Ephemeral Thinking

I recently launched a new blog called Ephemeral Thoughts. I’ve always enjoyed the hunt for old paper and photographs and I thought it was time to share some of my finds with those of you who are also intrigued by these little fragments from our past. Many pieces of ephemera will have a connection to someone’s family history, and I thought I would take this opportunity to highlight and link to a couple of articles you might enjoy.

Several months ago I dug a tiny photo out of a box of hundreds in a local shop. It looked to be of 1930′s or 40′s vintage and judging from the terrain I suspected it was of a street in a Prairie town. I thought it might be fun to try and identify the street so I plunked down a Loonie and added this little snapshot to my ‘research’ pile. Little did I realize I was about to discover a remarkable coincidence.

The second story involves the Peter family who emigrated from Fife in Scotland to North America in the late 19th century.  I found a wonderful, albeit somewhat scorched, photograph taken in 1899 of the Peter’s taking tea at the family home.  A small amount of information on the back provided just enough clues to lead me to a website in South Africa that contained a wealth of information about the family.  With a little more digging I was able to tell the story of this wonderful old photo.

Orkney Pioneers at Fort Victoria

I wrote an article for the Orkney Family History Society which was recently published in their newsletter Sib Folk News. I’ve included the article, entitled Orkney Pioneers at Fort Victoria, as well as additional research in a special OFHS section on my blog. Although none of my Orkney ancestors ended up in Victoria I was glad to give something back for all the help I received last year in Kirkwall.

William Henry Clifford (1844-1914) – A Breakthrough!

One brick wall has finally come tumbling down. I’ve been searching for my 3xgreat-grandfather on my father’s side, William Henry Clifford, and his family for over 7 years and it just goes to show that if you keep plugging away you just might find the answer you’re looking for. This blog post traces the process I followed to solve this mystery.

William Henry Clifford was born in Gloucestershire and died in London in 1914. I had  hard evidence that supported my research all the way back to his marriage in 1865 but I had an extremely difficult time finding his parents and siblings in Gloucestershire.  From census and marriage documents (William Henry was married twice) I knew he was born in the 1840′s and that his father William was a gardener.

I found a lot of William Clifford’s, and even a few William Henry Clifford’s, in Gloucestershire but none were a perfect match.  Many years ago I decided to add a family to my Ancestry tree who I thought might be his parents and siblings.  As time went on I became less convinced that this was William Henry’s family and eventually I received an email from another Ancestry member providing details that proved it wasn’t.  I just removed the 20+ members of this family from my tree and decided to start from scratch. To be honest I wasn’t very confident as I had sifted through all of the other possibilities many times before.

The first thing I did was to cast my net a little wider by ignoring William’s middle name “Henry”.  I had already had him in the 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911 England census’s and so I concentrated my search on the 1861 census.  I was looking for a Gloucestershire family with a son named William and a father also named William who was employed as a Gardener.  I scanned the results list, the highest ranked entries containing many of the familiar families I’d found in the past, however down near the bottom was an entry I hadn’t seen before.  It was for a William Cliford, a grandson born in 1844 in Cheltenham, who was living with grandfather William (1795-) and grandmother Elizabeth, their daughter Mary A, and another grandchild named Elizabeth.  It was by no means a perfect match, in fact it wasn’t even a great match, but it was a new family to trace and so I set about doing just that.

1961 English Census showing William Henry living with his grandparents in Cheltenham

I went in search of the 1851 census and found the family reasonably quickly.  Grandfather William (1795-) was listed as a builder employing 3 men.  Wife Elizabeth, daughter Mary A, another daughter Elizabeth, and the grand-daughter Elizabeth were present but there was no sign of grandson William Henry (1844-) or his father, whom I was guessing was also named William.

1851 Census showing William (1795-) and family

Next up was the 1841 census and this confirmed my hunch as son William (1822-) was living at home.  Both he and his father were listed as “Plasterer’s” which was slightly disappointing as I had hoped to find that son William (1822-) was a Gardener.

1841 English Census showing William (1795-) and family.

I now concentrated my search on William Henry’s father William (1822-), a plasterer in 1841.  The only hope I had of finding William (1822-) and William Henry (1844-) together was in the 1851 census since William Henry was living with his grandparents in 1861.  My eureka moment finally arrived when I found an entry listing a 29-year old William (1822-) as a “Gardener” with a wife named Emily, a son named William and, very importantly, a daughter named Priscilla.  William Henry eventually had a daughter named Priscilla and I had always wondered where this name had come from.  The 1861 census (not shown) would reveal that William Henry also had a younger brother named Henry and it was likely he who gave his name to William Henry’s second son Henry (the first born having been named William).

