Have I finally found Hugh?.....

Rab · Post by **Rab** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:00 pm

The earliest direct male descendant I have in my tree is a man named Hugh Marr. He was born around 1800 and died around 1842. As such I have very little information on him and had all but given up any hope of finding when he died. Now though I think I might have found him but I am not sure so would like any thoughts on whether people think I have my man if you would be kind enough.

What I know for sure is this:

1822 Married Mary Drummond in Dunfermline, Fife. Noted as residing there and as being an Engineer.
1841 Residing in Barony, Lanarkshire. Aged 40yo and an Engineer Journeyman. Place of birth is given as Lanarkshire.
c1843 Last child he fathered, Janet, is born. Her birth does not on the IGI but the censuses and her death certificate indicate this is when she was born.
1845 His wife, Mary Drummond, marries James Bradbrook in Barony.
1851 Hugh does not appear on this census or thereafter.
1877 Hugh's wife Mary makes a poorhouse application and stated that her first husband Hugh died 35 years ago.

Also of note with regards to Hugh Marr's occupation:

1865 When Janet Marr, daughter, married she gave Hugh's occupation as "Engine Keeper".
1885 When Mary Bradbrook died her daughter Janet gave Hugh's occupation as "Steam Vessel Engineer".
1892 When Janet Marr, daughter, died her son Robert gave Hugh's occupation as "Marine Engineer".

When the Scotsman had it's free week of viewing their archives I though I would have a search for Hugh but nothing turned up. My thinking was that maybe he had an accident on the water which may have been reported. Today though I had to buy a 24h pass to look at something else so thought I would look for Hugh again using different criteria. It may have been a success- possibly.

This is what I found from Saturday 4th November 1843. It appears to have been taken from the Glasgow Herald which would sound right. Please let me know what you think or even any further steps I could take to verify. Thanks.

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:13 pm

Hi Rab
Wow! What a find!
Certianly looks to be very likely. I wonder of there would have been some kind of accident enquiry which might yield some cross-checking nugget? e.g. wife's name, place of residence to check with parish of birth of last child... Maybe try the Mitchell Library, or NAS?

Best wishes
Lesley

JustJean · Post by **JustJean** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:47 pm

Hi Rab

Like Lesley has said....What a Find!!! =D>

Even if you don't find any more nuggets there is very little room for doubt in this one.

Congratulations!

Jean

Rab · Post by **Rab** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:22 pm

Thanks.

I must admit I had given up all hope on the free week with the Scotsman. A search on Hugh Marr for 1840-50 returned no results. It was only today when I tried the keywords "Death Clyde Marr" that I found this one. It was some feeling when I opened it up.

Hopefully I can get this crossreferenced somehow with the info I have but I am almost positive it is him. Now I'm off to look for his son, also Hugh, who disappeared in the same decade and was also an engineer (apprentice).

Rab

CatrionaL · Post by **CatrionaL** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:23 pm

Rab

That's brilliant. A well spent 24h subscription.

Must admit that when I saw your "Have I finally found Hugh? ", my heart missed a beat. Had someone actually found my Hugh, 2nd Great Grandfather Hugh Leslie? But no. Another time!

All the best for your continued research.

Catriona

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:56 pm

Hi Rab

A search on Hugh Marr for 1840-50 returned no results. It was only today when I tried the keywords "Death Clyde Marr" that I found this one.

Glad to hear it's not just me that finds the Scotsman searching a bit er, "random". I seem to have awffy problems with it!

Best wishes
Lesley

Rab · Post by **Rab** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 12:20 am

Understandably difficult to track an article down but very frustrating as you will know. Having the name "Marr" doesn't help as blocking "Marriage", "Married" and "Marred" seems to block all "Marr" finds too. I wish I was a Smith...well may be not. Those people must have more of a nightmare than anyone.

Rab · Post by **Rab** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 5:37 pm

A quickish update:

Up to now I have neglected to, and so will do now, say thanks to Nelmit and Jack who's lookups in the past helped track down Hugh. In my own euphoria I forgot to post that.

Via their websites I have contacted Glasgow University and the Mitchell in the hope they can maybe aid me further. I'll wait patiently and post back here is I hear anything.

I've tried to transcribe the article as best as I can to make it easier to read, although correcting the grammar would certainly do that:

FATAL ACCIDENT, on Tuesday evening, about six o’clock, when the Princess Royal Steamer was about to set sail from Broomielaw for Liverpool the chief engineer of that vessel Mr Hugh Marr while going on board was precipitated into the river in consequence of the steps(?) upon which he was crossing from the quay to the ship sliding off the paddle-box. The unfortunate man was go out of the water after being about ten minutes immersed and at this time he was quite extinct. Marr was a man in the prime of his life and has left a widow and several children to mourn his untimely fate. The accident it is alleged was occasioned by the arrival of another steamer in the harbour at the time which caused the Princess Royal to slightly diverge from her previous position. The unfortunate man who has been in service of the company since it’s commencement was highly and deservedly respected- Glasgow Herald.

I found out that the "Princess Royal" was built by Tod and MacGregor while owned by M Langlands and Son. The steamer met it's own fate in 1854 but that's another story.

Lastly, I had a wee look on Google Earth at the locations near the Kingston Bridge. Hugh lived in Piccadily Street and died in Broomielaw. Not very far away. His wife remarried shortly after and moved to Carrick Street.

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:14 pm

Rab
Have you seen this? Someone just posted the link:
http://www.gregormacgregor.com/

Same Hugh!

Best wishes
Lesley
later edit...oh duh..

you posted the link...I'm obviously havin' one o'they moments........!!

Rab · Post by **Rab** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:17 am

Hi Lesley,

I meant to link this post in the seafaring forum so as not to cause confusion but forgot. After contacting the author of the site about the vessel involved I told him about my ancestor and he asked to put the story on the site- which was fine by me.

Sorry about the confusion.

Rab