How do I use my ancestry data on SP?

[Isadora]

Hi all

I am new here. I have just registered with SP and have already wasted a great deal of money and got absolutely no results.

What can I search for on SP given this information:

30th Jan 1903 at St Mary's Chapel Dundee, Alex Daniel Stephen, Sergeant in the Gordon Highlanders aged 33 married Theresa Grant. He lived at 64 Hilltown, Dundee.

Alex's father was Alexander Stephen (deceased) his mother was Jessie Smith previously Stephen, maiden surname Shaw.

James Grant was Theresa's father, Helen Grant was his wife, maiden surname Farrell.

I am finding that the surnames are all too common to get anywhere. What should I be searching for and how on SP? Thanks a million!

[emanday]

Go to the Family Search site (see your other post) and select International Genealogical Index in the search tab.

Put your Alex's parents names in the parents fields, Select Brtish Isles in Region, Scotland in Country and hit Search, and you'll get this...

1. ALEXANDER DANIEL STEPHEN - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Birth: 26 APR 1869 Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland

2. JESSIE STEPHEN - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Birth: 14 OCT 1874 Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland

3. CLIFFORD ROBERTS STEPHEN - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Birth: 19 MAR 1871 Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland

I know SP can be a bit daunting to start with, but the more information you can put in, the better the results.

[Jack]

Hi Isadora,
Welcome to TalkingScot!
On SP you should be able to get Alexander Daniel STEPHEN's 1869 BC, and his parents' 1868 MC.
This 1868 MC should then give father Alexander STEPHEN's & mother Jessie SHAW's parents - and if they were still living.
Alexander's 1903 DC suggests his mother was, and was re-married to a Mr SMITH by then.
Your Alexander's wee sister Jessie was born Oct 1874, and the 1881 census shows mother Jessie as a widow,
So hubby Alexander has died sometime 1874 to 1881.

Likewise with Theresa - she was born about 1876 or 1877.
And her parents' 1868 MC should also say who both James GRANT & Helen FARRELL's parents are - and if still living.
(we know James' mother is because she's with the family in 1881)
Looks like you've an Irish connection - James' mother Mary & his wife Helen are both as born Ireland.
Mother Mary's DC should have her parents names, and you know her hubby has died by 1881 (hope it's in Scotland)

The censuses 1871 and backwards for the GRANT & STEPHEN families
might be helpful in narrowing down any years of death.
--
The BCs & MCs are taken from the IGI (International Genealogical Index)
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/ ... _form=true
The 1881 censuses are from the LDS census CDs.
--
ALEXANDER STEPHEN
JESSIE SHAW
Marriage: 24 APR 1868 Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
--some children--
ALEXANDER DANIEL STEPHEN - Birth: 26 APR 1869 Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
CLIFFORD ROBERTS STEPHEN - Birth: 19 MAR 1871 Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
JESSIE STEPHEN - Birth: 14 OCT 1874 Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
--
1881 Census Place: Aberdeen St Nicholas, Aberdeen, Scotland
Dwelling: 58 Regent Quay
Source:FHL Film 0203446 GRO Ref Volume 168-1 EnumDist 53 Page 1
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Jessie STEPHEN Widow 35 F Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Lodging Ho Keeper
Alexr.Daniel STEPHEN U 12 M Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Son Occ: Scholar
Jessie STEPHEN U 6 F Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Daur Occ: Scholar
Wm.Ennes SMITH U 33 M Turriff, Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Cousin Occ: Seaman
Alexr. MENZIES U 20 M Banchory, Kincardine, Scotland Rel: Boarder Occ: Engineer
Maurice J. O. FARRELL U 22 M Limerick Co, Ireland Rel: Boarder Occ: Customs Officer
Alexr. BUCHAN U 27 M Peterhead, Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Boarder Occ: Compositor
===========
JAMES GRANT
HELEN FARRELL
Marriage: 24 FEB 1868 Old Machar, Aberdeen, Scotland
--some children--
ANN GRANT - Birth: 22 MAY 1868 Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
MARY ANN GRANT - Birth: 27 DEC 1869 Old Machar, Aberdeen, Scotland
--
1881 Census Place: Aberdeen St Nicholas, Aberdeen, Scotland
Dwelling: 17 Berry Lane
Source: FHL Film 0203446 GRO Ref Volume 168-1 EnumDist 58 Page 14
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
James GRANT M 38 M Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Flax Hose Pipe Weaver
Helen GRANT M 38 F Ireland Rel: Wife Occ: Flax Reeler
Ann GRANT U 12 F St Nicholas, Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Daur Occ: Half Time Flax Twister
Alexander GRANT U 8 M Old Machar, Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Son
Theresa GRANT U 4 F St Nicholas, Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Daur
James GRANT U 2 M St Nicholas, Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Son
John GRANT U 6mos M St Nicholas, Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Son
Mary GRANT W 70 F Ireland Rel: Mother Occ: No Occupation
Alexander HUTCHEON W 64 M Ellon, Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Boarder Occ: General Labourer
--
I'm sure someone else will be along with more in-depth advice.
Jack
ps, just noticed Mary's already answered!

[emanday]

As you can see, Isadora, you'll soon be finding your folks with help on here.

I have learned so much in this forum and the advice I gave you is only a tiny bit of everything I've learned on here.

Keep asking questions if you get stuck.

[Isadora]

This is wonderful! Thank you all so, so much. Will come back in more detail but have a very busy day ahead. I can imagine this must get VERY addictive?

[emanday]

I believe the possibility of a GA (Genealogists Anonymous) is swiftly becoming more likely.

You'll know you're afflicted when you suddenly realise you're the only one still not in bed at 2am cause you're on a "roll"