1851 English Census showing William Henry and his father William - a Gardener!

While there is no smoking gun there is a lot of evidence that this is the elusive Clifford family I’ve been searching for.  Having eliminated all the other possibilities I was left with a single family with a father named William, employed as a gardener, and a son named William born in Gloucestershire in 1844.

There is no sign of William Henry’s middle name in any of the early records but the fact that he had a younger brother named Henry provides some basis for speculating that his middle name may have been the same.

William Henry’s place of birth is often listed as “Gloucester” on later records but in fact he was born in English Bicknor, less than 20 miles away.  ”Gloucester” might be a short form for “Gloucestershire” or perhaps he just felt that no one in London would know where English Bicknor was and so he opted to name the city that was close by.  The 1861 census indicated he was born in Cheltenham but this could be simply a case of the census taker copying the previous entry and not being too concerned with which town in Gloucestershire he was born in (note: the family was living in Cheltenham in 1861 and other family members had been born there).

The fact that William Henry had siblings named Priscilla and Henry lends a lot of credence to my theory as children were always named after someone in the family and these are the only ones I’ve found to date.  Last but not least in the 1871 census William (1822-) has a grandson living with him named Herbert.  William Henry’s grandson, my great-grandfather, was named Herbert and so perhaps he was named after this grandson?

There’s a lot of research left to do but I now feel I’m on solid footing.

Walter Cunningham (1842-1914)

Walter Cunningham

Walter Cunningham was my great-great-grandfather on my mothers side. He was born in Currie, now a suburb on the outskirts of Edinburgh, in 1842 and died at his home on Caledonian Road in December 1914.  He was the second youngest of 8 children born to Walter Cunningham and Grizel Charles.

In 1851 the family were living in Kirkliston, a small town situated near what is now the Edinburgh Airport.  Walter’s father, a former Agricultural Labourer who was born in Kirkliston, was a Boathouse Tollman and the family was likely living in a cottage next to the canal.

Romilly Place, Edinburgh, (1852 map)

By 1861 the family had moved into Edinburgh and were living at 2 Romilly Place on Tobago Street.  Tobago Street adjoined Morrison Street and was renamed to the latter sometime in the 1880′s (there are references to Tobago Street as late as 1877). Walter’s father was now working as a porter on the Edinburgh & Glasgow Railway while three of his son’s, including Walter were “Hackers” (makers of hoes).  It was sometime during this period that he met a domestic servant named Annie Rich Reid. They were married on June 30, 1865 in Edinburgh.  By now Walter had become a Railway Stoker, likely for the Edinburgh & Glasgow Railway which was to be absorbed by the North British Railway just a few weeks after their marriage.

Marriage Register for Annie & Walter, 1865

The marriage register gives a hint as to how they may have met.  Walter’s father is listed as a “Hammerman” which is another term for a metal worker.  Annie’s father John, a former blacksmith, is now listed as a Sawyer however by 1871 he is listed as a “Grinder”.  It’s possible both men, clearly in the trades, knew each other and had arranged a meeting between their eligible bachelor son and spinster daughter.

Entrance to 35 Rosemount Building

Walter and Annie would raise 9 children, including my great-grandfather Walter Charles Cunningham. Amazingly 5 of the 9 children, including one daughter, were destined to become lithographic engravers.  Walter Charles and his son would end up playing a significant part in the progress of map making in Canada.   By 1871 Walter was a Railway Engine Driver and the family was living at #35 Rosemount Building, an impressive quadrangle situated in the Haymarket area of Edinburgh. Completed in 1860 the William Lambie Moffatt design was built as workmen’s houses and still stands today. By 1881 Annie, Walter and their then 7 children were living in #77, now a lovely 2-bedroom flat that was recently for sale.

By 1891 the growing family moved to a larger residence on Richmond Terrace, near Haymarket Station.  Walter was still employed by the North British Railway as an Engine Driver, a position he would hold for more than 35 years.  The last decade of the 19th century saw most of the Cunningham children leave home and by 1901 Walter, Annie and two children were living one street over, at #13 Caledonian Road.

