Donald Davidson.....

Gordon Davidson · Post by **Gordon Davidson** » Wed May 03, 2006 7:05 pm

Hello

I am a new member to Talking Scotland, and would like some advice please.

My g/grandfather was Donald Davidson, I have tracked him back as far as his wedding in Salford Lancashire 1867. I know he died in Farnworth Lancashire in 1868 leaving a young child (my grandfather), and a widow. I can tell you where he worked, how much he was paid, and who my g/grandmother married later. I cannot however tell you where he was born. The main problem has always been Donald died when his son Charles was only a few months, Charles died when my father was only two. So no information has been passed down from generation to generation. On Donald's marriage certificate he states: He is a batchelor, 38yrs old and his father is called John and he is a farmer.

I have tried searches on all the usual sources IGI, census, old parish records etc. Donald Davidson b1828-1831, father John Davidson a farmer. They all point me in the direction of Scotland and Rosshire in particular. Can anybody suggest which direction I should go in now.

Gordon Davidson.

Post by **joette** » Wed May 03, 2006 7:22 pm

Hi Gordon & Welcome to TalkingScot.What gives you the idea that he was born in Scotland-any hard facts or just because of the Scottish name?
Have you tried him on the 1861 Census in England or Scotland?
Give us what you have e'g occupation & we will do our best to help.
Again welcome & hope that we can help track this elusive grandfather down.

Gordon Davidson · Post by **Gordon Davidson** » Wed May 03, 2006 7:51 pm

Hi Joette

Thanks for your reply, I have no hard facts that he was born in Scotland at all. Except that my mother though Donald's son (my grandfather) Charles was born in Scotland. I have since proved that theory to be incorrect.

The facts I do have are:
Donald Davidson born around 1829 location unknown. Father John Davidson.
Marries Anne Burgess in Salford Lancashire February 1867.
His son Charles William Donald Davidson is born October 1867.
Donald dies in September 1868 at The Fishpool Institution Farnworth Lancashire, from Typhoid Fever which he contracts while working as a nurse on the lunatic wards.
His second son Frederick Luke Boardman Davidson is born in March 1869.
Anne Davidson remarries in 1873.

I have searched the IGI, I know this is not a complete record but all results are for Scotland non in the rest of Great Britain. I have downloaded and searched through the 1851 census again I know this is incomplete with no result. I have also looked at the 1861 & 1841 census for England & Wales, there are a couple there but either the age is wrong, or the family is wrong (assuming his father was called john).

Gordon.

JustJean · Post by **JustJean** » Wed May 03, 2006 9:21 pm

Hi Gordon

This is a difficult one! I'm wondering if you've identified where all the children's names came from?? Sometimes names of previous generations are used that can help pinpoint the right family line. Because both sons have 3 given names it might be some help. Of course they might all be names from the Burgess side!!

I think you have to work backwards one step at a time and find him in 1861 first. I had a look in Scotland on the whim that one might leap out. Sure enough there is a Donald born right year has a father John who is a farmer....they lived in Avoch, Ross and Cromarty. And sure enough Donald stayed single............but is still at home in 1871

So in case you were going to stock up on SP credits and go shopping....don't waste them on the Avoch bunch as they're the wrong lot

At the moment I've no further suggestion.......

Best wishes
Jean

Gordon Davidson · Post by **Gordon Davidson** » Wed May 03, 2006 9:33 pm

Hi Jean

Thanks for your reply and suggestions. I found one in the 1841 census in Ardlach Nairn Father John a farmer, but he does not appear in any of the others. I suppose in 1851 he would have been around 20yrs old and could have left home, but I have not found a Donald giving his birthplace as Ardlach or Nairn in any of the other census returns.

One thing I neglected to mention in my answer to Joette, on his marriage certificate he gives his occupation as clerk. I am just wondering how a farmers son from Scotland (if that is where he is from), becomes a clerk in Salford/Manchester and ends up a nurse on the lunatic ward of a workhouse.

Thanks again

Gordon.