'My' William McDonald - is he in Scotland for the 1901 census

[Piglet01]

Not an easy name to track in Scotland - may be spelt with a Mc or Mac.

William  was the son of William Colville Mcdonald and Jessie Isabella Cumming a widow previously married to a William Bowden).

William was born on 14 Nov 1874 at Laggan in the Parish of Knockando, County of Elgin.

I have him last in the 1891 census in the Parish of Partick, Lanarkshire with his mother who - a widow yet again (William Colville McDonald drowned on 11 July 1876), is a 'Ladies nurse', his step sister, Euphemia Bowden and a male cousin - Robert McGregor.

I have his mothers death in Renfrewshire  in May 1915 and have his step sister in the 1901 census in the Parish of Govan sharing a house with his cousin who was born in England.

There were strong  family ties to Aberlour in Morayshire - also various family members had previously emigrated to the US.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks.  Regards,  Steve ...

[Gadget]

Hi Steve 

I'm assuming that you've done some thorough searches on the 1901 for him so I won't go down that route.

There are a few possiible avenues. Have you checked for marriages and deaths for him? Have you checked the emmigrant lists?  What was his occupation? The Boer War in South Africa could also be another line to check.

Extremely difficult with such a name 


Gadget

[MonicaL]

I think I dedicated at least six months of my life to searching for M(a)cDonalds in the Highlands...so my sympathies!

I saw one entry on the 1901 census. As you know people sometimes weren't consistent with their birth places, specially when they had lived somewhere for a while. Age fits and also name of daughter, matching his mother. His occupation in 1891 is machine maker, not too far from that:

Neil McLachlan 67, seaman, b. Dumbarton, Dumbartonshire
Flora McLachlan 65, b. Port Askaig, Argyleshire
Flora McLachlan 23
William McDonald 24, son in law, Ironmoulder's Labourer, b. Glasgow
Margaret McDonald 25
Jessie McDonald 5
Neil McDonald    1
Joseph Ross 24, boarder

Address: 69 King St, Govan

Not seeming much else in 1901.

Monica

[Piglet01]

Thanks Gadget and Monica.

As you're probably aware there are a total of 39 x  26 year old William Mc/MacDonalds born in 1874 in the 1901 census

I was hoping that a facility existed for those 'that have access' showing a Knockando birthplace.

I'd highlighted a couple of possibilities including one in Knockando for the 1901 census.  Loath to spend money on a lot of missd hits - but will if I have to.  Shall go and look for a marriage to the couple highlighted by you Monica.  :O)Thanks.  Only rider is - no 'Neils' at all in 'my' Mc/Macs

[Gadget]

I also noticed one in Moray - married to a ? Mary. It had him as b. Elgin though.

I'll go back and check for you later if you like 

[Gadget]

I don't think that this is him but here it is:

2 Lambs St, Elgin - 135 ED 14 page 8

William McDonald, 27, plumber's labourer, b. Elgin
Mary, 26, b. Kilmoniack, Rossshire

[MonicaL]

Steve

I did try searching for William with a Knockando birth place, but not sure about the two entries.

24 yrs - Coal Greiver & Manure Merchant in Rothes Moray - boarder
25 yrs - Night Distillery Maltman  son of Elizabeth living with mother Elizabeth in Knockando

These two are McD, nothing showing for MacD.

Reason I got creative with the Govan William I posted on 

Monica

[Piglet01]

Thanks again Gadget and Monica - your help is much appreciated.

My hope was that by the 1901 he'd be married - with a Knockando b/place birth and hey presto he'd be found - if he was still in Scotland.  Just went and checked the Govan William Mc.

Not my man unfortunately.  To help others who may be looking.  He was the son of William McDonald (a Cooper) and Jessie McDonald formerly Ma?chett M.S Naylor   (could possibly be Maylor, but I don't think so).  Margaretsd aprents are as per the census with her mother Flora being a M.S Stewart.

The search goes on   :O)  And thanks again.......