William McLean

[pckl]

Hi all

I've had a brick wall with my 3 x Great Grandfather for some time now.

All the census I have for him say he was born c. 1843, Rutherglen, but I can't seem to find a birth at all.

The earliest I have him is his marriage on the 31st December 1861, Cambusnethan to Jane McComb(s) daughter of James and Ruth. William's parents are given as 'William McLean Weaver (Deceased) Betsy McLean' No maiden name is given for Betsy.

On the marriage certificate his 'Usual Residence' is simply Chapel, so I'm not entirely sure what this means?

The McLean family later moved to Larkhall where both William and Jane died. William died on the 22nd May 1887. His parents are given as George McLean and Rabeca (sic) maiden surname McLean. From what I can tell the informant was not related so I can see this information to be false.

Can anyone find William?

Thank you, Callum

[LesleyB]

Hi pckl

All the census I have for him say he was born c. 1843, Rutherglen, but I can't seem to find a birth at all.

In 1851, is he not with his parents? This would at least confirm their first names. Betsy's given name is possibly Elizabeth.

When he marries in 1861, "according to the forms of..." what church? Is it something other then CoS, e.g. Free Church of Scotland?

Best wishes
Lesley

[pckl]

Hi Lesley

I can't find William in 1861 or 1851. I have tried playing around with Betsy/Elizabeth to try to find his mother in the census, to no avail. I can however find his best man/witness, William Naughton in the 1861.

When he marries it is 'according to the forms of the Established Church of Scotland'

Thanks, Callum

[LesleyB]

Hi Callum

On the marriage certificate his 'Usual Residence' is simply Chapel, so I'm not entirely sure what this means?

See:
http://scottishmining.co.uk/42.html
Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland, Francis H Groome, 1885

Cambusnethan, a village and a parish in the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire. The village, now incorporated in Wishaw police burgh, stands 1 mile WSW of Newmains station, and 1 mile NE of Wishaw station; contains a masonic hall, the parish church, a Free church, and a public school; and has fairs on the second Thursday of May and the fourth Thursday of October. The parish church, with 1082 sittings, is a plain Gothic structure, built in 1839 and enlarged in 1875; the public school, with accommodation for 389 children, had (1880) an average attendance of 370, and a grant of £371,15s. The parish contains also the towns and villages of Wishaw, Newmains, Overtown, Coltness Iron-works, Clydesdale-Rows, Chapel, Stane, Morningside, Waterloo, Bonkle, and part of Shotts Iron-works.

Chapel, a village in Cambusnethan parish, Lanarkshire, near Newmains.

Best wishes
Lesley

[pckl]

Ahh Chapel!

Thank you, Lesley! Now let me have another look with this information.

Callum

[pckl]

Hi again

Tried looking again for William. Nothing! ...from what I can see anyway.

I even put Chapel as a search criteria and couldn't see the family.
Why doesn't he want to be found?!

Callum

[nelmit]

Nothing concrete I'm afraid but a wee coincidence. After hours of searching I came up with nothing but a sore head.

When I searched the 1851 census for a William born about 1843 I saw this one at FREECEN-

Piece: SCT1851/654 Place: Rutherglen -Lanarkshire Enumeration District: 10
Civil Parish: Rutherglen Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: -
Folio: 629 Page: 23 Schedule: 82
Address: Main Street

Surname First name(s) Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Where Born Remarks
DOCHERDY Andrew Head M M 55 Labourer Ireland - -
DOCHERDY Margaret Wife M F 50 Ireland - -
DOCHERDY Elisabeth Dau U F 20 Sewster Ireland - -
DOCHERDY James Son U M 18 Coal Miner Ireland - -
DOCHERDY Margret Dau U F 16 Steam Loom Factory Ireland - -
LEE William Lodger - M 7 Lanarkshire - Rutherglen

I've just noticed that your William had a daughter called Margaret Docherty McLean. The poorhouse records for that era are few and far between but it might be worth a check for wee William.

Obviously without any proof this means nothing but thought I'd let you know you are not alone in your frustration.

Regards,
Annette

[LesleyB]

Hi Callum & Annette

I'd had a look on Freecen too, and come up with nothing, but I did wonder if the McLeans were somewhere in the part not yet transcribed.

1841 Renfrewshire 78.1 % complete
1851 Renfrewshire 78.3 % complete
- looking at the details, Cambusnethan does not feature at all yet.

Best wishes
Lesley

[pckl]

Hi all

Annette - Sorry about the sore head! I know the frustration. Yes, you're right about Margaret Docherty McLean. I'm back at school this week, but I will look into 'William Lee' at the weekend. Thank you!

Lesley - I've been using FMP, and also asked my friend with Ancestry to help out... William can't be found on either. How annoying!

Thanks all for helping out. When I have a look into 'William Lee', and explored other avenues, I'll let you know of any outcomes.

Thank you!

Callum