RootsChat.Com

Can anyone offer assistance in clarifying a problem I have with a Ramsay family residing in Perth, Perthshire in trying to locate a possible death record of a John Ramsay 1839-40. A John Ramsay married Mary Ann Bell on 5 July 1830 according to the Dundee Marriage Register. They had a daughter Lillias who was born in Perth in 1837 and a son Alexander born in Perth 9 March 1840. A record of Alexander’s birth states he was the son of the late John Ramsay a Tailor residing in St John Street, Perth and was registered around 1860 due to the fact that statutory registrations did not commence until 1855. Therefore did John Ramsay, die before Alexander was born in 1840 or did he decease just prior to the time when Alexander’s birth was registered in 1860?

The 1841 census reveals that John Ramsay 55, occupation Tailor, Mary Ann 27, Lillias 4 and Alexander 1 were residing in the civil parish of Perth, West Church. If John Ramsay was 55 in 1841 he would have been 44 when he married Mary Ann who would have been only 18 or 19. Therefore was John Ramsay actually Mary Ann’s father-in-law? Lillias died 28 May 1843 age 7 in Dundee, Angus and according to her burial register her father was described as John Ramsay, Tailor. When Mary Ann died 22 September 1865 in Dundee she was described as the widow of John Ramsay Tailor. Could father and son both been Tailors? To add to the confusion when Alexander married in 1864 in South Shields, Durham his deceased father was described as a Seaman the same as Alexander. Could this have been entered incorrectly? Given the number of errors I have previously encountered in registration documents if John Ramsay died just prior to Alexander’s birth was the John Ramsay age 55 recorded in the 1841 census actually be Alexander’s grandfather?

 (There was a John Ramsay born in the parish of Couper Angus, Perthshire 20 May 1808 with parents John Ramsay and Janet Crichton who could possibly have been Alexander’s father.)

Incidentally I have been unsuccessful in locating any of the family in Scottish or English census records for 1851 or 1861.

If anyone can shed any light on this quandary I would be most grateful.

Could someone please check for me the names of Linen Drapers in Folkestone in the 1803-4 Pigot's Directory.

Thanks

Peter

According to the 1855 Folkestone Post Office Directory William Edwards ran a Commercial Academy in Glennie House at Folkestone.  Has anyone some notes about this academy or Glennie House?

The 1851 census lists William’s occupation as a Private Teacher in Folkestone residing in Guildhall Street.

Any info would be most welcome.

DeeWhy

Probate for Alexander Rodger who died at Norwood, Kirn, Argyllshire on 12 January 1933 was sealed in London 17 March 1933. Where might a copy of the will be located and is it possible to obtain a copy in order to expand research into the Rodger family. Alexander was for many years a resident of Hong Kong and as most records of that city were destroyed in the second world war information is extremely limited.