Author Topic: William McGhee, Scotland to ????  (Read 768 times)

Offline anabanana

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William McGhee, Scotland to ????
« on: Wednesday 06 September 17 10:15 BST (UK) »
Trying to trace William McGhee who according to family lore, flitted to America/Canada and left his wife and young children behind in Scotland.

He was born in 1868 in Port Glasgow to parents Patrick McGhee and Margaret Reilly.

William married Mary Fitzgerald and had three children (that I know of) and last we know of him is his appearance with his family in the 1901 census at Adelaide St in Inverkip, Gourock, Scotland.

He was a seaman/ships plater to trade.

Has anyone got Any thoughts on how we might find a death certificate, and see what really happened to him?

Regards,

A

Offline shellyesq

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Re: William McGhee, Scotland to ????
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday 06 September 17 11:23 BST (UK) »
Is this his birth record?  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQXR-VRS

You would probably have to find where he went to in order to find a death certificate.  You could try looking on US census records on www.familysearch.org.

Offline anabanana

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Re: William McGhee, Scotland to ????
« Reply #2 on: Wednesday 06 September 17 20:10 BST (UK) »
Hi Shellyesq, thank you, yes thats his birth record. Have had a look at familysearch, and wow! Where did all those collections come from! Last time I was on that page was years ago and I am sure they just had birth and marriage records, they have been busy! Have gone through all the William MacGhees with spelling variants, but not come up with anything...only potential is a Scotland-born William Magee immigrating in to  Quebec City, in 1913. Occupation Blockbuilder (which apparently can be Ship/Boat related) intending to become a "Hammerboy" ... no age given, but Our William at this time would be age 45 .... so surely he would be a Hammerman as opposed to a boy. Hmmm.

Offline anabanana

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Re: William McGhee, Scotland to ????
« Reply #3 on: Thursday 07 September 17 18:59 BST (UK) »
Kept looking through familysearch, and found him! Thanks so much for the tip shellyesq


Offline Skoosh

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Re: William McGhee, Scotland to ????
« Reply #4 on: Thursday 07 September 17 22:05 BST (UK) »
For an insight into the crossing of the Atlantic at that time see "An Amateur Emigrant!" by R.L.Stevenson, his tale of the voyage from Greenock to New York in an emigrant ship. You can read this short story online!

Skoosh.