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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Wigtownshire => Topic started by: suzanne2812 on Friday 30 July 10 17:17 BST (UK)

Title: Bennett - Leswalt
Post by: suzanne2812 on Friday 30 July 10 17:17 BST (UK)
Hi

I have a very good friend who is trying to trace her history. She has gone back as far as her grandfather, but as he was 'a bit of a one' has little to go on other than his name, David Alexander Bennett.

What is known is that he was born in Leswalt after 1900 (possibly around 1916). He had a colourful life & was a convicted bigamist. He was also in the navy.

Does anyone live in the area? Is Bennett a common name? Any help would appreciated. I have done much research in England, but I've not checked Scottish records before & ama bit unsure where to start.

Regards Suzanne
Title: Re: Bennett - Leswalt
Post by: MonicaL on Friday 30 July 10 17:39 BST (UK)
Hi Suzanne

Not having much luck finding his birth in Wigtownshire as a whole, searching just for a David Ben*t, with the wildcard to pick up on spelling variations, bewtween 1910 - 20. The only place to check for Scotland is on the pay to view site www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk (you can register and do general searches for free).

There are only 3 Be*t births in the county for that period.

Monica  :)
Title: Re: Bennett - Leswalt
Post by: MonicaL on Friday 30 July 10 17:44 BST (UK)
There is one David Alexander Bennett showing as born in 1910 in Lanarkshire. Cut off date to view birth certs on line is currently 1909 (due to the 100 yrs privacy rule).

Does your friend have his marriage cert to be able to confirm at least parents' names (or just father's name if he married in England)?

Monica
Title: Re: Bennett - Leswalt
Post by: suzanne2812 on Friday 30 July 10 17:58 BST (UK)
Hi

Thank all! Will check with my friend for futher details & see what she's found out! I love a mystery :)

Suz
Title: Re: Bennett - Leswalt
Post by: burnbrae on Monday 16 August 10 12:41 BST (UK)
There is a garage at Leswalt called The 4 Wheel Centre. Until fairly recently it was called Bennetts, and to some locals still is. Not sure if any connection.
Title: Re: Bennett - Leswalt
Post by: burnbrae on Monday 16 August 10 12:44 BST (UK)
There is a garage at Leswalt called The 4 Wheel Centre. Until fairly recently it was called Bennetts, and to some locals still is. Not sure if any connection.

PS. I live in Stranraer, 3 mile drom Leswalt.
Title: Re: Bennett - Leswalt
Post by: burnbrae on Monday 16 August 10 12:46 BST (UK)
There is a garage at Leswalt called The 4 Wheel Centre. Until fairly recently it was called Bennetts, and to some locals still is. Not sure if any connection.

PS. I live in Stranraer, 3 mile from Leswalt.
Title: Re: Bennett - Leswalt
Post by: Machendo45 on Sunday 09 September 18 14:50 BST (UK)
Good afternoon
Dave Bennett was my uncle although I never met him. My mother Winfred or Winnie talked about him and he certainly had a colourful life and yes bigamy was mentioned !
I know various people tried to trace him I think with no success, I seem to recall him going to South Africa but that may not be correct.
Great stuff families !
His mother Mary Jane was my maternal grandmother
Title: Re: Bennett - Leswalt
Post by: Machendo45 on Sunday 09 September 18 14:55 BST (UK)
Dave Bennetts mother was Mary Jane Rennie born in Leswalt Scotland on I think February 29th 1880 leap year day. She used to tell me she had a birthday every four years. Mary Jane and her sibllings appear in the census of 1891.
Mary Jane was my grandmother and I recall her well
Title: Re: Bennett - Leswalt
Post by: suzanne2812 on Wednesday 12 September 18 21:34 BST (UK)
Hi

Thank you for replying. I posted eight years ago & our lives have moved on. I spoke to my friend today for the first time in ages & I'm sad to say, her father, who was David's son, past away last Thursday. I will pass on the information you have given me & let you know if she'd like to get in touch at any point.

Regards Suzanne.
Title: Re: Bennett - Leswalt
Post by: Machendo45 on Thursday 13 September 18 07:48 BST (UK)
Good morning and thanks for the message and sorry to hear that Davids son presumably my cousin had died, Thursday last week was the day i looked at the Rootschat.
David senior was I think in the nicest terms a bit of  a rogue my mother used to smile fondly when his name was mentioned and his past was never really gone to in detail.
Probably quite a character
Regards Iain