Drowning

Post by **Pandabean** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:05 am

I have just got back onto SP and found on of my direct ancestors death certificates.

I cannot make out where he died.

http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... p?pos=-826

To me it looks like he drowned at Lock 16 or 10 in the Canal, Falkirk. If this is true I probably walked by that spot so many times when going to and from school.

Also is there likely to be a newspaper article to this around that time?

Gallery URL added - AndrewP

Post by **AndrewP** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:20 am

I would go for at or near Lock 16, Parish of Falkirk, based mainly on the handwriting, but also on the area around Lock 16 having been a canal port (Port Downie), relevant to his occupation as Dock Labourer. The RCE (see annotation in the left margin) may help, if only that it should be in a different handwriting and may be more legible regarding the lock number.

See also http://www.falkirklocalhistorysociety.c ... .php?id=29

In more modern times, this was where the canal re-opening ceremony took place in 2001, as part of the Millennium Link project that included the Falkirk Wheel (as pictured on TalkingScot's homepage).

http://www.seagulltrust.org.uk/html/canal_opening.html

All the best,

AndrewP

Post by **Pandabean** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:59 am

Thanks Andrew. I was thinking it may have been ten which would have been down from where the road crossing was and up from the railway crossing. But I have been to lock 16 a fair few times and have driven by it as well but that was a few year ago.

I wish I could check the RCE but I am unable to get to Edinburgh and have a look.

However there is only one slight problem with the certificate. The name of the father is John instead of George. The informant is Peter Robb, Andrew's brother. Why would he get his own father's name wrong? Everything else on the certificate checks out - Mary Hill, Dock Labourer, Mother's maiden name-Betts.

Post by **joette** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:46 am

Still in shock at the accident?
I myself signed my Granny's Death Certificate although I have no recollection of doing so & I mispelled her name.She had just been killed &I & my Uncle had identified her body which was not a pleasant sight.
We did it at the City Mortuary in Glasgow & I know I did not sign it by there is my signature proving I did.It's just a total memory blank.

laineywoo · Post by **laineywoo** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 2:10 pm

Hi Pandabean
Just seen the cert and without doubt it is Lock 16, at or near.......
Lock 16 is in Camelon Falkirk..........If you google Falkirk Wheel you will find lots of info on it!
Lainey

Post by **Pandabean** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 1:05 pm

Believe it or not I have never been to the Falkirk Wheel even though I used to live there. I do remember when they were dredging the canal and putting in the new lock gates.

Joette. Yeh I suppose your right. On Peter's death cert his parents are correct.

Post by **Pandabean** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:05 am

Thanks to David, I managed to get hold of the RCE for Andrew and it is quite difficult to read. Also realised I made a mistake on the year. It should be 1883 not 1885.

But it says that he was found at the Start of February and the estimated date of death was back on the 1st/2nd January. On the RCE his parents are also crrected to George Robb.

I have emailed Falkirk Library regarding the death and the finding of the body.

Is it likely to be in the Scotsman?

apanderson · Post by **apanderson** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 10:30 am

Hi Pandabean,

There's more likely to have been an article in one of the local Falkirk newspapers i.e. the Falkirk Herald. (There was also another Falkirk newspaper around at that time but off-hand I can't remember what it was called).

Falkirk Library holds the film for both newspapers.

Why not contact the Cemetery Records Office (in Camelon) too - they'll be able to tell you where he's buried.

Anne

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 12:09 pm

Hi Pandabean
I'll have a look for you as soon as I'm able - will only have access to the Scotsman though, so it may turn up nothing.

Best wishes
Lesley

Post by **Pandabean** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 12:39 pm

apanderson - I have contacted the cemetery office but they were short staffed and couldnt carry out my enquiry. I amgoing to phone back later this week.

Thank you Lesley. That would be great.