Sample Report

This report was commissioned in 2013. The client was specific about the information to be researched.

The cost of this report was £250.

Research into the Ancestry of

JAMES MACKINNON

The information received stated that James Mackinnon died in Edinburgh in 1952.

To confirm the details, a copy of the death certificate was located:

On 28^th December 1952 at 2.20 p.m. at 59 Priestfield Road, Edinburgh (usual residence 12 Oxford Street, Edinburgh, James Mackinnon (Bookbinder, retired), widower of Margaret Watson, died, aged 81 years. Parents given as Angus Mackinnon (Brewery Cooper) (deceased) and Margaret Mackinnon m.s. Calder (deceased).

Cause of death: Gastric Carcinoma.

Informant: Agnes Cook (Niece).

(Ref: D - 1952 - 685/06 - 662: Edinburgh)

It was known there was a connection to the Isle of Islay, off Scotland’s West Coast and the request was to find these links. Firstly his birth certificate was located to gain details of his parents’ marriage, which are generally included on Scottish birth certificates:

On 12^th October 1871, at 6.05 a.m. at 8 Albert Street, Glasgow, James McKinnon was born, son of Angus McKinnon (Cooper, journeyman) and Margaret McKinnon m.s. Calder.

Parents’ marriage: 25^th September 1868 in Glasgow.

Informant: Angus McKinnon (Father).

(Ref: B - 1871 - 644/01 - 2095: Glasgow)

The relevant marriage was then found:

On 25^th September 1868 at 2 Lynedoch Street, Glasgow, after Banns according to the Forms of the United Presbyterian Church:

Groom - Angus McKinnon (Cooper, journeyman) (Bachelor) aged 24 years, living at 89 Glebe Street, Glasgow, son of John McKinnon (Bottle Packer) and Agnes McKinnon m.s. Carmichael.

Bride - Margaret Calder (Muslin Darner) (Spinster) aged 21 years, living at 21 Castle Street, Glasgow, daughter of James Calder (Cooper, journeyman) and Margaret Calder m.s. Heggie.

Witnesses: Allan Morrison and Margaret McEwan.

(Ref: M - 1868 - 644/08 - 282: Glasgow)

Next, a search through the Census records would give more information. Census returns are required by law every 10 years in Scotland and have been recorded since 1841. The details supplied by every household provide invaluable information. On a specific night the occupants of each house are given by name, age, occupation and birthplace. Presently the most up to date information available for public examination is from the 1911 Census.

The family were located in 1871, as follows:

8 Albert Street, Glasgow
Angus McKinnon	Head	M	26 y	Cooper	born Argyll, Islay
Margaret McKinnon	Wife	M	23 y		born Glasgow
John McKinnon	Son		1 y		born Glasgow
(Ref: C - 1871 - Glasgow - 644/01 - Book 77 - Page 22) According to this schedule the accommodation contained 2 rooms with 1 or more windows.

In 1881 the family were still in Glasgow, as follows:

74 St. Mungo Street, Glasgow
Angus McKinnon	Head	M	35 y	Cooper	born Argyll, Islay
Margaret McKinnon	Wife	M	33 y		born Glasgow
John McKinnon	Son		11 y	Scholar	born Glasgow
James McKinnon	Son		9 y	Scholar	born Glasgow
Margaret McKinnon	Daughter		4 y		born Glasgow
Angus McKinnon	Son		1 y		born Glasgow
William Dickson	Boarder	U	22 y	Chemist & Druggist	Born Lanark, Carstairs
(Ref: C - 1881 - Glasgow - 644/06 - Book 22 - Page 13) According to this schedule the accommodation contained 2 rooms with 1 or more windows.

In 1891 the family were still in Glasgow, as follows:

111 John Knox Street, Glasgow
Angus McKinnon	Head	M	45 y	Cooper	born Argyll, Bowmore
Margaret McKinnon	Wife	M	43 y		born Glasgow
James McKinnon	Son	U	19 y	Bookbinder Apprentice	born Glasgow
Margaret McKinnon	Daughter		14 y	Scholar	born Glasgow
Angus McKinnon	Son		12 y	Scholar	born Glasgow
Marcus McKinnon	Son		9 y	Scholar	born Glasgow
James Calder	Father- in-Law	W	68 y	Retired Cooper	born Caithness, Wick
William Dickson	Boarder	U	33 y	Chemist & Druggist	born Lanark, Carstairs
(Ref: C - 1891 - Glasgow - 644/03 - Book 50 - Page 21) According to this schedule the accommodation contained 3 rooms with 1 or more windows. This 1891 Census also notes that Angus McKinnon (senior) can speak Gaelic & English. Also noted that son John is no longer within the household.

