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United States of America / Re: wiliiam robertson
« on: Thursday 09 May 13 15:45 BST (UK) »
Apologies! Where I have Wm James Robertson in the last para, it should, of course, have been the elder Wm Robertson without the middle name!
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United States of America / Re: wiliiam robertson
« on: Thursday 09 May 13 15:41 BST (UK) »
I am not sure about the birth record you mention being our Mgt Smith's. She appears in the 1881 Edinburgh census as age 51 and the 1891 census as 61. I think her father could be another John Smith. I am afraid I can't shed any light on the middle names of the 3 born in New York - but quite a lot of the following, which I have cut and pasted from a summary I wrote for my family, might be of interest to earlier correspondents.
My grandfather, Herbert Wm Robertson’s father was William James Robertson The family originated in Inveresk and Musselburgh (both names are still in existence) near Edinburgh. He was born in New York in 1857, but was living in Edinburgh by the census of 1881 (age 23). He worked his way up to become the manager and owner of an oil and cake mill, and Herbert also worked in this trade. William James Robertson died in 1918 and left a considerable bequest to the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh.
Available: picture of HWR’s birthplace in Edin, e-mail from Archivist concerning the Royal Infirmary bequest. His wife, my gt grandmother, Helen Marr Brotchie outlived him by half a century! I knew her well.
William James Robertson’s father, William Robertson's first noted trade was as a pianoforte maker. His 3 children were all born in New York.
I suspect that the following info which we found on line is about our Wm Robertson
At the 1853 New York Crystal Palace, he displayed a “keyed stop violin, a new invention, greatly facilitating the process of playing.” The Official Catalogue (1853-94) listed the maker’s address as 181 Broadway, which was also the workshop of the noted flute maker, Alfred Badger, and it is possible that the piano maker worked in the latter’s shop. He continued to work as a journeyman into the 1870s.
In the census of 1881 William James Robertson was back in Edinburgh and described as an unemployed cabinet maker (age 53). His death cert dated 1906 (age 74) gives his occupation as a seed millmaster’s assistant – presumably working with or for his son. There were always rumours in the family about a fortune made in New York, properties in Manhattan etc, but I have not managed to find evidence of that.
My grandfather, Herbert Wm Robertson’s father was William James Robertson The family originated in Inveresk and Musselburgh (both names are still in existence) near Edinburgh. He was born in New York in 1857, but was living in Edinburgh by the census of 1881 (age 23). He worked his way up to become the manager and owner of an oil and cake mill, and Herbert also worked in this trade. William James Robertson died in 1918 and left a considerable bequest to the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh.
Available: picture of HWR’s birthplace in Edin, e-mail from Archivist concerning the Royal Infirmary bequest. His wife, my gt grandmother, Helen Marr Brotchie outlived him by half a century! I knew her well.
William James Robertson’s father, William Robertson's first noted trade was as a pianoforte maker. His 3 children were all born in New York.
I suspect that the following info which we found on line is about our Wm Robertson
At the 1853 New York Crystal Palace, he displayed a “keyed stop violin, a new invention, greatly facilitating the process of playing.” The Official Catalogue (1853-94) listed the maker’s address as 181 Broadway, which was also the workshop of the noted flute maker, Alfred Badger, and it is possible that the piano maker worked in the latter’s shop. He continued to work as a journeyman into the 1870s.
In the census of 1881 William James Robertson was back in Edinburgh and described as an unemployed cabinet maker (age 53). His death cert dated 1906 (age 74) gives his occupation as a seed millmaster’s assistant – presumably working with or for his son. There were always rumours in the family about a fortune made in New York, properties in Manhattan etc, but I have not managed to find evidence of that.
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Peeblesshire / Re: Memorial Inscriptions
« on: Wednesday 08 May 13 23:21 BST (UK) »
Are you still researching these Johnstones? My gg grandfather was James Johnstone, a brother of your Adam Johnstone with parents Walter Johnstone (blacksmith) and Marion Fairlie. I can give you details of that Johnstone line right back to James Johnstone who died in 1691 - oldest decipherable tombstone at Drummelzier - TXif you are still interested.
Carrie
Carrie
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United States of America / Re: wiliiam robertson
« on: Wednesday 08 May 13 22:17 BST (UK) »
Are you still researching Wm Robertson born in New York? He was my great grandfather and I knew his wife, my gt grandmother (Helen Marr Brotchie) who died age 103 in 1968! William's father (another Wm) had 7 siblings. He was a pianoforte maker and patented a keyed finger keyboard for the violin in the US. The family were back in Edinburgh for the 1881 census. His father, James Robertson (1798-1851) was a blacksmith and spirit retailer in Newbigging, Musselburgh (nr Edinburgh) and his mother was Frances Thomson, who died 16.8.1855 ... Death certs for 1855 give the details of ALL the children - very helpful. I have names for previous generations if you are interested.
I can't get any further back from Margaret Smith but that her father was called John Smith and was from Inveresk.
I have details of most of William Robertson's descendants up to the present generations.
I can't get any further back from Margaret Smith but that her father was called John Smith and was from Inveresk.
I have details of most of William Robertson's descendants up to the present generations.
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