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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Renfrewshire => Topic started by: Rosinish on Wednesday 20 April 16 02:16 BST (UK)
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Hi Folks,
Can anyone add anything to the details of Mary Ann Graham or Fitzpatrick murdered at 23 Market Street, Greenock in March 1908. John Gallacher, painter, arrested. (Greenock Telegraph 16.3.1908).
She is described as a widow in Dundee Evening Telegraph 16 March 1908 but only mentions police "inquiring into the circumstances"
Any more info. on this would be most welcomed.
Annie
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A death record of a Mary Ann Fitzpatrick is on Scotlands People index in Greenock in 1908. She is listed as 49 with the surname Fitzpatrick and with other name Graham. Seems to have been regsitered under both names
Edit - Used free credits -Her death is listed as Heart Failure by the Procurator Fiscal on 22 April 1908. She died at her usual residence 23 Market St Greenock on 14 or 15 April. Listed as a Rag Picker, Father Patrick Graham and mother Mary Graham nee Canning(both deceased).
Kay
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Thanks Kay but it was the story re the murder which I wondered about........whether John Gallacher was found guilty of the "murder" & his connection whether a family member or his motive?
Annie
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Kay,
All married women in Scotland are registered by both their marital & maiden surnames.
Annie
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Annie
Thanks - As I married in Scotland myself I should have realised!
I have fiddled with John Gallacher and think in 1901 he might have been living at 11 East Stewart, Greenock listed as a painter - Listed as 25 born Greenock with wife Eliza (born Ireland) and three daughters. I can't see any obvious relationship to Mary Ann
Kay
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That does seem possibly him but I can't find anything on a conviction (yet) so may have just been a suspect for being in the house?
Annie
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She seems to have died on 14th or 15th April so presumably someone found her and foul play was suspected but the death cert just mentions heart failure??
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Hi Kay,
Yes, I think you're probably right, just a suspect but what had me wondering was a strange coincidence......
John Joseph Fitzpatrick, died Edinburgh 19th May 1901 husband of Mary Ann, 18 Tobago Street, Greenock.
1901 Census (prior to JJ's death)
18, Tobago Street, Greenock, Greenock East, Renfrewshire, Scotland
(All b Greenock, Renfrew)
John Gallacher Head 29 1872 Riveter
Mary Gallacher Wife 28 1873
Helen Gallacher Daughter 4 1897
Mary Gallacher Daughter 1 1900
This is a different John but it did make me wonder if there was a link, possibly related but may be a coincidence too with surname & address.
Annie
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It does seem rather a coincidence but also seems rather unlikely that John C b 1872 changed his occupation to a painter from a rivitor between 1901 and 1908.
Kay
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I did say this was a different John at Tobago Street but maybe there was a link somehow & that may have been why he was a suspect?
I think when we get a hold of something we like to follow it through.
Annie
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I found article in the Scotsman on the 10.4.1908 which says
SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST GREENOCK MAN.
John Gallacher who was apprehended in connection with the death of Mary Ann Graham or Fitzpatrick on the 13th March in her house in Market Street will be tried at the Circuit Court, Glasgow on the charges of assault, rape and murder.
and that's pretty much it,
will keep looking though :)
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Edit - Used free credits -Her death is listed as Heart Failure by the Procurator Fiscal on 22 April 1908. She died at her usual residence 23 Market St Greenock on 14 or 15 April. Listed as a Rag Picker, Father Patrick Graham and mother Mary Graham nee Canning(both deceased).
:-\ Cause of death certainly seems odd given that write up in the Scotsman.
Odd thing though.... Magiccat1978, that Scotsman mention was 10 April 1908 from what you say. Dates don't match if her death was reported to be c. 14 or 15 April in her home. And again, Annie you mentioned 16 March from the Greenock Telegraph.
Monica
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Hi Monica
I have just double checked and the date is correct.
There is a previous article in the Dundee Evening Telegraph 16 March 1908 which simply says Greenock Police are in inquiring in to the circumstances of the death of an elderly woman, Mary Ann Graham or Fitzpatrick, a widow, who was found dead in her house in one of the poorer localities of the town.
off to do some more digging
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Hi,
Contact the Watt Library, Union St, Greenock, they are fantastic there, I am sure that they will print off a copy of the newspaper report for you, they are very helpful and a fantastic team.
Kathy
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Thanks Kathy for suggestion,
I will certainly email them as the details I have are rather confusing to be honest.
Mary Ann Graham or Fitzpatrick murdered at 23 Market Street, Greenock in March 1908. John Gallacher, painter, arrested. (Greenock Telegraph 16.3.1908).
She is described as a widow in Dundee Evening Telegraph 16 March 1908 but only mentions police "inquiring into the circumstances"
I can only assume that the possible trauma of Mary Ann's death had caused her to have a Heart Attack but that doesn't account for the differences in dates on death cert. with 2 separate papers having a different date ???
Annie
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Rather than create another post, I'm wondering if anyone can find details in a newspaper please in regard to the above as I believe this to be the same person as in my original query?...
"Mary Ann Graham, Longwell Close, Greenock, Renfrewshire 20 Assault and robbery, and previous conviction"
https://www.scottishindexes.com/adentry.aspx?adid=881137
The above also cites...
"Christina Telfer, Longwell Close, Greenock, Renfrewshire 22 Assault and robbery, and previous conviction
Francis Boyle, forgeman (son of Terrence Boyle, blacksmith), 19 Hamilton Street, Greenock, Renfrewshire 17 Assault and robbery, and previous conviction"
Annie
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There is an article on this murder in The Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette on Thursday 09 April 1908.page 2. The article is headed Market Street Tracery ( probably Tragedy but OPR renders it Tracery ). It can be accessed through the British Newspaper Archive ---you can join up and receive three free articles . Dont know how detailed the information will be but maybe contacting the Telegraph's Archives for 9 April 1908 might be an easier way to access the information.
Regards Orkrad
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09 April 1881 - The Scotsman - Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
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She was busy
27 April 1881 - Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette
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14 March 1881 - Edinburgh Evening News - Edinburgh, Midlothian, Sco
There seem to be varying alternate surnames. So maybe different women?
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07 January 1881 - Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette -
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Looks to me that it’s a different Mary Ann Graham, the maiden name is different, it’s not Fitzpatrick, and the Scottish press in that day and age was fussy about things like that. Mary Ann Graham is not an unusual name in those days.
Kathy
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Thanks orkrad & Mckha, efforts much appreciated although confirms it's not the same person.
She was of the correct age in the right area, now I feel bad for my assumption :(
Annie