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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Ross & Cromarty => Topic started by: GAYNORI on Wednesday 28 February 18 11:02 GMT (UK)
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Hi I was wondering if anyone knows which resources I can use i.e. census/electoral rolls etc to help me find Alexander Macleod who lived at 5 Henderson's buildings Bayhead Street Stornaway. He is named as the father of our grandmother. We know that he did not marry Henrietta so at a loss to know who he is/age/parents etc.
Thanks
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Do you have dates for him as that is not an uncommon name in Stornoway.
Gadget
Add - or Henrietta's dates/surname, etc. Anything really.
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The valuation roll on SP might have something. I'll check for you.
Gadget
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All I have to go on is Donaldina MacKay Macleod b 19th Nov 1911 Mother Henrietta MacKay 8 Pringles Court Cromwell Street Stornaway Fishworker Father Alexander Macleod 5 Henderson's Buildings Bayhead Street Stornaway General Labourer
Henrietta was born 6th Feb 1895 at Stag Rd Stonaway Dau of Donald Mackay & Henrietta Murray. That would make her about 16 at time of Donaldina's birth. She was a herring girl and followed the boats to Hull where she eventually settled.
Donaldina told us that she was illegitimate.
I am afraid that is as much as I know about Alexander although I have traced Donaldina's family back as far as is possible. Thank you so much.
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Re the Valuation Rolls. The only one that I've found living on Bayhead Street so far is in 1915. Listed as a seaman. A tenant. I think the address is 52 Bayhead. It's a multioccupied house that seems to be tenanted by seamen.
Not sure if this is him or not. Have you checked the 1891, 1901 and 1911 censuses?
Gadget
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Hi Gadget
I looked at all the census' but as you said it is a common name. I went through a process of narrowing down by possible ages etc but didn't know which one to pick :(
I thought if I could find one living at that address I might be on to something. I would dearly love to find him as it seems part of Dolly is missing. Thanks Gaynor
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Bayhead is quite a long road that runs up the quayside. Unfortunately, I can't get it by Street on SP for 1911 and other sites don't have the Scottish 1911 :(
Link to map https://tinyurl.com/y88b5zen
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I know it's a long shot but I don't have much to go on and it is so frustrating as he is within touching distance :-[
Do they have electoral rolls in Stornaway. We have to do one every year but not too sure wether it is the same in Scotland or if so when they begin.
How old is the Alexander you found?
Gaynor
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I have just found out that the 1911 census for Lewis & Harris has been done. The only problem is that neither Henderson's Buildings or Bayhead Street is showing. Would there be another name in Gaelic for instance. ???
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It doesn't give ages on the Valuation Rolls. Also, as he was a fisherman, he could have moved around.
I'll look some more but, could I just say that I've searched for one of my great grandfathers for over 60 years and have still not found him :-\
I think the Gaelic is Ceann a Bhaigh but it's not listed on the FindMyPast 1901.
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The Kirk Sessions Records might have something but these are not online for Stornoway as far as I can see. They are available at the larger records centres in Scotland.
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Thanks I will look for that.
One thing I do know for certain that the Mackays were members of the Free Church of Scotland. Dolly told me that one of her Aunts was an elder (?) quite high up and when she died they carried her across to the burial ground.
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The nearest to that is Ceannacaraidh also there is one that says Bay and another that says Bayfield, Kenneth, Church St etc are all there which seems strange as they are all in English. Found Pringles Court too which is where Dolly was born so might see if I can get a copy of that.
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I've looked at the 25 ins to the mile OS maps on the NLS site but no Henderson's Buildings on Bayhead
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Having problems with the 1911 for Stornoway - never had a 'no results' ever before for any name, any age - * in selections
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Hi Sorry I have been offline we are having a new router installed but it is playing me up suppose to be super efficient but worse than the old one!!!!
I'm reading Henderson's Buildings but I might be wrong, if not that's weird them not being there on 1911 census
Regards Pam??
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Just did a google search for Bayhead Street to see if it had changed it's name but I found Henderson Garage on Bayhead St Goes back to stables etc Could this be it? ???
Regards Pam
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I saw a Henderson's Garage on something I found but can't see it in my history of searches :-\
Henderson's Buildings suggest a tenement or the extension in the back close. I didn't find them in the Valuation Rolls but that was searched by name. I'll see if I can find anything on the earlier Rolls later this evening.
Gadget
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Thanks Gadget I am still scouring the net etc to see if I can pick something up...anything...please lol
It's so maddening our ancestors shouldn't have been so careless moving house, adding/subtracting from ages and marring people with common names!!
