brick wall

thomsos · Post by **thomsos** » Thu May 14, 2009 8:23 am

Andy wrote:When you start tracking down the Craigs give Larne, Antrim, a try

Thanks Andy, I did notice a connection to Larne.

I have just found Robert Hugh Boyd Craig's BC 1880, so looks like Boyd and Craig both play a part in his name, so is John Craig the father or was Elisa playing around with James Boyd (who's father was Hugh Boyd, hense the Hugh in Roberts name) before John Craig died?
I can't read it very well so I have uploaded it, if someone could decipher it for me.
http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-1847
<image URL added, LesleyB>

Thank you
Sandra

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Thu May 14, 2009 9:06 am

Robert Hugh Boyd Craig
1890, October Seventeenth? 3hrs PM, Raise Street, Saltcoats
John Craig, Seaman (Merchant Service)
Eliza Jane Craig m.s. ______ (first thoughts were Duncan, but I don't think it is)
1869 December 15th Bally[caney?] Ireland
Eliza Jane Craig, her X mark, mother, John Grimmond? Registrar , witness.

Post by **AndrewP** » Thu May 14, 2009 10:12 am

Hi Sandra,

That looks like a candidate for you filling in a contact form on SP advising them that the image is illegible. They should send you a fresh scan that will hopefully fill in a lot of the blanks on that one.

All the best,

AndrewP

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Fri May 15, 2009 9:26 am

Bit of a roller-coaster coming up

John Craig and Eliza Jane Wilson married in various years 1866 & 1867 (according to John) in Ballycarry in the Parish of Templecorran (about 6 miles away from Larne).

On Robert's birth cert, reported by Eliza Jane (MS) Wilson she gives a the date of 15th Dec 1862 in Ballycarry. Meaning John and her were fairly young.

There are a number of Deaths of John Craigs between 1881 and 1891 but none look very likely. There is a Marine Death in 1891 but no image. Searched for Sarah Craig/Boyd/Smith in 1891 couldn't see her or any births for Lizzie or Maggie Smith/Boyd/Craig (At 1 month old Maggie was born early, about March, 1891 so I looked for GROS entries with lower numbers) None.

Also looked for James or Hugh Boyds in the area in 1881 in case Eliza Jane had a wee dalliance while John was away at sea, couldn't see any.

Then I thought, if the couple hadn't separated why did Eliza wait until 1894 to get married. Did a search for Deaths of John Craigs in Ayr between 1891 and 1894 BINGO! First one I looked at. John Craig, Dock Labourer, married to Eliza Wilson died 20 Oct 1892 in New Ardrossan. Parents Alexander Craig, Dock Labourer (dec) and Margaret Black (dec) reported by son John Craig.

So the couple had separated.

In 1891 John was onboard the Ship Agnes Kelly berthed at James Watt Dock in Greenock East

Regardless of maybes, written evidence is that Robert Boyd was born Robert Hugh Boyd Craig and his father is named as John Craig. So until other evidence pops up you're looking for Craigs.

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Fri May 15, 2009 9:49 am

In 1861 there is an Alexander Craig listed in the Primary Valuation (Griffith's). He is staying at BALLYLIG in GLYNN. A mile from Larne and just about exactly where various Children were born to John and Eliza Jane.

The site is a Quarry but there is a Quay attached so dock labourer would fit. Can't be 100% but this is VERY likely John Craig's father.

thomsos · Post by **thomsos** » Fri May 15, 2009 10:22 am

=D> WOW Andy, you guys never seem to amaze me, what great info.
so off I go to get all this written down and digested,

Thank you
Sandra

thomsos · Post by **thomsos** » Sat May 16, 2009 8:33 am

Andy wrote:.

BINGO! First one I looked at. John Craig, Dock Labourer, married to Eliza Wilson died 20 Oct 1892 in New Ardrossan. Parents Alexander Craig, Dock Labourer (dec) and Margaret Black (dec) reported by son John Craig.

Hi Andy are you sure Johns mothers maiden name is Black, I know I'm hopeless at trying to read some of these names, but I'm not sure it looks like Black.

Sandra

I have just uploaded john craig's dc 1892

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:51 pm

The image isn't very clear but Black was my initial thought, post the image and see what others come up with.

It's certainly not Nelson or Miller as it Starts with a "B". Check out how the registrar forms the "P" in Parker a cursive descender with an oversweeping loop to form the "P". The upper portion of the "B" is formed identically with a lazy lower loop that should be larger than the upper to form a proper "B".

On second inspection I'd go with Burns but it's not a very common name in that part of Antrim, Black is.

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:57 pm

These are the two images recently uploaded to the gallery:

robert boyd craig bc 1880
http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-1847

craig, john dc 1892
http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-1848

thomsos · Post by **thomsos** » Sat May 16, 2009 2:00 pm

Hi Andy, I already uploaded the cert, but it doesn't seem to have appeared!

should I try again or would I be better to post it separately?

Sandra