Thomas Williamson, Janet Williamson (her maiden name).....

[Douglas Williamson]

John Williamson, his wife Janet Williamson, both from Dalgety Parish, Fife, Scotland married 18th July 1859 in Bridgeness, Carriden, West Lothian, Scotland. They must have emigrated to Pennsylviana shortly afterwards as they had a son John who was born in Pennsylvania about 1861 as the family are shown back in Scotland on the 1881 census for Drumchapel Rows, New Kilpatrick, Dumbarton. 1881 Census details as follows:-

Thomas Williamson iron miner age 46, Janet Williamson his wife age 42 and children John, iron miner, age 20 born Pennsylvania (British Subject); Alexander age 12 born Barony, Lanark; Agnes age 10 born Barony, Lanark; Andrew age 7 born New Kilpatrick, Dunbarton; Janet age 4 born New Kilpatrick, Dunbarton. As there is an 8 year gap between John and Alexander there probably were other children who may have been born in Pennsylvania and stayed on there when the family returned to Scotland. At the moment their return could have been anytime between 1861 and 1869 when son Alexander was born.

Any additional information on this family would be appreciated. I know that some of my Williamson ancestors were from the United States and were staying in Illinois up until a few years ago but do not have any information about them.

[Andy]

On 18th June 1860 WILLIAMSON; Thomas 25, "Jennet" 22, and John one month were staying in Chartier, Allegheny, Pennsylvania.

Staying at the same house was Andrew 23, Agnes 26 and baby Agnes 2 months. I'd imagine Andrew was the brother.

All the adults were born in Scotland, Thomas and Andrew were Miners. The Minors were born in Pennsylvania.

From this we can narrow down the probable dates of arrival in America to between July 1859 and April 1860.

Andrew stayed on and is in found in 1870 at Union, Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Agnes and daughter Agnes are there, as is a 6 year old son, Alexander.

No sign of this family in 1880.

In 1881 there is:

Dwelling: 15 Nelson St
Census Place: Inverness, Inverness, Scotland
Source: FHL Film 0203421 GRO Ref Volume 098 EnumDist 18 Page 9
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Alexr. WILLIAMSON M 45 M
Rel: Head
Occ: Horse Dealer
Margt. WILLIAMSON M 35 F Dunnet, Caithness, Scotland
Rel: Wife
Alexr. WILLIAMSON U 16 M (Brit Sub), America
Rel: Son
Occ: No Occupation
Maggie WILLIAMSON 4 F Inverness, Scotland
Rel: Daur
Chas. WILLIAMSON 3 M Inverness, Scotland
Rel: Son
Jas. WILLIAMSON 15 M Wick, Caithness, Scotland
Rel: Nephew
Occ: No Occupation

Probably only a coincidence but thought I'd point them out.

[Douglas Williamson]

Thanks Andy for your very helpful information. I think Andrew is a cousin of Thomas, as I have Thomas's brother Andrew who was born 12 January 1833 married to a Janet Simpson. I have an Andrew Williamson who was born 1836 (parents Alexander Williamson and Isabella Muir but no other further information on him as yet. I have searched for a marriage of an Andrew to an Agnes in Scotland but came up with nothing. Maybe he married Agnes when he went out to the States at the same time as Thomas. I take it that you sourced the US census information via Ancestry.com. I don't have a subscription but when I did a web search for Andrew it came up with an Andrew in the 1880 census born Scotland and married to a Catherine Williamson in Allegheny, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Do you think this might be him and remarried. I haven't checked out the 1881 census as yet for the Nelson Street Inverness entry. I don't think there is a connection there but will check it out.

Thanks again for your time