander McDonald, son, 2, born Small Isles       

So Sandy was indeed born in 1878 or 1879. Sarah's birth is also missing from the SP index and from the IGI.

If Catherine Nicolson's age is accurate, she would have been born in 1843 or 1844. In which case she would have been at most 15 on the date of that marriage in Glasgow. There is a marriage of Alexander Macdonald to Catherine Nicholson in Snizort in 1866, which looks more likely IMO.

I believe they married in 1866 in Snizort and I have that certificate.

[Rosinish]

Forfarian,

"So Sandy was indeed born in 1878 or 1879. Sarah's birth is also missing from the SP index and from the IGI"

That would explain my no find.

You found Alexander on the 1881 but from Monica's post the 1891 census shows youngest as Donald aged 9 born Rum......no sign of Alexander (that night)?


Lauren,

Do you have Alexander on 1901 & 1911?


Annie


Added, Ooops, forgot to mention....

"If Catherine Nicolson's age is accurate, she would have been born in 1843 or 1844. In which case she would have been at most 15 on the date of that marriage in Glasgow. There is a marriage of Alexander Macdonald to Catherine Nicholson in Snizort in 1866, which looks more likely IMO"

That would seem correct, I hadn't checked census' at the time 

[Lauren Campbell]

Forfarian,

"So Sandy was indeed born in 1878 or 1879. Sarah's birth is also missing from the SP index and from the IGI"

That would explain my no find.

You found Alexander on the 1881 but from Monica's post the 1891 census shows youngest as Donald aged 9 born Rum......no sign of Alexander (that night)?


Lauren,

Do you have Alexander on 1901 & 1911?


Annie

At the moment I only have 1901. I believe he was a joiner's apprentice in Oban. He resided at 13 Soroba Road.