Looking for James Fraser

[ali2511]

Hi

Can anyone help me from going mad

My 3 x GF is James Fraser, he is listed on the 1891 Census in Dalmarnock, Bridgeton, Glasgow, aged 56 with his daughter Maryann and Son in law William McCallion, along with their children.

He is listed as born in Renfrewshire but I cannot find a birth for him in Renfrewshire on Scotlandspeople, he was married in 1863 in Londonderry to Rachel Steen, I know his Dad was John Fraser (Tide Waiter) from their marriage record, but I can't seem to get any further.

If anyone can see anything I can't I'd really appreciate it, Thanks

[AndrewP]

Hi Ali,

Have you found him on other censuses? If so, do they confirm the Renfrewshire birthplace? Or better still, a place in Renfrewshire?

As he was born pre-1855, it may be that there is no record in the OPRs. Could he have been Roman Catholic? If so, have you checked the RC records on ScotlandsPeople?

All the best,

AndrewP

[ali2511]

Hi Andrew

Thanks for replying.

I can only find him on the 1891 Census, I think he was living in Northern Ireland priror to that, I've checked the Catholic births too but nothing comes up, it just says 'Renfrewshire' for the 'Where Born' on the census.

Maybe as you say the birth isn't listed as it would have been around 1835 ish, such a shame I have been searching for him for years

Thanks
Ali

[trish1]

There is a possible in 1851 born in renfrewshire
Renfrewshire Paisley Low
80 Causeyside
Kenneth Fraser 73 head born Ross shire Chelsea pensioner (or as transcribed "Sensimer")
Elizabeth Fraser 50 daughter born Stirling, Stirlingshire house keeper
Mary Ann Fraser 46 daughter born Ireland pauper servant
James Fraser 16 grandson born Milly, Renfrewshire hand loom weaver
Jean Murray 40 sister in law born Glasgow bonnet maker

This would seem to indicate Elizabeth or Mary Ann was the mother - perhaps no father John? - the name Mary Ann for the daughter made it seem possible - but could be a red herring - I'll see if I can find anything else. Do you know when he died?

Trish

Later

Then again 1841 living in Renfrewshire Paisley Low
33 Causeyside
Kenneth Fraser 62 Barker born outside of county
Grace Fraser 60 outside county
Kenneth Fraser 14 in county
James Fraser 7 in county

Probably the same family - no daughters in residence so my first idea could be way of the mark.

[trish1]

This is an interesting record from family search (I guess because the grandfather was a chelsea pensioner)
United Kingdom, Chelsea Pensioners' Service Records, 1760-1913," James Fraser

name: James Fraser
event: Pension
event year range: 1760-1913
event place: United Kingdom
birthplace: Renfrewshire
estimated birth year: 1834

The image is available on find my past & I just learned if you click on the link to FMP from family search & have some credits (which you got for free from a promotion) it will use those credits - so now I have the image.

This particular Sergeant James Fraser was discharged 24 Feb 1873 after 21 years service - so would have had to sign up not long after the 1851 census. He had overseas service in 4 places - Corfu, Crimea & I think Malta (or Matta) twice - total about 12 years. He was discharged after serving as a supernumery with the North Cork Militia. Very good behaviour record

Does this sound like your man? Just realised there are 6 pages - it is a "Discharge record" - I'll check the rest

Trish

The remaining pages are mainly about his service record and payments - although at one stage is says his trade was a weaver which fits with the 1851 census I found - but is he your man? I was hoping there might be details of his family but no mention

[ali2511]

Thanks so much Trish

James Fraser was listed as a Labourer on the census and also on his marriage certificate so I'm not sure this is him.

I'm just puzzled as to why I can't find a birth for a James Fraser/Frazer in Refrewshire around 1835, unless he wasn't from Renfrew or the record is missing knowing my luck It's just frustrating to finally find him and then the trail stops...

[trish1]

If it was your man - he should have been listed in the army at his marriage - so probably a red herring - interesting find however - hopefully someone will claim him

Trish

[JustJean]

Hi Ali

Don't go mad !!!!

You do have a tricky bunch of folks there but I think I've got your James pinned down. Not sure if the parent names provided on his DC will pan out but I'll let you take it from here. His death is found indexed on SP as:

1 1892 FRASER JAMES M 63 CALTON (GLASGOW) GLASGOW CITY/LANARK 644/04 0296

I had to track the McCallion family by births and deaths of their children and then where they were living in 1901 to find the right areas to look for the DC. When I found son Joseph Frasers marriage in 1903 that definately stated his father was dec'd by then I had a good window of 1891 to 1903 to look in. I crossed my fingers at that point that it just might have occured in Scotland and voila!

Best wishes
Jean

[ali2511]

JEAN you are a star!

Thank you so so so much, I have been looking for him for so long and my Dad will be over the moon now too!

Thanks a million

[ali2511]

Jean seeing as you are so much better as this than I am, can you track down a birth for James Fraser in Renfrewshire, this is listed as where he was born on the 1891 census but I canny find him.

Thanks so much if you can