Patersons of Aberdeen

[shellywelly2011]

Hello, This is my 1st posting. My husband never knew his grandparents and I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to find out some more about them. If any of this info rings a bell could you please get in touch. My husband John's grandad was called Douglas John Paterson and was born in Aberdeen in 1900 to George and Isabella (nee Murray). He had brothers and sisters, George, William, Andrew, Jeannie and Mary. Douglas was the youngest. I have a photo of him in uniform. Im guessing it is WW1 as he is only 15 and a half. He is looking after a horse in another photo, also in uniform. I dont know what regiment. He is called Jack on the back of the photos. I know that he was a policeman in Liverpool, another photo, but all the archives say is that he resigned in December 1926. No reason why. I dont know why he came to Liverpool or when. I do know that he married a Doris Mooney but funnily enough cannot find a marriage ref anywhere. They had 3 children, Joan <after 1911>, Douglas Grenville in Liverpool <after 1911> and Evelyn Jean in Birkenhead in <after 1911>. I cannot find a birth for Joan but she did report her mothers death in Liverpool in 1963. The family was evacuated to Wales during WW2, again more pictures. Unfortunately 'Jack' had a heart attack in Wales in 1944 and died. Doris came back to Liverpool and by all accounts Joan nursed her through ill health till she died in 1963.

If anyone knows about Jack or his brothers or sisters I would be so grateful. I have them on a 1901 census but cant find them on 1911. I wonder if the family came down to Liverpool then?
Thank you!!

<post edited to remove years of birth well after the cut-off date of 100years ago. Some of these people may still be living. Please see TS guidelindes for more info. viewtopic.php?f=14&t=6601 Lesley B>

[nelmit]

Hello and welcome to TS,

I'm pretty sure the family are at Aberdeen in 1911. A search for a Douglas age 10-12 with a second person Isabella (I also cross checked her age) gives 1 hit. Have you looked at that one?

Regards,
Annette

[LesleyB]

Hi shellywelly2011
And welcome to Talking Scot

Have you tried the WW1 service records on Ancestry just to see if there is any sign of Douglas John Paterson? Only about 40% of the service records for the ordinary ranks survived by it is worth a look as if you can find a record, it may give quite a bit of detail.

I know that he was a policeman in Liverpool, another photo, but all the archives say is that he resigned in December 1926

Which archives did you find this information in? Are there any other records of police in Liverpool to be followed up?
See http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/t ... 1208792649 and
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.ph ... c=161217.0
which may be of help.
I'm afraid we cannot help with any searches for living persons or those who died in the recent past.

Best wishes
Lesley

[LesleyB]

Have you searched the CWGC and SNWM sites for a mention of any of the brothers who may have died in WW1? Many, many familes lost young men at this time, and with four from this family potentailly at war, it may be that all did not return home.
www.cwgc.org
www.snwm.org

[nelmit]

There is a death indexed at SP in 1940 of an Isabella Murray/Paterson age 74 in Aberdeen. A look at this may give info on a child if it's her.

I assume it's your tree and photos at Ancestry - the photos are amazing.

Regards,
Annette

[shellywelly2011]

Hello Annette and Lesley,

Thank you so much for your replies!!

I do have my tree on Ancestry.co.uk. Thank you for your compliments lol

I will certainly try those leads you suggested. I will do that today and see what I come up with. I have tried military geneaology and a lovely man suggested Jack might be in the Royal Artillery. I have tried Ancestry WW1 records but no results im afraid. Im still fairly new to geneaology but am learning fast.
Thank you again,
Michelle x

[nelmit]

Hi Michelle,

Looking at the records you have - on Douglas Grenville Paterson's birth entry his father is shown as a Ship's Steward so I would imagine he also worked as a Merchant Seaman.

Douglas John's death entry shows he died at an Army Camp in 1944 so again I wonder if he was in the army then - not quite sure if civilians were employed as caterers - maybe somebody with a bit more knowledge can advise on that.

Since you have no marriage record for him and his death entry gives no clue as to who his parents were I assume you have confirmation that he was the one born in Aberdeen too George and Isabella Muuray from family sources.

Regards,
Annette

[shellywelly2011]

Hiya Annette,

Yes, I thought he might me a Merchant Seaman but cant find anything on him there either. I have spoken to the archive lady at police hq in Liverpool and got the resignation date from her. The only family info is that my mum-in-law knows her husband had brothers, if that makes sense? We know he came from Aberdeen, that he had a brother called George who made military uniforms. He was a Steward at the camp in Sennybridge, Wales during the war but they gave him a military funeral. I think I have located his grave in Trecastle. When Douglas Grenville was born, his dad was a steward on a steamship. I have tried the isle of Man Steampacket company and no joy. I spoke to someone who ran a steamship website and he said there were thousands of steamships in Liverpool at that time. I have no idea which company he worked for. A relative on Ancestry thought he was a Douglas James born in 1900 but on his death cert it is def Douglas John. Very frustrating. I so appreciate all your help, thank you!