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Fordyce, I haven't ruled out that he went back to Scotland and returned with his brother.  I have looked for another "John Wright" with the same age in Racine Wisconsin area during that time and I cannot find any close matches.

Are you aware of any records (ship manifests) that would show people returning to Scotland?

I need some help identifying the uniform in the attached photo of my g-grandfather, John Wright born 29 Nov 1850 in Marnoch, Banffshire. The backside is printed with the name of the photographer "W. Sullivan, Newcastle on Tyne" who was in business at this location 1870-1871.

Was this police uniform of Newcastle police or was only the photographer from there?

I also added a close-up image. The helmet medallion appears to be 2 birds facing each other. The collar appears to be number 129 or something close to that.

Tom Wright

Hello Fordyce & Forfarian,

Thank you for all the information on my John Wright and family! 

A little background on my great-grandfather, John Wright b1850 Marnoch. He immigrated to the USA in 1872, first to Wisconsin and finally settling in Minnesota to raise his family of 5 children.  He married in 1877 to Annie Donald, b 1854 Chapel of Garioch, Aberdeenshire. Although they did not marry in Scotland, I find them in the 1871 census on the same farm both listed as servants (East Fingask, Daviot, Arberdeenshire).  Both died relatively young, John at age 50 and Annie at age 35, and thus our family has "lost" the family history of their life in Scotland.

I have seen John Wright's baptism document and 1851 & 1861 census record but did not have the marriage record of Isabella Simpson (John Wright's mother) to George Chalmers.  You mentioned there were 5 children from that marriage.  Do you have their names and birth dates?  One of the family stories is that John immigrated with one of his brothers (half brother if it was one of these children) but they had a falling out and never stayed in touch after immigrating. 

I'm still trying to find information on my John Wright's father (also named John Wright) who is listed on the baptism record as with the 12th Batt. Royal Artillery in 1855.  This was during the Crimean War and my research shows 4 people with that name and in the 12th battalion (2 of them were killed).  I need to see if i can find more details on these people to see if one is the correct one. You suggested the National Archives at Kew.  I'm in the USA so I will see if I can research those records on-line.

Thank you for all the information. My brother, me and our wives are planning a trip to Scotland the summer of 2019 so I'm researching this with the hope to visit the areas where our family resided.  I continue to build our Scotland family tree as I find new information. 

Regards,
Tom Wright