In 1901 the family were still in Glasgow, as follows:

111 John Knox Street, Glasgow
Angus MacKinnon	Head	W	54 y	Cooper	born Argyll, Islay
Angus MacKinnon	Son	S	20 y	Cooper Apprentice	born Glasgow
Marcus MacKinnon	Son	S	19 y	Optician Apprentice	born Glasgow
William Emslie	Lodger	W	59 y	Cooper	born Glasgow
(Ref: C - 1901 - Glasgow - 644/03 - Book 65 - Page 26) According to this schedule the accommodation contained 3 rooms with 1 or more windows. This 1901 Census also notes that Angus McKinnon (senior) can speak Gaelic & English. Also noted that Angus (senior) is now a widower and that children James and Margaret are no longer within the household.

In 1911 sadly Angus was resident in Barnhill Poorhouse in Glasgow:

Barnhill Poorhouse, Glasgow

Angus

McKinnon

Inmate

W

64 y

Cooper

born

Argyll, Bowmore

(Ref: C - 1911 - Glasgow - 644/05 - Book 38 - Page 09)

From the above Census records it is now known that the link with the Isle of Islay is through James’ father Angus McKinnon.

From the details of the marriage of Angus McKinnon and Margaret Calder in 1868, it appears Angus’ parents names were John McKinnon and Agnes Carmichael. To confirm this, the death certificate for Angus McKinnon is obtained:

On 8^th June 1917 at 5.30 a.m. at Barnhill Poor House, Glasgow (usual residence 45 Polmadie Street, Glasgow) Angus Mackinnon (formerly Cooper, journeyman), widower of Margaret Calder, died, aged 73 years. Parents given as John Mackinnon (General Labourer) (deceased) and Agnes Mackinnon m.s. Carmichael (deceased).

Cause of death: Bronchitis, 3 days.

Informant: Margaret Mackinnon (Daughter-in-Law) 12 Oxford Street, Edinburgh.

(Ref: D - 1917 - 644/05 - 702: Glasgow)

At this time the death certificate for James’ mother, Margaret (Calder) Mackinnon was also obtained:

On 23^rd March 1897 at 9.10 p.m. at 111 John Knox Street, Glasgow, Margaret McKinnon, married to Angus McKinnon (Cooper, journeyman), died, aged 49 years. Parents given as James Calder (Cooper) (deceased) and Margaret Calder m.s. Heggie (deceased).

Cause of death: Hypertrophy of liver, 3 months. Dropsy, 1 month.

Informant: A McKinnon (Widower) (present).

(Ref: D - 1897 - 644/03 - 643: Glasgow)

With Angus’ parents confirmed as John McKinnon and Agnes Carmichael, the search can now continue for details of the previous generation. In 1868 when Angus McKinnon and Margaret Calder married, it was noted that none of the parents were listed as deceased. The death certificate for John McKinnon should supply his parents’ names. It was located as follows:

On 10^th June 1875 at 9.00 p.m. at 120 Glebe Street, Glasgow, John McKinnon (Packer in a Chemical Work) married to Agnes Carmichael, died, aged 66 years. Parents given as Hugh McKinnon (Shoe Maker, master) (deceased) and Mary McKinnon m.s. McKinnon (deceased).

Cause of death: Bronchitis, years. Paralysis, a month.

Informant: Angus McKinnon (Son) 105 Kennedy Street, Glasgow.

(Ref: D - 1875 - 644/06 - 892: Glasgow)

At this time the death certificate for Agnes (Carmichael) MacKinnon was also located:

On 1^st September 1882 at 1.10 p.m. at 74 North St. Mungo Street, Glasgow, Agnes MacKinnon, widow of John MacKinnon (Chemical Works Labourer), died, aged 67 years. Parents given as Angus Carmichael (Farmer) (deceased) and Mary Carmichael m.s. Campbell (deceased).

Cause of death: Hemiplegia, 35 days.

Informant: A MacKinnon (Son).

(Ref: D - 1882 - 644/06 - 866: Glasgow)

It will now be possible to locate John McKinnon and his family on the 1871 census. They are located in Glasgow, as follows:

81 Parliamentary Road, Glasgow
John McKinnon	Head	M	60 y	Bottle Packer	born Argyll, Kilarrow
Agnes McKinnon	Wife	M	56 y		born Argyll, Salen
John McKinnon	Son	U	15 y	Printer Compositor	born Glasgow
(Ref: C - 1871 - Glasgow - 644/01 - Book 87/01 - Page 09) According to this schedule the accommodation contained 1 room with 1 or more windows.

