Fishing Boat Tragedy

[tuppenze]

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me with some research I am currently doing on one of my ancestors.

Alexander Cowie from Buckie drowned at sea on the 19th Oct 1864. It states on his death cert that he lost his life during a gale while on a fishing boat and he was aged 40yrs (unfortunately I have been unable to find his birth cert)

If anyone out there could provide me with any info regarding this incident or his family it would be much appreciated.

Regards

Tuppenze

[wozzle]

1861
alexander cowie age 40 b. rathven,banffshire. occ. whitefisher
ann cowie age 35. b. ditto. wife.
dowie ellen cowie age 20. b. ditto. wife?
john age 11. b. ditto. son.
margaret age 9. b. ditto. daughter.
jane age 7. b. ditto. daughter.
jane age 3. b. ditto. daughter.
jessie age 2. b. ditto. daughter.
john age 2mnths b. ditto. son.
living at new street,rathven,banffshire.
there seems to be something wrong with this entry 2 wifes 2 children named john,2 named jane. unfortunately i cannot see the image so cannot check to see what is wrong.

[wozzle]

do you have the 1851 census only if you do not i will post it if you want

[tuppenze]

Hi Wozzle,

Thanks for you quick reply and info.  The info I have is that is wife was called Margaret and she died in Aug 1870.  The problem I am finding is that there are sooooo many people with the same names from that area that it is difficult to establish which are the ones from my family.

Thanks for the offer but I have already looked at the 1851 census.

Thanks again for your help.

Tuppenze

[meandcupcake]

Have you tried the site www.moray.gov.uk/LocalHeritage for details.  They are very helpful.  It lists An Alex "Bullen" Cowie and Peter "Bullen" Cowie as being drowned Oct 20, 1864.  "Bullen" would be their T-name.    Lynne

[tuppenze]

Hi Lynne,

Many thanks for the website address I am sure it will be very helpful.  The info about Alex and Peter Cowie is great.  You say that "bullen" is the t-name what does that actually mean.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks once again

Penny

[meandcupcake]

Hi Penny

Perhaps someone else out there can explain T-names.  All I know is that it is used to differentiate families with the same name. Buckie is full of Cowies, Sandend full of Smiths, Portknockie full of Mairs etc.  Sometimes it refers to a physical characteristic.   I thought that Moray might be able to find a newspaper article on the tragedy since you have a firm date.  Happy hunting!...Lynne

[tuppenze]

Hi Lynne,

Thanks very much I will carry on digging!

Penny

[meandcupcake]

Penny, another website to try:  www.buckieheritage.org
There are a few email addresses you could try on this site...Lynne