The Former Mrs Carroll

Bernard Carroll and Ann Dickson married somewhere in Ireland. I imagine it was sometime before 1846, as their eldest surviving child's year of birth would suggest. 

In Ireland they already had one child named William who was born around 1846. The Carroll family arrived in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Scotland during the potato famine years, where they had a further five children. 

Ann Jnr was born in about 1849, Patrick followed in 1851, then Francis in 1854, Bernard Jnr in 1856, and finally Thomas, who was born in 1859. Sadly only William, Ann and Bernard survived early infancy. 

(Above) Patrick and (Below) Francis Carroll's baptism at St Columbkille's church, Rutherglen.

(Above) Bernard Carroll Jnr's birth registration. Notice "Barny."
(Below) Thomas Carroll's birth registration.

I know Francis died of scarlet fever, and Thomas was frail from birth, but it was neither of these illnesses which killed their mother.

Ann Dickson Carroll died on 4 April 1860, just short of a year after the birth and death of baby Thomas. Her cause of death was stated to be "Cauliflower excrescence of the uterus," which she was said to have suffered from for 12 months. This is also known as uterine cancer.

Ann Dickson Carroll's death registration.

Ann was laid to rest in the churchyard at Rutherglen, no doubt where her infant babes were also buried. 

On 6 July 1860, just over three months after the death of Ann, her widower married again. Bernard Carroll married Jean Duffy at Rutherglen, where she lived on Main Street, and worked in a paper mill nearby. They are my 3x great-grandparents. 

Bernard Carroll and Jean (Jane) Duffy's marriage registration.

It was a rather hasty marriage, but it is to be expected. Bernard was a single father with three young children, the youngest, Bernard, being only 3-years-old when his mother died. Jean was already the mother of little Elizabeth, who was born out of wedlock two years before. At that time Elizabeth was being raised back in New Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire by her uncle and his wife - so both parties had what some would call 'baggage.'

In that sense, it was completely necessary for Bernard and Jean to find a spouse, and they certainly didn't waste any time. The marriage took place so quickly after the death of the former Mrs Carroll, some may deem it insensitive or cruel, but I think it is completely understandable.

Bernard and Jean went on to have nine children together, of which only four survived infancy.

A Family Tragedy

David Wood Leslie was born on 8 December 1910, at Wemyss, near Buckhaven, Fife, Scotland. His parents were Patrick and Margaret Leslie (née Wood), who were originally from Larkhall in Lanarkshire. 

The Leslie family returned to Larkhall soon after, so it was here where David grew up. In the late 1920s however, the family moved to Twechar; a small mining village in Dunbartonshire.

When David was 22-years-old he married Rachel Hickie Burns, a local girl from Twechar, at the Roman Catholic church in nearby Croy. 

On 21 February 1937 the Leslies had a baby girl, whom they named Rachel. Sadly, tragedy struck soon after.

There was a write-up in the Kirkintilloch Gazette a week later, which went into further detail as to what happened on that tragic day. 

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CHILD'S TRAGIC DEATH AT TWECHAR.

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PRAM FALLS DOWN STAIRS.

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A tragic occurence took place at Twechar on Friday nightm resulting in fatal injuries to Rachel Leslie, the six weeks old daughter of David Leslie, miner, who had been living in lodgings at Burnbrae. The house is an upstairs one. Mrs Leslie had the little girl in a perambulator, intending to go out. There are a number of inside steps, then a landing, with other eight steps to the ground level. On reaching the landing, Mrs Leslie left the pram to return to the house, and in her absence the pram had moved and gone over the edge of the landing and down the eight steps. The infant was thrown out. It was found to be seriously injured. The child was taken to Yorkhill Hospital, where it was found to be suffering from a fracture of the skull. The infant succumbed on Saturday.

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On 4 May 1937, only three days after her death, Rachel was laid to rest in the family lair at Larkhall Cemetery. 

The Widow of Edward Carlin - Update

Back in April I wrote about Janet McComb or Carlin, the younger sister of my 3x great-grandmother, Jane (or Jean) McComb. Their parents were James and Ruth McComb (née Duggan), who were Irish migrants.

A link to that blog post.

