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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Perthshire => Topic started by: stirling76 on Saturday 18 September 10 11:39 BST (UK)
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Hi all,
being new to the site, I would appreciate any help I can get.
I am interested in tracing my father's family from Thornhill.
My grandmother was Isabella Donaldson nee Jackson and lived in Main Street, my grandfather was John and only had one arm, he was nicknamed 'Wing'
I have more information regarding their mothers and fathers, but I'm having trouble trying to trace my fathers birth certificate. I can't get it in Scotland's people.
According to family tradition, he was born in a poor house in 1908 (30th November) but I can't find out the location of where this poor house would be.
Any pointing in the right direction would be helpful.
many thanks,
Stewart Donaldson
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hi and welcome to rootschat :)
what was your dads name eva
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Hi Stewart
Welcome to RootsChat from me too :)
Have you got your grandparents' marriage entry? What date and where was the marriage? the only possible entry I am seeing for a marriage in perhaps in 1909, so maybe your father's entry if born in 1908 was registered under Isabella's maiden name of Jackson?
Monica
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got 1 match for john donaldson and isabella jackson,
1909 kincardine perth. eva
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3 male jacksons 1908 perth,and 8 male donaldson births 1908 perth
eva
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This would likely be the records - Norrieston is the church (and originally a village) at the east end of Thornhill. The records are held by Stirling Council.
Hill & Robb – papers (Gas Co., Combination Poorhouse, Norrieston Chartulary) 84
http://www.stirling.gov.uk/index/access-info/archives/catalogue/cat-private_records.htm
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My dad's name was John Donaldson, never thought about him being registered as Jackson.
His father was John Donaldson who married Isabella Jackson on 12th November 1909, I have the wedding certificate.
Stewart
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This on Familysearch Beta explains the complex set up of the parishes in and around Thornhill.
https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Kincardine,_Perthshire,_Scotland
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There is one John Jackson birth registered in Perthshire in 1908...might be worth checking?
Monica
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Oh well done Monica and everyone, I've got him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Born John Donaldson JACKSON 30th November 1908 in the poorhouse in Stirling.
mother Isabella Jackson Thornhill, got the birth certificate.
So the family tradition is true.
Now I have to track the poorhouse in Stirling and see what I can find.
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Try Stirling archives! ;)
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Think the records are there as found this reference
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/166773/details/stirling+union+street+poor+house/
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Found this
"A Combination poorhouse was erected in 1860 between Bridge Street and Union Street at the north of Stirling."
On the corner next to the clock tower (if you know Stirling well)
Link to map (remember to zoom in)
http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/search_map/scotland.php?kmlurl=L2ttbC9pbmRleC5waHA/YWN0aW9uPXRfYyZ0eXBlPWl0ZW0mY2FjaGVfbmFtZT1SQ0FITVMxNjY3NzM=
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That's great Stewart - we're really chuffed for you that you found his birth entry :) Hopefully with the links from Fifer you might be able to track down his notes (and mother's). It may simply be that she went in there for the use of the hospital facilities for the birth of your father - not uncommon for this to happen.
Monica
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Hi Stewart,
Been reading your search. My grandfathers name was Robert Donaldson from Thornhill. He had an older brother called John who only had one arm ( lost it in the great war). He was a drover, and renowned for being able to use his legs to help play the accordion.
Had quite a heavy conversation with my dad on the subject of family today.
Barry Donaldson
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Hi Stewart,
Been reading your search. My grandfathers name was Robert Donaldson from Thornhill. He had an older brother called John who only had one arm ( lost it in the great war). He was a drover, and renowned for being able to use his legs to help play the accordion.
Had quite a heavy conversation with my dad on the subject of family today.
Barry Donaldson
Hi Barry,
great to hear from you, for it seems that we are related.
The John Donaldson with the one arm, his nickname was Wingey, was my Grandfather, your Grandfather's brother.
Which makes your father and my father full cousins, and you and I second cousins, so nice to meet you!
My father loved the accordian but I had never heard the story of auld Jock playing, wait till I tell my sisters.
I spent some time a few years ago, researching the Donaldson's and the family tree and got back quite a fair bit, I'll have to look it out again for you, if your interested.
Once you've posted three times on roots chat, I'll be able to send you a private message with my e-mail.
If your fathers still alive, does he remember any of his relations in Thornhill?
