My youngest daughter in our back garden last night. We have had snow since Friday and it doesn't look like it's going anywhere soon.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy 2010
Monday 21 December 2009
We have snow
My youngest daughter in our back garden last night. We have had snow since Friday and it doesn't look like it's going anywhere soon.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy 2010
Sunday 20 December 2009
Brooke and Elle (Betty's grandkids)
This is Brooke and Elle, grandkids of Betty Davey (nieces of John Davey).
Betty was the grand-daughter of George Batton & Maggie McCurdie and is the cousin to most of the people on my blog!
Merry Christmas to everyone from snowy Motherwell.
Sunday 20 September 2009
Some sad news - Strachan
I came back from holiday to find the sad news that my Mum's cousin had passed away on the day I left for holiday.
Allan was the son of Maggie Batton (my Papa's sister) and Bill Strachan.
STRACHAN
Very peacefully at Ayrshire Hospice on Saturday 5th September 2009, Allan aged 65 years. Beloved husband of Janet, loving dad to Ross and Fraser, much loved papa to Loudon, Aidan and Amberleigh.
Service at Galston Parish Church on Tuesday 10th September at 11.00a.m and thereafter to Galston Cemetery for 12 noon.
Special thanks to all the Staff at the Ayrshire Hospice.
First appeared on 09 Sep 2009
Allan was the son of Maggie Batton (my Papa's sister) and Bill Strachan.
STRACHAN
Very peacefully at Ayrshire Hospice on Saturday 5th September 2009, Allan aged 65 years. Beloved husband of Janet, loving dad to Ross and Fraser, much loved papa to Loudon, Aidan and Amberleigh.
Service at Galston Parish Church on Tuesday 10th September at 11.00a.m and thereafter to Galston Cemetery for 12 noon.
Special thanks to all the Staff at the Ayrshire Hospice.
First appeared on 09 Sep 2009
Back from holiday..... Another surprise
Hi folks - Another Batton surprise.......
Just before I left for my recent trip to Aberdeen, Mississippi I got an email from Dick von Briesen (husband of Barbie Paton). Barbie is the great grand-daughter of Samuel Batton/Paton, and daughter of Kenneth Paton.
Some of the contents of Dick's email as follows :
Barbie and I are both 68, retired, and living in Canada. No wildfires or tornados here this year, thankfully.
Your letter is fascinating! Barbie and I, quite some years ago, decided to see what we could find about Samuel Paton's origins and antecedents. We mentioned this to her father, Kenneth Paton, and he said we'd never find anything, because, he said, Samuel changed his name when he came to America, and Ken didn't know what the original surname was.
We checked the index to Scottish births for a Samuel Paton and an Isabella Anderson being married in 1877, and there they were, in Tradeston/Glasgow. We obtained a copy of the original record, and found the names of their parents, George Paton and Eliza Massey, and David Anderson and Margaret Chalmers. So we assumed that Ken's name change was some kind of mythology. Prior to your letter, we had never heard the name Batton. It was puzzling that we couldn't find any trace of the birth or marriage of George Paton and Eliza Massey, but then, those were before the start of mandatory civil registration. We did find various records of brother George Paton at Cambuslang, but nothing that helped us find the parents.
Now we know the truth! And I'm sure we never would have found the Batton connection if you hadn't written.
The database you found on Ancestry.com of George and Eliza, sons Samuel and George, and their descendants, was submitted by me, several years ago. I submitted it to wc.rootsweb.com, and Ancestry copied it and merged it into their One World Tree, incidentally making it difficult to ascertain who submitted the information. One World Tree has never been updated, and never will be, so that data is frozen in time.
As far as we know, Ken and his siblings never mentioned the fact that Samuel's brother John and his large family also lived in New York. So we don't know whether Samuel and John saw each other frequently, or never. Likewise, we have no information on whether Samuel and John's children kept in touch. You'd think if they did Ken would have mentioned it. As far as we know, the Patons in the USA have always pronounced the name as rhyming with Dayton, not like Batton.
We don't know where Samuel was born. We didn't find the 1881 Scottish census showing Kilmarnock. Makes sense, though, as that's not far from Kilwinning, where his wife-to-be lived. Incidentally, a few years ago Barbie and I visited Scotland -- we went to Kilwinning, knowing that the Andersons had been dealers in alcoholic spirits, and noted that one of the prominent businesses on the main street was/is Anderson's pub. Alas, it was a Sunday, and there was no one we could talk to. We also went to Glasgow, and, with some difficulty, found where 153 Gloucester Street once was. It's now an expressway on-ramp. But we took a picture or two anyway, showing the on-ramp and the street sign "Gloucester Street".
We also checked out various places in Banff and Aberdeen where Samuel's father-in-law George Gordon and his family came from. And the GRO in Edinburgh.
It appears that George Batton and Eliza moved from Ireland to Galston, Ayrshire - is that your view? I see that there were lots of Patons in Galston before they got there - maybe they took the name Paton because everyone misunderstood when they said Batton, or to fit in and not appear foreign?
Pat and Barbie are delighted to have a new cousin, and maybe lots of new cousins! We'd be especially interested to find out whether there are Batton descendants in the USA, probably in the New York area.
I have added all the relatives mentioned in your letter to our family database.
I have also done some searching of Battons on Ancestry.com and wc.rootsweb.com since receiving your letter, and have added a number of Batton relatives found there as well. Our database is not supposed to be findable via Google or other search engines, and it is password-protected. Although anyone who stumbles upon the website can search it, unless they log in with a valid password they are blocked from seeing anything but initials of living people, and no dates or photos or other information about living people. The database contains about 10,000 people, more than half my relatives, not Barbie's.
Barbie and I live in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, about halfway between Montreal and Toronto. We'd be delighted if you could pay us a visit on one of your trips to North America. We also have a summer home on Otsego Lake near Cooperstown, New York, which is a very pleasant place to visit. It adjoins the grounds of Hyde Hall, the ancestral home of Barbie's mother's Clarke family, www.hydehall.org.
Just before I left for my recent trip to Aberdeen, Mississippi I got an email from Dick von Briesen (husband of Barbie Paton). Barbie is the great grand-daughter of Samuel Batton/Paton, and daughter of Kenneth Paton.
Some of the contents of Dick's email as follows :
Barbie and I are both 68, retired, and living in Canada. No wildfires or tornados here this year, thankfully.
Your letter is fascinating! Barbie and I, quite some years ago, decided to see what we could find about Samuel Paton's origins and antecedents. We mentioned this to her father, Kenneth Paton, and he said we'd never find anything, because, he said, Samuel changed his name when he came to America, and Ken didn't know what the original surname was.
We checked the index to Scottish births for a Samuel Paton and an Isabella Anderson being married in 1877, and there they were, in Tradeston/Glasgow. We obtained a copy of the original record, and found the names of their parents, George Paton and Eliza Massey, and David Anderson and Margaret Chalmers. So we assumed that Ken's name change was some kind of mythology. Prior to your letter, we had never heard the name Batton. It was puzzling that we couldn't find any trace of the birth or marriage of George Paton and Eliza Massey, but then, those were before the start of mandatory civil registration. We did find various records of brother George Paton at Cambuslang, but nothing that helped us find the parents.
Now we know the truth! And I'm sure we never would have found the Batton connection if you hadn't written.
The database you found on Ancestry.com of George and Eliza, sons Samuel and George, and their descendants, was submitted by me, several years ago. I submitted it to wc.rootsweb.com, and Ancestry copied it and merged it into their One World Tree, incidentally making it difficult to ascertain who submitted the information. One World Tree has never been updated, and never will be, so that data is frozen in time.
As far as we know, Ken and his siblings never mentioned the fact that Samuel's brother John and his large family also lived in New York. So we don't know whether Samuel and John saw each other frequently, or never. Likewise, we have no information on whether Samuel and John's children kept in touch. You'd think if they did Ken would have mentioned it. As far as we know, the Patons in the USA have always pronounced the name as rhyming with Dayton, not like Batton.
We don't know where Samuel was born. We didn't find the 1881 Scottish census showing Kilmarnock. Makes sense, though, as that's not far from Kilwinning, where his wife-to-be lived. Incidentally, a few years ago Barbie and I visited Scotland -- we went to Kilwinning, knowing that the Andersons had been dealers in alcoholic spirits, and noted that one of the prominent businesses on the main street was/is Anderson's pub. Alas, it was a Sunday, and there was no one we could talk to. We also went to Glasgow, and, with some difficulty, found where 153 Gloucester Street once was. It's now an expressway on-ramp. But we took a picture or two anyway, showing the on-ramp and the street sign "Gloucester Street".
We also checked out various places in Banff and Aberdeen where Samuel's father-in-law George Gordon and his family came from. And the GRO in Edinburgh.
It appears that George Batton and Eliza moved from Ireland to Galston, Ayrshire - is that your view? I see that there were lots of Patons in Galston before they got there - maybe they took the name Paton because everyone misunderstood when they said Batton, or to fit in and not appear foreign?
Pat and Barbie are delighted to have a new cousin, and maybe lots of new cousins! We'd be especially interested to find out whether there are Batton descendants in the USA, probably in the New York area.
I have added all the relatives mentioned in your letter to our family database.
I have also done some searching of Battons on Ancestry.com and wc.rootsweb.com since receiving your letter, and have added a number of Batton relatives found there as well. Our database is not supposed to be findable via Google or other search engines, and it is password-protected. Although anyone who stumbles upon the website can search it, unless they log in with a valid password they are blocked from seeing anything but initials of living people, and no dates or photos or other information about living people. The database contains about 10,000 people, more than half my relatives, not Barbie's.
