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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Wigtownshire => Topic started by: HermitCedar on Wednesday 19 September 18 12:38 BST (UK)
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Hello all,
I have posted here in the past looking for information on my ancestor, James McPherson, without much luck. I have, however, had quite the breakthrough. I found that James had two wives (his first passed away, I am related to him and his second wife). He was, however, buried with his first wife - I found a transcription/photo of the headstone and it has a death date!
James died on March 3, 1827, aged 37 years; this puts his birth year at 1790 (+/- 1). He is buried in Portpatrick Old Kirkyard, and the headstone also mentions Portospittal (I cant find out what this is) in reference to James and his first wife (Elizabeth McCracken).
Naturally I thought I'd be able to find more about him based on this but I can find nothing specific on his death (aside from his headstone) and nothing specific on his birth (there are several James McPhersons born in 1790).
I would deeply appreciate any thoughts/advice!
Thank you!
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One thought, as I've not looked at the records but Portospittal is likely to be Port of Spittal, Port of Spittal Bay is shown on this map to the south of Portpatrick
https://maps.nls.uk/view/75679740#zoom=4&lat=2146&lon=4967&layers=BT
and inland is Port of Spittal Bridge
https://maps.nls.uk/view/75679740#zoom=4&lat=2550&lon=6784&layers=BT
Gadget
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Port of Spittal looks to be in Stoneykirk parish:
https://dgfhs.org.uk/resources/maps/
Gadget
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What is the exact wording on the headstone? Sometimes other family are mentioned although not actually buried there.
Looks like Portospittal might be a Burn or Bridge:
https://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/ordnance-survey-name-books/wigtownshire-os-name-books-1845-1849/wigtownshire-volume-53/67
Gadget beat me to it. Looking on the map, inland you will see the Burn and the Bridge
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I assume that you have the marriage to Elizabeth - 26th Dec 1815, Portpatrick. Both of the parish.
Nothing in the baptisms for him though, as you said.
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I assume that you have the marriage to Elizabeth - 26th Dec 1815, Portpatrick. Both of the parish.
Nothing in the baptisms for him though, as you said.
Hi there Gadget - yes, I do have that marriage. I was hoping to use his firm death-date to find information that I could use to identify his birth place (and then maybe his parents) but I'm stuck. Not sure if there are resources I'm missing. Thanks so much for your efforts!!
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The Wigtownshire pages on Rootsweb were very good but they seem to be missing.
No wills either.
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I always found the Dumfries and Galloway FHS very helpful when I was searching for ancestors in those parts:
https://dgfhs.org.uk/
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I always found the Dumfries and Galloway FHS very helpful when I was searching for ancestors in those parts:
https://dgfhs.org.uk/
Thank you!
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Just found the Wigtownshire pages on another site:
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com:80/~ainsty/index.html
It might have something
added - oh dear, while searching I found this posted on FB by Wig Free Press:
https://en-gb.facebook.com/SWFreePress/
MAJOR INCIDENT DECLARED
A major incident has now been declared in Dumfries and Galloway due to Storm Ali. The region has seen significant disruption due to the high winds.
Due to the number of incidents currently being reported to Police Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway Council and the threat to life these incidents present, the decision has been made to call a major incident.
Right across the region we have numerous roads blocked, significant structural damage to several buildings, power cuts and this in turn has placed a huge demand on all services.
We are now advising drivers to delay their journeys where possible.
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Hope everyone keeps safe :-\
Cedar, confused about something on dates. As Ruskie mentioned earlier, have you got a photo or transcription of the grave you found where James was buried with wife Elizabeth McCraken.
Something is not quite right. Marriage of James to Elizabeth Armstrong you have from the OPRs in 1817:
I have no other info on James or Elizabeth other than the fact that they were married on October 30th, 1817 in Portpatrick.
Saw this entry on www.findagrave.com/memorial/167950032/eliabeth-mcpherson which shows:
Also Elizabeth McCracken Spouse to James McPHERSON Portospittal who died the 11th Decr 1825 aged 45 years Also the said James McPHERSON who died 3d March 1827 aged 37 years
Port O Spittal Bay is located in Portpartick Parish.
This James looks to have been married up to 1825. Can't see how this is your James who married in 1817 :-\
Monica
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I think the OP has the info on burial, Monica
SP has marriage as 1815 - I checked the image.
Thanks for parish for P o S - it seemed to be in Stoneykirk on the map that I looked at.
Gadget
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Hope everyone keeps safe :-\
Cedar, confused about something on dates. As Ruskie mentioned earlier, have you got a photo or transcription of the grave you found where James was buried with wife Elizabeth McCraken.
Something is not quite right. Marriage of James to Elizabeth Armstrong you have from the OPRs in 1817:
I have no other info on James or Elizabeth other than the fact that they were married on October 30th, 1817 in Portpatrick.
Saw this entry on www.findagrave.com/memorial/167950032/eliabeth-mcpherson which shows:
Also Elizabeth McCracken Spouse to James McPHERSON Portospittal who died the 11th Decr 1825 aged 45 years Also the said James McPHERSON who died 3d March 1827 aged 37 years
Port O Spittal Bay is located in Portpartick Parish.
This James looks to have been married up to 1825. Can't see how this is your James who married in 1817 :-\
Monica
Hrm, I'm not sure now - I was under the impression he was married to E. McCracken then, after that, to E. Armstrong... so you're suggesting that there were 2 James McPhersons in Wigtown in this time period, one married E. McCracken, one married E. Armstrong?
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Here is a snip of the marriage entry of Dec 26 1815
Gadget
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Are you sure that James was born in the area? I know that many families came from Ireland - my own included.
Gadget
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Are you sure that James was born in the area? I know that many families came from Ireland - my own included.
Gadget
I have no idea where James was born. Also, the 1790-1827 dates I gave were from the headstone with McCracken. As per the prior posts, this may not be the same James I am seeking.
The James McPherson I am seeking married Elizabeth Armstrong on October 30, 1817 in Portpatrick. That I know to be fact.
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I have no idea where James was born. Also, the 1790-1827 dates I gave were from the headstone with McCracken. As per the prior posts, this may not be the same James I am seeking.
The James McPherson I am seeking married Elizabeth Armstrong on October 30, 1817 in Portpatrick. That I know to be fact.
so why did you say this in your original posting here:
James died on March 3, 1827, aged 37 years; this puts his birth year at 1790 (+/- 1). He is buried in Portpatrick Old Kirkyard, and the headstone also mentions Portospittal (I cant find out what this is) in reference to James and his first wife (Elizabeth McCracken).
Does it say on the 1817 marriage that he was a widower and have you found a burial for Elizabeth Armstrong?
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James and Elizabeth Armstrong had two children baptised
Susan 1822 in Stoneykirk
and
John in 1925 in Kirkcolm
none found so far with mother McCracken.
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James and Elizabeth Armstrong had two children baptised
Susan 1822 in Stoneykirk
and
John in 1925 in Kirkcolm
none found so far with mother McCracken.
Yes - this I have! So, disregarding my initial post, I am trying to track THIS James.
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'THIS'
Sorry for being confused by your initial request :-X
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Have you got marriages or deaths after 1855 in Scotland for either of the children? These should give some indication of James's occupation.
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Not much help. On Susan's death cert (as Shaw) James is recorded as a labourer.
Added - there was another child, Elizabeth, bpt 1827 according to one tree.
and a Mary in 1829