Stewart
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Hello again Stewart,
Yes, my father is still alive and well, 81 years old. His name is Hendry James Donaldson. He does remember many things about the Donaldson's , every conversation brings new information. He himself had two brothers and a sister, John, Donald, and Annie. Unfortunately they are decreased.
He says his uncle John, your grandad was an accomplished accordian player before he lost his arm, and entered into competition against some of the best players of their age. He mentioned the renown names of the time.
He remembers his uncles, John, Dan, Hamish, his aunties Flora, Maggie, and Janet, and has a few stories attached to all of them. For example, Auntie Janet married a Canadian soldier at the end of the 1914-18 war and went to live in America. He knows their name and that their family tried to contact us (the Donaldsons) some years ago but the family member in Thornhill at the time knew nothing of the link, and it all came to end. But he knows more. It's just a matter of talking more to him.
He is very pleased that we have made contact, and wants to tell more.
Best regards
Barry
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Hi Barry,
very interesting and its filling in a few gaps on the family tree.
Re your father's father and his brothers and sisters, I have the following,
Mary Ann b.1877
Jesse b.1880
Daniel b.1884
Maggie b.1886
John b.1888 (my grandfather)
Robert b.1890 (your grandfather)
Flora b.1892
Janet b.1894
Helen b.1897
I don't have a Hamish, but I'll look that up.
Your G.grandfather (and mine) was called John Donaldson b.1857 and married Flora McMillian B.1858, he had three brothers and one sister, one called Henry (hendry?) one called Robert and the other James, see the family connection! The girl was called Janet.
his Father, our G.G.grandfather was called James and B.abt.1821 and this is where the family legend comes in!
My grandmother Bella in Thornhill, used to tell me stories when I was a very young boy and I stayed with her during the school holidays. Anyway, she always told me we were related to Rob Roy McGregor who came from Balquidder and is buried there. I never took her seriously, but I loved her stories and tales.
So, it turns out that G.G.grandfather James married Janet McGregor from Balquidder in 1846, so there just might be a thread of truth in old Bella's story after all, I'm trying to trace that at the moment.
Does your father ever remember any story like that, being handed down through the family?
My sister used to have a pic of grand-dad, but sadly that seems to have been lost.
Give your dad my best please. My dad's last brother Dougie passed away a few years ago, but his wife Auntie Nora still lives in Thornhill.
Stewart
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I wonder if there are any connections to my great-grandfather Henry Donaldson born 25/5/1860 in Thornhill? -
Henry's father was James Donaldson, Ploughman, and his mother was Janet Donaldson[nee McGregor].
James was the son of Robert Donaldson, Farm Servant, and Jane Donaldson [nee Campbell] and he died 17/12/1877 aged 75 in Thornhill.
Henry left working on the land to become a miner in Low Valleyfield, Fife - he had 8 children with Agnes [nee Reid from Culross] - he died 9/3/1922.
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Hi thanks for that, that filled a gap with Robert Donaldson. Your Great-Grandfather Henry and my Great-Grandfather John were brothers. John died in 1938 aged 81. I knew about a connection in Fife, when I was a boy in the fifties my Dad took me to visit relations there. I think it was his uncle. Also you might be interested to know (if you don't already) Agnes Reid b1868 your g-Grandmother's Father was Robert Reid and Mother Ann Shearer.
all the best Stewart Donaldson.
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Thank you Stewart,
Henry is buried in Culross New Cemetery along with his son James [my Grandad] born 28 Sep 1889 at Orchard Farm, Alloa - he died 28/12/1947 in Knaresborough, Yorks whilst visiting his daughter Mary [Scotland Donaldson]. Although, acc to my father, Henry is actually buried in Culross Old West Kirk Cemetery? James was also a miner until badly injured.
James' wife was Mary Scotland Stupart [from Kincardine-on-Forth]. James had 2 sons as well as daughter Mary: George and Henry [known as Harry],[All are now deceased]. George was my dad [died 29/3/2002]. James had continued to live at West End, Low Valleyfield as did my dad until 1957 when we moved to High Valleyfield [his brother Harry already lived in High Valleyfield]. Uncle Harry used to play the accordion and played in a band when younger! Harry had 2 children - Moira who lives in Kincardine and John who lives in Dunfermline.
For info:
Henry's children were, in age old to young, Annie,Jess,James,Robert,Harry,Andrew,John,David[died age 4],Agnes and Jeanie [briefly met her in 1995 when she was 84].
It was quite difficult getting any info out of the older generations!
