Those Places Thrusday - Gordon Terrace, Ayr, Scotland

Me - My Dad - Johnston Cumberland Paterson - Francis Paterson - Catherine Muirhead - (her sister) Christina Muirhead

Some places are just as much a part of the story as the people, such as Gordon Terrace, in Ayrshire, Scotland.  I first came across the name of Gordon Terrace in my 2nd great grandmother’s, Catherine Paterson (nee Muirhead)  inventory at her death in 1897. It’s listed as rents of heritage property with the names and amounts of who owed rent. I thought it was interesting that she had property in Ayrshire when she lived in Lanarkshire by Airdrie.

So when the indexes for the Valuation Rolls on ScotlandsPeople were made free for a short period of time earlier this year, I had to take a look. Going through the records from 1865 to 1925 lead me to discover that Gordon Terrace was important to the Scottish women of my family. These records even revealed the married name of  my 2nd great grandmother’s older sister, Christina. The 1885 valuation roll listed the owner’s name as Christina Muirhead or Riggs. 

5 Gordon Terrace, Ayr, Scotland

Just looking at the indexes of the valuation rolls for the 60 years from 1865 to 1925 shows how this property was passed along the female line. From 1865 to 1885, Christina Rigg  (nee Muirhead) was listed as the owner. After Christina’s death in 1889 the property goes to her sister, Catherine Paterson (nee Muirhead) Mrs. Paterson is listed as the owner in 1895. Catherine died in 1897. Gordon Terrace now goes to Catherine’s eldest daughter, Kate Greenlees (nee Paterson) and her youngest daughter, Jessie Paterson. The valuation roll for 1905 list Miss Jessie Paterson or Mrs. Kate Paterson or Greenlees as owners.  Kate Greenlees dies in 1905 leaving the property to her sister, Jessie Paterson. Miss Jessie Paterson is the owner in 1920 and 1925.

From there I found more records to tie the family together. In both Christina’s and Catherine’s death records, George Muirhead and  Catherine Kennedy were listed as their parents. Just the verification that I needed to tie the sisters together. Christina’s death records is very informative.  She died at the age of 80 years at 5 Gordon Terrace, St Quivox, Ayrshire on August 27, 1889. Christina is listed as the widow of the spade manufacturer, James Rigg. Her niece,  Kate Paterson (Catherine’s daughter) is the informant at her death.

Gordon Terrace seem to be rental property. The only one who lived there was Christina as she was listed there in the 1881 census and in her death record. I love the fact that not only were the men of my Scottish ancestry property owners but the women as well. This is just a part of the story of Gordon Terrace. Who had the property before 1865? What happened to the property after 1925 or when Jessie dies in 1938?  Did the property pass on to another woman, maybe Jessie niece (Jessie Paterson White)?

More on Paterson and Muirhead women:

52 Ancestors - Catherine Paterson (Greenlees) - Doting Daughter

Sympathy Saturday - The Patersons in Scotland 

Wordless Wednesday - Jessie Paterson White

Happy Valentine's Day - True Love

Valentine's is the day we get all mushy and sentimental. This article seems very appropriate for this romantic day.  I found this couple intriguing as my Scottish ancestors were from Lanark, Scotland.  What a great story of love although I'm skeptical of the details - baptized the same day, same church, same birth date, same death date, and of course no ailments.  What a busy midwife to be helping two babies into the world within the same hour. Like all documents written many years ago William Douglas's wife is not mentioned by name.  I've tried to find who the Douglass were but I've not been able to discover their identity.

 

The Carolina Federal Republican

                                (New Bern, North Carolina)

                             14 March 1818 • Page 2 

52 Ancestors - Robert's Roots - Milford Clayton Stoddart - Plowing Through

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.  Each week focus on one ancestor and post something about him or her. This year there is an optional theme of the week.  This week's theme is plowing through. I've decided to post about Robert's great grandfather Milford Clayton Stoddart who was a farmer. I'm a little late in posting this but better later than never.

Robert - his Mom - Maurice Randall Stoddart - Milford Clayton Stoddart

Milford Stoddart

Milford was the great grandson of Sergeant Robert Stoddart whom I've posted about previously. Milford was born February 23, 1884 at Falkland Ridge, Nova Scotia, Canada in the same area his great grandfather, Robert Stoddart received his land grant. His parents were Robert Stoddart and Pheobe Ann Drew. 