Barbie and I live in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, about halfway between Montreal and Toronto. We'd be delighted if you could pay us a visit on one of your trips to North America. We also have a summer home on Otsego Lake near Cooperstown, New York, which is a very pleasant place to visit. It adjoins the grounds of Hyde Hall, the ancestral home of Barbie's mother's Clarke family, www.hydehall.org.
Tuesday 1 September 2009
Lily Connell, daughter of Elizabeth Batton and Henry Connell
I recognised the names on this grave and wasn't sure why. Until I got home and checked back through the Batton documents. I knew there was a connection somewhere.
Lily was the daughter of Elizabeth Batton and Henry Connell and shows on the 1901 Census at the home of Andrew Batton and Lily Batton in Ironworks Square.
See below.
Marriage Certificate 1895 for Henry Connell and Elizabeth Batton (oldest daughter of our relative Andrew Batton). Sister of my great grandfather George.
Also 1901 Census for Ironworks Square showing Lily Connell aged 3 years, grandchild of Andrew and Lily Batton.
Also 1919 Death certificate of Lily's mother Elizabeth Batton. She died very young of heart disease, something that was prevalent in the Batton family.
Saturday 29 August 2009
My Grandparents
After my Gran Maggie died in 2006 a stone was erected to the memory of my Papa George, my Gran (his second wife Margaret Dykes Batton) and to their little grandson who had only lived for 5 days.
William John was the second child of my Uncle John Robert Batton and his wife Isobel.
William was born on my 15th birthday, 17th June 1978 and he died 5 days later on 22nd June.
I can't believe it's so long ago. I used to go through to Darvel every weekend and stay at my Grans and babysit for John & Isobel's daughter Michelle. Michelle is now 33 with a 2 year old daughter of her own. (Mya).
I found the grave of George Batton's first wife and my Grandmother, Jeannie Batton ms King. Jean was only 33 when she died of TB in 1952. How sad leaving behind 3 sons and 2 daughters.
Frank, George, Andrew, Jean and my mother Margaret. My mum was only 12 when her mother died.
Frank Batton is buried alongside his mother Jean and I believe one of Frank's best friends erected this stone when he realised there was no stone marking the grave.
What a lovely gesture and very poignant is the message at the foot of the stone. Adios Amigo Till We Meet Again.
These graves above are all in Darvel Cemetery. The cemetery which sits at the top of the very steep hill as you drive into Darvel from Preistland.
As I parked the car to look for my Papa's grave stone I looked out of the window of the car and realised I had actually stopped at the grave of my great grandparents. I hadn't realised they were buried there.
Margaret C. Brown and Frank Thomas King are the parents of Jean Batton.
My Uncle Frank is obviously named after Jean's father.
Margaret Brown and Frank King married in Parish Church Manse Darvel on 19th July 1918.
All in all, I think I had a very eventful day, both in Galston and Darvel.
Oh, and I popped in to visit my Uncle George and Aunt Ellen Batton on my way through Darvel.
William John was the second child of my Uncle John Robert Batton and his wife Isobel.
William was born on my 15th birthday, 17th June 1978 and he died 5 days later on 22nd June.
I can't believe it's so long ago. I used to go through to Darvel every weekend and stay at my Grans and babysit for John & Isobel's daughter Michelle. Michelle is now 33 with a 2 year old daughter of her own. (Mya).
I found the grave of George Batton's first wife and my Grandmother, Jeannie Batton ms King. Jean was only 33 when she died of TB in 1952. How sad leaving behind 3 sons and 2 daughters.
Frank, George, Andrew, Jean and my mother Margaret. My mum was only 12 when her mother died.
Frank Batton is buried alongside his mother Jean and I believe one of Frank's best friends erected this stone when he realised there was no stone marking the grave.
What a lovely gesture and very poignant is the message at the foot of the stone. Adios Amigo Till We Meet Again.
These graves above are all in Darvel Cemetery. The cemetery which sits at the top of the very steep hill as you drive into Darvel from Preistland.
As I parked the car to look for my Papa's grave stone I looked out of the window of the car and realised I had actually stopped at the grave of my great grandparents. I hadn't realised they were buried there.
Margaret C. Brown and Frank Thomas King are the parents of Jean Batton.
My Uncle Frank is obviously named after Jean's father.
Margaret Brown and Frank King married in Parish Church Manse Darvel on 19th July 1918.
All in all, I think I had a very eventful day, both in Galston and Darvel.
Oh, and I popped in to visit my Uncle George and Aunt Ellen Batton on my way through Darvel.
Gravestone : my great grandmother Margaret McCurdie Batton
Above is the gravestone of my great grandmother Maggie McCurdie - this photo was taken after her funeral in October 1959. Almost 50 years ago.
Walking around the Galston cemetery today I could barely make out the name on this stone below. And realised it was the same stone as I'd previously seen in the photographs.
My great grandmother's gravestone. I almost didn't see it but Gillian was persistent that we look along one more row before walking to the car.
Time has taken it's toll on what was a beautiful memorial to their mother.
I don't know if anyone reading this can answer one important question.
Is her husband George Batton buried alongside her.
He died in 1929, she outlived him by 30 years.
And her gravestone makes no mention of her Batton surname.
I thought this very unusual. Was there a reason for not putting her married name?
Guess where I was today!!!!
My youngest daughter is at a music festival today in Galston at Loudoun Castle Park called 'Retrofest'.
I had to drive her through to Galston from Motherwell. After I dropped her off I attempted to find the Cemetery in Galston - which I had never been to before.
My middle daughter Gillian came with me. We found the Cemetery no problem and I hadn't realised it was so large. We walked around the older section in the hope that there might be an old grave stone with the Batton name on it. We didn't see anything. I have written to the Church of Scotland to check where George Batton (died 1872) in buried. As he died in Newmilns I wasn't sure if he was buried in Newmilns or Galston.
Gillian asked 'what are you looking for' and I just replied anything with the Batton name on it O:) As we were walking back towards the car the gravestones started to get newer and I realised I was MAD! This was going to be difficult.
Then I noticed this stone with the name Lily Connell on it. I recognised that name from past research. On checking further I realise now that this grave belongs to Lily Connell, daughter of Elizabeth Batton. This makes Lily a cousin of my Grandfather George.
Elizabeth was the oldest daughter of my great great grandfather Andrew Batton, and sister of my great grandfather George Batton.
Lily Connell appears in the 1901 Census at Ironworks Square at the home of her grandparents Andrew & Lilias Batton. I guess Lily is named after her grandmother.
I notice that the women in the family tend to outlive the men by quite a few years.....
As we walked around the newer part of the cemetery I looked to see if I could find any other Batton gravestones.
I then came across the grave of my papa's sister Lily Batton. Another girl, named after her great grandmother Lilias Batton ms McGregor.
Lily McGregor Batton was born on 5th October 1903 at Ironworks Square. The daughter of George Batton and Margaret McCurdie.
Lily lived to the grand old age of 95, outliving her husband by almost 33 years. A lifetime!
I had to drive her through to Galston from Motherwell. After I dropped her off I attempted to find the Cemetery in Galston - which I had never been to before.
My middle daughter Gillian came with me. We found the Cemetery no problem and I hadn't realised it was so large. We walked around the older section in the hope that there might be an old grave stone with the Batton name on it. We didn't see anything. I have written to the Church of Scotland to check where George Batton (died 1872) in buried. As he died in Newmilns I wasn't sure if he was buried in Newmilns or Galston.
Gillian asked 'what are you looking for' and I just replied anything with the Batton name on it O:) As we were walking back towards the car the gravestones started to get newer and I realised I was MAD! This was going to be difficult.
Then I noticed this stone with the name Lily Connell on it. I recognised that name from past research. On checking further I realise now that this grave belongs to Lily Connell, daughter of Elizabeth Batton. This makes Lily a cousin of my Grandfather George.
Elizabeth was the oldest daughter of my great great grandfather Andrew Batton, and sister of my great grandfather George Batton.
Lily Connell appears in the 1901 Census at Ironworks Square at the home of her grandparents Andrew & Lilias Batton. I guess Lily is named after her grandmother.
I notice that the women in the family tend to outlive the men by quite a few years.....
As we walked around the newer part of the cemetery I looked to see if I could find any other Batton gravestones.
I then came across the grave of my papa's sister Lily Batton. Another girl, named after her great grandmother Lilias Batton ms McGregor.
Lily McGregor Batton was born on 5th October 1903 at Ironworks Square. The daughter of George Batton and Margaret McCurdie.
Lily lived to the grand old age of 95, outliving her husband by almost 33 years. A lifetime!
Sunday 23 August 2009
Bingo!
Well folks, I got a response from my first letter (to Pat Jurey, descendant of Samuel Batton, brother of our Andrew Batton).....
Hi cousin Sandra,
I gather you are my 3rd cousin once removed. My children - who are all in their 40's now - will be delighted to find they have a Scottish 4th cousin.
Your detective skills were excellent in finding me. I live in the southern part of Oklahoma.
My oldest sister Barbi (age 68) (Barbara Borie Paton vonBriesen) married Richard vonBriesen and lives in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. They have 2 daughters, one son and 2 grandchildren. Dick an excellent genealogist and I have sent copies of all your material to them, so that they can handle all the family information details.
My younger sister Susan Parker Paton Liu (age 62) married George Liu (now deceased) and she lives in California, having moved there 5 years ago after 35 years living in Hong Kong China doing international law. She has one daughter.
I am 67 now. My husband and I have been married for 37 years - this is my second marriage. I have 3 children from my 1st marriage: Katherine Hyde Smith Addleman age 48 has 3 daughters; Robert Martin Smith age 46 has 2 daughters and Diana Gordon Smith Walters age 44 has 1 son. There are lots of step children around as well; my life is full with family events. Both my husband and I are retired and love to travel. Unfortunately we have been busy this year building a new home (after the tornado in February), so have done little travelling. We do have friends in Florida and in southern Alabama as well as a college granddaughter in Alabama so a trip through Mississippi occurs once in a while. Perhaps we can meet in the future.