Gaynor
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In the 1915 Valuation Roll for Bayhead Street there's no sign of a Henderson's Building. Lots of Yards, Backhouses, etc.
Best I can see is:
5 Bayhead Street - a house tenanted by a Mrs Peggy Macleod. In 1905, it's vacant.
Gadget
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The elusive Alexander like you amd your grandfather, I may never find him ::) What a shame it was my last hope to pin him down in the1911 census.
Can I ask you another favour if it's not too much trouble, would you mind looking for 8 Pringles Court Cromwell Street Stornaway. That's where Dolly was born, although she won't be on it as not born till the November of same year. Her mother was Henrietta and her grandparents were Donald & Henrietta (Effie)(Mackay). I was just wondering why she was born there and who lived there in 1911
Thanks Pam
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Sorry, I can't search by address on the 1911 Census in Scotland. Where was Henrietta in 1911?
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She should have been at that address Henrietta (aka Effie) born 1895 gave birth at that address so I presume she was with her parents (being unmarried) Donald & Effie MacKay. I might be wrong though.
Regards Pam
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Hi Gadget
Sorry I've been away but was in hospital on Tuesday and back home now. I have paid for some credits for the 1911 census so I think I will just have to go through all of the Alexanders to see if any are on Bayhead Street.
Kind Regrds
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I have just been looking for Alexander. Trawling through all Alexander's in 1911 census. Expensive option I know but no alternative way. On my fifth try I found an Alexander Macleod at 51 Bayhead Street aged 18. Henrietta MacKay was 16 when she had her baby so he seems about the right age(!)
I was wondering if anyone had a map showing houses/buildings etc on an OS Map so I could see the relationship to Henderson's Garage to 51 Bayhead Street. On the census there are a lot of different families all giving 51 Bayhead as their address so could this point to a building that was multi tenanted
Grateful for any help/info
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Hi Pam
Hope you are better after your hospital visit.
Here's one but no numbering - will see if there's a large scale one:
http://maps.nls.uk/view/76344158#zoom=6&lat=1841&lon=9711&layers=BT
Gadget
Added - the 25 ins one is here -
http://maps.nls.uk/view/82901583#zoom=5&lat=3641&lon=6399&layers=BT
it's the largest OS map online but still no numbering :-\
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Thanks Gadget.
Foot a lot better now pain free (I hope it lasts) My cuboid bone keeps popping out at physio tomorrow to make it stay where it should be!!
hanks also for those two links I'm going to check them out. I have also asked if the library can check the trade irectory etc to see if Henderson's Gargage eve gave a No. i.e. 5
It is so frustrating that I know his name and where he was in 1911 but just cannot pin him down. I was wondering if the registrar put No 5 instead of 51that would make sense. There were several families there in 1911 so obviously had to be a large building even if they lived in just a room each. I might just ask if anybody is related to Alexander who lived in Bayhead Street
or failing that come to Stornaway and ask every Macleod to take a DNA test lol
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Hi Pam
That foot problem sounds nasty - poor you, Hope the physio will help.
There were two town plans but again no street numbering. Did you notice any mention of Henderson's Garage on the census - page back and forward? Though it could cost a lot for that kind of search :-\
It's such a pity that SP haven't allowed the 1911 to be indexed and put up on the cheaper/free sites as the others are.
I wonder if Comhairle nan Eilean Siar/Stornoway/Western Isles Council might have some old listings or plans:
https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/site-pages/contact-us/
It might be worth a try.
Gadget
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Hi Gadget
I never thought of going forwards/backwards etc maybe a good idea as there are loads of Alexanders although weeded them out with age Doing 16-20 age group only at the moment.
I have to find him on Bayhead Street as if he is anywhere else I won't be able to know whether or not he is the right one.
Never thought about Council plans etc,
I also might see if Free Church of Scotland has any baptism records that's if she was baptised being illegitimate.
Here goes!
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Well Gadget just made a surprising discovery. When I was looking at 51 Bayhead Street 1911 census my husband was rushing me as we had to go to telephone house about our internet device. Just brought it up again to go back & forwards like you suggested. Just counting how many families giving that as their address and guess what!! Donald Henderson is the first family listed!! He is described as a retired Coach House (?) Could this be the owner etc of Henderson's Garage and if so are those families living at the back of this Coach House!!
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It looks as if it could well be the right place :D
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Just had a look - it's Retired Coach Hirer -
Now I'd say a Coach Hirer would be a good shoe-in for the Henderson of Henerson's Builings/Garage
:D
Added -snip
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Must go to Spec=Savers (our local opticians) I was sooo excited didn't look properly. Also No 52 is the Post Office so might make it more easy to spot the buildings as usually churches/PO etc are marked on maps.