Angus McKinnon was aged 24 years at the time of his marriage in 1868 to Margaret Calder, and therefore born approximately 1844. In the hope that he was still at home with his parents in the 1861 Census, this record was located:

71 Parliamentary Road, Glasgow
John McKinnon	Head	M	48 y	Labourer	born Islay, Bowmore
Agnes McKinnon	Wife	M	47 y		born Mull, Bowmore
Hugh McKinnon	Son	U	19 y	Bottle Blower	born Islay, Bowmore
Angus McKinnon	Son	U	17 y	Sawyer	born Islay, Bowmore
Agnes McKinnon	Daughter		9 y	Scholar	born Glasgow
John McKinnon	Son		6 y		born Glasgow
(Ref: C - 1861 - Glasgow - 644/01 - Book 95/01 - Pages 02 & 03) According to this schedule the accommodation contained 2 rooms with 1 or more windows.

At this time the 1851 Census was also located:

135 Garngad Road, Glasgow
John McKinnon	Head	M	38 y	General Labourer	born Argyll, Bowmore
Agnes McKinnon	Wife	M	36 y		born Argyll, Tobermory
Hugh McKinnon	Son		9 y	Scholar	born Argyll, Tobermory
Angus McKinnon	Son		7 y	Scholar	born Argyll, Bowmore
(Ref: C - 1851 - Glasgow - 644/01 - Book 40 - Page 21)

In Scotland, statutory registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths commenced in 1855 and all the foregoing certificates have been acquired using these records. Prior to 1855 records were kept by the individual parishes of the Established Church (Church of Scotland) and these are referred to as the “Old Parish Registers” or “OPR’s”. They comprise records of births & baptisms, banns & marriages and deaths & burials and were maintained by the individual Parish Minister or Session Clerk. Since there was no established format, record keeping varied enormously from Parish to Parish and also from year to year. As a result, the information may be sparse, unreliable and difficult to read.

To find a birth or baptism record for Angus McKinnon it is necessary to consult the above mentioned OPR’s. A very useful index has been created and compiled by the Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church). This is known as the International Genealogical Index (IGI) and contains most births and marriages up to approximately 1875 including a mass from the OPR’s. This IGI index is not perfect, indeed in some areas of Scotland, only the female baptisms from the OPR’s have been included. It is hoped that as time elapses, the male baptisms may be added.

A search through the IGI index provides the following information:

Children of John McKinnon and Agnes Carmichael:

Janet - 25^th August 1848 - Glasgow.

Agnes - 1^st January 1852 - Glasgow.

A further search for the marriage of John McKinnon and Agnes Carmichael produced an interesting entry for 9^th August 1840 in Erskine, Renfrewshire, which may be worth further investigation at a later date.

As John McKinnon’s parents are already known from his 1875 death certificate, this family group can now be established.

No mention can so far be found for the marriage of Hugh McKinnon and Mary McKinnon.

An IGI search for children of Hugh McKinnon and Mary McKinnon produced a total of 6 daughters. As it is known there was at least one son, a detailed inspection of the actual Old Parish Registers was undertaken for the Kilarrow Parish on the Isle of Islay in the County of Argyll. The following 9 children were located:

A Son 16^th December 1799

Twin: Mary 4^th January 1802

Twin: Florence 4^th January 1802

Katherine 18^th February 1804

Nancy 29^th April 1806

Peggy 2^nd July 1808

John 9^th December 1810

Marrion 30^th May 1813

Alexander 1^st November 1815

All the details are noted as being baptisms. At the time of the births of their first born son, twins Mary & Florence, and Katherine, Nancy and Peggy, it is noted that Hugh & Mary McKinnon were living in a hamlet named “Kynagarry”. When John, Marion and Alexander were born, the family were living at the nearby hamlet of “Neriby”.

It can therefore be estimated that Hugh McKinnon and Mary McKinnon were married in approximately 1798. A presumed age at marriage of 23 years would give an approximate birth year for both Hugh & Mary of 1775.

No record has been found for Hugh McKinnon in the 1841 Census, so it could be assumed he was no longer alive at that time.

To further add to the family circle of James Mackinnon, details for his wife Margaret are researched.