As far as the genealogy is concerned ...
Barbi and her husband Dick travelled to Scotland about 5 years ago doing family research and reached a dead-end after George and Eliza. I think they have lots of their research on rootsweb and on their own website, that they will send you. My copies of their information - especially about their trip to Ayrshire, Kilwinning, Glasgow, etc. - either blew away with the tornado, or is in storage pending the completion of our home. Either way, Barbi and Dick are better giving it to you.
Answers to your questions...
George and Anne lived in or near New York City until moving to Connecticut in the 1940's. My family saw them several times a year for holidays. And Grandma lived for several years - late in her life - with my parents. By the way, we have never been sure if her name was Anne Amelia or Amelia Anne or Anna rather than Anne.
I do not know if brothers Samuel and John Batton met again in NY and kept in touch.
Brothers George and David did keep in touch throughout their lives. David married Nellie and their lived in New York too. The two couples, David and Nellie and George and Anne spent summers together at the beaches throughout the 1920s and 1930's. I never knew David and Nellie - but my parents did and spoke highly of them. Nellie died first and then David (this was also after his brother died), and I do remember my father making the funeral arrangements. I do not have any knowledge of other siblings. We always thought several had moved to Australia. But have never found any relatives there.
Sorry this is so rambling as a response. I was so surprised, but so delighted to hear from you. My father, and grandparents were so proud of their Scottish heritage and would be so thrilled to know we have made contact.
I will be out of town for the next week, but will check my e-mail, so I hope to hear from you
Do also expect a note from my sister and brother-in-law as well.
Affectionately,
Pat
Hi cousin Sandra,
I gather you are my 3rd cousin once removed. My children - who are all in their 40's now - will be delighted to find they have a Scottish 4th cousin.
Your detective skills were excellent in finding me. I live in the southern part of Oklahoma.
My oldest sister Barbi (age 68) (Barbara Borie Paton vonBriesen) married Richard vonBriesen and lives in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. They have 2 daughters, one son and 2 grandchildren. Dick an excellent genealogist and I have sent copies of all your material to them, so that they can handle all the family information details.
My younger sister Susan Parker Paton Liu (age 62) married George Liu (now deceased) and she lives in California, having moved there 5 years ago after 35 years living in Hong Kong China doing international law. She has one daughter.
I am 67 now. My husband and I have been married for 37 years - this is my second marriage. I have 3 children from my 1st marriage: Katherine Hyde Smith Addleman age 48 has 3 daughters; Robert Martin Smith age 46 has 2 daughters and Diana Gordon Smith Walters age 44 has 1 son. There are lots of step children around as well; my life is full with family events. Both my husband and I are retired and love to travel. Unfortunately we have been busy this year building a new home (after the tornado in February), so have done little travelling. We do have friends in Florida and in southern Alabama as well as a college granddaughter in Alabama so a trip through Mississippi occurs once in a while. Perhaps we can meet in the future.
As far as the genealogy is concerned ...
Barbi and her husband Dick travelled to Scotland about 5 years ago doing family research and reached a dead-end after George and Eliza. I think they have lots of their research on rootsweb and on their own website, that they will send you. My copies of their information - especially about their trip to Ayrshire, Kilwinning, Glasgow, etc. - either blew away with the tornado, or is in storage pending the completion of our home. Either way, Barbi and Dick are better giving it to you.
Answers to your questions...
George and Anne lived in or near New York City until moving to Connecticut in the 1940's. My family saw them several times a year for holidays. And Grandma lived for several years - late in her life - with my parents. By the way, we have never been sure if her name was Anne Amelia or Amelia Anne or Anna rather than Anne.
I do not know if brothers Samuel and John Batton met again in NY and kept in touch.
Brothers George and David did keep in touch throughout their lives. David married Nellie and their lived in New York too. The two couples, David and Nellie and George and Anne spent summers together at the beaches throughout the 1920s and 1930's. I never knew David and Nellie - but my parents did and spoke highly of them. Nellie died first and then David (this was also after his brother died), and I do remember my father making the funeral arrangements. I do not have any knowledge of other siblings. We always thought several had moved to Australia. But have never found any relatives there.
Sorry this is so rambling as a response. I was so surprised, but so delighted to hear from you. My father, and grandparents were so proud of their Scottish heritage and would be so thrilled to know we have made contact.
I will be out of town for the next week, but will check my e-mail, so I hope to hear from you
Do also expect a note from my sister and brother-in-law as well.
Affectionately,
Pat
Tuesday 18 August 2009
Batton / Batton connection
Yes, I have been busy. You may recall a few months ago Andrea Batcho had emailed a copy of his relatives marriage certificate (Isabella Batton married Galeano Pepe in 1930).
Well he also passed me the address for Diane White, daughter of Isabella Batton.
I wrote a letter to Diane tonight and will post it tomorrow. Just asking for information on her grandfather, George Batton, son of John Batton & Jessie Steel.
I wish I had a £ for every George Batton I've come across in the course of my searches!
I will let you know if and when I get a response from Diane. She lives in Orlando, Florida.
Below is the connection between George Batton and Diane - and George to my Mum. She is the same ancestry level as my Mum and was born the year after my mum.
Batton / Paton connection
You know me!!!! I'm on the prowl again for information. I'll let you know how this pans out.
I recently found and blogged the obituary for Kenneth Henson Paton, son of George Paton and Annie Gordon. Well, the obituary mentions that Kenneth had 3 daughters - Barbara, Patricia and Susan.
I did a google search for Patricia Jurey as this was the surname mentioned for one of the daughters.
The google search returned an online newspaper article on Patricia Jurey and her husband Dwight who lived in Ardmore, Oklahoma and their house had recently been damaged by a tornado. Ardmore is where Kenneth Paton is buried. It mentioned the area that Pat Jurey lived in. So I did a white pages search and hey presto! A postal address.
I have written a letter to Patricia explaining who I am and asking if she has any information on her grandfather George Paton, son of Samuel Batton and Isabella Anderson. I only posted it yesterday ..............
Will keep you posted if I get any response from Patricia.
Below shows the ancestry line from George Batton to Patricia and from George to my Mum, Margaret Batton.
I recently found and blogged the obituary for Kenneth Henson Paton, son of George Paton and Annie Gordon. Well, the obituary mentions that Kenneth had 3 daughters - Barbara, Patricia and Susan.
I did a google search for Patricia Jurey as this was the surname mentioned for one of the daughters.
The google search returned an online newspaper article on Patricia Jurey and her husband Dwight who lived in Ardmore, Oklahoma and their house had recently been damaged by a tornado. Ardmore is where Kenneth Paton is buried. It mentioned the area that Pat Jurey lived in. So I did a white pages search and hey presto! A postal address.
I have written a letter to Patricia explaining who I am and asking if she has any information on her grandfather George Paton, son of Samuel Batton and Isabella Anderson. I only posted it yesterday ..............
Will keep you posted if I get any response from Patricia.
Below shows the ancestry line from George Batton to Patricia and from George to my Mum, Margaret Batton.
Thursday 30 July 2009
THE CONNELL CONNECTION
After another night of searching the internet and trying to work out who's who! I finally satisfied my curiousity on the Connell Connection....... I've added a slide for ease but here's the hype.
I found marriage, death and census records for Robert Connell and Henry Connell and kept having to go back another generation until I finally established the connecting link in 1861 with Robert and Ann Connell.
Robert and Ann Connell (ms Steven) are on the 1861 Census living in Howie's Square. (see copy of original below).
Howie's Square was also known as Ironwork Square, Galston.
Robert and Ann show they have 2 sons, Henry 19 and Robert 15 and a daughter Mary, aged 9 years.
Henry goes on to marry Annie Grant and they had a son named Robert.
Robert married Susannah Gordon in 1892 in Galston. They settled in Ironwork Square. Susannah's mother was Ellen Batton and her grandfather was the patriach of our family, George Batton (b1807 d1872).
Note that Lizzie Batton is a witness of Susannah and Robert Connell's marriage.
Robert goes on to marry Agnes Brown and they had a son named Henry.
Henry married Lizzie Batton in 1895 in Galston. Lizzie was also a resident of Ironwork Square. Lizzie's father was Andrew Batton (our ancestor) and her grandfather was our patriach George Batton.
Note that Robert Connell is a witness of Henry & Lizzie Connell's marriage.
I think the Batton (and Connell) family lived in a close knit community in Ironwork Square. I'd like to do more research on the Galston area and in particular the mining community.
Our ancestor Andrew Batton moved away from Galston in 1901 - did the pit close? What made him move to Douglas, Lanark. I know Ian & Doreen will be able to let me know the answer since Andrew's son Robert was Doreen's father!
Tuesday 28 July 2009
More Irish Batton information
Yes, I'm back. I've been digging around in the websites again and have managed to unearth more Batton information.
Ellen Batton, sister of our relative Andrew Batton, married James Gordon in Saintfield, Co. Down in 1867. They moved to Galston/Riccarton sometime between sons William John being born in Ireland in 1872 and Alexander being born 1876 in Galston.
As their father George Batton died in Newmilns in September 1872 perhaps this was one of the reasons Ellen and her family moved to Scotland. Her brother Samuel was resident in Burnhouse Cottages, Galston at the time of signing George Batton's death certificate. So we know the Batton family were living in the Galston area in September 1872. They don't appear in the Census in 1871.
On the Irish website I was able to find the birth/baptism records for Susannah and William John. They were registered in St Anne's Parish/District in Co. Antrim. Denomination is listed as Church of Ireland. Address for parents shows as Donaghmore, Shankill, Belfast, Co. Antrim.
James Gordon was also born in Ireland but it's a popular name so I need to do more research - his father was also James Gordon and his mother was Kate Hawthorn.
