William McPhee born 1888, was he a missionary?

[Calleva]

William McFee (McPhee in other records) was born 7 February 1888 in Bothwell. Lanarkshire. His twin sister Jane was my Grannie. I’ve found him in Census information up to 1911 where he is shown as a general labourer in an iron and steel works but couldn’t track him down in 1921.

I remember my late Dad saying he was a missionary (possibly India) but my memory may be playing tricks - can anyone shed any light on whether he could indeed have indeed been a missionary?

Thank you in anticipation.

[Girl Guide]

Did you view the William Jane McPhee born 1890 in Lanarkshire, living in London?  I can't see the full details but hovering gives me three names, one of which is William and 37 others presumably at the same address.

There could be possibilities in the 1921 census in Scotland, six came up, four aged 35 and two 32.

There is also a Fr. William McPhee mentioned fourth paragraph down in this link:-

https://stannesbarrhead.com/history/

Place is Alberta, Canada I assume.

[rosie17]

There is a tree on Ancestry that has a William Spence  MCPhee born 7 Feb 1888
Bothwell
Father Robert McPhee
Mother Jane Cook

He died 1957 Hawarden Flintshire Wales
Can't give details of 1939 Register but the date of birth matches


Rosie

[Calleva]

Thank you Girl Guide, going through each of your thoughts -

What source and date are you using for the William McPhee you spotted in London?

Will investigate the 1921 references.

I’d assumed he would have been Presbyterian from details of other family so think the Fr McPhee you kindly found is unlikely to be him but will rule nothing out at this stage pending further evidence.

Thank you Rosie,

This is definitely the same person, unfortunately I don’t subscribe to Ancestry so unable to follow this up, grateful for any further information which might be available from this source.

[Girl Guide]

Sorry I should have indicated that the William Jane McPhee was in the 1921 census.  My sub on FindMyPast doesn't cover the 1921 census so I couldn't provide all the details.

[Millmoor]

Suggest you search the  E and W 1921 census for the surname Phee.

His obituary is in the Chester Chronicle 28 Sept 1957. This states that he was a native of Mossend, Lanarkshire... and "came to the district 42 years ago". Well worth looking at this as it names the mourners and shows children and grandchildren.

Would also suggest you look at the marriage on Scotland's People of Bessie Allen to William Spence in Bellshill in 1914 ( it looks like he has been incorrectly indexed as William Spence rather than William Spence McPhee).

William

[rosie17]

That looks good William  and a daughter born Bellshill in 1915 mothers maiden name Allan

Rosie

[rosie17]

A tree on Ancestry has the birth certificate for the daughter Elizabeth Beatrice Mcphee
Born 6 th January 1915 at McCanns Land Chapel Street Mossend
Father William McPhee ( Iron worker )
Mother Bessie Mcphee ( maiden name Allen)
Marriage date 31 December 1913  Bellshill

Rosie

[Calleva]

Thank you William for the very helpful information you kindly passed on.

I have now seen the obituary of my Great Uncle in the Chester Chronicle using one of the introductory three free searches accessed from the link you provided to the British Newspaper Archive.

Very much appreciated.
Stuart