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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Topic started by: Riddell on Sunday 25 January 09 00:57 GMT (UK)
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Hi, not sure anyone can help me. About five years ago I was able to locate where my grandmother and her three sisters came from in Scotland, which was Quarriers. Now all I need to find is my who my grandmother's dad was, which I think is going to be a little bit of a task. Maybe someone out there might recognize the names and maybe even be a relative. Her name was Lily Cunningham born Jan 18, 1889 time 2:50 Wilson Land Cross C (G)ates Bellshill Reg. Feb 11/1889 #240330-16E Edinburgh. My grandmothers mom was Agnes Cunningham a milkmaid at the time. Agnes had two other children Margaret who was born 1884, parent may or may not of been a weir or a James Donald who Agnes did take to court to get support for. Then Elizabeth who was born in 1887, she to like Lily were born illegitimate. I believe Agnes mom and dad were John and Elizabeth Cunningham. Agnes apparently married a John Weir in 1875, he may of later taken off to Mexico. If anyone knows of who my grandmother's dad might be, or any information that might be helpful to me, I would appreciate it. Also my grandmother and her sister Margaret came across to Canada in 1896 from Quarriers, and it is also my understanding, their sister Elizabeth Cunningham stayed because her dad kept her.
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Hi Riddell
Welcome to RootsChat :)
Just as background this seems to be the 1891 census entry for Lily with sisters, as trascribed:
John Cunningham 60, fish hawker, b. Lanarksir, Monkland
Elizabeth Cunningham 56, b. Linlithgow, Livingston
Margaret Cunningham 7, b. Bothwell
Elizabeth Cunningham 4, b Lanark, Hannllon (Hamilton?)
Ally Cunningham 2, b. Bothwell
Address: Crossgates Wilsons Land, Bothwell Lanarkshire
Two initial thoughts for you:
Have you tried checking what records may remain from the Quarrier Home on the girls. These can often include a lot of personal information on the family and the details of them being sent abroad. I think that if there are records to be found, a full report is around £25. I think you can check first whether they have any relevant records.
www.quarriers.org.uk/
www.thereformation.info/quarrierhomes.htm
Also, in the period leading to them being sent to the Quarrier Home, I wonder if an application for Poor Relief was made by the family? These records are only available for personal searches at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow. Lanarkshire is a particularly good area to search for these types of records, some other counties destroyed these types of records over the years.
For some background on Poor Relief Records, have a look at this link to film which is a fantastic explanation of what Poor Relief records may contain:
www.scotlandontv.tv/scotland_on_tv/discover/Mitchell_Library_Scottish_Family_Research.html - If you view Part 5 and 6 which cover the Poor Relief records.
Hopefully other people may be able to make some other suggestions.
Monica :)
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Hi, no I don't believe that is them, Margaret was 13 at the time and Lily was 8 when they came across to Canada. Five years ago I emailed Quarriers, they sent me information regarding the sisters. I assumed then, if there was any other information they would of sent me that as well, although if my memory serves me correctly I don't think I asked about the dad's at that time. I have a feeling its going to be difficult to find Lily's dad. Thank you for taking the time to help. I really appreciate it. Take care.
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Hi again Monica, I meant to ask, am I able to access information from Mitchells library online? I live in Canada. Thank you.
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The above 1891 census matches what you have Riddell in all details: maternal grandparents' names, ages and names of sisters, and address for birth registration of Lily at Crossgates Wilson Land :) Why don't you think it is their entry? Remember this is the 1891 census, so the ages showing are based on that year.
In respect of the Poor Relief records at the Mitchell, unfortunately nothing available on line and requires a personal look up. Maybe someone could help you out next time they visit the Mitchell Library.
The Quarrier home records and possible poor relief records are the only two sources I can think of where you may be able to find some background on the girls and in particular any possibility of a name for Lily's father. It might be worthwhile contacting the Quarriers and asking the specific question whether such information would be held on Lily's records perhaps.
Monica :)
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Hi Monica, I was thrown off by the name Ally, is that a name they could of used for Lily. So the top two names are their grandparents, I'm surprised it does'nt show their mom's name Agnes Cunningham as well. Agnes apparently married a John Weir in 1875, Agnes was born in 1856.. Sorry for the confusion, thank you again. Take care.
