donald smith

[johnsmiff]

trying to trace donald smith i've found him in 1891 census saying he was born in dundee forfar about 1877 but can't find him, his father was called donald too.

[MonicaL]

Hi John

Just adding a bit more background for you that we covered by PM so that hopefully other people can add. We have Donald with new wife Martha and her family in 1901:

Donald Smith  24, navvy, b. Dundee Forfar
Martha Millar   23, b. Kirriemuir, Fife
Anne Smith   3, b. Invergarry, Invernessshire
Jessie Smith  1, b. Monzuvard, Perthshire
John Millar   52, joiner, b. England
Ann C Millar 57, b. Camber fife
Mary Millar   19, b. Kirriemuir, Fife

Address: Hut, Comrie Perth

We also have this potential entry for 1891:

Donald Smith, 40, boarder, Railway Labourer, b. Inverness
Donald Smith, boarder, 14, general lab., b. Dundee

Address:    Hut 48, Arrochar, Dumbartonshire

The only Donald Smith we have been able to find in his age group born in Dundee was this one so far - but he is the illegitimate son of Catherine as confirmed by his birth reg.:

Catherine Smith 38, Sack Sewer, b. Ireland
Donald M Smith    4, b. Dundee
Peter C Smith    21, gen. lab., b. Edinburgh

Address:  221 Overgate, Dundee

Your Donald married Martha in 1897. His parents show as Donald Smith (what occupation shows on the MC for father Donald?). Father shows as not deceased. Mother shows as JESSIE SMITH (maiden name also SMITH), deceased by the time of Donald's marriage in 1897.
Haven't as yet been able to find a marriage or death for Jessie (married to a Donald Smith).

Hopefully someone can find a further lead on Donald....

Monica 

[Betty Boo]

Hello John,

If you check Scotlands People there is one John Smith born in 1877 in Dundee. I searched 1876 to 1878 and this is the only one born in between those years in Dundee.
The ref. is :-

 1877 SMITH DONALD M ST CLEMENT DUNDEE CITY/ANGUS 282/03 0920

Betty

[MonicaL]

Hi Betty

The birth that you found in Dundee is the one with mother as Catherine Smith  It should be that birth but he showed mother as Jessie Smith in both his MC and DC which is what is throwing me. Donald's birth to Catherine Smith was illegitimate, she died a couple of years later at the poorhouse.

There is only one Donald Smith born c. 1877 in Dundee showing on the 1881-1901 Censuses. The 1901 entry is certainly the right one as he married in 1897 and shows with wife and her family. The 1891 is a strong possibility, age and place of birth fit and also there is a Donald Smith, age 40, who could fit for father. It's the 1881 that is the problem because there is only one entry and that is with mother Catherine  There is another birth in Dundee in 1876 for a Daniel Smith but he shows different parents.

Donald called his second born daughter Jessie which also fits with the name he gave for this mother.

A bit of a puzzle this one.....

Monica