It is interesting to note the naming of the children of Ellen and James
Robert, Alexander, George are names we are associating with the Massey and Batton family.
Ellen's father was George Batton, her grandfather was Alexander Massey and a Robert Massey was a witness at Ellen's marriage. Perhaps Eliza Massey's brother! Still no sign of Eliza Massey. My quest goes on. The Batton family weren's difficult to find after they arrived in Scotland since most of them remained in and around the Galston/Riccarton area.
Ellen Batton and James Gordon had 3 children born in Ireland :-
Robert James Gordon was born on 22nd August 1868 (he died aged 9 years on 13th August 1878 at Muirhouse, Hurlford)
Susannah Gordon was born 19th October 1870 and baptised on 3rd March 1871 (she lived to the ripe old age of 94 and died in 1964). She married Robert Connell in Galston in 1892. Robert died in 1933 at 5 Gauchalland Row, Galston.
William John was born in 29th May 1872 and baptised on 5th July 1872. He was known as John as listed in later Census.
Their children born in Scotland :-
Alexander Gordon was born on 3rd March 1876 at Maxwood Cottages, Galston. (Alexander died on 5th September 1939 at the Infirmary, Kilmarnock, he was 63 years old). His widow was Mary White whom he married in 1901.
George Gordon was born 23rd June 1878 at Muirhouse (he died at 11 weeks old on 6th September 1878, less than a month after his brother Robert).
Robert George Gordon was born on 27th August 1879 at Muirhouse. Named in memory of his brothers Robert and George who had died the previous year.
James Gordon was born on 14th December 1884 at Muirhouse, Hurlford.
Ellen/Helen Gordon born circa 1887/8 - she shows in the 1891 Census living with her father and is 4 years old. In the 1901 Census she is living with her brother in law Robert Connell and sister Susannah at Ironwork Square. Helen is scholar, 13 years old.
1891 Census shows James Gordon living at 3 Ironwork Square with his children Susanna, John, Alexander, James, Ellen and George. Our ancestor Andrew Batton lives at 51 Ironwork Square at the time of the 1891 census. They are neighbours.
1901 Census shows James Gordon living at 19 Ironwork Square with his children James and John, daughter in law Rozina, grandchildren Nellie and James. Also living there is son in law Patrick McCormack. Our ancestor Andrew Batton lives at 10 Ironwork Square at the time of the 1901 census. They are still neighbours!
Ellen (Helen) Batton was only 42 years old when she died on 13th February 1891 at Wellwood, Dunfermline. James Gordon was a Brick Burner and Wellwood was a brickwork in Dunfermline, Fife. Cause of death was Phthisis (tuberculosis).
Ellen's widower James Gordon died of bronchitis on 11th January 1914 at New Portland Row, Hurlford. His death was registered by his son John.
Ellen Batton, sister of our relative Andrew Batton, married James Gordon in Saintfield, Co. Down in 1867. They moved to Galston/Riccarton sometime between sons William John being born in Ireland in 1872 and Alexander being born 1876 in Galston.
As their father George Batton died in Newmilns in September 1872 perhaps this was one of the reasons Ellen and her family moved to Scotland. Her brother Samuel was resident in Burnhouse Cottages, Galston at the time of signing George Batton's death certificate. So we know the Batton family were living in the Galston area in September 1872. They don't appear in the Census in 1871.
On the Irish website I was able to find the birth/baptism records for Susannah and William John. They were registered in St Anne's Parish/District in Co. Antrim. Denomination is listed as Church of Ireland. Address for parents shows as Donaghmore, Shankill, Belfast, Co. Antrim.
James Gordon was also born in Ireland but it's a popular name so I need to do more research - his father was also James Gordon and his mother was Kate Hawthorn.
It is interesting to note the naming of the children of Ellen and James
Robert, Alexander, George are names we are associating with the Massey and Batton family.
Ellen's father was George Batton, her grandfather was Alexander Massey and a Robert Massey was a witness at Ellen's marriage. Perhaps Eliza Massey's brother! Still no sign of Eliza Massey. My quest goes on. The Batton family weren's difficult to find after they arrived in Scotland since most of them remained in and around the Galston/Riccarton area.
Ellen Batton and James Gordon had 3 children born in Ireland :-
Robert James Gordon was born on 22nd August 1868 (he died aged 9 years on 13th August 1878 at Muirhouse, Hurlford)
Susannah Gordon was born 19th October 1870 and baptised on 3rd March 1871 (she lived to the ripe old age of 94 and died in 1964). She married Robert Connell in Galston in 1892. Robert died in 1933 at 5 Gauchalland Row, Galston.
William John was born in 29th May 1872 and baptised on 5th July 1872. He was known as John as listed in later Census.
Their children born in Scotland :-
Alexander Gordon was born on 3rd March 1876 at Maxwood Cottages, Galston. (Alexander died on 5th September 1939 at the Infirmary, Kilmarnock, he was 63 years old). His widow was Mary White whom he married in 1901.
George Gordon was born 23rd June 1878 at Muirhouse (he died at 11 weeks old on 6th September 1878, less than a month after his brother Robert).
Robert George Gordon was born on 27th August 1879 at Muirhouse. Named in memory of his brothers Robert and George who had died the previous year.
James Gordon was born on 14th December 1884 at Muirhouse, Hurlford.
Ellen/Helen Gordon born circa 1887/8 - she shows in the 1891 Census living with her father and is 4 years old. In the 1901 Census she is living with her brother in law Robert Connell and sister Susannah at Ironwork Square. Helen is scholar, 13 years old.
1891 Census shows James Gordon living at 3 Ironwork Square with his children Susanna, John, Alexander, James, Ellen and George. Our ancestor Andrew Batton lives at 51 Ironwork Square at the time of the 1891 census. They are neighbours.
1901 Census shows James Gordon living at 19 Ironwork Square with his children James and John, daughter in law Rozina, grandchildren Nellie and James. Also living there is son in law Patrick McCormack. Our ancestor Andrew Batton lives at 10 Ironwork Square at the time of the 1901 census. They are still neighbours!
Ellen (Helen) Batton was only 42 years old when she died on 13th February 1891 at Wellwood, Dunfermline. James Gordon was a Brick Burner and Wellwood was a brickwork in Dunfermline, Fife. Cause of death was Phthisis (tuberculosis).
Ellen's widower James Gordon died of bronchitis on 11th January 1914 at New Portland Row, Hurlford. His death was registered by his son John.
Friday 5 June 2009
Obituary - Kenneth Henson PATON
I found this article recently - Kenneth H. Paton was the son of George & Amelia Paton.
George was the son of Samuel & Isabella Batton. Samuel was the brother of our relative Andrew Batton. Samuel registers his fathers death in September 1872 as Samuel Batton and then marries Isabella Anderson in April 1877 - his marriage certificate is Samuel PATON.
He has 2 sons that he registers as PATON - George Crawford Paton and David Paton. George would have been named after our main patriach GEORGE BATTON and David was Isabella's fathers name.
COOPERSTOWN — Services for Kenneth Henson Paton are scheduled for 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, 2000, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Springfield Center, with the Rev. Persis Willams, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Lakewood Cemetery in the spring.
Mr. Paton died Friday, March 17, 2000, after a brief illness.
He was born Oct. 17, 1911, in Flushing, the son of George Crawford and Amelia Ann Gordon Paton.
He attended Webb Institute of Naval Architecture and New York University. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1953, having attained the rank of lieutenant.
He married Mary Hyde Clarke on April 28, 1938. She died in November 1981.
He was a coffee economist and consultant. With his brother Gordon, he founded George Gordon Paton and Co., a coffee trade journal, the predecessor of Coffee Publications Inc. He served as co-editor and then editor until his retirement in the mid-70s.
After his retirement, he maintained residences on Lake Otsego and on Hilton Head Island, S.C., with golf and travel occupying his time. He moved to Ardmore, Okla., in 1996.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, his parents, one sister and four brothers.
Mr. Paton is survived by two sisters, Muriel P. Hallock and Lorraine Hughes, both of Florida; three daughters, Barbara von Briesen of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Patricia Jurey of Ardmore, Okla., and Susan Liu of Hong Kong. Survivors also include seven grandchildren, Katherine S. Addleman of Aurora, Colo., Robert M. Smith Jr. of Bartlesville, Okla., Diana S. Walters of Coppell, Texas, Jennifer Soor of Framingham, Mass., Frederica Goodman of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Mark von Briesen of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and Liane Liu of Hong Kong; and seven great-grandchildren, Abigail and Bethany Smith, Elizabeth and Virginia Addleman and Angela, Mitchell and Conner Walters.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Discretionary Fund at St. Mary's Church, Springfield Center, N.Y. 13468.
Arrangements are under the direction of Tillapaugh Funeral Home, Cooperstown and Milford.
George was the son of Samuel & Isabella Batton. Samuel was the brother of our relative Andrew Batton. Samuel registers his fathers death in September 1872 as Samuel Batton and then marries Isabella Anderson in April 1877 - his marriage certificate is Samuel PATON.
He has 2 sons that he registers as PATON - George Crawford Paton and David Paton. George would have been named after our main patriach GEORGE BATTON and David was Isabella's fathers name.
COOPERSTOWN — Services for Kenneth Henson Paton are scheduled for 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, 2000, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Springfield Center, with the Rev. Persis Willams, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Lakewood Cemetery in the spring.
Mr. Paton died Friday, March 17, 2000, after a brief illness.
He was born Oct. 17, 1911, in Flushing, the son of George Crawford and Amelia Ann Gordon Paton.
He attended Webb Institute of Naval Architecture and New York University. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1953, having attained the rank of lieutenant.
He married Mary Hyde Clarke on April 28, 1938. She died in November 1981.