In my blog post in April I detailed the sad married life of Janet. She birthed three boys who all died in early infancy, and was widowed early. With nothing left, Janet shortly followed her babies and husband to the grave, almost like she willed herself to die.

Janet's death certificate describes her as a pauper, resident in the Govan Poorhouse at the time of her death. Her death was caused by phthisis (tuberculosis).

Janet's death certificate.

Now, with thanks to my good friend (and distant cousin!) Matt Reay, I am better able to understand Janet's final days. I now know that shortly before her death, Janet applied for Poor Relief. Matt visited the Mitchell Library in Glasgow and was very kind to transcribe the application for me. It reads as follows;

____________________

Name: Janet McCoombe or Carlin.

Residence: 15 Cleland Street, low.

Application date: 13 March 1877 11.30am.

Religion: Prot. (Protestant)

Status: Widow.

Trade: Washing and cleaning.

She is listed as being wholly disabled with no earnings besides relief.

Any family living at residence? None.

Any family living elsewhere? None.

Husband: Edward Dickie Carter (Error)

Report by Assistant Inspector Robert Davie who visited the property 14 March 1877 at 1pm:

She is aged 33 years, born at Blackfaulds, Rutherglen. Prot. She is the daughter of James McCoombe, miner, and Ruth Dougan, both dead. Her husband Edward Carlin, carter, born in Thistle Street, son of Thomas Carlin, carter, dead, & Jean Turner who is living at 34 Thistle Street, died at Thistle Street five years ago.

No family.

In present house: 5 months.

34 South Wellington Street: 3yrs 6mos.

327 Crown Street: 1yr.

34 Thistle Street: 6mos.

She is a washer certified unfit from bronchitis and fit for removal. Application is made for her admission Poorhouse having no home. - Govan Combination.

The decision of the committee: 20 March 1877 - PH (Poorhouse) Requiring treatment.

Applicant died PH 7 April '77

____________________

Poor Janet. What a life. 

July 2016 - Blog Monthly Roundup

I've thought about doing a Monthly Roundup on my blog for a while now. We'll see how this goes - it may not be a permanent fixture! The titles of my blog posts are links. 

Suicide At Seaton Delaval

My first blog post this month was a sad one. It detailed the suicide of a cousin on my mother's side of the family. It was particularly heart-wrenching as the poor lady's 11-year-old son was interrogated at the inquest. Naturally, he would have been grieving, and I don't think it was very fair of the coroner. 

The coroner's questions implied that he believed Mrs Ellen Gray committed suicide, after having a row with her husband, as he asked that particular question more than once. 

I ended the post by saying that another tragedy hit the family in later years. I will write that post soon, and publish next month. 

Catherine the Conundrum

The second blog post this month was dedicated to a complete mystery in my family history. It concerned Catherine Queenan, an elder sister of my great-grandfather, Martin Quinnin. 

Catherine was baptised as an infant, then totally disappeared. There is no birth certificate, no death certificate and no burial. She is a complete conundrum. 

I personally suspect she died as a baby, but can find no proof of that. If she did survive childhood, there is certainly no marriage certificate or death certificate for an adult Catherine. 

Writer's Block

The next blog post this month was a little study I conducted into my more recent ancestors. By recent, I mean back to my great-great-grandparents on all sides of my family. I made a chart and looked at numerous sources to deduce whether or not my ancestors could read and write.

Some ancestors were easier than others, for example I know one wrote his own will. The majority came from civil registration documents, where I checked the informants of events and if they signed their name or with a X. 

It was nice to see some progression in regards to learning to write with some of my ancestors. One of my Scottish grandmothers was the informant on most of her children's births. It was interesting to see her write her new married name incorrectly at first with her first few children, then be able to perfect her signature with her last children. 

I also colour coordinated the chart, with different colours meaning different birth countries, and whether there was a factor in that. It was interesting to see that my ancestors of Irish descent were often less likely to be able to write. 

A Family Gold Mine

Now you may notice there is no link attached to this blog post, and nor are you able to find it on my main page. Sadly, I made a rookie mistake. 

Whilst going through my drafts and published posts, I clicked delete on what I thought was a very old post - it wasn't. Sadly I have deleted my most recent post, one which I enjoyed writing. 

Thankfully I keep all my notes, so will write this one again. It should be up in a few weeks time. For the short time it was around, I received some nice feedback on it. 

