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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Topic started by: C. Dewar on Tuesday 30 June 15 22:22 BST (UK)

Title: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: C. Dewar on Tuesday 30 June 15 22:22 BST (UK)
I don't know if anyone can help me out here or not. The only reason I am asking for help is because I have exhausted my options, I have done hours upon hours of research looking for ANYTHING on my ggrandfather. My Dad and Aunts are hazy on details about him because they never knew him. My grandfather was John Wishart Dewar b. 1903, He had two older siblings that are known of named Agnes b. ab. 1898 and William b. ab. 1899. My ggrandfather's name was James Dewar, the family thinks he was born around 1871 in Scotland (what area? Who knows!). No one knows anything of my ggrandmother because she died shortly after giving birth to my gfather in New Jersey, USA. The children were then placed in the Presbyterian Foster Home in New York. My ggrandfather told my grandfather that he would have rather had him die than his wife.

My grandfather married Ruth Kelch... And if you have a George Dewar in your family married to Ruth Kelch... Your information might be off. I have seen this posted several times with both of my grandparents dates of birth.

Also, from what I understand there was a falling out and my ggrandfather was disowned from the Dewar family. I have no idea when he came to America, just that he came in to Ellis Island, even though I can not find proof after searching. My Aunt told be that she had an Betty (Dewar) and Howard Conklin come visit them.... No records found on either. Then she said that there was an Uncle Ben and Aunt Tini (Christina or Tina?) she said they were from the Dewar side, but from where?

Any help at all is much appreciated. I am at a dead end now, after 10 years of searching and not getting any farther I am about to give up  :-\
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: Annette7 on Wednesday 01 July 15 01:37 BST (UK)
I THINK that I might have found the right family after studying census and cross-referencing against some online family trees.   This was my journey of research.

James Dewar appears to have married an Agnes Edmond/Edmund ca.1895 - in 1900 they are living in Bloomfield, Essex, New Jersey with Agnes' widowed mother.

Mary Edmond    58     wid. born Scotland
James Dewar     29 (shown born Aug.1870 Scotland)    Night Watchman   Immig.1889
Agnes Dewar     26 (born May 1874 Scotland)                                         Immig.1890
Agnes Dewar     born April 1898 New Jersey
Mary Dewar       born October 1895 New Jersey
William Dewar   born Sept.1899

New Jersey births seems somewhat odd and you can't view original document on Ancestry but there are 2 births showing James/Agnes Edmond as parents - one for a male transcribed as Duer born 14th September 1899 (must be William) and one for a female transcribed as Dues born 18th April 1897 (think this must be Agnes so not born 1898 as shown on 1900 census).   What threw me a little here is that the birth entries state James was born in America, Agnes in Scotland).

Bear with me.

Next I looked at 1910 census and found in Hudson New Jersey:

Annie Dewar     70    Wid.                                 Immig.1885
James Dewar  son  36   Widr.     Stone Cutter     Immig.1885
Benjamin Dewar son  34 Widr.    Stone Cutter     Immig.1885
Mary Dewar  grand-dau.  15      born New Jersey

I found the Dewar's actually arriving in the US in 1886 - Ann Dewar 46 arrived 19/5/1886 on State of Nebraska and appears to have arrived alone.   Two months later on 21/7/1886 on ship State of Georgia arrives James 13 plus 3 younger siblings - Chr. 10, Benj. 8 and Jessie 6.

The Scottish naming pattern has eldest son named after paternal grandfather so as James' first son was named William I was hoping to find a William Dewar married to an Ann/Annie and believe this is the family in 1881 in Hutchesontown, Glasgow, Lanarkshire:

William Dewar     48      Mason       born Cupar, Fifeshire
Ann McMillan Dewar  41                 born Bellshill, Lanarkshire
Grace Dewar  dau.   22                  born Strathbungo, Renfrewshire
Thos. McMillan Dewar  15                    ditto
Margaret Dewar   15 (think this should be 13)  ditto
James Dewar  10                           America
Christina Dewar  6                              America 
Benjamin Dick Dewar  3                     born Govanhill, Lanarkshire
Jessie McMillan Russell Dewar  1                ditto

No sign of William, Ann and the 4 younger children in Scotland 1891 - can't see an obvious death for William 1881-1886 on Scotlands People site so I'm guessing William went to US first (haven't found his arrival), with wife Ann and the 4 children arriving in 1886.

