In the Bones

William Bone was born on 31 January 1890 at Larkhall, Lanarkshire to James Bone and Margaret McLean. His parents had married in the previous June, and he already had an elder brother born in 1887. At birth, his elder brother James was described as illegitimate, but as their parents subsequently married, he was legitimised. Scottish illegitimacy laws were different to the English ones at this time.

William's birth registration.

Just days before William's third birthday his father, James, passed away. James had fractured his spinal column in about September 1890. I can only presume that he incurred the injury down the pit, perhaps a fall of stone, but I can't find any evidence of such. 

On 30 April 1909, William married Jeanie McQuade at Larkhall, and they went on to have two children together. It was around this time that William joined Larkhall United Football Club, and went on to play for them for seven years. He later played for Bellshill Athletic as centre half-back. 

In late March 1916, William contracted a "chill" while at work down the pit. This later turned into a combination of pleurisy and pneumonia, which he sadly died from on 2 April 1916. William was a very popular young man, and was deeply mourned by his family, friends and local footballing circles.  

William's obituary.
Published in the Hamilton Advertiser, 8 April 1916.

"A fine, manly fellow, a player who put his whole heart into his play, and possessed, as he was, of considerable ability, it was not surprising that he should be a favourite with Lanarkshire's football enthusiasts. His demise will be regretted by a wide circle of friends." 

It should be noted that William's first cousin, William McLean, was the grandfather of the three footballing brothers; Willie, Jim and Tommy McLean. So football is clearly in the McLean blood. 

The Widow of Edward Carlin

In around 1843, Janet McComb was born at Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Scotland. She was the daughter of James McComb and Ruth Duggan, my 4x great-grandparents.

On 17 July 1863, Janet married Edward Carlin, in Tradeston, Glasgow. They were a young couple, with Janet being 20, and Edward only 18-years-old. Janet was already expecting Edward's child, and early the following year she gave birth to a baby boy, who was named Edward after his father. 

In December 1865, Janet gave birth again, but this time far too soon. Janet and Edward named their second son, Thomas after Edward's father, but sadly he died when he was only eight days old. Tragedy stuck again only days later, when Edward Carlin, Jnr, passed away. He had been suffering from inflammation of the bowels for the past fourteen days.

Obviously grief-stricken, the couple did not have any further children for a couple of years, until April 1867, when Janet gave birth to their third son, Charles. He was a sickly baby, and was too weak to recover from a bout of enteritis. Sadly, Charles died when he was only a week old.

The couple did not have any more children, but this did not end their sorrow. Janet lost Edward to bronchitis in March 1870. He had been suffering from the illness for the last six weeks before his death.

Now without the income from Edward's job as a carter, Janet was left destitute. She remained close to her siblings, who did what they could for her. But her family were poor themselves, and were not able to help her financially, and so Janet entered Govan Poorhouse. 

Janet Carlin died a pauper in Govan Poorhouse on 7 April 1877. She died of phthisis, or tuberculosis, or perhaps she simply gave up on life. The whole Carlin family unit was wiped out in less than fourteen years.   

The Flotsam of Humanity

Newspapers are truly invaluable when researching your family tree. They give a huge insight into the social history of the time, and it is quite amazing what can turn up on your ancestors. 

The following is an extract from the Morpeth Herald, published 6 September 1902.

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Catherine Knox, Cambois, when asked what she had to say for herself in answer to a charge of having been very drunk and disorderly, said "A' knaa nowt aboot it, hinney. It was awl a dizzy bout. When they cum on aa just fall doon." Mr. Nixon did not believe the story, and ordered Catherine to pay 5/- and 5/- and costs or six days.

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I'm not sure I would believe Catherine either, 3x great-grandmother or not! 

Catherine died on 2 April 1904 of pulmonary phthisis (tuberculosis). She was buried at nearby Bedlington on 6 April.