On August 25, 1907 Milford marries Alice Randall, a teacher in the area from Aylesford.They were married by Reverand H.S. Davidson in the presbyterian church in Annapolis county . Witnesses are Christine B Davidson and Jean Bruce. Their first two children, Ella Anna Stoddart and George Harold Stoddart are born at Falkland Ridge. In the 1911 census the family is living in Kingston, Kings county, the records state Milford is working at a saw mill. 

Milford and Alice with family

In the obituary for his wife, Alice it states that the family moves to her old home at Harmony in 1918.  The 1921 census confirms this.  Milford and Alice have four more children, Leila, Maurice, Glen, and Pauline. In this census  Milford is now listed as a farmer. It's interesting to note that under religion denomination that Milford is stated as a Baptist and his wife, Alice and the children are Methodist. Milford's obituary says that he was a member of the Baptist Church at Falkland Ridge, but was active with the United Church in Nicholsville.

Farming can be filled with danger and according to his death certificate on October 1,1935 (his obituary states it was September 23)  Milford is kicked by a horse in the abdomen. He dies of his injuries on October 18 at the Western Kings Memorial Hospital in Berwick.

Milford is laid to rest in the in the Aylesford Union Cemetery in Aylesford, Nova Scotia next to his infant son Robert. His wife Alice passes away eight years later.

On October 22, 1935, Alice Stoddart makes a application for administration of the estate of Milford Stoddart along with J.G. Lutes of Millville. Valuation for personal is $1000 and real estate is $2500. There is a bond for $1000. Follow the link below to see the actual record on Family Search.

Find A Grave for Milford Stoddart  

More posts about the Stoddarts:

52 Ancestors - Robert's Roots - Robert Stoddart - Irish Sergeant

Sources:

1911 census, Nova Scotia, population schedule, district Kings, subdistrict 7, division 48, p 10, family 117, entry of Milford C Stoddord ; digital images, Government of Canada, Library and Archives Canada (http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca : accessed 6 February 2015).  

1921 census, Nova Scotia, population schedule, district Kings 60, subdistrict 22, division Greenwood, p 11, family 121, entry for Milford Stoddart ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 February 2015).

Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics Marriages, Registration Year: 1907 - Book: 1802 - Page: 77 - Number: 79, marriage of Milford C Stoddart and Alice Randall, 1907; digital images, Province of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Archives (https://www.novascotiagenealogy.com : accessed 13 May 2011).

Obituary of Milford and Alice Stoddart.

Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics Deaths, Registration Year: 1935 - Book: 148 - Page: 688 13 May 2011), death Milford Calyton Stoddart, 1935; digital images, Province of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Archives (https://www.novascotiagenealogy.com : accessed 13 May 2011).

 "Nova Scotia Probate Records, 1760-1993," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-36861-34385-13?cc=2134302&wc=SN12-7M9:1411645602,1412175601 : accessed 6 February 2015), Kings > Probate acts, 1917-1939, vol 1 > image 547 of 608; county courthouses, Nova Scotia. 

SNGF - Best Find of 2014, and Challenge for 2015

It's has been a quite awhile since I've participated in a Saturday Night Genealogy Fun mission  from  Randy Seaver at  Genea-Musings. This week's mission is:

1) What was your best research achievement in 2014? 

My best research achievement in 2014 was discovering more about my Finnish side on my maternal great grandmother's side.  It all started with the help of a Finnish cousin. Once I discovered the parish they came from and how the records worked, I discovered many cousins and ancestors. I wrote posts for both my Finnish 2nd great grandparents Matti Mattinpoika Haukijärvi and Britta Maria Juhontytär Polo. The record that help get my Finnish research started was the marriage record for Matti and Britta Maria.

Honkavaara & Polo Marriage

2) What research problem do you want to work on in 2015?

