William Main/ Joan Campbell, Falkirk

[jimmain]

I am a descendant of John Main/ Helen Mitchell, through their son, John, b. 1838. He had a brother, Willliam, who married Joan Campbell in 1866. They had 8 children and I have determined that two of them were married: Isabella Crawford Mitchell Main m. Arthur Herriot, 1899, and Helen Mitchell Main m. John Mackie, 1889. I have not been able to find any information on any of the other children and would appreciate hearing from anyone who knows of this family. The other children are Thomas, b. 1873; William, b. 1871; John, b. 1866; David, b. 1876; Elizabeth, b. 1880; Janet, b. 1881.

[Annette7]

Unable to help you in your quest but can only add to it.   According to 1891 and 1901 Census there would appear to be more children:

James 1882
Joan 1884
George 1886
Robert 1888

Annette

[jimmain]

Thanks Annette, I found only David at home in the 1891 census; the entry was crammed into the bottom of the page, so I'm not sure if there might be more on the next page. I'll have to check out the 1901 census. It would be nice to be able to contact some of the descendants of this family. Jim Main

[Annette7]

Hi Jim

I've only viewed these 2 census via transcriptions on Ancestry.   In 1891, after David and before the 4 already mentioned are Elizabeth 12 and Janet 11.

In 1901 - (Roll no. CSSCT1901_156) at 28 Thornhill Road,  Falkirk

William Main    55     Foundry Labourer     b. Camelon, Stirlingshire
Joan Main        53                                      b. Edinburgh, Midlothian
Elizabeth Main  24    Dressmaker              b. Falkirk
Janet Main        20    French Polisher              ditto
James Main       18    Moulder                          ditto
George Main      14     ditto                              ditto
White (?think this must be Robert) 12   Scholar   ditto

Annette

[Annette7]

Jim

It might be that you just have to resort to the old-fashioned snail mail in this instance.   The current BT phone directory shows 12 people surnamed Main living in Falkirk.   Many moons ago (pre internet), whilst trying to find family for my One-Name Study, I wrote to 36 people in the UK phone directory and had replies from around a third of them and had lots of information and leads.

Guess it's worth considering - sent an identical letter to each and enclosed a s.a.e.

Annette     

[jimmain]

Hi Annette, Thanks for the idea; I'd like to do that. I would be writing from Canada. How would I get the addresses? Another qurestion. What is a  French polisher?
Jim

[Annette7]

A French Polisher put the high gloss surface on furniture (usually mahogany) which consists of applying many thin coats of shellac dissolved in alcohol using a rubbing pad.

The site you need to visit for names/addresses in Falkirk is:

www.thephonebook.bt.com

If you click on 'residential name' and then enter surname Main and place as Falkirk clicking on search brings up 35 entries for the general area - 12 of them are directly in Falkirk itself.

Good luck.

Annette

[jimmain]

Many thanks Annette. Much appreciated. Regards, Jim Main

[scotgenetics]

Hi Jim, I've just this moment found these posts. John Main and Helen Mitchell were my great grandparents also. Are you still looking for living relatives of William? I live in Scotland, and happened to be in Camelon yesterday! My name is Dennis White, and my email is dwhite@scotgenes.com. Please feel free to email me if you wish.