Alexander Gillies Watson

[goldenboy]

Trying to find out more about Alexander he was born c 1838 in Falkirk his father was Robert Watson his mother Elizabeth Ronaldson . I have him in 1841

census and then he disappears . There is no death in OPRs but then I know that it was not necessary to register pre 1855.

Your help would be much appreciated.

Thank you

[SarahND]

Hello goldenboy,

I see he is not with the rest of the family in 1851 - doesn't look good for poor wee Alex

However, could this be him in 1861?

1861
12 Grange Street, Falkirk Landward
John Taylor, 54, Head, born Falkirk, Lighterman
Margaret Buchanan, 53, Wife, born Glasgow
Alexander G Watson, 23, Lodger, born Falkirk, Clerk Carron Boy’s Ship Off (???!!! Ancestry transcription…)

If he was doing something on a ship, it might explain why he isn't always around for the census.

All the best,
Sarah

[SarahND]

Could he have gone to Canada?

1881
East Ward, Cornwall, Ontario, Canada
Watson, Alexander G, 43, born Scotland, Presbyterian, Secretary
— Jannet, 43, Scotland, Presbyterian
— Robert R, 19, Scotland, Presbyterian, Clerk
— Hugh M, 17, Scotland, Presbyterian, Clerk
— Alexander G, 15, Scotland, Presbyterian, Factory

It is a hopeful sign that he named his eldest son Robert.

There is a birth on ScotlandsPeople for a Robert Ronaldson Watson in Falkirk Landward in 1862. Could be the Robert R above, but I don't have the credits to check.

In the 1901 census of Canada the family said they came to Canada in 1872.

Okay, found them in 1871 in Scotland - but the transcription says Alexander Gillespie Watson, not Gillies...
The best bet to find if he is the correct man is his marriage record, if it can be found.

Best wishes,
Sarah

[goldenboy]

Oh thank you very much that could be him I have been looking on SP but just couldn't find him at all

golden boy

[SarahND]

Fingers crossed he is the one who went to Canada, in spite of the Gillies/Gillespie problem in my second post.

[SarahND]

Hello again,
The marriage is in Falkirk Burgh in 1861, but you won’t find it if you search for Alexander. The index has “A G Watson” marrying Janet Monroe.

Hope he's the right man.

Sarah

[Currie]

Here's the newspaper notice Sarah.

The Stirling Observer, Thursday, June 13, 1861;
MARRIAGES.
WATSON—MONROE—At Grahamston, Falkirk, on the 7th inst., by the Rev. John M. Lambie, Grangemouth, Mr Alexander Gillespie Watson, to Janet Monroe, late of Dundas, C.W., youngest daughter of the late Mr Hugh Monroe, Blackness, Linlithgow.

Also in the Glasgow Herald on June 10. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g ... %2C7204747

All the best,
Alan

[SarahND]

Thanks, Alan
Too bad they didn't give his parents names as well! I guess the marriage cert, which should give his parents' names, is the only way to know if he is the son of Robert Watson and Elizabeth Ronaldson. The fact that his son's middle name was Ronaldson, however, is very telling.

Best,
Sarah

[goldenboy]

Thank you both for this information and your advice --I have just downloaded the marriage from Scotlands People it is him married June 1861 at Falkirk.

Both parents are still alive and Robert is a merchant .
Your help is once again much appreciated.

[SarahND]

Nice when those brick walls fall down!