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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Aberdeenshire => Topic started by: Hazel Gerrard on Tuesday 28 September 10 12:03 BST (UK)
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Trying to figure out the father of James Gerrard m Jane Jamieson in 1891. He died in 1949. On his marriage cert his father is listed as William/on his death cert father listed as James. Can anyone help? I am really stuck. It appears his mother was Isabella Harrison (I don't think his father married her). It appears James/William would have been born in the New Deer/Monquhitter area but cannot find any records. Look forward to hearing from someone! Regards
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How old was James when he married ?
If we could find his birth we may have a better chance of finding out who his father was.
Even if his mother didn't marry his father there may be a RCE with his birth naming the father.
Jane
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Thanks for your reply. I have only found his birth cert under the name of James Harrison in 1864, no father mentioned. I only know his mother is Isabella Harrison as she is listed as the mother on his marriage cert. He appears to start using the name Gerrard later on though. I think I have got the right person but could be totally wrong as am working on a lot of maybes. If I have followed the right Isabella Harrison she died as a pauper in 1893 at New Deer. She seemed to have several children to different fathers. James appears as living with his mother in 1871 census at New Deer and then no trace but we have James "Gerrard" in 1881 census and 1891 census - I am assuming I have the right one this time as living the same place as domestic servant is Jane Jamieson who he married in 1991. Whether he legally changed his name to Gerrard or not I do not know. A bit of a mystery here and a bit of unwillingness to acknowledge the truth on the certificates I feel. Sure this happened a lot but very frustrating to progress. Most Gerrards in the area are from Aberdour, very few are in New Deer area and they certainly seemed to escape the census. Thanks for taking the time to reply. :)
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Just found a baptism James Falconer Harrison 19 April 1864 Monquhitter , mother Isabella Harrison .
I am assuming that this is your James.
I don't think that you are going to get any further with his father if there was no RCE with his birth record . The only other option is if Isabella claimed parish relief a supposed father may be listed , but details recorded do vary from one parish to another.
I will see if I can find anything further but don't be too disapointed if nothing turns up.
I know how frustrating it can be my g grandmother had 3 children but never married. The eldest daughter named her grandparents as her parents when she married but registered her mothers death correctly as her daughter. The son gave correct details , just his mothers name when he married . the other daughter my grandmother married in England and gave a fathers name but checking Scotland's People no-one of that name was born in Scotland. Dead end..
Jane
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Frustrating business!
Thanks for the advice.
Hazel
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I also think that the poor relief rolls will show you more information on the parentage of all of Isabella's children. They will all be listed on the application form (both dependants & non dependants) You should check the parishes where she lived & also the parish where James was born (Monquhitter). I'd a look through the censuses & IGI's & note that in the 1861 census Isabella was living with her sister & brother in law Elspet & James Falconer, in Monquhitter. It seems your James was named after his uncle. I have traced my Gerrard ancestors for many years & will be glad to check through my paperwork if you find anymore information on the elusive father of James! By the way, what was the occupation of his father & was he still alive in 1891?
Regards,
flst
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Many thanks for the help - much appreciated. I did see that Isabella was living with her sister and brother-in-law for a time. On the 1891 marriage certificate of James and Jane Jamieson the father is listed as William Gerrard (Farmer) deceased so he died prior to 1891. However when James died the information given on death cert was that his father's name was James Gerrard - crofter. If you come up with anything that would be great but I think most of it is going to have to be guesswork. I do find it strange that William was listed as a farmer as most of the generations of Gerrards were small croft holders and not farmers.
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I would think that the information on the marriage certificate would be the most reliable, as it's coming from the horse's mouth so to speak!
flst
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I've done a bit of digging & it may be just a coincidence, but - there is a William Gerrard in Monquhitter parish who's a farmer. In 1861 census he is at Hillhead of Balquhindachy , age 35 with his wife Jane. I have found out that Jane (nee Pearson) died February 22 1862 at Woodside, Balquhindachy, of consumption. She'd had it for 3 - 4 years. William was the son of Arthur & Isabella (nee Howie). Their eldest son, Arthur Gerrard emigrated to Otago in 1857. I don't know what became of William after he was widowed. Hopefully you'll find some useful information in the poor relief records!
flst
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That's a coincidence as I found that same information today too - that's what rainy days do!! I found that William then went to Edinburgh and was a Horse Inspector (?) at the Kings Stables. He re-married and his first wife is also listed on his death cert so it is him. It would certainly fit in with fathering James with Isabella Harrison if he was widowed in 1862. He married in Edinburgh in 1867. I was struggling to find what had happened to Arthur so interesting to see he emigrated - where is Otago? Many thanks for your help. :)
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You beat me to it! I've a copy of William's death certificate & can forward the info. to you if he turns out to be the father of James. William had a terrible death - he died 8 days after being burnt by steam from a boiler.It may be worth looking the newspaper archives around January 11th 1882 to see if there's mention of an accident.
Otago is in New Zealand. I found out about Arthur by "googling" his name!
Regards,
flst
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Thanks so much for your help. Much appreciated!
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Hi there,
I am Christine Gerrard, daughter of George Gerrard, son of Robert Gerrard who's family came from New Aberdour. I have lots of information and a family tree. I would love to hear from anyone. Thanks
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Just to add to the mix, my husband is the GGG.Grandson of Arthur Gerrard and Isobel Howie through their son Alexander who, with his wife, Mary Philip, emigrated to NZ in 1858 aboard the Strathfieldsaye. Alexander's brother, Arthur, and his wife, Jane Philip (sister of Mary above) also emigrated to NZ in 1857. Since then there has been a long line of Gerrards, especially around the Winton area at the bottom of the south island of NZ.
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I am trying to source a book which documents the Gerrards in Winton, New Zealand. It is called from castle to cave : the story of the Gerrards and Costers in Southland by May Burtenshaw ISBN 047304806X. Thanks for any help!
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I do have a photocopy of the book, not an electronic copy, which I would be happy to forward by post. If you are agreeable could you give me your email address so we can correspond?
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May I remind you not to disclose your email address on rootschat? Remember,you can communicate by private message :)
Regards,
flst
http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php
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barbarag15: I have been researching the descendants of my 4x great-grandparents, John Philip and Mary Troup of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and I have been intrigued to read about the Gerrards of New Zealand. I have been trying to find a copy of "Castle to Cave" with no luck. If you would be willing to send me a copy, I would be happy to reimburse you for copying and postage, or a scan would be great, too.. D. Highberger, Lawrence, Kansas, USA