He was a coffee economist and consultant. With his brother Gordon, he founded George Gordon Paton and Co., a coffee trade journal, the predecessor of Coffee Publications Inc. He served as co-editor and then editor until his retirement in the mid-70s.
After his retirement, he maintained residences on Lake Otsego and on Hilton Head Island, S.C., with golf and travel occupying his time. He moved to Ardmore, Okla., in 1996.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, his parents, one sister and four brothers.
Mr. Paton is survived by two sisters, Muriel P. Hallock and Lorraine Hughes, both of Florida; three daughters, Barbara von Briesen of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Patricia Jurey of Ardmore, Okla., and Susan Liu of Hong Kong. Survivors also include seven grandchildren, Katherine S. Addleman of Aurora, Colo., Robert M. Smith Jr. of Bartlesville, Okla., Diana S. Walters of Coppell, Texas, Jennifer Soor of Framingham, Mass., Frederica Goodman of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Mark von Briesen of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and Liane Liu of Hong Kong; and seven great-grandchildren, Abigail and Bethany Smith, Elizabeth and Virginia Addleman and Angela, Mitchell and Conner Walters.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Discretionary Fund at St. Mary's Church, Springfield Center, N.Y. 13468.
Arrangements are under the direction of Tillapaugh Funeral Home, Cooperstown and Milford.
Maggie Batton - my great grandmother & Isabella Batton
For most of you looking at my blog page, the grand old lady above was your grandmother Margaret McCurdie Batton who was married to George Batton.
Thanks to Bill Strachan for sending me this photo of my great grandmother.
He also came across this photo below - Isabella Batton age 69 years. It looks like a very old photograph and so far the only person I can think it might be is:
Isabella Anderson who married Samuel Batton, brother of Andrew Batton (our relative).
Samuel and Isabella lived in Glasgow in the 1870's until they moved to Manhattan, New York. They show as Paton on the marriage certificate and 1881 census in Scotland.
On the US Census of 1900 they show as Samuel and Bella Batton. My thoughts are it could be her. But open to suggestions of another Isabella Batton......
I did put on the blog recently a marriage certificate for an Isabella Batton, who was the daughter of George Batton, and grand-daughter John and Jessie Batton. Isabella shows as 5 years old on the 1910 census for US so for her to be 69 the photo would have been taken in the 1970's - I think this photo is more representative of the 1920's.....
Tuesday 2 June 2009
BATTON PHOTOGRAPHS
A BIG, BIG THANK YOU TO MY MUM'S COUSIN ANDREW BATTON FOR SENDING THESE FAMILY PHOTOS. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW ALIKE MY MUM AND LILY BATTON ARE IN THE PHOTO BELOW.
PHOTO BELOW:
ANDREW, LILY AND GEORGE BATTON (MY GRANDFATHER) - CHILDREN OF GEORGE BATTON SNR AND MAGGIE MCCURDIE BATTON.
PHOTO BELOW:
WAS TAKEN AT THEIR MOTHER'S FUNERAL IN OCTOBER 1959
L TO R - MAGGIE, GEORGE, MAY, LILY, ANDREW AND CISSIE BATTON
PHOTO BELOW :
BACK ROW L to R - MAGGIE (WIFE OF ANDREW BATTON SNR), GRANNIE MAGGIE MCCURDIE BATTON, CISSIE BATTON
FRONT ROW L to R - NELLIE, LILY AND MAGGIE BATTON (WIFE OF BILL STRACHAN)
PHOTO BELOW:
TAKEN AT PICNIC UP THE BURNAWN IN GALSTON. APPROX 1946......
BACK ROW RIGHT IS GEORGE MAIR, NELLIE'S SON.
THIRD FROM RIGHT IS JOHNNY BATTON, SON OF MAGGIE & ANDREW BATTON SNR, 2ND FROM LEFT IS ISOBEL PATON, LILY BATTON'S DAUGHTER (AND I'M SURE ISOBEL WAS MY MUM'S BEST MAID IN 1963), 4TH FROM LEFT IS MARGARET BATTON, DAUGHTER OF MAGGIE & ANDREW BATTON
EXTREME RIGHT IS POSSIBLY MARGARET STRACHAN , DAUGHTER OF MAGGIE BATTON & BILL STRACHAN
THE WEE HANDSOME GUY AT THE FRONT MIDDLE WITH THE WHITE SHIRT IS ANDREW BATTON JNR, WHO KINDLY SENT THE PHOTOS TO ME FOR SCANNING..... AND THESE ARE HIS WORDS, NOT MINE!
COME ON THE REST OF YOU... START SENDING MY YOUR OLD PHOTOS.
PHOTO BELOW:
ANDREW, LILY AND GEORGE BATTON (MY GRANDFATHER) - CHILDREN OF GEORGE BATTON SNR AND MAGGIE MCCURDIE BATTON.
PHOTO BELOW:
WAS TAKEN AT THEIR MOTHER'S FUNERAL IN OCTOBER 1959
L TO R - MAGGIE, GEORGE, MAY, LILY, ANDREW AND CISSIE BATTON
PHOTO BELOW :
BACK ROW L to R - MAGGIE (WIFE OF ANDREW BATTON SNR), GRANNIE MAGGIE MCCURDIE BATTON, CISSIE BATTON
FRONT ROW L to R - NELLIE, LILY AND MAGGIE BATTON (WIFE OF BILL STRACHAN)
PHOTO BELOW:
TAKEN AT PICNIC UP THE BURNAWN IN GALSTON. APPROX 1946......
BACK ROW RIGHT IS GEORGE MAIR, NELLIE'S SON.
THIRD FROM RIGHT IS JOHNNY BATTON, SON OF MAGGIE & ANDREW BATTON SNR, 2ND FROM LEFT IS ISOBEL PATON, LILY BATTON'S DAUGHTER (AND I'M SURE ISOBEL WAS MY MUM'S BEST MAID IN 1963), 4TH FROM LEFT IS MARGARET BATTON, DAUGHTER OF MAGGIE & ANDREW BATTON
EXTREME RIGHT IS POSSIBLY MARGARET STRACHAN , DAUGHTER OF MAGGIE BATTON & BILL STRACHAN
THE WEE HANDSOME GUY AT THE FRONT MIDDLE WITH THE WHITE SHIRT IS ANDREW BATTON JNR, WHO KINDLY SENT THE PHOTOS TO ME FOR SCANNING..... AND THESE ARE HIS WORDS, NOT MINE!
COME ON THE REST OF YOU... START SENDING MY YOUR OLD PHOTOS.
Sunday 31 May 2009
More new Batton information
This is the marriage certificate of Isabella Batton and Galeano Pepe who married at St Sylvesters in Staten Island, Richmond County, New York City on 5th April 1930.
This was kindly emailed to me by Andrea Batcho - Isabella married his grandmothers cousin.
Isabella 'Bella' Batton was the daughter of George Batton and Annie Armstrong.
She was born in 1907 in New York and married Galeano Pepe, son of Emanuele Pepe and Angelina Pistone.
George was born in Scotland in 1874 and moved to USA with his parents John Batton and Jessie Steel. John was the brother of our relative Andrew Batton.
Isabella and Galeano Pepe had 2 children - Diane (born Jan 1941) and Michael. Diane is currently living in Florida. Unsure of the location of Michael.
Small world.... and another branch of the Batton ancestry.
Friday 22 May 2009
TODAY : Batton's in Saintfield, County Down
Ian Paterson, husband of Doreen Batton has recently made contact with a lady who lives in Saintfield, County Down, Northern Ireland. He received a letter explaining her connection with Batton's who lived in Saintfield in 1910. Although this lady doesn't think her grandfather is a relation, both Ian and I think it's too co-incidental....... We were hoping this might be a missing link O:)
This is the information that Gladys Morrow has written to Ian :
This is the information that Gladys Morrow has written to Ian :
- Alexander Batton was born circa 1870 and married Jane Graham in 1897/8
- They had one son, David born November 1899.
- Alexander died in 1943. Jane died in 1940 and they are both buried in the Parish Graveyard in Saintfield. No grave marker.
- Alexander and Jane Batton had a shop in Saintfield, until it closed in 1942/3 due to Alexander's failing health. He was blind for the last 20+ years of his life.
- David always maintained that his name should have been spelled BATTEN. We don't know why.
- David Batten died in March 1969 and left widow Edith and daughters Gladys and Daphne.
- Gladys said she never heard her father or grandfather mention family.
- Alexander's mother was a widow who married a James McMurray. They had one son named James, half brother to Alexander and a daughter who married a Savage. They had a son, Roland Savage, who was a well known Accountant in Saintfield. Roland died approx 20 years ago.
Hopefully when Ian and Doreen get the chance to visit Saintfield (they are planning to). Gladys has kindly offered them a tour of the local graveyards, village and surrounding areas. Inspector Clouseau at the ready!
Thanks again Ian.
Tuesday 12 May 2009
Obituary notice Lily Wyper
WYPER (ms Batton)
Peacefully at the home of her daughter in Darvel on 8th May 2009
Lilias (Lily) aged 92 years, of Newmilns, beloved wife of the late Snowey Wyper, a dearly loved mum, gran and great gran of the family.
Peacefully at the home of her daughter in Darvel on 8th May 2009
Lilias (Lily) aged 92 years, of Newmilns, beloved wife of the late Snowey Wyper, a dearly loved mum, gran and great gran of the family.
More wedding photos ....
Pamela with her Dad, Bill Strachan.
Bill is the son of Maggie Batton and William Strachan.
+-+March+2009.jpg)
Pamela and Karl above
Karl and Pamela below
Wedding photos
Sunday 10 May 2009
1929 John Batton (son of Andrew) - Things are getting better!
SS TRANSYLVANIA
built by Fairfield Govan,Yard No 600
Port of Registry: Glasgow
built by Fairfield Govan,Yard No 600
Port of Registry: Glasgow
On 23rd November 1929 John Batton and his wife Sarah (McCandlish) and their 3 children sailed from Glasgow to a new life in New York.
