Hello-I have just joined this forum and would like to post a difficult brick wall which has eluded me for over 40 years in the hope that someone can help.
My great grandfather William Johnston(e) and his father Edward moved from Scotland, possibly Paisley, some time between about 1859 and 1871 to Kidderminster, Worcestershire.
They are on the 1871 census in Kidderminster Edward aged (allegedly) 40 is a rug weaver, William aged 18 is a creeler. Both give birthplace as Scotland.They are stay in Kidderminster until their deaths appearing on the 1881 & in Edwards case 1891 (William dies young in 1889). Edward gives various ages which put his birth at anything from 1816 to 1831.
There is a family story attached to them, that they walked from Paisley when William when William was aged 7. As William's ages are consistent on the censuses at between 1853 & 1855, this puts the event at between 1860 and 1862. There is also a story that they left a Margaret behind and my great aunt, my mother and I all had the name Margaret on that basis.
They do not appear together on the 1861 census anywhere in the U.K.
I have searched on Ancestry, Scotlands People and anywhere else that I can think of for them. I do not think they are the family Edward & Bridget Johnstone who do appear on the 1861 census as I think they remain in Scotland after my family appear in Kidderminster but I have not ruled out the possibility that Edward at least may have been born in Ireland as it may have seemed more acceptable to be born in Scotland as there were many links between Kiddermister & the Paisley area through carpet firms. I have also sought help from Paisley library & the Mitchell Library but because the names are common they cannot search for them without more information.
My question is can anyone give me any advice about anywhere I might look. I am visiting Glasgow in early July and intend to visit the Mitchell library and Renfrewshire family history society & Paisley Library in the hope of possibly finding them in poor law records or any where else - possibly friendly society records as the family were members of the foresters for at least 2 generations in Kidderminster.
Any help would be gratefully received and if anyone wants help with any ancestors who have ended up in Worcestershire or Herefordshire I would be only too pleased to help them. I have successfully researched most other lines in my family at least back to 1780s and some a lot earlier. It is just this one that has eluded me for so long.
Edward & William Johnstone weavers
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Re: Edward & William Johnstone weavers
Hello and welcome to Talking Scot Rhianon,
I'm sorry I haven't any info that might help except I agree that Edward is not the one born Ireland who lives at Paisley in 1861 and 1871.
I just wanted you to know that we weren't ignoring you and your query.
I'm not too up on English records but I take it there was no info about William's mother on his marriage and death certs.
Regards,
Annette
I'm sorry I haven't any info that might help except I agree that Edward is not the one born Ireland who lives at Paisley in 1861 and 1871.
I just wanted you to know that we weren't ignoring you and your query.
I'm not too up on English records but I take it there was no info about William's mother on his marriage and death certs.
Regards,
Annette
Re: Edward & William Johnstone weavers
Thank you for your quick response and confirmation of my thoughts on the Edward on the later censuses.
Unfortunately English wedding and death certificates do not have any information on mothers. I have both for William.
Best Wishes
Rhianon
Unfortunately English wedding and death certificates do not have any information on mothers. I have both for William.
Best Wishes
Rhianon
Re: Edward & William Johnstone weavers
There is an Edward and Elizabeth Johnston lodging in Carlton in 1851. Both born Ireland aged 26 and 20 he is a weaver.
Have you discounted them?
Have you discounted them?
Wilma
Re: Edward & William Johnstone weavers
Thank you for your reply-sorry to be so long responding. We had our holiday in Glasgow and Paisley and visited all available places with relevant records to no avail so came back rather despondent. (Although we loved Glasgow, the Sma shot cottage in Paisley and meeting with very helpful members of the FHS in Paisley)
I have seen the pair in Carlton but as my great grandfather William would not have been born then I cannot prove or disprove them. I have not identified them in later censuses.
I have seen the pair in Carlton but as my great grandfather William would not have been born then I cannot prove or disprove them. I have not identified them in later censuses.