For 2015 I would like to find out more information about my Finnish great grandfather Jaakko Makie or Makela. I have very little information about him. All I know about him is that he was born in Finland about 1883, I'm not even sure where. I'm not sure of his correct name and spelling. He lived in North Dakota, USA by Towner county where his children where born. He moved to the Coteau area in Saskatchewan about 1911. Jaakko ended up in Rich Lake, Alberta where he died in 1964 and he is buried in the Fork Lake Cemetery.

Happy 2015

May the New Year bring you happiness and many new discoveries.

Another year has gone and time to reflect on 2014 and prepare for 2015. My 2014 blogging year in review:

- I've had over 11,000 views in 2014. Not bad considering that it took me two years to have 10,000 views. 

- I wrote 38 posts most of them for the 52 Ancestor challenge started by Amy Johnson Crow of  No Story Too Small. Although I didn't manage an ancestor a week, I learned more about each one as I prepared the post. 

- I've started adding sources and their links if I can. It has taking me longer to get each post ready, but I'm learning more about how to do citations. 

- Jana Last from Jana's Genealogy and Family History Blog included my blog in her Fab Finds for December 5, 2014. Thank you Jana.

-I had a DNA cousin add a comment with a translation for one of my Finnish photos posted on March 8, 2013. Thank you Jari. 

- My most popular post in 2014 was Workday Wednesday - The Public Benefit Boot Company. My posts about Robert's Roots always get lots of views like 52 Ancestors- Robert Stoddart and 52 Ancestors - Michael Lutz. My post about my Finnish 2nd great grandmother, 52 Ancestors - Britta Maria Polo (Honkawaara) had quite a few views. 

- Some of my family is now reading my blog. Our ancestors will live on if we share them and their stories. 

- I've added my blog to Pinterest.

Merry Christmas

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

52 Ancestors - John William Landers - Greenbacker

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.  Each week focus on one ancestor and post something about him or her.

Me - My Mom - Ruby Alberta Belknap - Bessie Beatrice Landers - James Robert Landers - John William Landers

My third great grandfather John William Landers probably had a great impact on his granddaughter, Bessie Landers and her brother, Fred and sister, Ruby. In the 1900 census, John and his wife Mary have their three grandchildren living with them on a farm in Mercer County, Illinois. John is stated as being 70 and Mary as 67.  They have had eight children of their own, four of them alive in 1900.  John is listed as a farmer and his grandson, Fred, is listed as a farm laborer. He owns the farm, but it's mortgaged. The children's father James R. Landers is living in a house in Aledo, Mercer, Illinois with his 2nd wife and their four children. 

To find out a little more about John W. Landers, there is a little biography in the book "The History of Mercer County" published in 1882.

John W. Landers

 

I wasn't sure what a greenbacker was. But after I read a couple of websites, I learned that it was a political party active between 1874 and 1889. It was named after the green currency used during the civil war. The party had some modern views about income tax, eight hour work days, and women rights to vote. Not sure what it means that he was religiously a liberal. 

John W. Landers and Mary Humbert's marriage can be found on the website FamilySearch. On March 21, 1853 they were issued a marriage license in Fountain County, Indiana. They were married three days later on March 24 by Thomas Lyons J.P. They were married for 56 years. 

John died in Abingdon, Mercer, Illinois on April 22, 1909. He's buried in the Keithsburg Greenmound Cemetery in Keithsburg, Mercer, Illinois. His wife Mary lives till 1924 and buried beside him. 

Find A Grave memorial

More about the Landers family:

52 Ancestors - Bessie Beatrice Landers (Belknap) his granddaughter

Surname Saturday - LANDERS

Sources:

 "United States Census, 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MS4L-L5R : accessed 10 December 2014), John Landers, Abingdon Township, Mercer, Illinois, United States; citing sheet 5A, family 81, NARA microfilm publication T623, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.; FHL microfilm 1,240,330.

  

 "Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JCJ5-F4W : accessed 10 December 2014), John W Landers and Mary Humbert, 24 Mar 1853; citing , Fountain, Indiana, county clerk offices, Indiana; FHL microfilm 1,321,635. 

 

52 Ancestors - Andrew Danskine Aitken - Not Forgotten

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.  Each week focus on one ancestor and post something about him or her. I've not posted for a while and I'm quite far behind. I was going to post this last month. But I figure even if I can post a few more stories it's better than nothing.