Blogs I've Enjoyed This Month

• Kindred Past - This blog only has five posts currently, but I can't wait to read more. I have enjoyed everyone so far. The latest 'Hide and Seek with Harry' was particularly well-written, and I really empathise with how aggravating it is when an ancestor just can't be found. Very relatable. 
• Dunfermline Men Who Died During WW1 - This is a brand new blog! The blog plans to highlight the lives of the men of Dunfermline and West Fife who died fighting in WW1. The first (and currently only) blog post features a young man who received the Victoria Cross. It's a very good read. 

Upcoming...

The blog post next Wednesday will concern the Browns; an old Northumbrian family who have lived in one particular area for centuries. I am lucky enough to be descended from them. Until then... 

Writer's Block: Which of my Ancestors could write?

I decided an interesting idea would be to see who in my more recent ancestry could read and write. 

On civil registration documents in the UK, the informant of the event was required to either make their mark (a cross, X), or sign their name. A lot of information in the chart I prepared is taken from birth, marriage and death certificates from my own family 

The 1911 census returns were the first to be filled in by each head of the household, and so this is often be the first time someone will see their ancestor's full signature. If the head of the household was not able to write, then someone in the family, a friend or a neighbour was allowed to fill in the form on their behalf. 

First things first, obviously I can read and write. My parents can, my grandparents could, and so could all of my great-grandparents. 

Ticks denote they could read/write.
Crosses denote they could not.

Thanks to Crista Cowan from Ancestry, AKA the Barefoot Genealogist for sharing the chart, and giving me the initial idea.

I have somewhat neglected looking for my ancestors in school records, so I'm not sure if they will exist in places. A fairly recent record set published on Find My Past were the National School Admission Registers & Logbooks from 1870 - 1914. I found a lot of relatives in those records, but not many direct ancestors.

One I did find was my great-grandmother, Minnie Metcalf (written above as MM 1893 in the fourth column), who attended the Crofton Temporary Infants School in Blyth, along with her younger sister Nellie.

My great-great-grandfather, Adam Storey (written above as AS 1853), could read and write. He probably attended the Church of England school at Newbiggin, as did his siblings. I know Adam was a highly intelligent and educated man, who aspired to become a solicitor. He was an apprentice to a solicitor in Morpeth for a short while after leaving school. Adam's wife Jane Mavin (written above as JM 1853) could also read and write. 

As an added extra, I also coloured the boxes to show where my ancestors were born. Red for England, Dark Blue for Scotland, Green for Ireland etc. The Orange is for my paternal grandmother, born in Australia, and the Light Blue is for my great-great-grandfather, William James Rudd, who was born in Virginia, USA. 


Looking at my paternal grandfather's side of the family, it is clear that the previous few generations were all born in Scotland. Charles Leslie and Agnes Carroll, my great-great-grandparents (written above as CL 1858 and AC 1865, respectively), were not able to write. They were both children of Irish immigrants, so it is not a big surprise to me at all. 

My other great-great-grandfather, William McLean (written above as WM 1874) could not write. He signed with an X on numerous civil registrations, and so was obviously unable to even sign his own name. Interestingly though, his wife Marion Richmond (MR 1878 above) could sign her own name. In the early years of her marriage, Marion could be found signing her name as "Marion McClen."


My two great-great-grandparents born in Ireland could not read or write either. Martin Quinnin and Barbara Coyle (MQ c.1838 and BC c.1841 respectively) were both born in Co. Sligo, and came to England during the potato famine. It is no surprise to me that they were illiterate, as they were the children of impoverished labourers. They both signed their marriage certificate with an X. 

Similarly, my maternal grandmother's grandmother's were illiterate also. Matthew Taylor and Isabella Errington (MT 1838 and IE 1841 above) were both born long before education was made compulsory in England, and so I never expected them to be able to read and write. 

As for two of my great-great-grandmothers, I just don't know if they were literate. I can guess that Ann Jane Knox (written above as AK 1874) could write, as I have found school records for some of her siblings. As for Jane Barrass (JB 1853), I just don't have any evidence. I believe one of her brothers wrote and signed his own will, so I could maybe guess that she could, but I'm just not certain.