Their children Florence, Sarah and Bryan were with them.
John was the son of Andrew Batton and Lilias McGregor and the brother of my great grandfather George Batton.
He was the brother of Doreen's father Robert McGregor Batton.
Propulsion: Steam turbine
Launched: Wednesday, 11/03/1925
Built: 1925
Ship Type: Passenger Vessel
Tonnage: 16923 grt
Length: 578 feet
Breadth: 70 feet
Draught: 29 feet
Owner History:Anchor Line (Henderson Bros.) Ltd., Glasgow
1935 Anchor Line (1935) Ltd.
1939 The Admiralty
Status: Torpedoed & Sunk - 10/08/1940
Batton mode of transport in 1921
SS MASSILIA
built by Alexander Stephen & Sons Glasgow,Yard No 398 (this is the shipyard Billy Connolly worked in).
built by Alexander Stephen & Sons Glasgow,Yard No 398 (this is the shipyard Billy Connolly worked in).
John Batton sailed on the SS Massilia departing from Glasgow on 9th February 1920 and arriving in New York 23rd February 1921. He was back in Scotland visiting family.
If you check on Ellis Island website you can see the original ships manifest.
John was the son of George Batton and Eliza Massey and brother of Andrew Batton.
He moved to USA with his wife Jessie and children George, Samule and Agnes in the mid 1880's.
Port of Registry: Glasgow
Propulsion: Steam
Launched: Thursday, 21/08/1902
Built: 1902
Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel
Tonnage: 5353 grt Length: 400.6 feet (BP) Breadth: 49.2 feet
Owner History:Anchor Line (Henderson Bros.), Glasgow
Status: Arrived for Scrapping - 13/03/1930
Remarks: Scrapped at Bo'ness
Batton's method of travel in 1882
Jessie Batton, wife of John Batton, Robert Batton and children Agnes, Samuel and George sailed to a new life in America in 1882.
Aug. 27 1874 - State of Indiana launched for the State Line
Sept. 16, 1882 - Maiden voyage Glasgow - Larne - New York
May 05 1882 - Departs Glasgow - Larne - Arriving in New York May 16th 1882 at 02:00 morning - Also reported arrival on 1882-05-10
Sept. 16, 1882 - Maiden voyage Glasgow - Larne - New York
May 05 1882 - Departs Glasgow - Larne - Arriving in New York May 16th 1882 at 02:00 morning - Also reported arrival on 1882-05-10
The State of Indiana, was built by Messrs. Thomas Wingate and Co., at Whiteinch, Glasgow, for the State Line, to be employed in the trade between Glasgow and New York.
She was launched with all her machinery on board, and completely fitted for sea, on Aug. 27, 1874, made a trial trip on Sept. 2, and sailed from Glasgow for New York, via Larne, Belfast, on the 5th, with a full cargo of goods and a large number of passengers. The hull was 330 ft in length, 36 ft. in breadth, and 28½ ft. in depth, with a burden of 2528 tons gross register, and was propelled by a pair of compound surface condensing engines, of 400-horse power nominal, indicating about 2000-horse power effective.
She was built under special survey, and was classed A 100, the highest description of the first class in the Lloyd's registry. In addition to a large cargo capacity, accommodation was provided for 80 first-class cabin, 30 second-class cabin, and 500 third-class or steerage passengers, besides the 109 crew members, including the officers. The cabin saloon was unusually spacious, and was elegantly fitted up, with large mirrors, a piano, and a library. Abundant light and ventilation was supplied by means of a large oval well in the centre, in addition to the usual side lights. The ladies' cabin opened off the saloon, and was very tastefully furnished in blue velvet, with decorations of white enamel and gold. There was also a large circular boudoir on deck for the exclusive use of the ladies, with large plate-glass windows, shaded with blue silk hangings and floored with encaustic tiles. From this apartment a private staircase lead to a promenade deck. There was a commodious smoking-room for gentlemen, with large windows and tiled floor. Adjoining the saloon was the chief steward's pantry, which was of extra large size, with all convenient fittings. Electric wires were led from the saloons and staterooms to that apartment; and it was in communication with the galley above by means of hoists. The staterooms were entirely separate from the saloon. They were spacious, well lighted, ventilated, and beautifully painted with white enamel and gold. Comfortable, well arranged baths and other conveniences were in that part of the vessel. The second cabins were roomy apartments, comfortably furnished as parlour and bedroom. The steerage accommodations were unsurpassed. Separate compartments were provided for single men, for married couples and families, and for single women. Cleanliness and good ventilation prevailed throughout, and in cold weather the entire ship was heated by steam. The captain's apartments, and also those of the officers of the ship, were amidships. The forecastle presented a special feature, being semicircular, with twelve doors leading by staircases to the tweendecks, the quarters of the sailors and firemen. It also formed a shelter in bad weather. Immediately over the captain's and officers' rooms were the bridges and charthouse, from which telegraphic communication was arranged with the engine department and wheelhouse, controlling all the movements of the ship.
Besides the usual donkey engines and steam-winches there were independent steam engines for steering, hoisting ashes, or working the anchors, so as to reduce manual labour. There were numerous life-boats raised on platforms to allow passengers to walk under them, and fitted with the approved patent lowering apparatus. The State of Indiana was the fourth vessel Messrs. Thomas Wingate and Co. built for the State Line, which then consisted of nine ships, the others having been built by the London and Glasgow Engineering and Ship-Building Company of Glasgow. Six of the vessels were similar in size, power, and style to the State of Indiana. They constituted the line to New York, and sailed regularly every Friday from Glasgow, calling at the railway wharf at Larne, near Belfast, on Saturday morning, to take on board goods and passengers. The ships sailed on the return voyage from New York every Saturday; they called at Larne to land passengers for Ireland and those who wished to avail themselves of the most expeditious route to England without going on to Glasgow. The other three vessels belonging to the company were employed in maintaining a monthly communication between Liverpool and New Orleans.
Saturday 9 May 2009
Burnhouse Cottages
Do any of you know where the location of Burnhouse Cottages was in Galston.
This is where John and Samuel Batton lived.
Observations on the Batton family history from old documents
Personal observations of the Batton family :
SIBLINGS OF GEORGE BATTON AND ELIZA MASSEY WERE :
Ø ELLEN/HELEN – BORN 1848 – Born Ireland
Ø SAMUEL –B ORN 1853 – Born Scotland?
Ø JOHN – BORN 1854 – Born Belfast
Ø ROBERT – BORN 1855 – Born Ireland
Ø ANDREW – BORN 1856 – Born Ireland
Ø GEORGE – BORN 1860 (Born Galston?)
Ø 1863 George Batton is in Tonaghmore, Saintfield
Ø 1867 – July, George Batton at daughter Ellen wedding in Saintfield
1872 – George Batton death certificate. Age is listed as ‘shows 65 years’ - When and Where died : 30th September 1872 at 08:45am – at Union Street, Newmilns. Father was William Batton.
Suffered from heart disease. Seen after death by Dr Davidson. As per report of F C Cross, Proc Fiscal. Death registered by son, Samuel Batton, Burnhouse Cottage, Galston.
Ellen/Helen Batton – Ellen Batton marries James Gordon in Saintfield Ireland in July 1867. Ellen’s father is showing as George Batton. Witness is Robert Massey. George also shows in the 1863 Griffiths Valuation in Tonaghmore, Saintfield. Neighbours are Alexander and Robert Massey. George Batton shows on every death certificate as being spouse of Eliza Massey.
o Ellen and James show in the 1881 Census in Riccarton, Hurlford. Their children are Elisabeth, Susan, W John – all born in Ireland. Children Alexander and George born in Galston and Hurlford. Is Alexander named after Eliza Massey’s brother or father and George after her own father?
Samuel Batton gets married on 26th April 1877 at 153 Gloucester Street to Isabella Anderson. He is already calling himself Paton now. One of the witnesses is Alexander Paton. Is this a relative? Is this linked with why Samuel calls himself Paton now and registers his children Paton.
o Samuel Paton first child is born on 6th August 1877 and is named George Crawford Paton and they are living at 153 Gloucester Street, Tradeston, Glasgow. Note that parents are David Anderson and Margaret Anderson previously Dinning ms Chalmers.
o 1881 Census – Samuel Paton living at 153 Gloucester Street with wife Isabella and 2 children, George and David. Two boarders also living there – Crawford Dinning (widower age 65 years) and William Dinning. Probably a relative of Isabella’s mother.
o Samuel advises that he is 30 and was born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Year of birth circa 1850/1. Census taken in April 1881 so he would turn 31 in May if the US census info below is correct.
o 1900 US Census shows Samuel Batton, Bella Batton, George Baton and David Paton. Samuel is listed with birth date of May 1850 and was 50 last birthday. Bella birth is August 1849 and 50 last birthday. George is July 1877 and age 22 years, David is August 1879 and aged 20 years. Also living there is Margaret Anderson, sister. Born March 1845, age 55 and single. Place of birth of Samuel and mother and father is listed as Scotland!
o They advise they have all been living in USA for 15 years and arrived in 1885.
v John Batton, age 19, marries Jessie Steel on 21st February1873, less than 5 months after his father’s death. On the marriage certificate John’s address is listed as Burnhouse Cottages, Galston. So we know that both John and Samuel are living in this area. Children born Ironwork Square except Agnes, born Bowling Green Lane.
o On the 1920 Census John Batton lists that he was born in Ireland and that his father is English and Mother is Irish. Age is showing as 66 – born 1854. This matches the 1920 passport application and the Ship listing for 1921.
