Crossing the boarder - Scotland to England

[sinclair_c]

Has anyone got any thoughts on how I might trace my ancestor living in London ~1850 until his death in 1867 back to his birth ~1820 in Wick, Caithness?

There's no helpful marriage certificate or anything. I've actually ruled out all but one of the births but haven't found any real evidence to confirm it so open to any suggestions beyond the normal BMDs.

[Rosinish]

Hi, Welcome to Rootschat!

It may be an idea to list what you know for sure with name/surname, places/dates etc. so people know where you need to begin going back?

Do you have him on any census', where, occ, who with etc?

Annie

[sinclair_c]

This is what I posted elsewhere earlier:

The facts I know to be true are that according to the 1861 census, my ancestor William SINCLAIR was living with a Jane Sinclair (born Edinburgh) in St Pancras, London with children William b.1856, Ann b.1858 and James b.1860. William is working as a painter, said to be born in Wick, Caithness around 1821.

William dies in 1867 aged 48.

I have marriage banns for William SINCLAIR and a Jane Robertson DONALDSON in 1855. As far as I have been able to ascertain they never married.

I have a 1851 census record for a William Sinclair of the correct age and occupation (from Scotland) living in St Pancras however with a Margaret Sinclair (relationship states wife).

I have found no record of a marriage to a Margaret in St Pancras or surrounding areas, or in Caithness or around Edinburgh. Nor can I find any record of her death around St Pancras.

I have ruled out every single birth for William in Wick within 5 years (or maybe more) of 1821 apart from one to a James SINCLAIR and Catherine CRAIG in Dec 1819. They have a son William living with them in 1841 BUT he’s a tailor.

[CaroleW]

This is what I posted elsewhere earlier

Have you raised another post on Rootschat as I can't find one under your current user ID

[sinclair_c]

This is what I posted elsewhere earlier

Have you raised another post on Rootschat as I can't find one under your current user ID

No, as I said, I posted it somewhere else.

[andrewalston]

In the 1861 census, the children (William, Ann and James), are all said to be born in St. Pancras.

The GRO website shows the MMN for William & James as DONALDSON, and for Ann as DONALD, so it looks like you have the right couple.

[CaroleW]

Reason for asking was so we don't waste time duplicating info that's perhaps already been given on another forum.

Jane's maiden name was Donald according to daughter Ann's birth registration but it's Donaldson on William & James birth registrations

Have you checked the Scottish 1841 census for him

[CaroleW]

William was 43 in 1861 (1817/1818)


There is this 1841 entry for Wick.  Address was Willow Bank and all were born Caithness

Alexander Sinclair    30
William Sinclair    22
Janet Sinclair    20
Ann Fraser    80
Margaret Campbell    20

Parish Wick ED 4 Page 12

And this one for Wick - Bredalben Terrace all b Caithness

Donald Sinclair    65 mason
Rachel Sinclair    55
William Sinclair    20 rope manufacturer
David Sinclair    20
Rachell Sinclair    25

Parish Wick ED 7 Page 10

Possible death for Margaret - she was 30 in 1851 but I would have expected her death to be registered in Pancras.

SINCLAIR, MARGARET   aged 36 June qtr 1856  SAINT MARY MAGDALEN BERMONDSEY Volume 1D  Page 62

[sinclair_c]

I ruled both those Williams out as you can trace them in Wick when my guy was in London