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 Scottish Bigamist

Last week I told the story of Elizabeth White, the illegitimate half-sister of my 2x great-grandmother, Agnes Carroll. This week I will tell the scandalous and sad tale of Elizabeth's daughter, Agnes Duffy.

_

Agnes Duffy was born in Blantyre, Lanarkshire, Scotland on 19 November 1879. Her parents were John Duffy and Elizabeth White. Agnes's mother was the illegitimate daughter of Jean Duffy and Peter White, a ship carpenter. As far as I can tell the two Duffy families were not related.

Agnes Duffy's birth registration.

Soon after her birth, the Duffy family moved to the nearby coal-mining town, Larkhall. They lived there for a few years, but migrated to the United States in about 1884. After a short stint in America, the family returned to Larkhall, living there throughout the 1890s. 

On 30 December 1898, when Agnes was nineteen-years-old, she married a man named Robert McCord at Larkhall. One week after the wedding, Robert deserted Agnes, but not before telling her that their marriage was a mistake and she could marry again if she wished. 

Agnes and Robert's marriage entry.

Ten months later, Robert returned. The couple moved to Shotts, Lanarkshire and lived together there for six weeks, until again Robert deserted Agnes. He firstly went to Glasgow, but then to Yorkshire, England. When he was settled, he sent for Agnes to join him there, which she did. All alone and miles away from her family, Agnes was again deserted, and this time wasn't left a penny. 

Agnes somehow got back to her family in Scotland, who now moved to the Methil area of Fife. There she met a man named Michael Boyle. On 3 April 1904, Agnes received a letter from her estranged husband. In the letter, Robert stated he was happily married. So on 24 December 1904, Agnes married Michael Boyle in Edinburgh. Agnes was now a bigamist. 

The entry of the bigamous marriage.

The marriage was short lived, and just over three months to the date, Agnes was imprisoned on 25 March 1905 on the charge of bigamy. Agnes pleaded guilty to the offence at Edinburgh on 6 April, and on her behalf a solicitor told her side of the story. Taking into consideration that she had been so ill-treated, the Judge was lenient and sentenced Agnes to thirty days in prison. The sentence was to start from the first date of imprisonment, 25 March 1905. After prison, Agnes reunited with Michael Boyle and raised a family together in Wemyss, Fife. 

Fifteen years later, the bigamy scandal was resurrected when Robert McCord started the proceedings to divorce Agnes on the grounds of infidelity, after years of estrangement, as he was in a relationship and wished to marry again. The divorce was granted on 6 July 1920, and Robert remarried ten days later.

Not even two years later Agnes died at her home on 30 January 1922. She was only forty-years-old, and died of pulmonary tuberculosis. Her second 'husband' Michael Boyle had died years before.

Looking for Lizzie

Last April I wrote a blog post on the life of my 3x great-grandmother, Jane or Jean Duffy. On 5 March 1858, when Jean was around 20 years of age, she gave birth out of wedlock to Elizabeth White. Elizabeth's father was reputed to be named Peter White, a ship carpenter. In my original post, I presumed that Elizabeth had died in infancy, as I could not find a later record of her. I can now admit that my presumption was wrong and I have uncovered her story. 

_

Elizabeth White was born on 5 March 1858 at Netherton Colliery, New Kilpatrick. Her father was recorded as Peter White, a ship carpenter who was not present at the registration of her birth. Elizabeth's mother Jean was working at a paper mill at the time. 

Elizabeth's birth entry.

Elizabeth was later baptised on 27 March, although her birthdate was given as the 26 February, which is obviously a mistake on the priest's part. Elizabeth's only godparent, or sponsor, was a woman named Mary Callaghan. 

Jean Duffy married my 3x great-grandfather, Bernard Carroll, on 6 July 1860 at Rutherglen, and so Elizabeth became a step-sister to Bernard's children from his first marriage. Although her mother went to live at Rutherglen, Elizabeth stayed behind in New Kilpatrick and lived with her uncle William Duffy. 

Little is known about Elizabeth's childhood, but by 1871 she was back living with her mother, step-father and siblings. She later worked in a cotton mill.

