Alexander McCash Harris

[alex1553]

Hello we have recently found out my ancestors were from Perth and Dundee born and would like to know more about the above Alexander McCash Harris and his life and family we have some information but don't know where the McCash comes from as it's not a name we can find in any family names or his parents .His birthday date is 1820 ,we can go back 7 generations of the Harris family .would love to know if there is any relations that come from this tree as we live in England .

[WilmaM]

Hi Alex, middle names can come from many sources, in the past the obvious ones are the maiden names of the mother and grandmothers.
Other times children are called after other relatives not in the direct family line. Say for example an aunt's husband or great aunt's married name. You have to look back census records to get a full 'tree' with more branches as it were.
Other times they are named after a public figure of the day ( wartime leaders or royalty) or the local minister who married the parents or had a strong influence in the family. Again a doctor who delivered the child could be the source of the name, especially a surname.
The birth of your chap, pre statutory registration and census, will make finding the reason much more difficult.
I would look at historical events around that time, search Kirk records for the parish, check the parent's marriage record and see if you can find any McCashes marrying or dying in the area and see if you can link them in any way to your family.
You didn't provide his parents or the place of his birth for us to check .

[alex1553]

Hello Willma
His father was James Harris 1787-1841 his mother was Elizabeth McGregor 1790-1841.
James was born in Perthshire and Elizabeth was born in Dron perthshire.
His Grandfather was .
James Harris and his grandmother was Elizabeth Bayne no dates for these ,
we have looked at alot of family tree and cannot find any McCash in any names but James ,Alexanders father was a farm labourer and we know in the area of Dundee the Mccash family lived and set up a business with a grain store ,which is still there today selling animal food and accessories .
so could James have worked for them and took the name ?
also we have found the Harris academy and have visited the grave yard and took picture of the academy not sure if its related to the family

[WilmaM]

I think you may have to check his birth and death records properly.
His birth is Indexed in Newburgh Fife in 1820 as Alexander Mclash HARRIS, his death just as Alexander.
I can't find a marriage [ possibly before 1840 , to a Sarah, if the 1841 and 1851 are to be believed] or any other documents that have him using his full name.

If you haven't already done so I'd advise downloading the original records from Scotlands People so you are certain of the names you are tracing.

[WilmaM]

Regarding Harris Academy in Dundee:
It was named after Bailie William Harris born [1806 - 1883]
see: https://harrisacademy.ea.dundeecity.sch ... ation-1885