Andrew McRaw, Perthshire - Many missing years.....

[Rach]

Yes, I have another problem!
Andrew McRaw was born 1791, Forteviot, Perth. He married Elizabeth Gould in 1818. In 1841 and 1851 Eliz., and her sons, William, Peter and John McRaw are living with Uncle, Robert Gould, at Connachan, Fowlis Wester. I have tried many variations of the McRaw surname but cannot find him in either of these years. He died in Miller Street, Crieff in 1861. The cert states that he is 'married to Elizabeth Gould' [perhaps they are separated?] and the causes of death were 'Paralysis, 8yrs' and 'Senile Decay'. The informant was a nurse.
Any ideas of where I might look next, please?

[LesleyB]

Hi Rach
What was the occupation of your Andrew McRaw? Does it state this on his death entry?
Would it be likely he might have been away from home for extended periods including the times of the census?

Best wishes
Lesley

[Rach]

Hi Lesley,
Thanks for the reply. Yes, I had thought of that but his d.c. states that he was a Gardener so I thought it would be unlikely that he would travel very far. I also wondered if he could have been in the army at some time which would have caused him to be away from home in 1841 and 1851 resulting in some injury but haven't followed that up yet. However I would have thought he would have been around during at least one of the above years. It is a bit of a mystery but I know I am not alone in not being able to find and ancestor.
Any other routes to follow would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Rae

[LesleyB]

Hi Rachel
I wonder if there was some kind of hospital or "nursing home" type arrangement at Miller Street, Crieff? ["The informant was a nurse". ] I wonder too if Andrew was ill for some time and may have been in some other institution at the time of the earlier census records, so not at home? I'm not too familiar with Crieff.... would need to have a dig about!

Best wishes
Lesley

[LesleyB]

Rachel
Have you tried the 1841 census search on Ancestry? There seems to be one Andrew McRaw, but for some reason I'm not seeing the summary pages just now....anyway, I suspect it is the same one as shown below on SP.

There is an Andrew McRaw in the '41 in the Perth area on SP - is it a son?Or an error with the transcription of the age? Looks like the expected age for your Andrew would be about 50 - this one is 24...
1841 MCRAW ANDREW M 24 MOULIN /PERTH 384/00 004/00 005

I'm sure you will have come across this guy in your travels but when playing about with wild cards, he showed up:
1841 MCROBBIE ANDREW M 55 CRIEFF /PERTH 342/00 003/00 003
Quite how McRaw could be seen as McRobbie is anyone's guess, but I just wondered.... yes, I know it is such a long shot it is probably very wide of the mark!!

Best wishes
Lesley

P.S. I have a gardener who went from Logie Easter in Easter Ross to Coatham in the North Riding of Yorkshire - but he didn't leave a wife and kids behind, so maybe that doesn't count!

[Rach]

Hi Lesley,
Thanks for all these ideas to follow up. Having looked at Ancestry I can see that there are more variations to the surname than I had realised! It will be better to do all this when I am next in N.R.H. I think, otherwise I will be spending all my holiday money! I had noticed the Moulin McRaws but think I had discounted them. If my memory serves me correctly I think there was even an Elizabeth McRaw there too, must have another look. The information should be in my previous searches on S.P.
Thanks for taking the time to help.
Best wishes,
Rae

[LesleyB]

Hi Rae
I'm sure someone will be able to tell you for sure, but I think it s only the 1871, 1891 & 1901 possibly which are available to search on the PCs at NRH. All census data would be available on Microfilm though. But...if you are looking at films it is more cost effecive to order the relevant films from your local LDS or visit the AK Bell library in Perth - pretty sure thay have the census data, but a check of their holdings would be wise before setting out on a trip!
AK Bell Library, Local and Family History Centre

I don't think the Andrew McRaw in the '41 in the Perth area aged 24 on SP is your guy this one seems to appear ten years older by the following census, but I've not looked at the images (no credits... )just used the free search to narrow down what I could. You may find he is related somehow though - always best to keep an open mind and gather all the bits and pieces you can as you never know when something wll suddenly become relevant!

Best wishes
Lesley
JJ

[AndrewP]

I'm sure someone will be able to tell you for sure, but I think it s only the 1871, 1891 & 1901 possibly which are available to search on the PCs at NRH. All census data would be available on Microfilm though.

Hi Lesley,

You are right, only the 1871, 1891 and 1901 censuses are on-screen at NRH, plus 1881 transcriptions. Until such time as their computer system is upgraded or extended, then the other censuses remain on their (and their customers') computer wish list. In the meantime, the older censuses need to be consulted on microfilm.

All the best,

AndrewP

[sporran]

Hello Lesley,


GROS have a target date of 2nd week in June for the availability of 1841, 1851, and 1861 census images in New Register House (from the User Group minutes, which are about to appear).


Regards,

John

[Rach]

Thank you Lesley, Andrew and John. I am off on holiday soon but will watch out for the 1841 census coming to N.R.H.

Re., Andrew McRaw:
I have had another look at Elizabeth McRaw's,[nee Gould], father's Will. I haven't read many Wills and was wondering if the wording of it could be that Andrew was a bit of a 'black sheep' or was it normal?
“…………….. that the foresaid provisions in favor of my said daughters are and shall be exclusive of the jus marite of any husband they or either of them have or may have and that the same shall not be liable for their debts of deeds nor affectable by the diligence of their Creditors for the debts contracted or that may hereafter be contracted but that the same shall remain as an alimentary fund for their maintenance and support of the receipt of my said daughters shall be sufficient without the concurrence of their respective husbands.”
“……………….Declaring that if my said daughters or their husbands or either of them shall repudiate this deed and betake themselves to their legal provision the party or parties challenging shall forfeit every claim ………".
If they did so the forfeited portion went to his 'natural born' son.

Have you any thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Rae