I just wished I had done this years ago as I could have told our Granma who her father was.
In your opinion do you think it could be him? or do you thin I am clutching at straws.
Just going to check maps again. :)
Pam
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I'm having trouble finding the family in 1901, so investigating the family.
Jemima was born 1898. Father Alexander and mother Christina MS Macrae. Their son Donald was the informant. Living at Keith Street then.
Wondering who Donaldina was named for- someone called Donald but which family? Do you have any in Ettie's family?
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Had another look at the valuations rolls for 1915 - the ones I looked at early on in the thread.
51 Bayhead Street is owned by Ken D Henderson, motor, etc, hirer. I assume he's Donald Henderson's son. He also occupies one of the tenement flats - as in the 1911, though the Macleods aren't there then.
What I think is that each tenement flat/set of rooms was numbered 1-n. So 51 was also known as Henderson's Buildings and the Macleods were at number 5. No proof but wonder what you think of it as an explanation.
Gadget
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Sorry our internet has been off again ::) They've given me a new router today but isband hasn't done it yet be glad when he does.
Wow You've been busy. It seems to fit I cannot think of any other explanation as every line of inquiry regarding Henderson's buildings draws a blank. Maybe Alexander put 5 Henderson's buildings because he lived in the fifth one lol
I think I shall taken as given as everything seems to add up especially after reading your last post.
Kind Regard Pam
PS Do you live in Lewis?
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Yes to your first question. Our Gran always said she was named after her grandfather Donald.
Pam
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Gadget
Just looked at census again. There is Dobald Henderson & Daughter at No 51 Then No 51 is listed again with five separate families. The last & FIFTH one is the Macleods, now that is too much of a coincidence. So it is definitely him and he's just put his flat/tenement etc 5 Henderson's buildings. That makes sense. So I am quite confident in saying (with a lot of help from Gadget) that I have found our Grandfather!!
Tomorrow I am going to pop him on our tree and do some research on that family
Thank you o much for all your help it is really appreciated. Just wish I could be as helpful in trying to find your missing Grandfather.
Now after all that excitement I am going to have a shower ready for tomorrow and then watch Michael Portillo in India.
Signing off for now
Kind Regards
Pam
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;D
I'm already half watching Portillo in India.
If you want the birth cert of Jemima which gives details of Alexander's parents, including marriage, PM me your e-mail and I'll send it. Don't put e-mail up on the thread.
Gadget
PS - to answer your question, I don't live on Lewis
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Good Morning Gadget
It's a bright dare I say sunny one here. I'm not too far from you as I'm in Hull.
Yes thank you I would love a copy of Jemima's BC I've sent you my email on PM. How on earth did you manage to get hold of that! and the next question did it cost you anything as I would want to repay you if it has.
Well ready for visit to physio I will speak later.
Kind Regards Pam
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Gadget
Did you read the morning Daily Mail yesterday? There was an article about an abandoned baby.
Pam
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Not in the Mail but on BBC site - was it the one who was found in blackberry bushes. Very moving story about her life and determination to find her parents.
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Gadget
It came through fine. I expect Jemima's might have been away at sea possibly & Donald stepped up. According to the census she had 10 children so used to it by then!!
I've just looked for the marriage but the only one coming up for the lochs in 1880 is
MCLEOD ALEXANDER MCRAE MARY 1880 087/ 13 Lochs
Wonder why she went from Christina to Mary. I would have thought Christy or Kirsty but not Mary. Anyway this is the only one so must be right.
Pam
PS I'm just about to go to physio so you may not hear from me for a bit!
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Strange why she changed her name. On the 1871, she's with her parents (given on the marriage cert) in Harbost, Lochs
Murdo McRae, 63, crofter, , b. Lochs
Mary, 50, b. Harris
Roderick, 14
Christin, 12
Anne, 10
Murdo, 7
Children all b. Lochs
and in 1861
Day School, Lochs
Murdoch McRae, 45, crofter and Fisherman, b. Lochs
Mary, 36, b. Harris
John,18, fisherman
Donald, 16, fisherman
Isabella, 8
Peggy, 7
Roderick, 4
Christy, 3
Ann, 2
Children, all born Lochs
I'm wondering if she or the registrar/minister just mixed up her name with her mother's!
Census info from transcriptions.
Gadget
Added - mother is Mary MS McDonald
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Hi Gadget
Back home at last. Husband collected me & then he had to go to Grimsby to pick up a camera for our granddaughter so went with him for the ride.
