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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Caithness => Topic started by: sweet1 on Tuesday 01 January 13 18:47 GMT (UK)
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My family gravestone is in Dunnet Kirkyard and the 1st line reads:-
Erected by the family in memory of their father James Stewart, builder, Dunnet who died 5/6/1845 aged 48 years.
I cant find a birth OR death cert for him anywhere. Can anybody suggest how to move this brick wall???
Any help most welcome
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The only one in Dunnet in 1841 is a 5yo child ....... could James's wife have been Helen?
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Hi, thanks for replying. Yes, James was married to Helen Spence. I have their marriage cert but it doesnt give me any info on his parentage. I have lots of info on his family- but his birth and death certs remain elusive!!!!
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What were the names of all their children and in date order?
Were Helen's parents Anne and John?
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What does the marriage cert say of James? Is he "of this parish"?
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Did Helen re marry in 1850 and if so to whom?
Was Helen the daughter of John (merchant) and Ann Spence (Innkeeper)?
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James and Helen married 22/04/1831 and so is OPR. Reads James Stewart resident Dunnethead and Helen Spence resident Dunnet. Cautioners Peter MacKay and Alexr Slight. Witnesses William Manson and John Spence.No more info.
They had 7 children;-
Anne 1832, Elizabeth 1833, James 1835, John 1837, Hellen 1839, Euphemia 1842 and Margaret 1844.
Helen Spence born 1813 to John Spence and Anne Manson. She remarried at the age of 48 in 1861 to Alexander Bain and died in Thurso in 1901 aged 89.
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There are Stewarts at Dunnethead in 1841 census he's the light house keeper David 55 and Janet 55 possibly a brother as not very likely to be old enough to be his father?
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I'm thinking they followed the naming pattern judging by John/Anne childrens names. Which would mean James and Elizabeth Stewart as James' parents possibly also a brother David (and maybe an Alexander). Very likely a connection to the lighthouse.
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thanks for the info - will go back and have another look at the 1841 census. Also thought previously about naming patterns as this seems to fit with their children.
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Ah! The lighthouse was only established in 1831 so the family may have been born elsewhere but moved there to build the lighthouse. You could try contacting the NLB they will have a list of the keepers and even possibly builders.
http://www.nlb.org.uk/Lighthouse.aspx?id=713
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From the lighthouse page
"James Smith of Inverness was the contractor responsible for the building of Dunnet Head. "
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WOW - youve provided me with some great new leads to follow up :)
Many thanks, will now be a slave to the laptop until ive exhausted everything!
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Here's another *IF* James is related to David lighthousekeeper
1851 census STEWART David Head M M 65 Annuitant Late Lightkeeper Perth - Inchture