16 Richmond Terrace, Edinburgh

13 Caledonian Road, Edinburgh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walter Cunningham's Obituary

Walter’s wife Annie died in 1905.  Walter died on Dec. 3, 1914 but was not buried next to Annie in the Dalry Cemetery.  Strangely he is buried in the North Merchiston cemetery in the same plot as his daughter-in-law Mary.  Stranger still is the fact that his name was not engraved on the headstone that had been placed there 11 years earlier. 

Headstone on Walter's grave (missing his name)

 

Questions

• Could any records exist that provide details of his years with the North British Railway?
• Why was he not buried with his wife and why didn’t any of the children have his name engraved on the headstone?

Mother: Grizel Charles (1800-1870)            Father: Walter Cunningham (1809-1883)

Siblings: Jane? (1828-), Janet (1833-), Mary (1835-), John (1836-), Alexander (1838-), John (1839-), Robert (1845-)

Spouse: Annie Rich Reid (1845-1905)

Children: Jeanie Wood (1868-1948), John (1870-), Annie Rich Reid (1871), Walter Charles (1872-1941), Bessie Wood (1875-1934), Robert (1877-1898), Thomas M. M. (1880-), Grace Charles (1884-), Catherine Lawson (1886-1886)

Jane/Jean Wood (1812-1883)

Beautiful countryside near Evie, with Rousay behind

Jane/Jean Wood was my greatx3-grandmother on my mother’s side.  She was born in Evie, Orkney in about 1812 and died in Edinburgh in February 1883.  Her father John Wood was a farmer and her mother was Jean Spence.  Jane was the eldest of 9 children and likely grew up on the island of Rousay, the birthplace of all 8 of her siblings.

 

 

Church Manse where Jane worked in 1841

In 1841 she was a domestic servent for Minister Andrew Smith at the Manse of Holm on the beautiful Bay of Cornquoy.  It was there that she met my greatx3-grandfather John Reid who was living with his mother Elizabeth Spence just down the road at Spurr cottage.  They were married on Feb 12, 1842 in Kirkwall.

 

 

 

Victoria Street in Kirkwall

By 1851 the family had 5 children, including my great-great grandmother Annie Rich Reid, and had moved to #130 Victoria Street in Kirkwall.  John Reid wasn’t present when the census was taken so Jane was listed as the head of the household and with the occupation of “Grocer”.  A 15-year old Grocer’s apprentice named William Shearer was lodging next door at #129.  ”William Shearer” is something of an institution in Kirkwall and a shop sits at #71 Victoria Street today. Could the young lodger in the 1851 census be the man who started this business?

In 1861 the family including husband John, but minus three children including Annie, was living at #43 Victoria Street. By 1871 Jane and John had moved to Edinburgh to be nearer to two of their daughters, Annie Rich Reid (now Cunningham) and Sarah Lahore Reid (now Maitland), and their eldest son John Wood Reid.  Jane, John, Sarah and her daughter Jane Wood Maitland, and son John’s family of four were all living together at 4 Violet Bank in South Leith.

5 Brand Place, South Leith, Edinburgh

By 1881 Jane, John, Sarah and daughters Jane Wood and Thommia, had moved to 5 Brand Place in South Leith.  This building still stands and #5 can be seen on the 1st floor (or the 2nd floor for North Americans) with the blue door.  Jane died here on February 1, 1883, aged 72, of “Senile Decay”.

Jane/Jean Reid's Death Register

Questions:

• When was Jane born? I’ve located baptismal records for all 8 of her siblings but not for her.
• Where was John Reid when the 1851 census was taken?

Mother: Jane Spence          Father: John Wood

Siblings: Ann (1814-), Mary (1816-), Lydia (1818-), Janet (1820-), John (1823-), George (1826-), James (1828-), Betty (1830-)

Spouse: John Reid (1821-1893)

Children: John Wood (1844-), Annie Rich (1845-1905), Jean (1846-), James (1847-1906), Sarah Lahore (1849-1927)

Elizabeth Spence (1783-1869)

Elizabeth Spence was born in Kirkwall, Orkney in November 1783 and died in Holm (pronounced ‘Ham’), Orkney in July 1869.  She is my 4xgreat-grandmother on my mother’s side.

