Genealogy Chat

My husband's gggrandfather John Forsyth is on N.Y. census for 1850 (Sept) listed as architect born in Scotland, aged 41. I've looked on Scotlands people & found several John Forsyths - 1 is born 21.01.1809 in Grange Banff, none of the others would have been 41 exactly. How can I tell for sure if any, or indeed, none is the right one? They all lied about their ages, or didn't know anyway. Anyone any ideas please? Jenny

Thanks very much Sheleen & Georgina. John had died prior to 1871 as his widow Ann, was in Gateshead by then! I think I'll go with the one born in Grange, parents William & Margaret, as John had a daughter Ann (after his wife? & Margaret after his mother perhaps?). Other than that I don't know how you would ever confirm an event. Jenny

Have you traced his marriage, and if so was that any help? Kate.

Are you absolutely sure he was dead before 1871? Just because his wife said she was a widow, didn't mean she was...sorry to cast aspersions on your family, but you never know! Marjorie

You might like to try a good website Talkingscot.com - Ive found the people on their very helpful and always willing to look up information. Linda

Trouble is his birth may not have been registered. I have a family of at least 4 children born c1826 - 1840 only found by their death/marriage certificates after 1854. How many others there may have been I have no idea. You could try scotsorigins for births and marriages where you can search by counties and districts the LDS IGI. That's a good place to start before going onto scotlandspeople as it sometimes gives parents/fathers and spouses.

Just got up to all your replies thank you. I'll try scotsorigins & talkingscot. The trouble I have with a marriage is that on the 1850 NY census his wife is listed as Ann Forsyth born in Ireland! I have assumed thay married either on the voyage over or in NY as 1st child born in NY, but without a maiden name I am unlikely to track'Ann'!! As far as John's death is concerned, I can find nothing later in NY for any of the Forsyths (4children 1850) & widow Ann & youngest George (my husband's ggrandfather) are in Gateshead in 1871. I have no access to 1861 census at the moment. The other strange thing is that John is listed as 'architect' in 1850 NY. Sounds a bit learned for this lot at that time! Any help gratefully received. Jenny

HI Georgina, I've tracked back from known grandfather Martin Forsyth on 1881 Gateshead census where his father George is listed as having been born in Brooklyn NY. On the 1850 census George is listed aged 1, father John born in Scotland. then George obviously came back, not to Scotland but to Gateshead. Beyond this I cannot get! Yet! Jenny

Hi Georgina Thanks for your help. Where did you see Ann E. Forsyth on the 1871 census, she's not on the same page as George, is she, or am I going blind? I had assumed that only George & Mum had returned, perhaps after John's death? The other children were: Margaret born c. 1844 & John born c. 1846 all NY. Perhaps they also had died. Have looked on Ellis Island- no John forsyth. Perhaps there were other ways in? It opens up a whole new area of research & makes me realise I've had it easy so far, very boring family Jenny

while we'r on the subject of scottish births... is there a register fro births after 1905 as this is where scotlands people stop. theres a few I need!! Teri

Just found out that Ellis Islan closed in 1954 after 62 years, so through where did immigrants go prior to 1892? anyone know? Jenny

Thanks Georgina, it won't help with one quest but it tells me that more than George & Mum came over. It's John Senior I'm really after. I wonder about John Junior & Margaret, she might have married & stayed over in NY. Does anyone have access to 1861 census for Gateshead do you think? I might have to take a trip north! Jenny

Nudge