JOHNSTONE C. A. obituary in paper - assistance please

[Wiggy]

Hi,

We have rellies from Dumfriesshire by names of JOHNSTONE and BROWN.   We've found many of them but are puzzled by a short note we've found saying there was an Obituary for C.A. JOHNSTONE of Dinwoodie and Holmains, - obit.  found in the 'Dumfries and Galloway Courier and Herald' on 23 January 1904.     

We've been trying to trace this obit. which we've been told refers to someone related to us - how we don't yet know.  We can't seem to find any digital records of this newspaper online, and nor can our state library.   

 Our GGGrandparents were William and Mary (JOHNSTONE) BROWN who emigrated to Victoria, Australia in 1859 on the 'Ocean Chief' bringing with them children Janet Eskdale, b. 1847, Elizabeth, b. 1849 Robert, b. 1850 and George John Johnstone Brown, b.1852.   
In Scotland William was farming 90 acres of land with 3 farm assistants at Dryfesdale - and he became a gold miner for a time in Ballarat, Victoria, before going back to farming.    This might help to place the connection.

Wiliam born 1816 Dryfesdale:  Mary born 1824 Dryfesdale - both died in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.

We've be most grateful for any help offered.

Thanks in anticipation - I have great faith in Rootschatters!   

Wiggy

[Gadget]

Hi Wiggy 

Unless someone can get to a local library, the best source would be The Ewart Library/Archives in Dumfries:

http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2300

or you could contact the Dumfries & Galloway Family History Society:

http://www.dgfhs.org.uk/


Regards


Gadget

[Wiggy]

'Morning Gadget,

Thanks so much - will follow up those leads - it's a mystery!

Cheers

Wiggy

[Gadget]

Mornin' Wiggy

Do you have William(b.c. 1816)'s parents' or siblings' names?*

It might help to trace the family through the censuses. I'll have a look at the death records for you.


Gadget

*  even more so,do you have Mary's

[Gadget]

Hi

Nothing showing in the Dumfriesshire deaths 1903/4. Only C A is a Catherine Ann Elliot Harley Maxwell, aged 88,  daughter of Admiral Charles James Johnston and Sybella Scott-Elliot (boh deceased) but this was in March 1904 so after your obituary.


Nothing in Mouswald, which is where I think Dinwoodie and Holmains was.

Could the person have died elsewhere but was 'of D & H' ?


Gadget

[Wiggy]

Yes - could have died elsewhere!  It is possible the death occurred in Australia I suppose, but unlikely is what I'm thinking - but no knowledge of any other Obit.

 We believe the person was a man - the nudge with the notice was 'this was you father's uncle? great uncle?  grandfather? - I don't know - I got this information second hand, but it sounded like an older person - sorry that was obvious wasn't it - one doesn't usually get Obit's about children or younger people.     We don't think Grandfather though - Mary's father was David JOHNSTONE, and mother Mary (?Wallace) - in case that helps.

Thanks Gadget.    Any leads - or knocking out of possibilities - are appreciated.

Wiggy

[Gadget]

Yep

Thinking about it, my 3 x great grandfather died in Wales in 1856. he'd left D & G in 1833 but the local newspaper up there carried an obituary/death notice. Also, there was an obituary in the local paper for  his brother who died in New York 1821.

I think getting the obit should clarify.

I'd e-mail the D & G Archives, if I were you 


Gadget

[Wiggy]

Thanks so much for the help Gadget - I'll contact  D&G  archives.

William's parents were Robert B.C.1784, and Jannet Eskdale b.c. 1786 - we think!!     Just been looking at the DGFHS  site - they have lovely Scottish music playing - but I can't think because of it1!!         I'll get on to the Archives first!

Thanks again,

Wiggy

[Wiggy]

'Morning Gadget,

Thanks for the advice - result already with email from D & G paper with an article which seems to be the one - not an Obituary but a Testimonial!   Easy mistake to make.

So solved!  Now to chase up the people concerned. 

It was about a C.A. Johnstone, son of George Johnstone of Dinwoodie and Holmains who was working in Manchester with a firm of druggists and chemists.   I am thinking George may have been the brother of David, our Mary's father.  Will pursue.

Thanks for your help.

regards,

Wiggy