William Smith Graham abt 1855 Bathgate

[Graham66]

Help required in opening this brickwall. William Smith Graham is my great grandfather born Bathgate , there is no registration of his birth in Scotland.

The first registration l have is his marriage to Helen Smith on the 28th November 1884 at Kincardine in the district of Tullieallan aged 25 residing in South Queensferry. He was the son of John Smith Graham & Helen Smith Graham M/S Samuel. Census returns give his place of birth as Bathgate. His death was registered by my grandfather Robert Graham Falkirk. DOD 28/09/1940, parents not registered on death certificate.

There is no records of a marriage between John Smith Graham & Helen Samuel, however there is a marriage between John Smith  & Helen Samuel Bathgate. My thinking is that William Smith Graham was illegitimate & John Smith & Helen Samuel were his grandparents (no proof)

Children were, Thomas, Robert, Isabella, Margaret, Elizabeth, Joseph & Helen

Any help identifying this is greatly appreciated

[CaroleW]

Welcome to Rootschat

The Smith/Samuel marriage was 12.9.1819

Have you found William under Smith or Graham in 1861/71

If he was 25 on his 1884 marriage cert - that gives a birthyear approx 1859 but he was 84 when he died in 1940 so 1855/6.  However - the age at death is very much dependant on the informant

[CaroleW]

Couldn’t find an 1884 marriage to a Helen Smith as per your post.  SP shows her as Elizabeth??

He is not with Elizabeth & children in 1891 but 1901 birthyear is 1858

1891 he is visiting the Smith family Robert/Jessie/Ellen who are siblings in their 50/60’s.  His birthyear is 1859

There are 2 William Smith births in Bathgate on SP - 1856 & 1858.  Have you viewed them?

[CaroleW]

He is on the 1861 census aged 6 as Smith with grandmother Helen Smith b 1794 Bathgate who has children Margaret, Ellen, Jessie & Robert - the same as 1891 entry

There is also an 11yr old John Smith grandson b Bathgate

[CaroleW]

1851 census for the Smith family has more daughters - any one of whom could be William’s mother.

1851 shows Ellen as Helen b 1832 plus other daughters Marion & Jane - all of whom were old enough to have a child in 1855

Grandson John b 1849/50 is not shown in 1851 household