So, although James Dewar was 'Scottish' he was actually born in the US although the year varies from document to document i.e. 1881 census shows bc.1871, immigration shows bc.1873, no census in US 1890, 1900 census states born Aug.1870, and 1910 census states bc.1874.   So, whilst his three youngest children were put in Foster Home after death of his wife Agnes, he appears to have kept his elder daughter Mary b.1895 with him.

James appears to have been born in August 1870-1873 in America (as was his sister Christina ca.1875) before family returned to Scotland.   From one of the census I looked at his mother states immigration 1868 and I'm assuming that she and William went to the US then where they stayed for around 5/6 years and then returned to Scotland.   This was for around 10 years as back in the US in 1886.   So, Aunt Tini is sister Christina, Uncle Ben is brother Benjamin, and I'm wondering if the remembered 'Betty' was in fact his youngest sister Jessie??

James' parents William Dewar and Ann McMillan married in 1855 Cathcart (Glasgow), Lanarkshire.   If you purchase some credits for Scotlands People you will be able to view the marriage certificate which will show respective parents for each of them and take you back yet another generation.

Phew - hope I've deciphered all my scribbled notes correctly but this certainly does look as if this is your family.

Annette

Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: Annette7 on Wednesday 01 July 15 02:34 BST (UK)
Have finally found family in US 1870 - in New York:

Wm. DEER     30     Stone Cutter
Anna  "          31
Grace  "     13
Mary    "     9
Thomas "    5
Maggie  "    3
James   "     1

All children shown born New York when it would appear it was only James who was born there.

Familysearch shows following births to William Dewar and Ann McMillan:

John born 2/5/1856 Govan, Lanarkshire (died)
Grace born 25/4/1858    ditto
William born 16/3/1860  ditto (died)
John born 6/11/1861      ditto (died)
Mary born 1862
Christina born 25/12/1863 ditto (died)
Thomas McMillan born 27/10/1865  ditto
Margaret born 28/8/1867   ditto
then
James ca.1870 New York
Christina ca.1875  ditto
Benjamin Dick b.1877 Govanhill (per SP)
Jessie McMillan Russell b.1879 Govanhill (per SP)

Annette

First 3 sons plus second daughter presumably died. 

Annette
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: C. Dewar on Wednesday 01 July 15 03:12 BST (UK)
Oh my Lord! YES! It all helps so much and makes perfect sense! My Aunt's middle name is Edmond and I forgot to add that in. I will have to buy some credits for Scotland's People to the the cert! You have no idea the frustration just to find one person then in a day there are two whole families! I could cry I am so happy! I will have to tell my Aunt's about this. They are going to have a fit! Thank you so much!!  :D
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: IMBER on Wednesday 01 July 15 07:18 BST (UK)
Well done Annette!

Imber
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: buckhyne on Wednesday 01 July 15 09:33 BST (UK)
Annette that is a wonderful piece of research.
Well done.
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: Millmoor on Wednesday 01 July 15 09:36 BST (UK)
Great work, Annette.

There is a possible entry in the 1920 US census in Harrison Ward 4,New Jersey (as transcribed on familysearch).
James Devar  Head 49 b New York
Ann Devar Mother 80 b Scotland
Charles Milles Son in Law 25 b NJ
Mary Milles Daughter 24 b NJ.

Familysearch also has transcripts of the 1905 New Jersey census. There is an entry in Hudson, New Jersey for
Annie Dewar 66
James Dewar 35. ( I could not find them in the 1915 New Jersey census).

