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Having had no luck in the past trying to discover information about my Great Grandfather James Ferguson, i am hoping a fresh search may come up with some answers. My GGrandfather was born 12th Feb 1875 to James & Anne Ferguson (McDiarmid) from Brigeton in Glasgow.

My GGrandfather married Elizabeth McLaren on 18th July 1902 where they both seem to reside at 54 Fairfield Street in Govan Glasgow.

I've heard many stories of James but would love to discover what is fact and what is fiction. I know he was professional on the organ and possibly played in concert. I also have been told her studied at Cambridge and taught at Oxford. However i find him in records as a housepainter so that information has a massive question mark over it.

I aquired his picture some years ago and have been drawn to discovering more about his life ever since.

Hitting the post button with crossed fingers 

It's great as now i know he had the brother too ! I wish i knew how to go this in depth like you're doing now. I'll do some research and will look deeper into it. I have to go for now as the hubby has some work to do online (he's a photographer) I will get more done on this over the weekend. I will let you know how i get on if that's ok. Thank you so much for this evening, you've been a wonderful help. x

I think this is an early 1851 census entry for James with family here - everyone born in Glasgow:

James Ferguson 30 wood turner
Agnes Ferguson 30
John Ferguson 5 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X1WM-FX8
James Ferguson 3

Address: 82 Oswald Street, Glasgow/Calton

Looks like there were only 2 living children from the marriage possibly? From 1861:

James Ferguson 40 Wood Turner Journeyman
Agnes Ferguson 40 b. Rutherglen, Lanarkshire
John Ferguson 15 Machine Wood Turner
James Ferguson 13 Power Loom Web Twister

Address: 68 Main Street, Glasgow/Calton

Monica

No i haven't got that far as yet, i had started this a while back and got a little lost and gave up. A new addititon to the family has started me off again. I will go down the route you have advised The music connection is funny, my father was very interested in music as was my brother and three of my nephews are musicians in bands. To the best of my knowledge, more family ended up in Australia and one became quite well known for her singing. It's amazing what family research discovers isn't it !!

Have you worked back on the censuses of James Snr. to flesh out his family a little? Annie McDermid might be trickier if she was the only over in Scotland from Ireland (always hard if that is the case).

Monica

 Also it does state that Duncan was a ship painter ! However on Elizabeths death certificate from May 1951 it states Duncan her father was a grocer !

Wow Rosie !! My GG Grandfather James Ferguson married Elizabeth in 1902, i have the ceertificate and the address is 54 Fairfield St Govan so yes indeed that is the right family. Thank you x

Quote from: rosie17 on Saturday 06 December 14 20:14 GMT (UK)

This is a bit of a jumble in the 1901 census with birth years and places so maybe 
Duncan McLaren b 1859 Pitlochrie /Pitlochry Perthshire age 42 ship yard redbader ?
Jane McLaren b 1864 Skelmorie age 37 domestic servant
Lizzie McLaren b 1882 Skelmorie Renfrews age 19 domestic servant
Living 54 Fairfield Street Govan

Just noticed your last comment about Farmer is exaggerating a bit !! I only wrote farmer because that is exactly what is on his sons marriage certificate. I don't care what my ancestors where, poor house or otherwise, i just write what it says on certificate.
Thank you for your time

If you don't have any certificates yet how did you come up with the occupations. Census records might be the next step you need to try.

Added- see that some details have already been found for you-
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=568556.msg4207607

Henry McShane-
1861- iron furnaceman
1871- brickwork labourer
1881- agricultural labourer
1891- poorhouse?
Think 'farmer' is exaggerating a bit