While searching for information on Danskine family members, I came across some information on Andrew Danskine Aitken. He happens to be my 1st cousin twice removed. He would have been my great grandmother's (Elizabeth Danskine) nephew.  Andrew was born in Airdire, Lanarkshire, Scotland on July 15, 1882 to Elizabeth's sister, Janet and Janet's husband,(John Aitken). He may have been named after his uncle Andrew Danskine who was a grocer and spirit merchant. Andrew never got to meet the uncle he was named after, as Andrew the grocer died at the age of 27 years old in 1875. Andrew grew up in a family of boys. He had two older step brothers William and James Danskine, an older brother John, and two younger brothers (Robert and Thomas Russell). Andrew was a young man of 25 when his aunt, Elizabeth and her family immigrated to Canada in 1907. 

The sad part of discovering Andrew was that he was one of the fallen soldiers of World War I.  He was killed in action on August 4th, 1916 in Egypt and is listed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website as buried in the Kantara War Memoial Cemetery. He was a Second Lieutenant with the Royal Engineers, Lowland Field Company. Andrew, also, has a memorial at the New Monkland Cemetery in Airdrie, Scotland. 

Andrew was not only a solider, but he was an architect and teacher.

ANDREW DANSKINE AITKEN

     A.R.I.B.A.

Second Lient. L.D.R.E

Killed in Action in Egypt

4th August 1916 Aged 34 Years

 There is a biography and a photo of  Andrew on the Dictionary of Scottish Architects website.

More on the Danskine family:

52 Ancestors - Elizabeth Danskine (Paterson)  his aunt

Sunday's Obituary - James Danskin his great grandfather 

Surname Saturday - Danskine

Source:

 Airdrie, Lanark, Statutory Births 1855-2013, birth of Andrew Danskine Aitken; digital image, ScotlandsPeople (http://scotlandspeople.gov.uk/: 12 November 2014); 651/01 0317.

52 Ancestors - John William Smith - Dorest Carpenter & Joiner

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.  Each week focus on one ancestor and post something about him or her.

Me - My Dad - Dorothy Eleanor Warry - Edith Elinore Smith - John William Smith

My 2nd great grandfather John William Smith was born June 17, 1841 and baptized July 18 at St. Peters church in Parkstone, Dorset, England. He was the only son of William Smith and Sara Hoare. John William was named after his grandfathers, they both happened to be John and his father William. His daughter Edith (my great grandmother) named her youngest son John William.

He grew up in a multi generational home in Parkstone, Dorset. According to census records John, his sisters (Sarah, Louisa, and Ann), and his parents resided with his maternal grandparents (John Hoare and Jane Cookman). His paternal grandparents (John Smith and Diana Payton) had both passed away before he was born.

John was occupied in the same trade as his father, William. All the census records state his trade as a joiner, carpenter or joiner and carpenter. There is an interesting article on London Lives website about carpenters and joiners. It gives a good description of the difference between a carpenter and joiner. It seems the joiner did finer work and needed a knowledge of geometry and math.  

  

When John was 24 years old he married Sarah Everton Wakeman on October 1, 1865 at the St. Peters church. John and Sarah raised their four boys and three girls in Parkstone.

John lived to the old age of 89, dying in Parkstone, Dorset. He survived his wife Sarah by 16 years. According to the England & Wales, National Probate Calendar on p. 406 (on Ancestry website) John William Smith died April 9, 1931. He was living at 31 Cromwell-road in Upper Parkstone, Dorset. Probate in Blandford July 16 to his sons, Horace Gordon Smith, a bricklayer and Sydney Hastings Smith, a florist. The effects were 728£ , 13s, 1d.

More about the Smith family:

52 Ancestors - Sarah Everton Wakeman (Smith) - The girl from Worcestershire

52 Ancestors - Edith Elinore Smith (Warry) - Unconventional Great Grandmother

Amanuensis Monday - John William Smith's will

Sources:
"England, Dorset, Parish Registers, 1538-1936," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QJDH-8C7W : accessed 07 Oct 2014), John William Smith, 18 Jul 1841; Christening, citing Parkstone, Parkstone, Dorset, England, Record Office, Dorchester; FHL microfilm 002427551.

