The McWilliam family from Peterhead Scotland

[Beth Potter]

Hi,

I have very little information to go by in finding out about my grandfather as the people who I should have asked are no longer alive.
All I know is that He was born in Peterhead in approximately the 1880s and was called James McWilliam. He moved to Liverpool at some stage and worked on the Liverpool Docklands, which I think is also where he died. He had a son called James Grant McWilliam who was my beloved grandfather. I am still trying out other leads to try to come up with more info but with so little to go on I am struggling. My sister has also tried but again in vain. I have seen the family name on this chat line, and they were/are also from Peterhead so maybe there is a connection somewhere there. I hope so.
Best wishes Beth

[CaroleW]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat

James Grant McWilliam was b Liverpool in 1907.  Do you know the name of his mother?

Births June qtr 1907 
James Grant    McWilliam West Derby  8b 580

The only marriage around that time was in 1904 to Catherine Isobel Mathewson

[MonicaL]

Welcome to RootsChat, Beth 

Why do you think that James Snr. was born in Peterhead in approximately the 1880s?

A James McWilliam and a Catherine Isobel, as Carole has mentioned, show in the Liverpool baptisms database up to 1906. He shows as a 'cashier' by occupation, so not sure about this entry until we know more about father James really.

Beth, best way forward, letting you work back with confidence, would be to follow up on the likely birth found by Carole in 1907 in Liverpool. Full details, including mother's full name would help you now.

Monica 

[MonicaL]

Is this who you are looking at as potentially the family for James Snr.? From 1891:

Peter McWilliam 41, Traction Engine Driver, Forfarshire, Craig
Elizabeth McWilliam 41 b. Forfarshire, Brechin
Jessie H McWilliam 13
James G McWilliam 12 b. Elginshire, Drainie
Maggie McWilliam 7
Hugh Wilson 23 boarder

Address: 1 St Mary St, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire

[Beth Potter]

I am hoping that the names you have come up with maybe of some help. I will have to try and speak to my sister to see what she has come up with as well.
We were always told that my great granddad James McWilliam was from Peterhead so this is what we have always believed to be true. My mother was told by her father James Grant McWilliam.
I think my great granddad was a heavy drinker but again this is only bits and pieces that I have learned over the years, and it was possibly the drink that killed him???

[MonicaL]

Just as additional info, Beth. The James G McWilliam that we have on that 1891 census entry in Peterhead is registered in births on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk as also James Grant McWilliam b. 1869, Drainie Moray, as showing on that census entry.

Was the entry that Carol found in West Derby for a birth in 1907 the correct one? His death in 1970? Have you also got your grandfather's marriage entry to help you with this all?

Monica 

[Beth Potter]

Thanks for all that. My sister has the marriage details and we are pretty sure that it is our grandfather James Grant McWilliam born in Liverpool in 1907. It looks like we may get somewhere with this after all. I'm glad I found this site. Many thanks. Will keep you posted when I can.
Am going into hospital so I will not be able to do much initially but once I'm home again I can do more xx

[MonicaL]

Hope all goes well for you in hospital, Beth  This can all wait. It has been waiting a while 

Monica

[Beth Potter]

Thanks Monica. Will still go on here to chat but maybe not necessarily looking for awhile. Like you said it's waited this long. Xx