I have just got Alexander's & Christiana's marriage certificate. Alexander's parents were Donald & Christiana Morrison & as you said Christiana's were Murdo & Mary MacDonald. Donald was a crofter from Grimshader ? (several different spellings)
I can't believe that since yesterday this tree has just filled out so much. I also found Donald with Christiana Alexander on the 71 & 81 census. Feeling very pleased. I am going to see if I can now find both parents marriages although probably won't tell me much more.
Pam
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;D
I found them while you were having physio - hope all went well. The 1861 that I've put up in the post before your's is interesting - lots of children.
They seem to have married maybe in the 1840s (John = 18 in 1861) so the marraige might not be on SP. Also, they were Free Church.
Let me know if you want any more help.
Gadget
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Yes it went fine thanks. Cuboid bone keeps slipping out of place partial dislocation. Have got some exercises to make muscles stronger but if it doesn't improve then he said would need small op to cut muscle and remove small piece to tighten them up. He said it's like a elastic band that's gone baggy. Will do exercises lol!
Gosh that's a lot of children poor woman, mind you I suppose on those cold nights they didn't have much else to do ;)
I found Donald & Christiana's marriage in 1855 but they haven't put their parent's names on the certificate how frustrating is that!! :'(
Still trying to find Murdo & Mary's marriage. Hope I have better luck there.
Pam
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No Marriage either statutory or Parish records for Murdo & Mary so drawn a blank there. Maybe it's end of the line for this family.
Mind you in a lot better position than I was last night so can't complain.
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Well, if you use the naming conventions, Murdo's parents should be John and Margaret/Peggy and Mary's parents should be Donald and Isabella but they don't always follow strictly.
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Have you followed Donald and Christiana through the censuses to get children in birth order?
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Hi Gadget
I didn't know anything about the naming tradition etc except sometimes the granddaughter is called after her grandfather as is the case with Donaldina hence Donald.
I have Donald & Christiana in the 1871 & 1881 but that is far as I have got at the moment. Just finished dinner so will have a further look now.
Pam
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Here's a link
https://blog.findmypast.co.uk/traditional-scottish-naming-patterns-2115646700.html
Also, if there were too many girls (!) it was quite common to add an -ina or -ia to a male family name.
I've know Murdina, Donaldina and Hectoria, among others.
Gadget
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::) No wonder they are so many Donalds/Murdos/Henriettas etc I just wish I had been looking for a Thomas Jones or Angela Smith lol
I wonder if Alexander (Donaldina's Father) ever went on to get married and if he did , did they ever know he had a daughter. She may have step brothers & sisters out there. Now that would be interesting. I might see if Jemima ever married etc to see if there are any researchers doing this name.
Pam
Just taped Benidorm. I found out 2 weeks ago that we are related to the script writer Litten through our Brookes family wonder if he'll give me a small part in it!!
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No jokes about Jones - I've got a lot of those ;D
If you need any more help just ask and I would like to here any more findings too.
Gadget
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Gadget
He he me too. My father was a Jones from Shropshire. His Uncles were named after famous people so no problems finding them. For instance Baden Powell Jones etc He was from a poor family so why on earth his grandmother came them all fancy names I don't know. My Dad was Albert Charles Louis Jones. Mind you it makes finding them easier.
Well found Jemima but sadly she never married as she died aged 13 of end of her line. I'm goingto see if I canfind out where she is buried. Might be a family gravestone if I'm lucky.
Kind regards Pam
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Where in Shropshire :o
Have you looked for any of the other children?
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Wellington. I have gone back about 5 generations as they all stayed in same place and were butchers. They married into the Dolphin family who also were butchers. Joseph & Sarah Dolphin were cheesemakers and it is their son William who became a butcher (probably apprenticed to one of Sarah's brothers)
The one I am struggling with is Betsy Carylye (she married Willam) I have her down as born in Carlisle and her is James (worked on Railways as a Guard) but he keeps saying he is born in Scotland aagh!!
Pam
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Just done a new post asking for info regarding Jemima's burial & also if anyone else is doing this family you never know.
Pam
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Good Morning Gadget
Was up your way yesterday at Byker. Had a lovely Burger near the quayside...and fries!!
The naming link you sent me was interesting but here's a strange one. On the 1911 census Christiana has Alexander 18 (ours) & two others Christina & Jemima. She says she has 10 children all still alive. Never thought to look at next page but when I did she has another son aged 10 called...Alexander Is that normal practice?
Still trying to find family in the 1901 to see other children.
Also Alexander (18) is missing cannot find a death/emigration etc I wonder what happened to him?
