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Topics - CobaltBlue

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1
Scotland / Margaret 'Peggy' Kennedy (the object of Robert Burns' tribute)
« on: Friday 12 February 10 13:18 GMT (UK)  »
Margaret Kennedy was born in 1766, the daughter of Robert Kennedy of Daljarrock and Grizel Cathcart. 

My research has shown that while Margaret was in her late teens, she had a romance with Colonel McDouall, the Laird of Logan.

It appears that Margaret gave birth to McDouall's child (a girl?) about 1786 (opinions seem to differ on this date). McDouall rejected his new fatherhood, so legal steps were taken and Margaret was eventually awarded about 3000 pounds.

Margaret died very young in 1795. I can find no reference to her child, and her brief Will of 1801 makes no reference either. 

Does anyone know the name of the child and what became of him/her?

Many thanks

2
Durham / Gainford Gasworks, near Barnard Castle
« on: Wednesday 20 January 10 11:04 GMT (UK)  »
I have identified from the 1911 census that my family lived in Winston Road, Gainford, very close to the gasworks. In the direction of (I believe) Swan Yard, the sequence goes Mr Smith, Mr Robson, Gasworks, Mr Vousden, Mr Farrow.

 I understand that the gasworks was demolished around 1950. As I am unable to get to Gainford, I would be grateful if anyone who knows the village well could let me know whether the houses around the gasworks still exist from around the 1911 period.

Many thanks

3
Fife / Rev John Smith (1722-1780) Dunfermline
« on: Saturday 08 August 09 08:49 BST (UK)  »
Does anyone know the actual burial place of the Rev. John Smith (b. 1722, d. 1780), Minister of the United Free Church, Queen Anne Street, Dunfermline?

I believe that his predecessor in the church, Ralph Erskine, is buried in Dunfermline abbey churchyard, and that John Smith is commemorated on Erskine’s monument, but I can’t seem  to locate Smith’s gravesite.

Many thanks in advance.

4
Scotland / Help with a Will please
« on: Saturday 01 August 09 15:27 BST (UK)  »
Hi

I would be grateful for help with the following section of text taken from a 2-page 1789 Will relating to a clergyman who died in Dunfermline in 1780.

“….The said executrix gives up for conformation the sum of 20 pounds sterling, being part of a greater sum due by a Bond bearing (?)annualments and penally granted to the Defunct by Alexander (?)Mien, Portioner of (?)Sildow and Thomas Maor (Marr, Mann?) late surgeon of His Majesty’s sloop RaceHorse, dated 17 June 1773….”

My assumptions arising from reading this section essentially are:

•   In 1773, the two individuals mentioned (presumably ‘gentlemen’ from the description) did some wrong to the deceased and were forced by a court to lodge a bond which granted him annual payments.

•   The executrix (who I know is the deceased’s widow) had to hand back a part of the payment which she continued to receive after her husband’s death, but failed to own up at the time.

For anyone who understands such legal matters, are my assumptions correct, and what sort of offences would have incurred such a penalty?

Many Thanks

5
London & Middlesex Completed Lookup Requests / London prison records - help please ++ COMPLETED +++
« on: Tuesday 16 June 09 09:56 BST (UK)  »
I would be grateful for any help / suggestions as to where to start searching for my great-grandfather’s prison record (and any other records that might be associated with it). The following details about him were extracted from the records held by the library of the Goldsmiths’ Company:

Joseph William Jaggers, of 108 Holly Street, Dalston, served one month’s hard labour in April 1892 for stealing silver from his employer Messrs Deere and Jackson of 43, Spencer Street, Clerkenwell


Many thanks

++ COMPLETED ++   Thank you to the people who responded to my query. Although not completely resolved, I have enough information on this now.

6
Wigtownshire / Lt Col Andrew McDowall (McDouall) of Logan
« on: Monday 15 June 09 13:04 BST (UK)  »
Has anyone studied the background of Lt Col Andrew McDowall, former MP for Wigtownshire, who died 1834 at Logan?

His known legitimate children with his wife Mary Russell were (I believe) James (b. 1796), Charlotte (b. 1798) and John Andrew (b. 1805)

Andrew McDowall’s will of 1838 refers to a marriage contract with his wife Mary Russell (dated 1808, after the birth of their children), and includes much legal language about ensuring his son James is recognised at his eldest legitimate son.

I would be very grateful if anyone has discovered any ‘illegitimate’ offspring of Lt Col Andrew McDowall.  I have a suspicion that my ggg grandfather was one of them, but can’t yet prove it and so have hit the proverbial brick wall.

Many thanks in advance

7
Durham Completed Look up Requests / Coal mining term used in 1911 census - COMPLETED - many thanks
« on: Monday 15 June 09 12:11 BST (UK)  »
Two requests for help please

My g grandfather lived at Bruce Street, Daisy Hill (Sacriston) and the 1911 census records his occupation as colliery fitter's labourer (on bank).  I would be grateful if someone could let me know what "on bank" refers to.

Secondly, does his living at Daisy Hill give any indication as to his exact working location, or is the process of finding this out more complicated.

Thanks for any suggestions.

COMPLETED +++ Thanks for all the replies - very helpful indeed

8
Durham Lookup Requests / Gainford Cemetery registers (M78/42) - Durham Record Office
« on: Monday 15 June 09 07:32 BST (UK)  »
I would be very grateful if someone could find the entry and burial plot details for my gg grandmother Jessie Ainslie Farrow (nee McDowall), died 3 Mar 1915.  A coroner's inquest was held on 5th Mar, so I assume her burial was a day or two after that.

I know that Jessie is buried in Gainford but a relative visiting the cemetery several years ago was unable to locate the grave.  It is possible that Jessie lies in an unmarked public grave.

Many thanks in advance

9
Gloucestershire Completed Lookup Requests / White Horse, Almondsbury COMPLETED
« on: Saturday 25 April 09 07:30 BST (UK)  »
An ancestor of mine is recorded as being born in 1851 at 'White Horse, Almondsbury'.

From the name, it's tempting to assume that 'White Horse' is an Inn, but I'd be grateful if someone could let me know what or where 'White Horse' actually is (or was).

Thanks

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