Vanishing man with unusual name!.....

[SarahMackay]

Hi Guys

I am new to the site although I have been researching my family tree for the last 18 months. During my searching I have come up with an unusual family name which I thought would be easy to trace - how wrong was I!

The person I am looking for more information about is Hepburn Ramsay.

The specific Hepburn I am looking for was born in Ceres in Fife on 16/06/1853 the son of William Ramsay and Margaret Duff. He had 7 sisters and 2 brothers. I assume that the name is derived from a surname somewhere along the line and is not only the name of his uncle but various others along the line of descent. It has also been used frequently as a middle name. I can't find any other records for him except for a mention of him as a witness at his sister's marriage in 1871 (at least I [dangerously] assumed he was!). This means that he was still alive in 1871 so why no record in the 1871 census???

Any advice or information would be gratefully received!

Thanks

Sarah

[LesleyB]

Hi Sarah
I think this looks like him:
1871 RAMSAY HEPBURN M 18 CUPAR FIFE 420/00 010/00 011

Not sure why you didn't find him as the spelling looks as you'd given.

Is this a brother maybe in the 1881? Is chap's middle name Hepburn? Or at a very long shot - I'm really guessing now, could your Hepburn Ramsay really have been John Hepburn Ramsay?

Dwelling: 35 Primrose St
Census Place: South Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland
Source: FHL Film 0224018 GRO Ref Volume 692-2 EnumDist 3 Page 50
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
John H. RAMSAY M 27 M Ceres, Fife, Scotland
Rel: Head
Occ: Stonemason
Elizabeth RAMSAY M 25 F England
Rel: Wife


Best wishes
Lesley

[SarahMackay]

Hi Lesley

Thanks for your help but I don't think this is him. The extract is not that clear but he didn't have a brother David (at least I don't think he did!!!) I searched on SP for David Ramsay's birth in Fife to confirm the parents and couldn't find one that matched.

I guess I will have to keep looking!

Kind Regards

Sarah

[nelmit]

Hi Guys

I am new to the site although I have been researching my family tree for the last 18 months. During my searching I have come up with an unusual family name which I thought would be easy to trace - how wrong was I!

The person I am looking for more information about is Hepburn Ramsay.

The specific Hepburn I am looking for was born in Ceres in Fife on 16/06/1853 the son of William Ramsay and Margaret Duff. He had 7 sisters and 2 brothers. I assume that the name is derived from a surname somewhere along the line and is not only the name of his uncle but various others along the line of descent. It has also been used frequently as a middle name. I can't find any other records for him except for a mention of him as a witness at his sister's marriage in 1871 (at least I [dangerously] assumed he was!). This means that he was still alive in 1871 so why no record in the 1871 census???

Any advice or information would be gratefully received!

Thanks

Sarah

There are two Hepburn Ramsay's on the 1871 census (one sixteen and one eighteen). Are neither of them yours?

Annette M

[SarahMackay]

Hi Annette

Having gone back to SP and checked the 1871 census properly (goodness knows how I missed it the first time I looked!) I saw both of them. I think the second one is him as he was born in Ceres which fits but being a lodger means that I can't confirm definately.

It doesn't help that I can't find any other entries post 1871

Kind Regards

Sarah

[AndrewP]

Hi Sarah,

How about the spelling on the IGI?

• ELIZABETH RAMSAY - Christening: 12 FEB 1831 Ceres, Fife
  AGNES RAMSAY - Christening: 28 FEB 1833 Ceres, Fife
  WILLIAM RAMSAY - Christening: 14 JUL 1835 Ceres, Fife
  JEAN RAMSAY - Christening: 01 SEP 1842 Ceres, Fife
  JESSIE RAMSAY - Christening: 06 JUN 1845 Ceres, Fife
  MARGARET RAMSAY - Christening: 21 JUL 1847 Ceres, Fife
  HELEN RAMSAY - Christening: 17 AUG 1850 Ceres, Fife
  HEPHBURN RAMSAY - Christening: 30 JUN 1853 Ceres, Fife
  JAMIMA RAMSAY - Birth: 17 SEP 1857 Ceres, Fife

Does the spelling Hephburn appear on any other records?

All the best,

Andrew Paterson

[SarahMackay]

Hi Andrew

Thanks for the tip but I have already tried this with no success. Its as if he has just disappeared off the planet one day.

Kind Regards

Sarah

[CatrionaL]

Hullo there Sarah

Have you tried a death search for 1871? That could be an explanation for his disappearance.

All the best for you research.

Catriona

[DavidWW]

The only H*n RAMS?Y death from 1871 to 1954 is a 51 yr old Hepburn Crichton RAMSAY in 1905, but the parents don't match. He was a Saddler / Army Pensioner.

There is, however the death of a John Hepburn RAMSAY, married to Elizabeth, derived year of birth 1853/54, parents William RAMSAY, Mason, and Margaret RAMSAY MS DUFF! Voila

From the 1881 occupation (weel done Lesley!) and his death register entry occupation it looks like he either graduated from being a monumental mason to a higher level in the same field, or the death register occupation is a classic case of "death certificate promotion" ! (Later addition: No, I'm being too suspicious!, as he has moved up the ladder, so to speak, in terms of the occupation shown for him in the 1891 census entry...........)

What do the two 1871 census entries give as occupations?, - is there an apprentice mason among them?

David

[LesleyB]

Hi all
....and there was me thinking I had been far too "off the wall" with that John in Edinburgh - it was a VERY long shot and that I should really "keep the heed" and keep these wayward thoughts to myself!

So glad he turned up! Well done David.

Best wishes
Lesley