  

 "England and Wales Census, 1851," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/SG2J-44P : accessed 14 Oct 2014), John W Smith, England; citing "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," index and images, findmypast.co.uk (www.findmypast.co.uk : Brightsolid, n.d.); PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey. 

 "England and Wales Census, 1861," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M7LW-S1R : accessed 14 Oct 2014), John W Smith, Parkstone, Poole, Dorsetshire, England; citing "1861 England, Scotland and Wales census," index and images, findmypast.co.uk (www.findmypast.co.uk : Brightsolid, n.d.); PRO RG 9, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey. 

"England and Wales Census, 1871," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V5RM-N8K : accessed 14 Oct 2014), John William Smith, Constitution Hill, Kinson, Dorsetshire, England; citing "1871 England, Scotland and Wales census," index and images, findmypast.co.uk (www.findmypast.co.uk : Brightsolid, n.d.); PRO RG 10, folio 65, p. 13; Poole registration district, Canford subdistrict, ED 4, household 55, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 830893.

 "England and Wales Census, 1881," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X3K1-D94 : accessed 14 Oct 2014), John Smith, Kinson, Dorsetshire, England; citing "1881 England, Scotland and Wales census," index and images, findmypast.co.uk (www.findmypast.co.uk : Brightsolid, n.d.); PRO RG 11/, p. , The National Archives of the UK, Public Record Office, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm .

 "England and Wales Census, 1901," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XS49-ZTH : accessed 14 Oct 2014), John William Smith, Branksome, Dorsetshire, England; citing "1901 England, Scotland and Wales census," index and images, findmypast.co.uk (www.findmypast.co.uk : Brightsolid, n.d.); PRO RG 13, county, registration district, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

 "England and Wales Census, 1911," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X7KL-R7L : accessed 14 Oct 2014), John William Smith, Poole, Upper Parkstone Dorset, Dorsetshire, England; citing "1911 England and Wales census," index and images, findmypast.co.uk (www.findmypast.co.uk : Brightsolid, n.d.); PRO RG 14, county, registration district, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey. 

Sunday's Obituary - Lettis Ellen Knox (Littrell)

Another huge thank you to my cousin Jo for finding and sharing this obituary for my third great grandmother.

                                                                                      

  Mrs. Littis Ellen Littrell, eldest
daughter of George and Clarissa Knox
was born in the town of Joy, Maine,                                
April 14, 1830, emigrating with her
parents to Illinois in 1842 at the age
of 12 years, making the entire trip in
a wagon. She was the oldest of a
family of six children, a brother and a
sister surviving her. In 1849 she was
united in marriage to John H. Littrell
of Dubuque, Iowa. To this union
were born eight children, two dying
in infancy and one daughter who
died in 1888. Those living to mourn
her loss are Mrs. Lucinda Hersom of
Fonda, Iowa, Charles Littrell of Kan-
sas City, Kansas, William H. Littrell
of Nebraska, Mrs. Sadie Highfield of
Oakville, Iowa, and Harry L. Littrell
of Keithsburg, besides twenty-one
grandchildren, thirty-five great grand-
children, five great great grandchild-
ren and host of warm friends. She
was a kind and devoted mother and
grandmother. In her early years she
united with the United Brethren
church, remaining a steadfast member
until about ten years ago when she
placed her membership with the
Christian church of which she was a
member at the time of her death,
which occurred at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Sadie Highfield of Oak-
ville, Iowa, Nov. 17, 1916. She was
86 years, 8 months and 2 days old
and was one of the oldest pioneers of
Mercer county. She came here when
the country was a wilderness and the
Indians were numerous and lived to
see Mercer county one of the foremost
counties in the state. The funeral
services were held in this city Sun-
day, Nov. 19th. Rev. Shepherd of the
Methodist church, assisted by Even-
gelist, Conn, officiated at the services.
Burial took place in Greenmound cem-
etery.
  

The Times Record
Aledo, IL
Vol XXXIII, #23,
23 November 1916, Part 2, p. 12
"Keithsburg Happenings"  

 

Find A Grave Memorial# 114527676

 

More about the Littrell family:

Fearless Females - Mini Profile

The American Civil War - John H Littrell