Good afternoon, my name is Paul from the Wirral. I am looking for information about my 3rd GG Alexander Maitland. He is something of a mystery man!
I think he was born in 1810, in the 1881 census he is living in Hartford in the South of England. He indicates here Musselburgh as place of birth. He died in 1888. No idea who is parents were.
However, the DNA matches I am picking up all have links to Maitland's in Aberdeenshire.
He marries Harriet Walthew in Liverpool in 1834 and they go on to have three children. At his wedding one of the witnesses was a Ann Jaffrey nee Maitland she was born in Newhills, Aberdeen in 1809 and she died in Liverpool in 1841. Was this his sister or a cousin?
Ann was one of a number of Maitland's that settled in Liverpool. One of these Maitland's was John born Aberdeen 1815 died 1881 Liverpool. He was a printer and (wealthy) newspaper proprietor.
Alexander Maitland (my 3rd GG) was a Book Binder / printer my trade. Was he brought to Liverpool to work in a relatives business?
In the 1851 Census Alexander was lodging in Hay on Wye, Mid Wales. This is a centre for books so was he there on business? It appears that he became estranged from his wife and although he indicates that he was a widow I don't believe this to be the case.
I can find no trace of him in the 1861 or 1871 census. Did he go back to Scotland or did he emigrate before finally appearing again in the 1881 census? Some of the Maitland's did leave for New Zealand so did he do the same?
Any help would be gratefully received.
Best wishes
Paul