Gilbert McNicol, Millport

[PotHunter]

Hi All

Given the lack of details I've got I appreciate this is a bit of a long shot, but here goes!

I'm looking for Gilbert McNicol who was apparently born in Millport.  The assumption among the family is that he must have been born around 1885.  He moved to South Africa where he married Ellen Grainger.  Their daughter Nadine was born in 1915.  Gilbert died in SA in 1932.

I've searched Ancestry and not managed to find any relevant McNicols in Millport.  (I've tried Mc Nicol with a space too)

Any help or suggestions gratefully received!

Thanks in advance

Colin

[Captain2]

One to throw in the pot...
1891 census Cardiff Street, Millport, Buteshire

Mary McNicol  Head Married 33  Stocktakers wife - b. Argylshire, Scotland
Gilbert McNicol son  8 (1883) b. Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Bethia McNicol daughter 6 (1885) b Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Katie McNicol daughter 2 (1889) b Glasgow, Lanarkshire

[PotHunter]

Brilliant!

I was just about to add that he had two sisters called Kate and Bethia and a brother called Duncan so this is definitely him.

Thanks Captain!

[Captain2]

Still at Cardiff Street, Millport
1901
Mary McNicol - head - married - Grocer
Gilbert 19 carriage hirer
Bethia  15
Catherine 12 (Katie)
Duncan 7

[Captain2]

No sign of Dad tho'... hmmm Duncan arrived 1894 .. a mystery

[Captain2]

And this is a complete shot in the dark...

1861 - William Street, Barony, Milton, Lanarkshire

Bethia McNicol  (b. 1833) Renfrewshire,  married to Hugh McNicol (b 1829) Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Children
William McNicol  2 (1859) b Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Mary Kerr 14  General Servant b. Glasgow

Hugh was a spirit dealer

Going on nothing more than the mother's name Bethia . .  William as a possible Husband for Mary and father for  Gilbert ?

[Captain2]

No.. just found William in 1901 he is single, a spirit dealer (like his father was) living in the household of his sister Jane McNicol (also single) in Milton, Lanarkshire .. look again

[Captain2]

Random info for you which may help.. you could order Duncan's birth certificate and hopefully you will then get the details of his father

Duncan McNicol  d.o.b. 8 May 1894
Birthplace : Millport, Buteshire
Merchant Navy Seaman
Discharge Number : 981896

[PotHunter]

Thanks again Captain, this is incredibly helpful.

Interestingly Gilbert progressed from being a carriage hirer to owning a couple of car dealerships in Durban and Pietermartizburg.

I noticed Mary's ages being transcribed as 33 in 1891 and 49 in 1901. I couldn't see the actual images on Ancestry. I suppose 33 could have been 38. 

Also noticed that they moved from number 37 to 29 Cardiff St. Nice of them to make it easier for us :-)

Any ideas about what a stocktaker did?  I guess if it involved travel it could explain why the father  was away on both census days.  Given Duncan's career at sea I wondered if Dad was also a seaman but can't think of a connection to stocktaker.