Margaret’s death certificate was located, as follows:

On 13^th November 1948 at 4.30 p.m. at 12 Oxford Street, Edinburgh, Margaret Mackinnon, married to James Mackinnon (Bookbinder, retired), died, aged 71 years. Parents given as John Watson (Joiner) (deceased) and Martha Watson m.s. Shea (deceased).

Cause of death: Chronic Asthma, Cardiac Degeneration.

Informant: Agnes Cook (Niece) 59 Priestfield Road, Edinburgh (Present)

(Ref: D - 1948 - 685/06 - 656: Edinburgh)

An IGI search for further children of John Watson and Martha Shea produced the following results:

Robert 29^th August 1860 born Anderston

Janet 28^th July 1862 born Anderston

John 9^th November 1864 born Blythswood

James 21^st June 1867 born High Church

Martha 31^st August 1871 born Clyde

Francis 15^th October 1873 born Clyde

(Anderston, Blythswood, High Church and Clyde are all districts within the City of Glasgow).

In 1891 the family are still in Glasgow, as follows:

22 Portugal Street, Glasgow
John Watson	Head	M	52 y	Joiner	born Glasgow
Martha Watson	Wife	M	51 y		born Ireland
James Watson	Son	U	23 y	Brass Finisher	born Glasgow
Martha Watson	Daughter	U	19 y	Umbrella Coverer	born Glasgow
Francis Watson	Son	U	17 y	General Labourer	born Glasgow
Margaret Watson	Daughter		13 y	Bookfolder, Apprentice	born Glasgow
William Watson	Son		9 y	Scholar	born Glasgow
(Ref: C - 1891 - Glasgow - 644/12 - Book 80 - Page 11) According to this schedule the accommodation contained 2 rooms with 1 or more windows.

As a starting point for further investigation into this family, the death certificates for John Watson and Martha Shea, parents of Margaret, were located:

On 24^th October 1910 at 3.35 p.m. at 65 South Portland Street, Glasgow, Martha Watson, married to John Watson (Joiner, retired), died, aged 71 years. Parents given as John Shea (Soldier) (deceased) and Mary Shea m.s. McKinnon (deceased).

Cause of death: Cerebral Apoplexy, 8 days.

Informant: James Watson (Son).

(Ref: D - 1910 - 644/07 - 625: Glasgow)

On 25^th January 1914 at 00.15 p.m. at 65 South Portland Street, Glasgow, John Watson (Sheet Iron Works Engine Keeper), widower of Martha Shea, died, aged 75 years. Parents given as Robert Watson (Joiner) (deceased) and Margaret Watson m.s. Marshall (deceased).

Cause of death: Cerebral Haemorrhage and Exhaustion.

Informant: William Watson (Son) (present).

(Ref: D - 1914 - 644/17 - 63: Glasgow)

Finally to round off this investigation, details are below of the marriage of James Mackinnon and Margaret Watson in 1899:

On 29^th December 1899 at 28 Glassford Street, Glasgow, after Banns according to the Forms of the Established Church of Scotland:

Groom - James McKinnon (Bookbinder, journeyman) (Bachelor) aged 28 years, living at 138 Farringdon Road, London, son of Angus McKinnon (Cooper, journeyman) and Margaret McKinnon m.s. Calder.

Bride – Margaret Watson (Spinster) aged 22 years, living at 12 Portugal Street, Glasgow, daughter of John Watson (Joiner, journeyman) and Martha Watson m.s. Shea.

Witnesses: Angus McKinnon and Janet Johnston.

(Ref: M - 1899 - 644/07 - 1210: Glasgow)

The young newlyweds headed off to London to welcome in the new century.

In the 1901 Census, James and Margaret were still in London:

11 Owens Row, London
James Mackinnon	Head	M	29 y	Bookbinder	born Scotland
Margaret Mackinnon	Wife	M	23 y		born Scotland
(Ref: C - 1901 - London - RG 13 - Folio 65 - Page 51)

By the time of the 1911 Census, James and Margaret had returned to Scotland and were living in Edinburgh:

4 St Patrick Square, Edinburgh
James Mackinnon	Head	M	39 y	Printer’s Bookbinder	born Glasgow
Maggie Mackinnon	Wife	M	33 y		born Glasgow
Agnes Murray Mackinnon	Visitor		3 y		born Glasgow
(Ref: C - 1911 - Edinburgh - 685/05 - Book 56 - Page 02)

James and Margaret were married for almost 49 years. Although they had no children of their own, they did adopt a little girl in 1909.

Family Tree Chart

Notes for abbreviations on Census Records:

M = Married

U = Unmarried

S = Single

W = Widowed