I have spent many years (and rather a lot of money) trying to trace ancestors of James Fraser, who died 1880 (aged 59) in Gainsboro, Lincolnshire (i.e. d.o.b. ~1821). He joined West Suffolk Police in February 1845, but there is no service record showing his place of origin. His marriage certificate (1856) gives his father as James Fraser, blacksmith (presumably alive, because James’ wife cites her father as deceased). Both parties are "of full age".
The 1851 Census of Gainsboro states that he was born
, Fifeshire. Much peering at the image (inverting to negative, sharpening etc.) led to me deciphering the
as Falkland – although "Forfarian" thinks it is Scotland.
I found Falkland, but found no James Fraser there in the 1841 Census. Genuki suggested searching Abernethy. Not knowing much about Scottish counties, I found James Fraser, blacksmith and son James in Abernethy and Kincardine (Nethy Bridge). My search of Scotland’s People (SP) 1841 Census could find no other James who was a blacksmith and lived with a son James, both of a likely age. Hence, I believed I had found the correct family.
FreeCen tells me that Fifeshire 1841 is 100% online – however, a search for James Fraser (the father) gave 2 families but no blacksmith.
I have no other information about the Scottish branch. The James in Gainsbro had children:
Mary Jane; Margaret; Margaret Jane; Elizabeth; Anne; John William; James; Clara Jane and Alexander.
His wife was Hannah and her parents were James and Clarissa.
I don't know whether these chidlren's names are of any help in finding the Scottish branch.
