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Topics - steveg6638

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Dumfriesshire / Found in the Solway
« on: Friday 19 May 17 13:03 BST (UK)  »
A slightly grisly query for the group.

I've been trying to trace the death of my great great grandfather William Walker of Annan, but have been hampered up to now by a common name.

However, thanks to the British Newspaper Archive, I've just come across a report in the Dumfries and Galloway Saturday Standard of 2nd Nov 1918, which states that "William Walker who had not been heard of since the Rood Fair at Dumfries, was found in the Solway last week in a decomposed condition".

The age (63) and address quoted matches to my relative.

However when looking on Scotland's People I can't find the registration of a death at this time. I've also checked England & Wales deaths, and the Northern Ireland index but can't find anything that matches.

Can anyone advise why this might be, and more generally how were unusual deaths dealt with at the time in Scotland ?

Also are there any other local newspapers which might provide more details that could be searched on-line. I can't find any others on the BNA.

Thanks

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Dumfriesshire / Elizabeth Walker M.S. Henderson of Ruthwell or Annan
« on: Thursday 04 May 17 17:33 BST (UK)  »
I'm hoping that I may be able to get some help or guidance regarding a particular brick wall concerning my great great grandmother.

She is shown in the 1881 and 1891 censuses as Elizabeth Walker, the wife of William Walker a fisherman, in Butts Street, Annan. In 1881 she is stated to be 24 and born in Ruthwell. In 1891 she is stated to be 35 and born in Annan.

In the 1901 census she is shown, along with her family, at Johnstone's Place, Scott Street, Annan, where she is said to be 44 and born in Ruthwell.

I have traced the birth records of the various children shown in the census records, and their mother's maiden surname is said to be Henderson.

Death records show that Elizabeth Walker died on 22nd January 1916, aged 61, at 12 Queensbury Street, Annan. Her parents were given as Andrew Davidson and Jeanie Davidson M.S. Henderson (both deceased). Presumably Andrew Davidson was a step father and Elizabeth was born illegitimately ?

The implied birth year from the census returns and death record is between 1855 and 1857.

However I'm unable to trace a birth in Ruthwell or Annan around this time for an Elizabeth Henderson.

Neither can I find a marriage record for William Walker and Elizabeth Henderson which matches to the known facts. The only one I can find is in 1879 in Kinning Park, Lanarkshire, where William Walker is 37, Elizabeth Henderson is 33, and their parent details don't match to what I know on either side.

The marriage of Andrew Davidson and Jeanie Henderson is also a mystery.

If anyone has any thoughts or guidance to help me with this branch of my family, I'd be very grateful.

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