Robert Batton 1882 – I have found record of Robert Batton on 3 occasions. In 1881 Census in Galston Robert Batton lives with Jessie Batton. On Castlegarden website there is a listing showing that Robert Batton arrived in USA on 18 May 1882 on the ship State of Indiana. Jessie Batton and her 3 children are listed – George, Samuel and Agnes.
o On the 1881 Census for 11 Ironwork Square there is a Robert Baton, head, wife Jessie S Baton and children George, age 4 and Samuel age 4. Robert listed as born in Ireland. Was John Batton’s middle name Robert. Was he John Robert Batton? I thought this to be the case until I was the 1900 Census for Manhattan and the listing shows John Batton, Jessie Steel and their 7 children (2 born Galston, 5 born NY) – right at the bottom of the listing for the children is Batton, Robert – brother, born Ireland 1856. This proves that John Batton and Robert Batton were two different people.
Andrew Batton – lives in Ironwork Square until he moves to Douglas Water in Lanarkshire. Married Lilias McGregor from Riccarton. 1877 Marriage shows he lives at Ayr Road, Dalserf. His son George born in Brewland Street, Galston in 1879. Andrew was born in 1856 in Ireland.
George Paton 1950 Death certificate shows that he is George Paton (formerly Batton). His parents are George Batton and Eliza Massie. George marries twice, his first wife Margaret Eadie dies after almost 9 months of marriage. George has 3 children with his 2nd wife Janet Fyfe (d 2-Apr 1915)
o Sarah Fyfe Paton, marries William Ward Russell in 1917, Cambuslang
o George Fyfe Paton (d 24-Mar-1922 age 27, widow of Jeanie Arnott)
o Samuel Fyfe Paton (marries Helen Vernon in 1920 in Cambuslang)
o On the 1891 Census George Paton is living as a Lodger at 4 Park Street. He is living with the Fyfe family (William and Agnes and their children). Most probably they are relatives of Sarah’s. Listed that he was born in Galston and he is 25 years old. So born circa 1865/6.
o George and Janet Fyfe marry in July 1891 and George is listed as living at 4 Park Street. Janet is the daughter of Samuel and Sarah Fyfe. They name their children after their parents.
o Then again on the 1901 Census, George Paton Snr lists that he was born in Galston, Ayrshire whilst his family are all born in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire. They are living at 130 Vicarland, Cambuslang.
SIBLINGS OF GEORGE BATTON AND ELIZA MASSEY WERE :
Ø ELLEN/HELEN – BORN 1848 – Born Ireland
Ø SAMUEL –B ORN 1853 – Born Scotland?
Ø JOHN – BORN 1854 – Born Belfast
Ø ROBERT – BORN 1855 – Born Ireland
Ø ANDREW – BORN 1856 – Born Ireland
Ø GEORGE – BORN 1860 (Born Galston?)
Ø 1863 George Batton is in Tonaghmore, Saintfield
Ø 1867 – July, George Batton at daughter Ellen wedding in Saintfield
1872 – George Batton death certificate. Age is listed as ‘shows 65 years’ - When and Where died : 30th September 1872 at 08:45am – at Union Street, Newmilns. Father was William Batton.
Suffered from heart disease. Seen after death by Dr Davidson. As per report of F C Cross, Proc Fiscal. Death registered by son, Samuel Batton, Burnhouse Cottage, Galston.
Ellen/Helen Batton – Ellen Batton marries James Gordon in Saintfield Ireland in July 1867. Ellen’s father is showing as George Batton. Witness is Robert Massey. George also shows in the 1863 Griffiths Valuation in Tonaghmore, Saintfield. Neighbours are Alexander and Robert Massey. George Batton shows on every death certificate as being spouse of Eliza Massey.
o Ellen and James show in the 1881 Census in Riccarton, Hurlford. Their children are Elisabeth, Susan, W John – all born in Ireland. Children Alexander and George born in Galston and Hurlford. Is Alexander named after Eliza Massey’s brother or father and George after her own father?
Samuel Batton gets married on 26th April 1877 at 153 Gloucester Street to Isabella Anderson. He is already calling himself Paton now. One of the witnesses is Alexander Paton. Is this a relative? Is this linked with why Samuel calls himself Paton now and registers his children Paton.
o Samuel Paton first child is born on 6th August 1877 and is named George Crawford Paton and they are living at 153 Gloucester Street, Tradeston, Glasgow. Note that parents are David Anderson and Margaret Anderson previously Dinning ms Chalmers.
o 1881 Census – Samuel Paton living at 153 Gloucester Street with wife Isabella and 2 children, George and David. Two boarders also living there – Crawford Dinning (widower age 65 years) and William Dinning. Probably a relative of Isabella’s mother.
o Samuel advises that he is 30 and was born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Year of birth circa 1850/1. Census taken in April 1881 so he would turn 31 in May if the US census info below is correct.
o 1900 US Census shows Samuel Batton, Bella Batton, George Baton and David Paton. Samuel is listed with birth date of May 1850 and was 50 last birthday. Bella birth is August 1849 and 50 last birthday. George is July 1877 and age 22 years, David is August 1879 and aged 20 years. Also living there is Margaret Anderson, sister. Born March 1845, age 55 and single. Place of birth of Samuel and mother and father is listed as Scotland!
o They advise they have all been living in USA for 15 years and arrived in 1885.
v John Batton, age 19, marries Jessie Steel on 21st February1873, less than 5 months after his father’s death. On the marriage certificate John’s address is listed as Burnhouse Cottages, Galston. So we know that both John and Samuel are living in this area. Children born Ironwork Square except Agnes, born Bowling Green Lane.
o On the 1920 Census John Batton lists that he was born in Ireland and that his father is English and Mother is Irish. Age is showing as 66 – born 1854. This matches the 1920 passport application and the Ship listing for 1921.
Robert Batton 1882 – I have found record of Robert Batton on 3 occasions. In 1881 Census in Galston Robert Batton lives with Jessie Batton. On Castlegarden website there is a listing showing that Robert Batton arrived in USA on 18 May 1882 on the ship State of Indiana. Jessie Batton and her 3 children are listed – George, Samuel and Agnes.
o On the 1881 Census for 11 Ironwork Square there is a Robert Baton, head, wife Jessie S Baton and children George, age 4 and Samuel age 4. Robert listed as born in Ireland. Was John Batton’s middle name Robert. Was he John Robert Batton? I thought this to be the case until I was the 1900 Census for Manhattan and the listing shows John Batton, Jessie Steel and their 7 children (2 born Galston, 5 born NY) – right at the bottom of the listing for the children is Batton, Robert – brother, born Ireland 1856. This proves that John Batton and Robert Batton were two different people.
Andrew Batton – lives in Ironwork Square until he moves to Douglas Water in Lanarkshire. Married Lilias McGregor from Riccarton. 1877 Marriage shows he lives at Ayr Road, Dalserf. His son George born in Brewland Street, Galston in 1879. Andrew was born in 1856 in Ireland.
George Paton 1950 Death certificate shows that he is George Paton (formerly Batton). His parents are George Batton and Eliza Massie. George marries twice, his first wife Margaret Eadie dies after almost 9 months of marriage. George has 3 children with his 2nd wife Janet Fyfe (d 2-Apr 1915)
o Sarah Fyfe Paton, marries William Ward Russell in 1917, Cambuslang
o George Fyfe Paton (d 24-Mar-1922 age 27, widow of Jeanie Arnott)
o Samuel Fyfe Paton (marries Helen Vernon in 1920 in Cambuslang)
o On the 1891 Census George Paton is living as a Lodger at 4 Park Street. He is living with the Fyfe family (William and Agnes and their children). Most probably they are relatives of Sarah’s. Listed that he was born in Galston and he is 25 years old. So born circa 1865/6.
o George and Janet Fyfe marry in July 1891 and George is listed as living at 4 Park Street. Janet is the daughter of Samuel and Sarah Fyfe. They name their children after their parents.
o Then again on the 1901 Census, George Paton Snr lists that he was born in Galston, Ayrshire whilst his family are all born in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire. They are living at 130 Vicarland, Cambuslang.
Wednesday 6 May 2009
My Grandparents - on both sides
I went to visit my Dad's only sister Margaret tonight to see if she had any old photos of my great grandparents as I've never seen them.
Whilst looking through the photos I came across this photograph showing my maternal and paternal grandparents.
Left is my maternal grandfather George Batton (died May 1976)
Middle is my paternal grandmother Mary Locke Crawford Murray (died Nov 1976)
Right is my paternal grandfather William Murray (died February 1975)
So between February one year and November the following year I had lost all of my grandparents. My maternal grandmother, Jean Docherty King Batton, died in 1951 so I never knew her.
I think that this photograph was taken on New Years Day 1967 (at the Murray family gathering in Hamilton). My grandparents lived in Ewart Crescent, Laighstonehall, Hamilton at the time of this photograph.
Sunday 26 April 2009
Saintfield documents
I recently wrote to First Presbyterian Church office in Saintfield and received a copy of the marriage certificate for Ellen Batton and James Gordon, showing Ellen's father as George Batton.This is where it all started for all of us..... George Batton in Saintfield, County Down.
Ellen was married on 6th July 1867. She was the daughter of George Batton and Eliza Massey.
The marriage witnesses were Eliza Ferris and Robert Massey.
Griffiths valuation for 1863 in Tonaghmore lists George Batton and surrounding neighbours as Alexander Massey, Robert Massey and William Ferris.
Four years later these surnames all feature in Ellen's marriage certificate.
From a process of elimination we think that Robert Massey was the son of Alexander, brother of Eliza Massey. Eliza Ferris could be the wife or daughter of William Ferris.
I have since found that Alexander Massey died in November 1872 aged 72 years. Ironically George Batton died the same year - aged 67 years, on 30th September 1872 in Newmilns.