On 20 December 1877, Elizabeth married a coal miner named John Duffy at St Bridget's Catholic Church, Baillieston. Although John shared his surname with Elizabeth's mother, it is believed that they were not related. There are a few lies on the marriage entry, but they are fairly typical of an illegitimate child. 

Her father was recorded as William White, rather than Peter, who was a coal miner. Her mother Jean Carroll was reported as Jane White, formerly Duffy. It was quite common back then for illegitimate children to make up a history of themselves, inventing a father to name on the marriage certificate. Elizabeth must have told the priest that her parents were married. One of the witnesses to the union was Bernard Carroll, either her step-father or step-brother.

Soon after marrying, Elizabeth and John moved to Blantyre, a mining town not very far away. Here Elizabeth gave birth to the couple's first child in November 1879. They had a baby girl and named her Agnes. I can only assume that their baby was named after my 2x great-grandmother, Agnes Carroll. 

From Blantyre the Duffys moved to Larkhall, where they had their second child John, born in February 1881. Shortly after the family moved to the United States where they had two more children, Patrick and Robert. 

Back in Larkhall, Elizabeth's half-sister, and my 2x great-grandmother, Agnes gave birth to a baby boy in March 1894. The baby was named John Duffy Leslie in honour of his uncle-in-law. Baby John sadly died in December of the same year of pneumonia. 

The Duffy family were back in Larkhall by September 1896 when Elizabeth gave birth to the couple's fifth child, Peter, followed by their sixth, Joseph, in September 1898. In the mid-1900s the family moved to the Kirkcaldy area of Fife, where they remained for many years. 

Elizabeth White Duffy died on 3 May 1927 at Denbeath, Wemyss, Fife. She died of chronic cholecystitis, a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder. On her death certificate her mother was recorded as Jane White, formerly Duffy, so perhaps the family believed this to be true. Her father was noted as Peter White, a ship wright. 

Elizabeth's death entry.

Merry Christmas!

"Christmas comes but once a year! Christmas! The same festive, jovial, old visitor; the same welcome, mirth-begetting Old Father Christmas, with his thousand and one pleasures, his ever sweet recollections, his time-honoured associations, recalling to one and all the happiest, merriest hours of life; the same last year, this year, and for all time; King of Holidays!

Beloved alike by young and old, rich and poor; yes dear Old Christmas is here again - once more approaching our thresholds and wishing us the compliments of the season; bidding us rekindle the blazing yule, and load the groaning tables with the best of good cheer!

Who is there in this world of ours that does not look forward with feelings of indescribable pleasure to the great annual festival?

Who is there that does not for this one day of all three hundred and sixty-five, throw aside dull care, and shut his eyes and ears to the call of business, the troubles and petty vexations of everyday life?

Who is there that does not long for the annual gathering round the family board that comes but once in the busy year, to reunite brother and sister, parent and child, in that magical home circle that bears with it an affectionate charm, unknown only to the orphan and castaway?

Miserable indeed must be that man who, like the Scrooge in Dickens's Carol who shut himself up alone from his fellow-men on this day of days, frowning in his darksome solitude on their pleasures - forgets to rejoice at this season of the year, or who from any other cause whatever cannot or will not participate in the merriment of Christmas!"

- From the Morpeth Herald, 1881.

To all my family and friends all over the world, Merry Christmas!

Edward's Curse

The Leslie family were another of my families who fled Ireland to escape the potato famine, arriving in Glasgow in the early 1850s. They were three brothers and a sister; Edward along with his wife and children, Patrick (sometimes known as Peter), Margaret and James. 

Civil registration only came about in Scotland in 1855. Patrick had already married a woman named Margaret Galligan in 1853, and James married Ellen Mellon in 1855. 

On the three brothers' death certificates their father was listed as Edward Leslie (1), a labourer. On Peter and James' deaths their mother is listed as Catherine Brady. However on their brother Edward's (2) death certificate his mother is recorded as Mary Docherty. It is unknown whether Edward Leslie (1) was really married twice, or simply whether the informant of Edward's (2) death was mistaken. 

__________

In late 1855, Edward (2) and his wife Bridget Leckie welcomed a son into the world. The couple already had three children who had all been born in Ireland. They named their new baby Edward (3), obviously after his father and grandfather. 

