Death of farmer John Graham, born Slamannan 1891

[doddie]

Looking for a date of death for John Graham. He was born in Slamannan (not far from Falkirk) in 1891, the son of James Graham (a master shoemaker) & Alexandrina (sometimes Helen) Corbet. In 1916 he married Janet Penman. As far as I can ascertain, they only had one child, Isabella Oswald Graham (born 1918). By cross referencing information from various sources I have narrowed down the window of time within which John died to between 1938 - 1961. The 1921 census shows the Graham family to be living in West Linton, Peebleshire. It seems however that he didn't die there, nor in Slamannan. I would be grateful for any information that would help me confirm John's date of death.

Regards

doddle

[WilmaM]

John Graham/Graeme is a rather common name so it's not going to be easy.

His wife and daughter both seem to die in Clackmannanshire:
Janet Downs Penman or Graham aged 64 in 1961
Isabella in 2008 aged 89 [other surname Ovens she married Samuel in 1938].

I assume you have that information and he wasn't marked as deceased on the marriage, but Janet was a widow by 1961 ?
so that would give the year range you mentioned.

I've looked at a few of my usual places, and tried a few different search tactics - but so far not a single lead
It's just at that awkward time period when many historical records are not yet on-line [for privacy reasons] , but not recent enough to be easily searched.

The daughter married in Slamannan in 1938, so they seem to have moved around a fair bit making them even harder to catch!

[doddie]

Hi WilmaM, thank your for your response. I have narrowed the window a little bit more. Long story short, by cross referencing some details from Isabella's marriage certificate with the British Newspaper Archive I have managed to ascertain that a farm owned or rented by John was auctioned off in 1944. The relevant article states, "Saturday, 4th November, at one o'clock, Displenishing sale of crop, live stock, and farm implements, at Blackloch Farm. Limerigg, Slamannan, belonging to Mr John Graham". I was able to establish a concrete link between John and the farm by looking through the valuation Rolls available to view on the Scotland's People website. So hopefully, the window is now 1944-1961. The hunt goes on.

Regards

Doddie

[WilmaM]

Good, I was considering the newspapers archive and valuation rolls as a possibility but didn't have the addresses etc.

The Black Loch is very close to Lanarkshire geographically - so I'd consider New Monkland as a search possibility too.
https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=1 ... &b=1&o=100

The fact of WWII could potentially further complicate things, I would include 1943 too though, although it doesn't state 'the late John Graham' he may well have died, forcing the farm sale.

I think I have it!

GRAHAM. In loving memory of my dear husband, John Graham, late of Black Loch Fa’-m, Limerigg, who died 29th May, 1949. Treasured still with a love sincere. Just a memory, but. oh. so dear. Inserted by his loving wife.

published Saturday 30 May 1953 in the Falkirk Herald

I would try this guy:

GRAHAM JOHN 56 M 1949 479 / 271 Falkirk

Incidentally, the Black Loch is a lovely place for a stroll or swim if you are brave enough!

[doddie]

What can I say wilmaM but THANK YOU!! What a spot that was. I will check the entry on the Scotland's People website. You have helped to find the last piece of this particular genealogical jigsaw. I hope I can return the favour sometime and help you with one of your loose ends.

Regards

Doddie

[doddie]

Hi wilmaM, mystery solved. I looked up the death entry. It had John's age as 56 when he died. This would have meant his birth year would have ben 1893. He was in fact 58. I have a copy of his birth certificate. He was born on 17th July 1891. When I Search, if I have a definite date to go by, I always allow for a -1+ margin of error. This is what I did this time. This explains why the 1949 Falkirk entry fell through cracks.

Regards

Doddie

[WilmaM]

Hooray, We love breaking break walls on TS.

I had just popped John Graham Limerigg into Find My Past and only one hit of a newspaper article, the two dates looked decidedly odd but I searched the BNA anyway and it came up trumps.
I do wonder why she waited so long to put the announcement in?

I usually used. a 2/3 year window for birth year, just one is rather tight, as depending on months of death and birth it leaves little margin for error.
Bearing in mind that we may have a birth certificate to refer to, in the past they didn't always have these documents to hand and gave the information as best they knew it.