Elizabeth appears to have been the only daughter of Christian Wood and shoemaker James Spence:

Elizabeth Spence's Baptismal Record

From census records it seems Elizabeth never married however at age 38 she gave birth to my 3xgreat-grandfather John Reid in 1821.  According to John’s baptismal record he was the natural son (i.e. illegitimate) of Elizabeth and Peter Reid:

John Reid's 1821 Baptismal Record

Spurr Cottage on the Bay of Cornquoy

In 1841 she was an ‘Agricultural Labourer’ living with her son John at Spurr, a small farm situated on the beautiful Bay of Cornquoy.  This photo shows one of three buildings that once sat on this property.  Behind it lies the fields and farms of Holm where she would spend the remainder of her life.  By 1851 John had married and Elizabeth was living alone and farming one acre on the ‘Common’.  She was still listed as a farmer on the ‘Commons’ in the 1861 census, now aged 76.

 

Elizabeth's world, 1841 - 1869

When Elizabeth died on July 10, 1869 she was listed as a pauper living at Thistlequoy.  It appears she died like she lived – alone – and was discovered by her neighbour’s son, Archibald Garrioch.  The death register indicated she was a former domestic servant and so my theory is that when she became too old to farm she may have worked for the Garrioch family at  Upper Bow farm.

Elizabeth Spence's Death Register

Questions:

• Was Elizabeth an only child or did she have siblings that I can’t find records for?
• Why did she have her son John take Peter Reid’s surname when she did not marry the father?

Mother: Christian Wood (-1834?)          Father: James Spence

Siblings: None

Spouse: None

Children: John Reid (1821-1893)

Annie Rich Reid (1845 – 1905)

Annie Rich Reid was my great-great-grandmother on my mothers side. She was born in Holm (pronounced “Ham”), Orkney in 1845 and died in Edinburgh in December 1905.  She was the eldest daughter of John Reid and Jane/Jean Wood.

Victoria Street in Kirkwall

In 1851 the family, with the exception of father John, were living at #130 Victoria Street in Kirkwall.  According to the census her mother was a Grocer.  A 15-year old Grocer’s apprentice named William Shearer was lodging next door at #129.  ”William Shearer” is something of an institution in Kirkwall and a shop sits at #71 Victoria Street today. Could the young lodger in the 1851 census be the man who started this business?

By 1861 the family was living at #130 Victoria Street and father John, a blacksmith, was present.  Jane was no longer listed as a grocer and three of the children were no longer living at home.  By this time Annie had left Orkney to work in Edinburgh as a domestic servant at the home of John Balfan on elegant Great King Street.  It was sometime during this period that she met her future husband Walter Cunningham.

3 Bellevue Crescent is this side of the scaffolding

They were married on June 30, 1865 in Edinburgh at which time Annie was living and presumably working at 3 Bellevue Crescent, a very impressive home not far from her previous residence on Great King Street. Annie would ultimately give birth to 9 children, including my great-grandfather Walter Charles Cunningham born in 1872.

 

 

Entrance to 35 Rosemount Building

In 1871 the family was living at #35 Rosemount Building, an impressive quadrangle situated in the Haymarket area of Edinburgh. Completed in 1860 the William Lambie Moffatt design was built as workmen’s houses and still stands today. By 1881 Annie, Walter and their then 7 children were living in #77, now a lovely 2-bedroom flat that was recently for sale.  Annie gave birth to a further two children, the youngest who died as an infant in 1886.

Walter was employed by the North British Railway as an Engine Driver, a position he held for more than 35 years.  Eventually the family moved to larger accommodation at 16 Richmond Terrace, just off the Dalry Road, and then again one street over to 13 Caledonian Road sometime in the 1890′s.

Annie's Death Register

Annie’s Obit from the Dec. 22, 1905 issue of “The Scotsman”

On December 20, 1905 Annie died at home of a cerebral hemorrhage, aged only 61.  She was buried a short distance away at the Dalry Cemetery.  Unfortunately I was unable to locate a headstone in the overgrown cemetery, despite having been given an indication of where she was buried.

Questions:

• Do any photographs exist of Annie Rich Reid?
• Why was her middle name “Rich“?  Her younger sister Sarah had the extremely unusual middle name of “Lahore”.
• Is there a record of her birth or baptism?  To date I’ve had no luck locating one.

Mother: Jean Wood (1812-1883)          Father: John Reid (1821-1893)

Siblings: John Wood (1844-), Jean (1846-), James (1847-1906), Sarah Lahore (1849-1927)

Spouse: Walter Cunningham (1842-1914)

Children: Jeanie Wood (1868-1948), John (1870-), Annie Rich Reid (1871), Walter Charles (1872-1941), Bessie Wood (1875-1934), Robert (1877-1898), Thomas M. M. (1880-), Grace Charles (1884-), Catherine Lawson (1886-1886)