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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Aberdeenshire => Topic started by: nikkiijo on Thursday 14 August 14 16:45 BST (UK)
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Hello All,
I'm searching for my Great Great Great Grandfather Alexander Johnston of Aberdeen (Born c. 1815 -1820, though I can find no record of his Birth). According to OPR he Married Elizabeth WALKER in Aberdeen 2 DEC 1842 (She was born in Echt, Aberdeen c. 17 SEP 1820). His Occupation on his Marriage Cert is listed as Composition/or Compositor. Their son, Alexander JOHNSTON states on his Victoria, Australia marriage Cert that he was born in Aberdeen (though I can find no record of his Birth either - it would've been c.1843), to Alexander JOHNSTON (Bookseller) & Elizabeth WALKER. Her Father is listed as Joseph WALKER (Farmer) on the Marriage Cert (which I've attached). There is a witness listed as William JOHNSTON (Bookseller) of Stonehaven, which may be his Father.
This is the last trace I can find of Alexander JOHNSTON (snr) & Elizabeth WALKER. Alexander JOHNSTON (Jnr) emigrated to Australia some time before 1872. I can't locate Alexander JOHNSTON (snr) & Elizabeth WALKER in Australian Records either. It is as if they have disappeared?
If anyone is able to help trace Alexander JOHNSTON (Snr), that would be so wonderful!
Thank you in advance!
Cheers,
Nikkii
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Hi,
There's a household on the 41 census that looks interesting..
http://www.freecen.org.uk/
is you search Johnston and Alex* Aberdeenshire you should be able to find them. He's a printer journeyman and she's showing as Betsy Walker. Might be with his father Alexander a bookseller.
Jen
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The Post Office Directories for Aberdeen for the period are available to read free on-line on the National Library of Scotland website. It might be worth searching for booksellers year by year to trace him (if he has an entry).
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Scotland's People have several births, one having sons, Alexander and William to an Alexander.
Regards
Malky
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Hi
In 1851 they are living in Upper North Place, St Pancras, London
HO107/1495/463/30
Alexander Johnson*, 32, Printer (compositor), b. Scotland, Aberdeenshire
Elizabeth, 29. b. do
Alexander, 7, b. do
Joseph, 1, b. Middlesex, London
* note: no t
Gadget
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Hi :)
You have all been SO very helpful! This information is gold - much gratitude.
Jen, it's certainly them. A stroke of luck that Betsy WALKER was also living with them.
GR2 & Malky, I'll be checking those out tonight :) Cheers.
Gadget, I suspected that they had moved out of Scotland, but I wasn't sure where. How did you think to check in London? This is just amazing - I've been lying awake at night lately, as these relatives have become a splinter in my brain. I woke up this morning from a dream where I was cursing the computer, because I wasn't getting any decent search results (I think I need to take a wee break from this!).
Can anyone advise me what the best way is to find out when, & by which Ship these JOHNSTON'S may have emigrated (I'd gather to Australia, as the youngest Alexander JOHNSTON turns up there some time before his Marriage in Victoria in 1872)?
Again, deepest thanks! This has made my day!
Cheers,
Nikkii
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Hi Nikkii
I suspected that they'd moved so I put in a wider search for them and they came up in St Pancras ;D
I did a broad search for passages to Australia and a marriage/death for younger brother Joseph in Australia but couldn't find anything.
Maybe put a query on the Australia Board to see if anyone has more info:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?board=165.0
Gadget
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Hi Again
Not sure if this is of interest but William Johnston, witness to Alexander and Elizabeth's marriage is in Fetteresso parish (Stonehaven was partly in this parish) in 1841:
Market Square, Stonehaven, Fetteresso, Kincardineshire
William Johnston, 25, bookseller, b. Scotland
Ann, 25, b. do
Robert, 2, b. Kincardineshire
John, 10 mths, b. do
Ann Fyfe, 10, Female Servant, b. do
By 1851, the family are in Edinburgh:
36 Howe Street, Edinburgh
William Johnston, 35, Bookseller - master, b. Aberdeen
Ann, 35, b. do
Robert D, 12, b. Stonehaven
Jane, 10, b. do
Agnes, 8, b. do
Barbara, 5, b. Gorbals, Glasgow
William was dead by 1861 and his wife is shown as Ann Wilson/Johnston
His death on 15 March 1861, just before the 1861 census, shows his parents as Alexander Johnston, Bookseller and Barbara, maiden surname Leys. Both deceased.
This means that William was Alexander's brother (see 1841 census ref by Jen in Reply #1)
Added -
Baptism of William Johnston, 15 June 1815, Aberdeen. Parents - Alexander Johnston and Barbara Leys.
Baptism of Alexander Johnston, 7 May 1818, Old Machar Aberdeen. Parents - Alexander Johnston and Barbara Lees.
Gadget
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A wee bit more ~
Marriage
Aberdeen 9 March 1805
Alexander Johnston and Barbara Leys
Possible ~
Baptism
Crathie and Braemar, Aberdeenshire 10 Nov 1783
Barbara Leys d/o James Leys and Margaret Farquharson
Gadget
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Hi Gadget,
It all adds up! Wonderful! Thank you :)
I've had a look at Scotland's People & it all fits nicely. I just can't find any Death Records for any of the Alexander JOHNSTON's, Barbara JOHNSTON (nee LEYS), or Elizabeth JOHNSTON (nee WALKER).
???
Alexander JOHNSTON & Barbara LEYS Marriage in 1805 states that her Father is an Alexander LEYS (Farmer), though the only Barbara LEYS born to an Alexander LEYS I can find was in 1805 (which doesn't fit the time frame at all). I can't reconcile the 1783 Barbara LEYS d/o James LEYS and Margaret FARQUHARSON (the dates all add up here though) with the Marriage Record? If I could find a Death Record for Barbara JOHNSTON, I could sort that out.
Alexander JOHNSTON & Wife Elizabeth JOHNSTON (nee WALKER) have disappeared again, after the 1851 Census...They are all over the place, aren't they!
Thanks for all of your help - it's been so wonderful to finally be getting somewhere :)
Cheers,
Nikkii