Why did they move?

[mark99]

I am a bit of a novice at this so apologise if this in the wrong board.

I am researching a family line "MCAULEY"? but you can make up your own spelling of it as it has changed so much over the years I have lost count.

The earliest I have been able to trace is Francis MACAULEY married Helen FERGUSON - Barony Parish, 18/03/1802, they had 2 children - John & George, both born in Lanarkshire in 1807 & 1811 respectively but by 1835 John had moved to Westcalder were he marries Margaret FORRESTER & has 3 children Margaret, John & Alexander.

In those days such a move was drastic, would anyone know what would have caused such a move. 

Also I would be very interested in hearing from anyone with any "MCAULEYS"? in their tree or have come across any from Lanarkshire (even Westcalder) whilst conducting their research.

Thanks

Mark

[Springbok]

Hi Mark, Welcome to the world of constant surprises!

You could post in the Common Room as a general question regarding why people moved around, and then put a McCauley Query on the Surnames board.

Lots of choice on here.

As to the reason for moving, well I have Scots surnames who came to London in the early 1800's as they were involved in the Book/Printing trade.

My husband ancestors who regularly commuted in the late 1700;s some 25 miles to live for some years but  returned for weddings etc . 

Do try some of the other boards ,separating your queries so that you don't repeat the question!!

Good Hunting

Spring

[mark99]

Thanks for your advice Springbok.  I will have a further look around the site & see what's the best board to post this query in, breaking it up, as appropriate.

Mark

[tidybooks]

Hi Mark,

I have done a search and the only John McAuley I can find is in Whitburh, Linlithgowshire. Quite a few similarities, but could be the wrong one. I could not find a marriage cert so far.

In 1841 at Longridge Whitburn Linlithgowshire

John McAulay 34 b 1807 Glasgow Occ – Weigher of Iron Stone
Margaret (Forrester) McAulay 32 b 1809 Bathgate Labourer
Margaret Ferguson Macaulay 10 c 07 Jun 1840 Whitburn labourer
Isabel (la) MacAulay 8 c 11 Sep 1842 Whitburn
John McAuley 5 b 1846 Whitburn Scholar
George McAuley 3 b 1848 Whitburn
Alexander McAuley 1 b 1850 Whitburn

Francis MacAulay 14 c 05 Feb 1837 Whitburn, may have died before 1851 census
As you do not mention Isabel (la) or George, they maybe young deaths, also

Next census I see them in is 1891 when John McAullay is 84 a retired pitheadman and Margaret is 81 are living at Bentfoot Cottage, Whitburn.

Tom

[mosstrooper]

The areas you mention, Barony, West Calder, Whitburn, Longridge etc are all Mining communities. They simply followed the work and Coalmasters usually supplied a house to go with the job.