Sadly in February 1856, aged only three months, baby Edward (3) died of diarrhoea. Incredibly tragic, this is only a small reflection of how high the infant mortality was at the time. Edward Leslie (2) died in 1886 at the age of 66.

__________

Peter and Margaret Leslie had three children; Catherine, John and Charles. Unfortunately Catherine died aged only 21 of phthisis, or tuberculosis. 

In 1884 Charles married Agnes Carroll and together they had seven children. Their first child was a son named Patrick. In 1907 he married Margaret Wood at Larkhall. Together Patrick and Margaret had many children including one son named Edward. In the late spring of 1915, little Edward grew ill. Sadly he died of diphtheria only just 1 year old.

__________

Charles and Agnes' second son was named Edward. In 1910, aged 20 he married Catherine McTaggart in the local Roman Catholic church at Larkhall. Only three months into the marriage, Edward was taken to the Royal Infirmary Glasgow as he was suffering with an abscess in the appendix. There he died on 8 March 1911. 

When Catherine married Edward she was already heavily pregnant. Only one month after Edward's death, Catherine gave birth to a little girl and in honour of the baby's late father, she was named Edwardina. However, tragedy struck yet again and aged only three weeks old, baby Edwardina died of congestion of the lungs. Only 19 years of age, Catherine had lost her husband and infant daughter.

__________

Charles and Agnes' penultimate son was also named Charles. He married Jane McComb McLean in 1920. From Larkhall he moved to Buckhaven, Fife with his young family. On a return visit to Larkhall, their youngest son fell ill. His name was Edward Carroll Leslie. Aged 11 months, Edward died of acute broncho pneumonia.

The Edward Leslies who died young,
spanning the generations
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AncestryDNA - Part 2

Update - Today my AncestryDNA progress updated from 'Activated' to 'Arrived', exactly one week since I sent away my DNA sample.

Hopefully Part 3 will be the results of the test! 

AncestryDNA - Part One

On Tuesday, 23 June 2015 I finally ordered an AncestryDNA test. I've been mulling it over for a while now, and finally 'bit the bullet' as it were. 

A cousin of mine in Utah sent did a test a few months ago, and happily shared his results with me. I was transfixed by the break down of ethnicity and percentages that make up his DNA.

My DNA test arrived today, Friday 26 June. I quickly took the test, making sure to follow each and every instruction. I hope to also send the test away today.

And now the anxious 6-8 weeks wait ... 

Ann Gilligan

When Charles Leslie, my 2x Great Grandfather was baptised on 24 June 1858 at Shettleston his godmother was recorded as Ann Gilligan. His parents were Patrick Leslie and Margaret Gilligan/Galligan, so naturally I assume Ann was related, but not sure how. 

When Margaret died in 1902 in St Joseph's Home, Garngadhill her parents were noted as James Gallaghan [sic] and Bridget Lynch. 

I soon found a record for a woman named Ann Gilligan who died on 22 February 1864 at Tollcross. Ann's parents were stated to be Patrick and Margaret Gilligan. Ann's mother's maiden surname was Lynch, the same as stated on her sister Margaret's death certificate.

An extract of Ann's death certificate.

Although there are discrepancies with the names of the parents, I am certain that Ann was a younger sister of my 3x Great Grandmother, Margaret Galligan Leslie. The informant of Ann Gilligan's death was 'Patrick Leslay [sic] brother-in-law'. Patrick was not present for Ann's death, but she had been ill for around one year. Ann's cause of death was stomach cancer. She was only 25 years old.

Philip Colvin

Margaret Leslie and Patrick Colvin were married on 4 November 1857 in a Roman Catholic ceremony at Dalbeth, near Glasgow, Scotland. Just over one year later on 14 December 1858, the couple had a child which they named Philip, after Patrick's father. Philip was baptised soon after at St Paul's RC Church, Shettleston.

An extract from Philip's birth certificate.

Margaret and Patrick went on to have three more children; Catherine in 1865, Patrick in 1871 and Edward in 1873. Throughout this time the family lived at 13 Calton Street, Tollcross.

On 1 October 1875, Patrick Snr sadly died of 'cerebral congestion' at the family home. Margaret obviously remained close to her own family, as her brother Peter registered the death. Peter was my 3x Great Grandfather.

