RootsChat.Com

Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: maisie76 on Tuesday 08 January 19 17:24 GMT (UK)

Title: Help deciphering surname!
Post by: maisie76 on Tuesday 08 January 19 17:24 GMT (UK)
Hi

Can someone please help decipher what the surname is. William was adopted by my 4x Grandfather but just can’t work out what his surname was.

Thanks

Maisie
Title: Re: Help deciphering surname!
Post by: josey on Tuesday 08 January 19 17:33 GMT (UK)
Can you snip a slightly larger piece of the census so we can compare the writing?

Looks probably a Scotland census but if an England or Wales census can you post the reference?
Title: Re: Help deciphering surname!
Post by: tonepad on Tuesday 08 January 19 17:37 GMT (UK)
William McGraw?


Tony
Title: Re: Help deciphering surname!
Post by: josey on Tuesday 08 January 19 17:43 GMT (UK)
My thoughts are - starts 'McG' maybe ends in '...ans'  ??? but would like to see more of this writer's hand.

What year & where was William born according to this census?
Title: Re: Help deciphering surname!
Post by: maisie76 on Tuesday 08 January 19 18:00 GMT (UK)
I though maybe MCGivens?
Title: Re: Help deciphering surname!
Post by: maisie76 on Tuesday 08 January 19 18:03 GMT (UK)
More of the census.
Title: Re: Help deciphering surname!
Post by: josey on Tuesday 08 January 19 18:14 GMT (UK)
Thanks for the snip. I agree, but possibly with an 'a' - McGivans.

Have you looked for the birth of a William McGiva(e)ns in the right area at the right time?
Title: Re: Help deciphering surname!
Post by: Gadget on Tuesday 08 January 19 18:16 GMT (UK)
Agree with Josey - McGivans  :)
Title: Re: Help deciphering surname!
Post by: maisie76 on Tuesday 08 January 19 21:08 GMT (UK)
I have checked births, marriage and death records but can’t seem to find anything in that area.
Title: Re: Help deciphering surname!
Post by: MonicaL on Tuesday 08 January 19 22:15 GMT (UK)
Maisie, have you checked and discounted the birth of a William McGowan in Ayr in 1875?

Monica

Added: These might be details for that birth from Family Search. Born late December and registered early 1875?

William Mcgowan b. 23 Dec 1874
Birthplace AYR,AYR,SCOTLAND
Parents James Mcgowan and Jane Cameron
Title: Re: Help deciphering surname!
Post by: MonicaL on Tuesday 08 January 19 22:23 GMT (UK)
Not the right entry as this James is at home with family in 1881 in Ayr...

Monica
Title: Re: Help deciphering surname!
Post by: MonicaL on Tuesday 08 January 19 22:37 GMT (UK)
This looks to be William with Wilson McGill, son of Alexander and Elizabeth, in 1891:

Francis McGinn 32 butcher b. St Quivox, Ayr
Jessie McGinn 25
John McGinn 2 1/2
Elisabeth McGinn 8 months
Wilson McGill 28 butcher lodger b. St Quivox, Ayr
Wm McGivens 16 errand boy, lodger b. St Quivox, Ayr

Address: 69 Mill St, Ayr

Monica
Title: Re: Help deciphering surname!
Post by: maisie76 on Wednesday 09 January 19 21:39 GMT (UK)
Thanks Monica

He seems to disappear after that, might have to check English records or he could have moved abroad  :)