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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Caithness => Topic started by: kathb on Sunday 11 February 07 17:12 GMT (UK)
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I have a Daniel Smith (sometimes transcribed as David or Donald) who was a Master Mariner and verbal family history says he died at sea. I know he was alive until 1881 and died between then and 1883 as he is described on one childs marriage certificate as being alive and on the second as deceased. I cannot find a record of his death in the records at the National Archives and am hoping that some kind person will be able to access the local newspapers for this period. Daniel was born at Dunnet in 1835 - but the birth was not registered (as stated on his marriage certificate). He married Cecilia Calder in 1855 and they lived at Dunnet, Thurso and Castletown. Can anyone help locate any item in the local newspapers of this time? I am presuming that there will be some record of his death as he was a Master Mariner?
Thanks in anticipation
Kathb
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Kath
If they lived in Scotland (Caithness) would Scotlandspeople be a better source, either via census or death certificate.
I assume this (below) was Daniel in 1861 in Shore street.
Piece: SCT1861/41 Place: Thurso -Caithness Enumeration District: 4
Civil Parish: Thurso Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: -
Folio: 0 Page: 8 Schedule: 46
Address: Shore Street
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Surname First name(s) Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Where Born Remarks
SMITH Daniel Head M M 26 Sailor Caithness - Thurso
SMITH Cecelia Wife M F 25 Sailor's Wife Caithness - Thurso
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Thanks Jimjaqu, I have Daniel on the Census data and his birth, marriage and childrens births and marriages via Scotlands People. What I cannot find is his death on Scotlands People or in the National Archives deaths at sea. I felt my only hope was that it would be reported in a local newspaper. Thanks for trying
Kathb
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Kathb
There are microfiches of the John O Groat Journal held at the local libraries in Thurso and Wick bit not an index as such. It would be like a needle in a haystack without a more accurate date. I could have a look a little around the years you refer to when I visit the local library next, can't promise anything though. Have you tried this on the Caithness family history website guest book and the caithness.org.uk genealogy forum, it might spring something.
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Jimjaqu, thanks for this. I am a member of the CFHS but I live in Cheshire and its a bit of a trip when you work full time. If you are able to look next time you go to the library, I would really appreciate this.
I am hoping that there will be an entry in the John 'O'Groats Journal re: Daniels death at sea.
Thank you so much for getting back to me.
Kathb
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Hi kathb
This is a very good link:
http://www.ambaile.org.uk/newspapers/index.jsp
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airdlass, thank you for this link. Unfortunately I cannot find anything relating to Daniel- looks like it is back to the drawing board again. I much appreciate your help.
Regards
Kathb
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Hi Kathb
I have some info of this family that should interest you.
In the Wick archive is a small book that was kept by the parish officer in charge of out relief and Cecilia is mentioned.
27 Feb 1873 Cecilia Calder or Smith, Castletown, Olrig. Pauper deserted by husband, a sailor, not known where he is.
I think Cecilia dies soon after this and her eldest girl keeps house for her brother while two younger children go to live with grandparents who are in good circumstances.
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Wred, thank you so very much, you have solved the mystery as to why I couldn't find his death at sea. There are good guys and bad guys in all families and Daniel seems to be in the later category. We all have skeletons in the closet somewhere in our family trees. The other point of interest is that on one of his offsprings marriage certificate of 8th June 1882 it states father Mariner, Merchant Service (no mention of him being deceased) and then on the marriage certificate of his eldest son of 31st October 1883 it states both of the parents deceased. I wonder if they just assumed he had died???
Another mystery to solve.! I am going to go to the Archives in Wick when I am on holiday there in July. You have really saved me so much time. If you can think of any other way of solving this mystery I would very much appreciate your comment. Thank you once again.
Kathb
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I can understand that seeing the word deserted is not pleasant but maybe you can give Daniel the benefit of the doubt.
My granny, at age 9 with her younger siblings, was left at the workhouse and recorded as deserted by their father. He was actually very sick at he time (wicked step-mum did the desserting) and he died not long after.
Daniel being in the merchant marine might have had difficulty getting a ship home. ( There is a tale about one Pentland pilot out of Stroma getting carried away to America still in his slippers)
Perhaps he died at sea and the news did not reach home until the 1880's. If Cecilia was herself ill she would need assistance and might be required to say she had been deserted.
Good hunting in Wick and ask for the book I mentioned- cannot think of the name of it at moment but i believe it to be a rare survival.
The reason I made a note was because of the Smith name but Daniel is not one of ours. Also I had not long visited Mary Ann's cottage at Dunnet and she had been married to a James Calder any relation?
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Wred, thanks again. Family tales say that Daniel was 'lost' at sea on his way to or from America. I cannot find his death on the marine registers - but I had a thought with what you said in your post. It may be that he couldn't get a ship home for some reason and she thought she was deserted. I thought that if I could find which ship he was master of I may be able to see if he went out to America and didn't come back? Do you know if the Wick Archives have a log of the ships sailing out of Thurso? I suppose I could email the archives to find out and look at them when I am in Wick in July. Once again many thanks.
Regards
Kathb