Walter and William Park,Dumfries

[DavidMK]

I dont expect anyone can help me here, but I would like any opinions or suggestions.Here is what i know.

Walter Park(plasterer) was father of Jannet Milligan's child in 1811, according to both Dumfries Kirk Session records (25/10/1811) and death notice of that child (John Park)

On same Kirk Session records the two previous records have a William Park (plasterer)also fathering two children to different mothers.in 1801 and 1805

To date I have not been able to find other records of Walter or William

I recently reviewed MIs for Annan, Dumfries, and found a Walter also a plasterer, about the right age.

Location: Annan (Old Parish Churchyard), Dumfriesshire
Ref: I. McLeod, DGFHS, "Annan Old Parish Church Burial Ground MI Transcriptions" (2003); [Based
on 1950's survey by Shannon and Gilchrist]
In Memory of
John Watson PARK, son of Walter PARK, plasterer in Annan, who died 11th June 1825 aged 3 years
And the above Walter PARK, who died at Annan 2nd August 1837 aged 53 years
Also Elizabeth PARK, his daughter, who died 2nd January 1851 aged 36 years
And Mary Jane, her daughter, who died young
Also Elizabeth WATSON, his wife, who died 16th January 1867 aged 87 years
Also Elizabeth HALL, wife of William PARK, plasterer in Annan, who died 13 November 1869 aged 38 years
Also Elizabeth, their daughter, who died in infancy
Also Elizabeth Jane, their daughter, who died 9th January 1870 aged 11 years 6 months
Also the above William PARK, who died at Annan 11th December 1899 aged 84 years
Also Ann, his daughter, who died 14th June 1928 aged 85 years

Following up on this family, i found in the 41 census, among others,the above William,whom I believe to be Walter's son living with his wife and son, Walter in Annan. Also with them was .a William Park aged 60, journeyman plasterer.

It seems likely that the older William would be a brother, or at least a cousin, of William junior's father, Walter.

The burning question is, are they the same Walter and William Park that appeared in the Kirk Sessions

The evidence, albeit circumstancial, is, they are about the same age and they are have both been identified as plasterers, in both locations, Annan and Dumfries are only about 15 miles apart, connected by a good road, even in those days, so it wouldnt be unusual for Walter and William to be plying their trade in Dumfries from time to time.

What do you think.Is it too far fetched?

David

[LesleyB]

hi David

What do you think.Is it too far fetched?

No, I don't think it is too far fetched at all. I think, if it were me, I'd be trying to prove the theory. I'd probably start by establishing just what the concentration of Park families was in the area at the time - are there lots of Parks, or just a few? I'd also be trying to reconstruct family groups from the 1841 & 1851 census as you have been doing, also to establish who is who and where they are, looking at family names for possible links between families. I'd be checking the deaths of any older Parks who died post 1855 to help fill out the picture. I'd be checking all Park MI listings as you have already been doing, again in an effort to reconstuct family groups. And the OPR births for Parks may state where they were living, again helping you piece together the families.

I'd have all these Park fragments entered as small trees in Legacy, or whatever family history prog you use so that I could work with them... in the hope that one day I'd be able to link up a few sections.

I'd also be thinking about maybe trade guilds or similar - plasterers may get a mention perhaps. But that would be a job to save up for a visit to NAS. And whilst there I'd have a good look at the Kirk Session Records many years either side of 1811. I expect you have already had a good rummage here http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/historicalinde ... ssion.aspx
The link to the census data turns up:

Name: PARK , William
Address: North Street(812)
Parish: Annan
Relationship: head of household
Marital Status: married
Occupation: PLASTERER master
Age: 35
Born: born Annan Dms
Household No: 4/23

- a younger generation? Is he the one who died in 1899 listed on the stone you mentioned above?

Also the above William PARK, who died at Annan 11th December 1899 aged 84 years

Obsessive... hmm... well, you have to be really!

Best wishes
Lesley

[LesleyB]

Just had a thought...

Walter Park(plasterer) was father of Jannet Milligan's child in 1811, according to both Dumfries Kirk Session records (25/10/1811)

Have you seen the original Kirk Session entry or are you working from the summary on the Dumgal site? Just wondering if the original entry may give more detail than the summary suggests. In some Kirk Session records I have seen detailed reports of exactly where and when and under what circumstances (!) the child was conceived, based on confessions, witness statements and etc.!! Just thinking it may perhaps give a more er...colourful picture which might help with your ID!

Best wishes
Lesley

[joette]

Yes & in one I found mixed in with the OPR's a two page transcription of what was either a rape or an adulterous affair-the witnesses could not decide on what had happened.There is no conclusion & it all ends very abruptly but I was most disturbed on reading this snippet.
The woman concerned claims co-ercion & the man says nothing.
The witnesses are divided over what they see.The handwriting is very hard to read also.
I think it was amongst the Births of St.Quivocks in Ayr.

[DavidMK]

Thanks Lesley, for your encouragement and advice.I will forge on.

You are correct, William in the 51 census is the son of Walter and Elizabeth. In the same census for Annan, Elizabeth was living with another son, Walter, a master draper. Have you noticed how they describe widows, "Elizabeth widow of a plasterer."and in another "Margaret Park widow of a Stone Mason" it sure helps us identify who was who.I also found William in the 81 census, with two children and a grandson.

I got a copy of the original Kirk Sessions document wherein Jannet Milligan confessed and professed her sorrow for her sin, and that Walter Park,plaisterer was guilty with her and was the father of her child and she was "rebuked and absolved" followed by "She cannot write" I am not sure if this was supposed to be an excuse for her transgression, or that this was why she didn't sign the document.I can just imagine someone in judgement saying "Och the puir lassie she cannae write, whit can ye expect?"

David

[garibaldired]

David,

Your post has brightened my day!

Meg

[joette]

Explains a lot.