Author Topic: Found in the Solway  (Read 1837 times)

Offline steveg6638

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Found in the Solway
« on: Friday 19 May 17 13:03 BST (UK) »
A slightly grisly query for the group.

I've been trying to trace the death of my great great grandfather William Walker of Annan, but have been hampered up to now by a common name.

However, thanks to the British Newspaper Archive, I've just come across a report in the Dumfries and Galloway Saturday Standard of 2nd Nov 1918, which states that "William Walker who had not been heard of since the Rood Fair at Dumfries, was found in the Solway last week in a decomposed condition".

The age (63) and address quoted matches to my relative.

However when looking on Scotland's People I can't find the registration of a death at this time. I've also checked England & Wales deaths, and the Northern Ireland index but can't find anything that matches.

Can anyone advise why this might be, and more generally how were unusual deaths dealt with at the time in Scotland ?

Also are there any other local newspapers which might provide more details that could be searched on-line. I can't find any others on the BNA.

Thanks

Online ShaunJ

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Re: Found in the Solway
« Reply #1 on: Friday 19 May 17 13:39 BST (UK) »
Per that article and the Southern Reporter of 7 November 1918. he was a labourer and his address was 12 Queensberry Street, Annan.

UK Census info. Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Offline steveg6638

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Re: Found in the Solway
« Reply #2 on: Friday 19 May 17 14:01 BST (UK) »
Yes, thanks. Those are the details I have, which have enabled me to confirm that this William Walker is my ancestor.

I'm hoping to find more details, for example would there be reports of a coroners inquest anywhere, and to work out why I can't find a registration of the death.

Offline Rosinish

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Re: Found in the Solway
« Reply #3 on: Friday 19 May 17 16:07 BST (UK) »
Have you checked the only possible, other than the William John Walker aged 19 which may have had an error (a non relative registering the death & erred with surname)? i.e.

WIGHTMAN
WILLIAM
64
1919
820/ 1
Dryfesdale


I know Walker & Wightman are very different but mistakes can/do happen  :-\


Annie

EDITED.....Just noticed wrong year sorry  ::)
South Uist, Inverness-shire, Scotland:- Bowie, Campbell, Cumming, Currie

Ireland:- Cullen, Flannigan (Derry), Donahoe/Donaghue (variants) (Cork), McCrate (Tipperary), Mellon, Tol(l)and (Donegal & Tyrone)

Newcastle-on-Tyne/Durham (Northumberland):- Harrison, Jude, Kemp, Lunn, Mellon, Robson, Stirling

Kettering, Northampton:- MacKinnon

Canada:- Callaghan, Cumming, MacPhee

"OLD GENEALOGISTS NEVER DIE - THEY JUST LOSE THEIR CENSUS"


Offline steveg6638

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Re: Found in the Solway
« Reply #4 on: Friday 19 May 17 16:31 BST (UK) »
Thanks for your input Annie.

I'll check those records to see whether there is anything to glean.

I guess that nothing is impossible, although the two newspaper reports I've seen on-line clearly indicate he was identified, quoting his name, age and address.

Steve

Offline Rosinish

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Re: Found in the Solway
« Reply #5 on: Friday 19 May 17 16:51 BST (UK) »
It is very strange for the era for it not to have been recorded or there's the possibility it has been missed when indexing?

You could get in touch with;

https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/about-us/contact-us

Give them all the details you know.


Annie
South Uist, Inverness-shire, Scotland:- Bowie, Campbell, Cumming, Currie

Ireland:- Cullen, Flannigan (Derry), Donahoe/Donaghue (variants) (Cork), McCrate (Tipperary), Mellon, Tol(l)and (Donegal & Tyrone)

Newcastle-on-Tyne/Durham (Northumberland):- Harrison, Jude, Kemp, Lunn, Mellon, Robson, Stirling

Kettering, Northampton:- MacKinnon

Canada:- Callaghan, Cumming, MacPhee

"OLD GENEALOGISTS NEVER DIE - THEY JUST LOSE THEIR CENSUS"

Offline PeteRae

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Re: Found in the Solway
« Reply #6 on: Friday 19 May 17 17:41 BST (UK) »
might be stating the obvious...but have you tried the Registrars office in Annan?
Newspaper wise.....Annandale Observer  or Cumberland News archives.
Annan library had records of the Observer but not sure what they have now.
Hope you find your info.
Pete.
Rae , Johnstone , Irving , Aitchison all in D&G....Drysdale and  Stobie in Kinross shire.  Grindley in Cumberland.

Offline Rosinish

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Re: Found in the Solway
« Reply #7 on: Friday 19 May 17 18:14 BST (UK) »
Reply #3 edited as the date was the wrong year.

I suspect that the death would have been registered in the nearest Registrars in Dumfries to where he was actually identified which may be Annan (not knowing the area) or it may be elsewhere?


Annie
South Uist, Inverness-shire, Scotland:- Bowie, Campbell, Cumming, Currie

Ireland:- Cullen, Flannigan (Derry), Donahoe/Donaghue (variants) (Cork), McCrate (Tipperary), Mellon, Tol(l)and (Donegal & Tyrone)

Newcastle-on-Tyne/Durham (Northumberland):- Harrison, Jude, Kemp, Lunn, Mellon, Robson, Stirling

Kettering, Northampton:- MacKinnon

Canada:- Callaghan, Cumming, MacPhee

"OLD GENEALOGISTS NEVER DIE - THEY JUST LOSE THEIR CENSUS"

Offline Rosinish

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Re: Found in the Solway
« Reply #8 on: Friday 19 May 17 18:24 BST (UK) »
This a a good little map of the areas;

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/areaduga/

Annie
South Uist, Inverness-shire, Scotland:- Bowie, Campbell, Cumming, Currie

Ireland:- Cullen, Flannigan (Derry), Donahoe/Donaghue (variants) (Cork), McCrate (Tipperary), Mellon, Tol(l)and (Donegal & Tyrone)

Newcastle-on-Tyne/Durham (Northumberland):- Harrison, Jude, Kemp, Lunn, Mellon, Robson, Stirling

Kettering, Northampton:- MacKinnon

Canada:- Callaghan, Cumming, MacPhee

"OLD GENEALOGISTS NEVER DIE - THEY JUST LOSE THEIR CENSUS"