The Colvin family continued living at 13 Calton Street for decades after. The family appeared on the census at this address, and Philip was described as being an "imbecile from childhood".

Philip eventually ended up in Woodilee Asylum, Lenzie, Dunbartonshire, although he was now being described as a 'Lunatic'. Philip's mother Margaret died 30 November 1901 but by this time I presume he had been in the asylum for a number of years.

Philip Colvin died on 2 May 1910 in Woodilee Asylum of enteritis. He was 51 years old. Philip's parent's names were not recorded, but his usual residence was written as 13 Calton Street, Glasgow.

Philip's sister Catherine had died five years before in 1905, but his brothers Patrick and Edward both died in 1941.

The full extent of Philip's illness is not known, but he may have had learning difficulties or he could have been autistic. The term imbecile is no longer politically correct, and rightfully so. Thankfully mental health is now better understood, and there is not as much of a stigma attached to it. 

On This Day - The Leslie Wedding

On this day in 1853 Patrick Leslie and Margaret Galligan, my 3x Great Grandparents were married in Barony, Lanarkshire, Scotland. They were both natives of Ireland, but had recently moved to the Tollcross area. The couple went on to have three children; Catherine, John and Charles.

The marriage entry.

This event was the first recorded mention of my Leslie family in Scotland.

Patrick, who was also known as Peter had three known siblings; Edward, Margaret and James. 

Peter died on 8 January 1896, ending his days in the notorious Barnhill Poorhouse, Glasgow, although sadly it appears no records survive of his stay there. He died of bronchitis. Margaret died on 10 February 1902 at St Joseph's Home for the Poor at Garngadhill, simply of 'debility'. The fact that the couple were both institutionalised speaks for how poor the family were. The couple were buried at Dalbeth Cemetery, in common ground.

Mrs Carroll's Lodger

Jane Duffy was born in around 1838 somewhere in Ireland to Patrick Duffy, a labourer and Margery Harkins his wife. Jane was my 3x Great Grandmother. It is thought that she was the youngest of seven children, and her siblings were James, Rose Ann, Hugh, Patrick, Edward and William.

The Duffy siblings migrated to New Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire, Scotland shortly after 1851, and their parents were already deceased, having died in Ireland. Patrick Duffy, Junior however, went to Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 

In 1857, Jane was a witness to her sister Rose Ann's marriage to Patrick Tonner.

Jane's name, written as a witness
to her sister's marriage.

On 5 March 1858 Jane, who also went by Jean, gave birth out of wedlock. The baby girl was named Elizabeth and her father was said to be Peter White, a ship carpenter. Jane was stated to be working in a paper mill. It is unknown what happened to Elizabeth, but it is presumed that she died young.

An extract from Elizabeth White's birth certificate.

Two years later, Jane Duffy married Bernard Carroll on 6 July 1860 at St Columbkille's Roman Catholic Church, Rutherglen, Lanarkshire. Bernard was said to be aged thirty-four, whereas Jane was twenty-two. Bernard had been widowed the year previously, and had three surviving children. The youngest, Bernard Junior was only four years old. The eldest were William and Ann, who were only around eight and ten years younger than their new stepmother, Jane. 

Bernard and Jane's marriage record.

There have been a total of nine children found for the couple; Agnes, Patrick, Agnes, Margaret, Hugh and Margaret (twins), Marjory, Edward and Robert. Sadly, not many of their children lived to see adulthood.

Bernard Carroll died on 5 March 1887 at Bothwell, and was buried two days later at St Peter's Cemetery, Dalbeth, Glasgow in common ground. He had died of phthisis, or tuberculosis which had ailed him for about one year. Bernard was around fifty-six years old.

An extract from Bernard's death certificate.

In the years following Bernard's death, Jane lived with her two youngest sons and opened up their house for lodgers for some extra income. One lodger was Patrick Ferns or Fearon, an Irishman, who Jane went on to marry in August 1891. They married at St Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Shettleston.

An extract from Jane's second marriage certificate.

Jane Duffy died on 7 December 1908 at Tollcross, and was buried two days later at St Peter's Cemetery, Dalbeth. Like her first husband, Jane was buried in common ground. Jane had died of chronic bronchitis, which she had suffered from for over two years. 

An extract from Jane's death certificate.