James Anderson, Landscape Artist

[Forfarian]

I have in my tree Margaret Rowan Waddell, daughter of William Waddell, and Jean Buchanan, who married James Anderson in Lanarkshire in 1850. Margaret died in Scotland 1878, and I have her death certificate, which describes James as 'Landscape Artist'. I have also seen the marriage certificate of their daughter Elizabeth, born about 1856/7 in Melbourne, Victoria, who married William Richmond in Scotland just five months before her mother's death. This certificate also describes James as a Landscape Artist, and he was deceased by the date of Elizabeth's marriage on 5 June 1878. I have Elizabeth in the 1881 and 1891 census in Scotland, but I have not found any trace of James or Margaret in any census, or Elizabeth in 1861 or 1871.

Has anyone come across this family in Australia?

[rosball]

I'm not sure if this is the right man as he is described as a portrait painter (rather than landscape) but the dates and residences match to some extent.
http://www.daao.org.au/bio/james-anderson/

regards,
   Ros

[Forfarian]

Thank you for the link. However the attached biography says that Anderson married Mrs Macleod some time after 1858. This won't fit with him marrying Margaret Rowan Waddell in 1850 and her outliving him and dying in 1878, unless they were divorced between the birth of Elizabeth and his marriage with Mrs Macleod. In which case it would be understandable that Margaret would have taken Elizabeth back to Scotland and given out that she was widowed.

Are there any records of divorces in Australia?

[rosball]

Divorces in  NSW http://srwww.records.nsw.gov.au/ - can't see them

I don't think Victorian divorces are online http://prov.vic.gov.au/


regards,
   Ros

[rosball]

Getting late here and I'm flagging (4am!).

I did look on http://prov.vic.gov.au/index_search?searchid=54 for a will in Victoria.  There are no James Anderson described as painter/artist but some just described as gentleman.   They take a while to download so you need some patience.

regards,
   Ros

[Forfarian]

Not surprised you're flagging if it's 4 a.m.! That is dedication beyond the call of duty. Thank you very much indeed.

There are two James Andersons described as 'gentleman' in 1864 and 1869. One has a wife named Agnes, the other a wife named Hannah. So unless Mrs Macleod was either Agnes or Hannah, it's not him.

[sparrett]

 
Birth in Victoria



ANDERSON Edith ?

Father  James
Mother Margaret Rowan WADDELL
Birth Place PRAHRAN
Year 1855
Reg Number: 6856

Sue

[sparrett]

Please can you tell us the names of JAMES ANDERSON's parents.

Sue

[Forfarian]

Thank you, Sue. That's a great find. She could must be an older sister of Elizabeth.

Wish I could tell you the names of James Anderson's parents. That's one of the things I'd eventually like to know.