Going further back in the Scottish census it would appear that William Dewar b 1833 gives his place of birth as Markinch, Fife. In 1861 he is residing in Govan, Renfrewshire with wife Ann and daughter Grace. In 1851 he is with his parents in Ballingry, Fife where helpfully his parents are named as John Dewar and Christian Adam.( In 1841 the family have been transcribed as Duvar and are residing in Markinch). Hopefully the marriage certificate for William and Ann will confirm this information. Marriage certs from 1855 are particularly detailed as it was the first year of civil registration in Scotland.

William
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: Millmoor on Wednesday 01 July 15 10:11 BST (UK)
There is a baptism in Markinch, Fife (found on freereg) in April 1834 for William Dewar, born 10 Dec 1833 with parents John Dewar and Christina Adams. The original record should be in the OPR'S on Scotlands People.

William
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: trish1120 on Wednesday 01 July 15 11:43 BST (UK)
Amazing research, well done Annette :)
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: Annette7 on Wednesday 01 July 15 11:59 BST (UK)
Thank you for your comments.   When it all starts coming together the hardest thing is deciphering your scribbles and putting it down in order in a way OP can easily understand.

Glad I was able to help.

Annette

 
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: jaybelnz on Wednesday 01 July 15 12:06 BST (UK)
I think it's great the way that you put that all together! It's always such a pleasure to watch a thread like this develop!  What a wonderful community this is and I never cease to admire the skills and kindnesses offered up on here so freely!!

Well done to all!  :) :)

Jeanne
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: Annette7 on Wednesday 01 July 15 12:12 BST (UK)
Just found James' fathers death on Ancestry:

Wm. Dewar   59 (bc.1833) died 17th June 1892 Harrison, Hudson, New Jersey.

Born Scotland, a Stone Cutter and married.

Annette
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: Millmoor on Wednesday 01 July 15 12:51 BST (UK)
Might this be James Dewar in 1940

Charles F Miller 45
Mary Miller w 44
Agnes I Miller d 18
Lorraine M Miller d 11
Leroy C Miller s 7
James Dewar 69 father in law b New York

Ward 6, Newark, Newark City, Essex, New Jersey

And in 1930

Charles F Miller 35
Mary M Miller 34
Agnes I Miller 8
Lorrain M Miller 1
James Dewar 59

East Orange, Essex, New Jersey

William

Ps I looked at the original post before I went to bed last night ... and could not find a thing. Hats off to Annette.
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: C. Dewar on Wednesday 01 July 15 14:58 BST (UK)
I am absolutely beside myself with all of this info! I can not get over it. I jumped on my phone as soon as I saw Annette's replies and was talking at 10pm with my Aunt. One of those things I just couldn't wait to do. My dad used to tell me little bits of stories when I was a teenager and it sparked my interest.  I have actually seen all of these names together, but have been going by exact date, so dismissed them. After reading your reply Annette everything comes together and just works! I did not know about Tini or Ben until a few days ago and researched, but still have been confused on the whole process.  Gets frustrating and after so long I was about to throw my hands up and say forget it. You all have been such a help! I never thought I would see this much info all at once!  :D
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: C. Dewar on Wednesday 01 July 15 15:00 BST (UK)


Ps I looked at the original post before I went to bed last night ... and could not find a thing. Hats off to Annette.

I know! I am shocked she found so much! I must say, she might be an angel :)
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: lookingforme on Friday 03 July 15 02:02 BST (UK)
Great Info. Thanks C.Dewar and everyone.
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: lookingforme on Friday 03 July 15 02:08 BST (UK)
C. Dewar another family name is Erskine. Your Grandfather gave family names to A and J. for middle names.
Title: Re: The Dewar Family Mystery I am Trying to Solve!
Post by: C. Dewar on Friday 03 July 15 04:30 BST (UK)
Hey looking for me  ;D I have one more grandfather to add and am then going to work on children then spouses lines. I saw Erskine as a mother to one of our I don't know how many times great grandmothers.

Everyone else... I have found grandparents and their children all the way back to 1686! I could not have done it without all the help!