Uig Cemetery

[Julie Carver]

Has anyone any ideas about where my GGfather may have been buried? He died in the bay at Uig in 1877, presumed drowned according to the coroner. He was a long way from any relatives as far as I can tell and not much information was known about him.
Also does anyone know if there were burial registers for Uig for 1877 still around?

[eilthireach]

He would probably have been buried in the cemetery at <a href="http://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townmap8762.html">Ardroil</a>, by the Uig Sands. However, it is extremely unlikely - extremely unlikely - that there would be any headstones or markers and I am also sure there would not be any register for you to consult. And, by the way, there is no such thing as a "coroner" in Scotland. A death in such circumstances would be reported to the Procurator Fiscal who would investigate. If there were no suspicious circumstances, he would have the registrar register the death. The Informant column in the entry would then read : Registered on the information of the Procurator Fiscal ...". Drownings such as this one were not uncommon. And you won't find any report in a local newspaper, as there was no "local newspaper" covering the Isle of Lewis until 1917.

[Julie Carver]

Thank you for replying and clarifying about the coroner. Now I understand about the Procurator Fiscal.
But now I am confused about the location. So the Sands of Uig or Uig sands are not near Uig town on Skye? What are the other two places mentioned on the RCE? Sands of Uig near.... 
I am hoping to visit in September while in the UK and am interested where he died and may be buried even if there isn't any evidence still existing. Most of my rellies were too poor for gravestones.
thanks for your help
Julie

[Julie Carver]

Ok next question..
The cemetery at Ardroil that is there now was opened in 1909.
Where was someone buried in 1877?
TIA
Julie

[Rosinish]

Hi Julie,

Can you please give details of what's on the actual DC please?

Does it mention his age, wife, his usual residence, occupation?

Was his wife still alive at the time?

Where was he living in 1871 & if he left a widow, where was she by 1881?
Was she at the same residence as in 1871 as this could possibly point to where he may have been buried?

Annie

[Julie Carver]

William McNab was born in Stranraer Wigtownshire in c1826. (according to 1851 census)
Cant' find him in 1841.
In 1851 he was married to Ann McDonald living in Middle Greenock.
In 1861 he was living in Rickergate Carlisle with 3 children.
In 1871 I can't find him, she is living in Glasgow with just one son, living under her maiden name, her son was William McNab plasterer. No idea where the, by then, 4 girls were, the youngest 2 were born in northern England.
1881 Ann McNab widow was living in Govan Glasgow with 4 girls.
In 1891 she was living in Dundee.
So pinning their locations down is tricky.

Death certificate says Journeyman Plasterer, married to (blank), Married, aged 50 the informant/Witness I have attached. I haven't followed through on this person. But I think it says his employer who lived in Glasgow.

Julie

[Rosinish]

Where was the DC signed?

Looks like;

John MacAulay
His present Employer
56 Surrey St? Glasgow

What does it say about William?

What does it say for place of death & does it give a usual residence?

I think it's likely he may be buried in Glasgow?

Have you found any of his children in Glasgow 1871/1881?


Annie

[Julie Carver]

Place of registration is same as other people on page who died in Uig. But I can't read it.

Do you think it could say "His x Mark Employer"?

can't find his girls in 1871, and in 1881 they are in Glasgow with the widow of William.

[Rosinish]

Do you think it could say "His x Mark Employer"?

Yes...should have gone to specsavers 

Place name is a mystery but I think ends in 'raig'?

The place name on the RCE after Ardroil looks as though it ends 'view' but can't fathom the beginning?

With no 'Usual Residence' it's difficult to work on possibilities for where he would be buried but for his Employer to sign the death it may have been that the employer was working in the area with his employees?

If there were no papers for Lewis at the time it may have been recorded in a Glasgow paper?

Depending on his religion The Catholic Observer?

The Glasgow Herald?
The Guardian?

Annie