Descendants of Archibald Martin - Hamilton area?.....

[Mabbett]

I am trying to find descendants of my maternal grandfather's biological father. My grandfather, Alexander Martin Forrest, was born September 1, 1896 in Ferniegair, Hamilton. The RCE on his birth certificate identifies Archibald Martin, a miner who who lived at 8 Ferniegair Rows in Hamilton, as his father.

I have identified a particular Archibald Martin that may be the same person as the one identified in the RCE. I have found a seven year old (b. Motherwell) Archibald Martin living with his family at 25 Portland Square, Hamilton in the 1881 census and the same family at 22 Duke Street, Hamilton in the 1891 census with an 18 year old Archibald.

The IGI extracted birth records show an Archibald Martin b. June 5, 1873 in Dalziel to William Martin and Jane Easton. These are the same parents that are in the two Hamilton censuses noted above.

I have a copy of this Archibald Martin's death certificate which shows that he died December 27, 1937 at 28 Hill Place, Bothwellhaugh. The informant was his son, William and his widow was Margaret Malcolm. His occupation was Pumping Engine Keeper.

I also have a copy of Archibald and Maggie's marriage certificate which shows they married December 29, 1899 at Lyonstone Cottage, Maybole, Ayr. His address at the time was 13 James Street, Hamilton and he was a Railway Guard.

I then found Archibald Martin and Margaret McColm with a five month old daughter, Mary, living at 4 Wylie Terrace, Hamilton at the time of the 1901 census. Mary was born in Blantyre and her mother, Margaret, was born in Girvan, Ayr. It appears that their son, William, who was the informant at his father's death must have been born after 1900. Archibald's occupation was listed as coal miner.

Now with all of these findings, where do I go from here to find living descendants of Archibald and Maggie Martin? How can I prove that this Archibald is truly my great-grandfather?

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mary Ann

[JustJean]

Hi Mary Ann

First let me welcome you to TalkingScot! Gotta get the important stuff out of the way first.....where in Maine are you from North or South or Downeast??? I'm in Southern Maine myself

You've posed a very delicate problem with your genealogy hunt. One that certainly would need to be proceeded on with great tact and probably best with the services of an intermediary researcher. Because you are interested in finding living relatives and you live on the US side of the pond then you'd have to resort to a paid researcher anyway unless you have travel plans to Scotland in the near future. The online cut off dates prevent distance research in the current records. They can however be accessed in person through New Register House in Edinburgh and I believe Park Circus near Glasgow (where is Park Circus anyhow? ) I think the real question you pose though cannot be proven through a paper trail. The RCE names a father but unless you can link to this man by proving he had a relationship with your grandfather while growing up then I think it would not be possible to be 100% certain. If you were to find living family and they never knew of the existance of your grandfather..well....it could make for a very awkward introduction. That's why I'd opt for a researcher to guide you on this one. I'd be happy to pass along the name of someone I'd trust to ask advice from if you wish to send me a private message.

Best wishes
Jean

[Mabbett]

Hi Jean,

I'm in midcoast Maine, near Bath.

I doubt that my grandfather had any relationship with his father. For that matter, he was raised by his grandparents and didn't learn that his aunt was his mother until he saw his birth certificate when he entered the army. He even listed his grandparents as his parents on his marriage registration.

I have been successful in contacting a daughter of my grandfather's half sister. Her mother was one of five children that my great-grandmother had after she married. While she was not aware of my grandfather's existence, her sister had actually met my grandfather in the 1960's when he was visiting Scotland. She has been very helpful in my attempts to identify people in old photos.

I can understand, however, that his father's family is much less likely to be aware of him. I know that proof can't be obtained via the paper trail. I suspect that the only real proof would have to come from DNA comparisons of my maternal uncle with any male descendants of Archibald Martin. Or if by some miracle the appropriate court citation was found among Archibald's papers after he died. What are the chances that he would have saved that evidence? Not good, I'm sure.

I'll contact you in a pm to get the researcher's name that you suggested.

Thanks,
Mary Ann

[JustJean]

Hi Mary Ann

We're nearly neighbors.....I'm 30 miles west of Portland....just a hop skip and a jump and no ocean in between!

I've replied to your PM and hope that you find some good advice.

From what you know of your family history it sounds like you've done an awful lot of research already. Maybe you'll find an opportunity to help someone else now that you're a member here. Seems like there is always something new going on so I hope you enjoy reading the old posts and visiting the forum regularly.

Best wishes
Jean

[Martin63]

Hi Mary Ann

I suspect that it's a different Archibald Martin, although there could be a family link somewhere, but this was my grandfather's eldest brother's name. He was born 26 May 1889 and the family lived in the Shotts/Hamilton/Blantyre area. His parents were James Martin and Isabella Hamilton and were married 17 Feb 1888.

I'm going to be visiting Scotland in early October so if there's anything you'd like me to try to look up whilst I'm in the area just ask.

Best wishes

Martin