Today I am going through all the Alexander marriages/deaths/emigration etc again to see if I can patch it all together. Wish me luck!!
Pam
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I saw the 10 year old Alexander on the next page. It's not unusual for children to be named the same. but he seems to be added on after Christina, aged 9. Just wondering if he might have been a grandson but no proof.
Have looked off and on for them on the 1901 but they must have been really badly mistranscribed or gone walkabout or missed off or changed their names.
Gadget
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I know cannot find them anywhere on the 1901 despite putting n corruptions of name etc. Nobody seems to know about them either. There are a couple of trees on Ancestry showing Christina "Mary" marrying Alexander Macleod but no children/census's etc shown. Maybe that's why she's called Mary on the wedding certificate. Ohhh just had a thought maybe she's Mary on the census why didn't I think of that earlier
Off again to search for Mary !!!
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I think I checked for Mary.
What children did they have on the 1891?
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One step ahead of me :) I haven't found them on that yet still searching 1901 ::)
Pam
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Found this one in 1901 census
Chirsty Macleod 38
John Macleod 12
Alexander Macleod 8 (right age as 18 in 1911)
Gormilia Macleod 4
Eric Macleod 2
Annie Maclean 17
Pam
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Hi Gadget
How's your eyesight Gadget I def need some new glasses!! as cannot make out any of these names can you pls
Pam
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? Mckay
Tenant and
Peggy McKay
Maiden Name
Morison
Donald Morrison
Tenant and Eric
Morrison Maiden Name
McIver
Just working out first name. Also, not sure if the Morrisons have one r or two.
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Is it Norman ???
Similar but first letters not the same.
Added - Norman - the N is same form as in Name.
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Hi Gadget
I've just enlarged the scan and I think it is Norman that's what I thought. It looks like his wife might be Peggy? Never thought to enlarge the enlargement lol
Pam
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You missed my last two posts, Pam
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Pam - did this 1891 census have their birthplaces and address?
Found this one in 1901 census
Chirsty Macleod 38
John Macleod 12
Alexander Macleod 8 (right age as 18 in 1911)
Gormilia Macleod 4
Eric Macleod 2
Annie Maclean 17
Pam
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Just looked at the 1901. Chirsty is recorded as a crofter's wife and all down as born Barvas so not sure it's them. Doesn't seem to fit.
added - link to location of Barvas
https://goo.gl/maps/hYhdRjt9dk12
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Hi Gadget I think you are right what a shame thought I had nailed it then :'(
As to the certificate I think the 2nd person cld read s Theresa Magdelene...mind you I did say I needed new glasses!!!!
Pam
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? Mckay - added - Norman
Tenant and
Peggy McKay
Maiden Name
Morison
Donald Morrison
Tenant and Eric
Morrison Maiden Name
McIver
Just working out first name. Also, not sure if the Morrisons have one r or two.
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Gadget Just reading it at 200% and it def looks like that lol
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Pam not surewhere your finding Theresa - are you mis-reading Tenant ::)
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Gadget Wonder what an Eric is I thought it was that maybe it's Garlic
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Sorry I meant Gaelic lol
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this is what I am thinking
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Can you not see my interpretation:
? Mckay - added - Norman
Tenant and
Peggy McKay
Maiden Name
Morison
Donald Morrison
Tenant and Eric
Morrison Maiden Name
McIver
Just working out first name. Also, not sure if the Morrisons have one r or two.
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:-[ :-[ :-[
Sorry Gadget I must get new glasses and maybe a brain whist I'm at it.
I thought it was Tenant & Eric as occupation then no name of wife then Morrison nee McIver
Pam
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Can you believe I even googled "what job does an Eric do" soooo :-[
Pam
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I'm used to reading Scottish certificates. it nearly always takes that form ~
Father's name
occupation
Mother's name
Maiden surname
Also deceased is entered if the person is dead.
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I think what confused me was it said Tenant and Eric On the other certificates the wife is usually on a separate line.
Pam
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I think they were trying to fit in a lot of words!
Re Eric:
English and Scottish from the Scottish formation Eric + -a and also from the Latin name for "heather" [see also Heather].
Erica is one of the many Anglicized forms of the Gaelic Oighrig.
http://www.whatsinaname.net/female-names/Erica.html
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Thanks Gadget
Funny my husband's sister is called Erica,
I am popping out now Gadget as I need a few things from Wilkinson's to do some housework...housework I haven't got time for that really with all this family history lol lol
Talk to you later
Pam
Check out this site for interesting books.
https://archive.org/stream/historyofscottis03macluoft#page/196/mode/2up/search/isle+of+lewis