Confusion! Possible Name Change - Hogg - Davidson.

[DudelsackHogg]

Not really sure which board this belongs but I’ll post it here. It involves three countries, a possible name change and I don’t really know where to look.

I’m quite good with the Scottish records and know my way around Scotland’s people but when it comes to international and English searches I’m lost. I find SP much more user friendly than searching the GRO but anyway. Lack of experience really.

I’m trying to figure out what happened to two of my 4th Great-Grandfather’s sons William and John. 

John was born in Linton Roxburghshire and baptised at Morebattle on 17 December 1848 and William was also born in Linton and baptised 28 July 1850 again at the Morebattle Free Church.

The parents are William Hogg (b 1809) and Mary Waldie (b 1810).

For now I’m focussing on John.

There is a John Hogg who marries a Jane Stewart Dunn and has a son William Waldie Hogg. Born 26th November 1878 Northumberland.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:DTNQ-HB3Z

This John appears to be a Town Missionary in the 1881 census - if this is the right John. - 2 Rosedale Place. Parish Byker. County Northumberland.

This get confusing as this son ‘appears’ to change his name to William Waldie Davidson. Davidson is William Hogg (1809) mother’s maiden name. Ancestry is full of trees that have copied this information. I don’t trust them.  The ancestry trees mostly list "John (William) Hogg" as the father and have the birth year Abt. 1851. More confusion with the brackets.

GRO Death entry:

Name:
Age at Death (in years):  

DAVIDSON, WILLIAM  WALDIE  
45  
GRO Reference: 1924  D Quarter in BRISTOL  Volume 06A  Page 249


I don’t know if two people have been confused here or whether William Waldie did indeed change his last name. I guess I need to order the above death certificate from the GRO to see for myself if John Hogg is the father.

I have messaged a couple of the tree owners but so far have not received a reply.

To add to my confusion there is a John Hogg who marries a Susie Backman (Abrams) in Manhattan, New York. The estimated birth year is a little out but it does list his parents as William Hogg and Mary Waldie.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24SH-SJG

I don’t find anything else on this couple, I’m somewhat lost when searching for American records.

Both of these John’s are interesting candidates as my 3x Great grand-uncle, obviously Northumberland is a lot closer than New York to the rest of the family in Roxburgh, and I’d love to find something that confirms a link to either.

The names John and William are incredibly common. I’d love to try and find John Hogg’s death certificate, the marriage certificate, or any obituary - my findmypast subscription has ended so don’t have access to the newspapers section now. I may renew this soon.

If any one can help me clear up this muddle I would be most grateful.

Thanks in advance.

[rosie99]

I don’t trust them.  The ancestry trees mostly list "John (William) Hogg" as the father and have the birth year Abt. 1851. More confusion with the brackets.

GRO Death entry:

Name:
Age at Death (in years): 

DAVIDSON, WILLIAM  WALDIE 
45 
GRO Reference: 1924  D Quarter in BRISTOL  Volume 06A  Page 249


I don’t know if two people have been confused here or whether William Waldie did indeed change his last name. I guess I need to order the above death certificate from the GRO to see for myself if John Hogg is the father.

English death certificates do not name parents

[DudelsackHogg]

"English death certificates do not name parents"

Thank you. Inexperience showing. You just saved me 7.50 

[Comberton]

Newcastle Courant,  28th December 1877

Marriages
John Knox Church, on the 24th inst., John Hogg, missionary to Jeannie Dunn, Jarrow

[rosie99]

Just for information for those helping John & William are both with their parents in 1851/61 Roxburghshire.  In 1871 Their parents are living in Kelso.

[DudelsackHogg]

Newcastle Courant,  28th December 1877

Marriages
John Knox Church, on the 24th inst., John Hogg, missionary to Jeannie Dunn, Jarrow

Fantastic thank you.

[DudelsackHogg]

Just for information for those helping John & William are both with their parents in 1851/61 Roxburghshire.  In 1871 Their parents are living in Kelso.

Thanks Rosie. Some links to William and Mary and family:

1841
https://www.scottishindexes.com/41transcript.aspx?houseid=80302007

1851
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/59046ef0e9379091b137c97b/william-hogg-1851-roxburghshire-linton-1810-?locale=en

1861
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/59047048e9379091b13b461b/william-hogg-1861-roxburghshire-roxburgh-1811-?locale=en

[Spidermonkey]

The Bristol WWD died 25 December 1924, and left a will which you could order from here for £1.50 https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills

If you can't discount this guy on any other basis, it might be worth buying his will to see if there are any clues.

[Spidermonkey]

There is a John Hogg who marries a Jane Stewart Dunn and has a son William Waldie Hogg. Born 26th November 1878 Northumberland.

William Waldie Davidson and wife Edith Annie, had a daughter who they baptised as Jean Stewart Davidson at Napier Road (Avonmouth) Congregational Church, in 1920.......