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Stewart,
Further to my last post: I also got from my dad - the story about being connected to the McGregors and Rob Roy! And similar to yr story, my dad also remembered riding in an open-topped car to go and relatives in Thornhill - he also mentioned a story about a strong man, maybe a relative in Thornhill, being the only person capable of lifting a famous large boulder!
regards
James Donaldson
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Hi Stewart,
My name is Stewart Donaldson and I live in Australia. I believe I am your cousin as my father Stewart Donaldson (same name as you and I ) was the brother of Dougie and John Donaldson. My grandmother was Isabella my grandfather was John and only had one arm. I have visited Nora at Thornhill.
I don't know if you are still interested as your post was in 2014 and only sent to me by my cousin Helen from Dollar in Scotland this morning.
I would like to talk to you more about our family so if you like you can email me at [Edit by Moderator as requested: email deleted]
Hope to hear back from you soon.
Regards : Stewart
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Hi Stewart,
I'm sure you are unaware of rootschat policy of no email addresses on the forum & it will be deleted.
You would be best to "modify" your post & remove it.
If you reply with a little more info. this will then allow you to PM (Personal Message) Stewart.
Good that the thread has connected so many descendants ;D
Annie
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Hi Stewart,
My name is Stewart Donaldson and I live in Australia. I believe I am your cousin as my father Stewart Donaldson (same name as you and I ) was the brother of Dougie and John Donaldson. My grandmother was Isabella my grandfather was John and only had one arm. I have visited Nora at Thornhill.
I don't know if you are still interested as your post was in 2014 and only sent to me by my cousin Helen from Dollar in Scotland this morning.
Hope to hear back from you soon.
Regards : Stewart
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Hi Stewart,
My name is Stewart Donaldson and I live in Australia. I believe I am your cousin as my father Stewart Donaldson (same name as you and I ) was the brother of Dougie and John Donaldson. My grandmother was Isabella my grandfather was John and only had one arm. I have visited Nora at Thornhill.
I don't know if you are still interested as your post was in 2014 and only sent to me by my cousin Helen from Dollar in Scotland this morning.
I would like to talk to you more about our family so if you like you can email me at [Edit by Moderator as requested: email deleted]
Hope to hear back from you soon.
Regards : Stewart
Hi All
Just thought I'd bring everybody up to-date with this post, the last poster is indeed my cousin Stewart who lives in Australia, we are now in contact and catching up with each other after 60 years. Thanks to all who helped us, it really is appreciated.
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Really struggling with 'Scotland's People' to find any details of Henry's father James [married to Janet McGregor 22/11/1846, Janet was born Balquidder], I think I have mistakenly posted James's father as Robert [wife Jane or Jean Campbell]. Henry's brother John was born 17 July 1857 and became a farm servant in 1871 at Boquhapple Farm House, Henry was my great-grandfather and he was born 25 May 1860 in Thornhill.
As James was also father to James[born 1851'ish],Robert [b.1853'ish],Janet [b.28 July 1862], I am hoping someone out there knows more about this part of the Donaldson Family!
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Hi
I think there may be a connection to my Donaldson's too!
Jane Donaldson was my great great grandmother, born in Thornhill. Her father was Henry Scotland Donaldson born 1807 in Carnock, Fife. Her mother was Catherine Kennedy. They married in Port of Menteith in 1832. The Port of Menteith OPR says "Henry Donaldson parishioner son of Donaldson Dunfermline and Catherine Kennedy daughter of John Kennedy from Carnock."
Jane had a brother called Henry born 1844 in Thornhill. I have details of the other siblings too. In 1841 the family lived in Shuttle Street in Thornhill.
It seemed unusual to me for such a couple as Catherine and Henry to have met and married, coming from places so far away from each other but I know it is correct from Jane's marriage cert and from her death cert.
Can anyone see a connection to their tree?
Val
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Hi I'm new to this & I know it's years ago since these posts were put up. But I'm also related to you all
my 3rd great grandparents were James Donaldson & Janet McGregor. they were married in Kincardine on the 22-11-1846. their children were Margaret born 1849? Jane born 1850? James born 1852? Robert born 1854? John born July 1857, Henry born May 1860 & Janet born July 1862. I descend from Robert who married Mary McLay in Grangemouth on the 28-5-1878 their son James born 5-1-1882 was my great grandfather. I'm doing my family tree & have managed to go back to Robert Donaldson & Jean Campbell who married in Clackmannan on the 4-11-1798. But I can't find any birth or death details for Robert. I would be very keen to hear from anyone who is related.
Kirsty