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I've taken this from a transcription which is well known for its misses ::) I am sure that the Ally is Lily, just the way the name has been transcribed. The original page is available to view on Scotlands People.
Monica
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Hi, years ago my grandmother Lily Cunningham use to live at Quarriers home in Scotland along with her two other sister's. My grandmother was born Jan 18, 1889 time 2:50 Wilson Land Cross Gates Bellshill, the other sister was Margaret born 1884 then Elizabeth was born in 1887 like Lily they were both born illegitimate and I believe Margaret was as well. Their mom was Lizzie Craig whom I know very little about. Lily's dad was Richard Cunningham. Lily and Margaret came to Canada in 1896 from Quarriers, it is my understanding , their sister Elizabeth stayed because her dad kept her. I do not know what happened to Elizabeth not sure what her last name may of been at the time. If anyone has any info I would appreciate it. I am looking into doing the ancestry DNA, I have heard that some have been disappointed in the result's they have received back, here's hoping. Take care.
Riddell
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You don't tell us your grandmother's name - was it Lily Craig? What was the surname of your grandmother & her sister at the Quarriers' Home?
Just so we don't waste time duplicating any research you have done, tell us what information from documents you have. How were any of the sisters' births registered? Do you have them on any censuses with their mother? Or of Elizabeth with her father? Is Richard named on Lily's birth certificate?
Is it mainly Elizabeth you seek information about? Or Lizzie Craig asd well?
ADDED: Have you done muxh searching on Scotlands People? It is the ONLY source of many Scottish documentation; a pay per view site with credits after registration.
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Thread from 2009 with back ground info..............
topics merged
Sandra
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Oh thanks, Sandra; in that link Lily's mum was Agnes Cunningham and - am I missing something? - now it's Lizzie Craig ???
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You can apply to Quarriers Home for a deceased persons records, I believe there is a charge.
Google for the address.
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Yes I'm confused there appears to be two names for the mother of Lily Cunningham? In any event, I used another website to see if there was a Paternity Case for an Agnes Cunningham as per the first post on here and there was for a child born in 1889 and the case was 1889 in Hamilton Sheriff Court at the Instance of Agnes Cunningham, Dairymaid, Crossgates, Bellshill against James Craig Junior, Farmer, East Kilbride. If this was indeed a Declarator of Paternity, then the original Birth Certificate will have an RCE attached after the Sheriff Clerk intimated same to GRO. Further, there is also a case at the Instance of an Agnes Cunningham or Weir, wife of John Weir (Boilermaker), Crossgates, Bellshill against John Donald Junior, Grocer, McCallum's Buildings, Crossgates, Bellshill, for a child born in 1883 but the case was in 1884 also at Hamilton Sheriff Court, could this be Margaret as even though the OP states born 1884 she may have been born at the end of the year and registered 1884. The second case should, of course, also be noted on the original birth certificate/entry as an RCE with a Decree being granted (if it was!). I would think that Quarrier's would have all the details in their Archives. So wish that the late Russell Young (Member Runner?) was still around to help folks out with searching at Quarrier's :(
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Hi, everyone sorry for the confusion. on my grandmother's marriage certificate Lily Cunningham it state's that her mom was Lizzie Craig, the sister I am looking for his Elizabeth. In 2003 I had started to do some research, unfortunately I have misplaced those paper's, I don't remember what Elizabeth's last name was. I do know that Lily's dad's name was Richard Cunningham not sure about Elizabeth's last name. Take care.
Riddell
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Your Grandmother could have given any name for her mother on her marriage certificate, it's her birth certificate you need to go by.
I take it that your first post is all incorrect? It gives details that match the two cases that I referred to. I'm confused :(
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Hi, my grandmother's name was Lily Cunningham she was born Jan 18, 1889 as I previously mentioned, I received this information from Quarrier's back in 2003. In 2003 I was only trying to find information on my grandmother which I did find. Now I have been trying to find out what happened to the one sister Elizabeth whose mother was also Lizzie Craig. I wish I had more info to offer maybe down the road I will reach out to Quarrier's to see what info they could give me. Sorry for the confusion. Take care.
Riddell