Forename: Alexander
Surname: Massey
Date Of Death: 13/11/1872
Date Of Grant: 29/08/1873
Effects: Effects under £20
Registry: Belfast
Full Abstract:
The Will of Alexander Massey late of Tonaghmore County Down Farmer deceased who died 13 November 1872 at same place was proved at Belfast by the oath of John Massey of Tonaghmore (Saintfield) aforesaid Farmer one of the Executors.
Saturday 18 April 2009
Jim Batton - football memories
Jim Batton pictured centre of front row in the successful Douglas Water Thistle team of 1948. Another fine player, Peter Leishman of Douglas Water, now Lanark, is on Jim's left
I found both articles/photos on the website "A History of Football in Douglasdale" :
Obituary from Lanark Gazette for Jim Batton
I came back from America to an email from Ian Paterson (husband of Doreen Batton) to let me know that Doreen's brother had passed away when I was on holiday.
There was an obituary in the Lanark Gazette on Thursday 9th April 2o09 which read :
The village was saddened to learn of the death of Jim Batton, a well loved and respected member of a well known Douglas family. Jim died on March 23, and although his health had deteriorated in recent months you could often find him on the High Street in Lanark, (his place of residence for some years,) where he was thrilled to speak to anyone he recognised from the village.
Jim, born in Douglas West, was a footballer of some renown who, together with an older brother Andrew, played for several local clubs including Douglas West, where they won the Stark Cup against Biggar nine goals to one, Jim having scored six of the nine. He played for several local teams including Douglasdale, Douglas Water Thistle and such was his prowess, that Jim eventually played for Hibernian where he played against his brother Andrew - and won - when he played for Greenock Morton.
Jim also played for Sligo Rovers in the Irish League.
Andrew also played for Manchester City in his prime. Unfortunately, Andrew passed on a few years ago.
Jim is survived by his widow Helen, daughter Linda and six sisters - Lily, Grace, Matt, Nan, Jeanette and Doreen - and to all of them, the village extends its warmest sympathy in their loss.
There was an obituary in the Lanark Gazette on Thursday 9th April 2o09 which read :
The village was saddened to learn of the death of Jim Batton, a well loved and respected member of a well known Douglas family. Jim died on March 23, and although his health had deteriorated in recent months you could often find him on the High Street in Lanark, (his place of residence for some years,) where he was thrilled to speak to anyone he recognised from the village.
Jim, born in Douglas West, was a footballer of some renown who, together with an older brother Andrew, played for several local clubs including Douglas West, where they won the Stark Cup against Biggar nine goals to one, Jim having scored six of the nine. He played for several local teams including Douglasdale, Douglas Water Thistle and such was his prowess, that Jim eventually played for Hibernian where he played against his brother Andrew - and won - when he played for Greenock Morton.
Jim also played for Sligo Rovers in the Irish League.
Andrew also played for Manchester City in his prime. Unfortunately, Andrew passed on a few years ago.
Jim is survived by his widow Helen, daughter Linda and six sisters - Lily, Grace, Matt, Nan, Jeanette and Doreen - and to all of them, the village extends its warmest sympathy in their loss.
Wednesday 11 March 2009
Gran and her mother?
I recently heard from Richard Gladwell, son of May & Dick Gladwell.
Richard gave me information with regard to an old photograph and suggested that one of the older women in the photo might have been my stepgran's mum....
I just found a photo of my stepgran which was taken in 1991 and have cropped to look at the similarities.
I would definitely conclude from the two photos above that this older woman on the left was Maggie McLatchie Dykes Batton's mother! My stepgran (on the right) died in November 2004 at the age of 93 years.
Finding the McCurdy connection
Hope you enjoyed looking at the recent addition to my blog. It was really nice to see some of the McCurdy family. I always thought my mum's full name was very unusual - Margaret McCurdie Brown Batton... named after her Granny on both sides... And the main reason why my Mum NEVER gave any of her children middle names.
I didn't realise just how popular the name was until I started researching it and lo and behold I made contact with Charlotte who lives in Australia and whose Mum is Rena McCurdie..... and it even turns out that we are related ...........back to our great grandparents James and Margaret being brother and sister.
We also had contact from Shane McCurdy who lives in Northern Ireland and has been providing Charlotte and I with information to suggest the following :
In the 1803 Census for the Parish of Ballintoy there are a number of McCurdy families in the Croagh area, of which one, is James McCurdy wife Eliza Forbes, with four children, Cuppage, Charles, Alexander and Jane … from certain records, church gravestone inscription at Billy Churchyard (one of the main burial places for families from this area, we have a grave for a James MCurdy of Croaghbeg who died in 1838 … we believe that this is one and the same James;
Inscription reads – Erected to the memory of James McCurdy late of Croaghbeg who departed this life 7th April 1838 aged 83 years
from the State registrations of deaths, for Croagh area, which commenced in 1864, we have the inferred birth years for Charles [1795 – 1872] and Alexander [1799 – 1891] - Charles never married, and Alexander was my ancestor. It is therefore fair to say that Cuppage must have been born in the early 1790’s and Jane may have been born about 1801 … therefore James and Eliza were still of an age to have children, an may have had more children after the time of the census in 1803 … could one of these children have been a son, named James …? Interestingly Jane married a James Hill of Croagh; Cuppage married a Margaret McCaigue, but was already dead by 1864. We have the families of Cuppage, Alexander and Jane reasonably well complete, down to the present day … and at this time, speculatively I include the James McCurdy/Robert McCurdy family of Dalmellington, as part of this broader McCurdy genealogy … as in the previous generation of this Croagh family we also have a Robert McCurdy … son of a Robert McCurdy … so it is possible that these Robert’s were father and brother of this first named James.
I know that this is very tenuous, and speculative, but in the 20+ years since first Rena and I were in contact, we have not been able to find anything more conclusive or persuasive.
I should be happy to exchange these further details with you if that should be of interest.
In 1989 John Mackirdy of Rothesay and Willie McKirdy of Kelson were instrumental in organisaing an international gathering of the MCCurdy family on Bute . Daddy and I were in attendance at this … and it was a wonderful opportunity to meet many McCurdys from all over the world, and who spelt their name in various ways … among those attending was Rena King, and unbeknownst to her, Scott McCurdy and his father John (Jock) from Canada … who were second cousins’s of Rena’s and therefore also related (and perhaps known) to you.
Anyway it does indeed show how small a world we live in at times ! Delighted to have made contact and looking forward to getting to know you both a little more!
Kind regards for the present, and hoping to hear from you again soon.
Sincerely
Shane McCurdy
27 Orange Lane
Magheralin
Co. Armagh BT67 0RG
Northern Ireland
I didn't realise just how popular the name was until I started researching it and lo and behold I made contact with Charlotte who lives in Australia and whose Mum is Rena McCurdie..... and it even turns out that we are related ...........back to our great grandparents James and Margaret being brother and sister.
We also had contact from Shane McCurdy who lives in Northern Ireland and has been providing Charlotte and I with information to suggest the following :
In the 1803 Census for the Parish of Ballintoy there are a number of McCurdy families in the Croagh area, of which one, is James McCurdy wife Eliza Forbes, with four children, Cuppage, Charles, Alexander and Jane … from certain records, church gravestone inscription at Billy Churchyard (one of the main burial places for families from this area, we have a grave for a James MCurdy of Croaghbeg who died in 1838 … we believe that this is one and the same James;
Inscription reads – Erected to the memory of James McCurdy late of Croaghbeg who departed this life 7th April 1838 aged 83 years
from the State registrations of deaths, for Croagh area, which commenced in 1864, we have the inferred birth years for Charles [1795 – 1872] and Alexander [1799 – 1891] - Charles never married, and Alexander was my ancestor. It is therefore fair to say that Cuppage must have been born in the early 1790’s and Jane may have been born about 1801 … therefore James and Eliza were still of an age to have children, an may have had more children after the time of the census in 1803 … could one of these children have been a son, named James …? Interestingly Jane married a James Hill of Croagh; Cuppage married a Margaret McCaigue, but was already dead by 1864. We have the families of Cuppage, Alexander and Jane reasonably well complete, down to the present day … and at this time, speculatively I include the James McCurdy/Robert McCurdy family of Dalmellington, as part of this broader McCurdy genealogy … as in the previous generation of this Croagh family we also have a Robert McCurdy … son of a Robert McCurdy … so it is possible that these Robert’s were father and brother of this first named James.
I know that this is very tenuous, and speculative, but in the 20+ years since first Rena and I were in contact, we have not been able to find anything more conclusive or persuasive.
I should be happy to exchange these further details with you if that should be of interest.
In 1989 John Mackirdy of Rothesay and Willie McKirdy of Kelson were instrumental in organisaing an international gathering of the MCCurdy family on Bute . Daddy and I were in attendance at this … and it was a wonderful opportunity to meet many McCurdys from all over the world, and who spelt their name in various ways … among those attending was Rena King, and unbeknownst to her, Scott McCurdy and his father John (Jock) from Canada … who were second cousins’s of Rena’s and therefore also related (and perhaps known) to you.
Anyway it does indeed show how small a world we live in at times ! Delighted to have made contact and looking forward to getting to know you both a little more!
Kind regards for the present, and hoping to hear from you again soon.
Sincerely
Shane McCurdy
27 Orange Lane
Magheralin
Co. Armagh BT67 0RG
Northern Ireland
McCurdy / McCurdie Connections
This photograph shows the marriage of James McCurdy to Mary McClymont in 1940. James was the grandson of Robert McCurdy and Isabella Farrel and was born in 1898 in Dalmellington.
James is also the son of James McCurdy - for those of you with the Maggie McCurdy and George Batton connection. James Snr was Maggie's brother so the gentleman above would have been Maggie & George's nephew.... therefore 1st cousin of George, Cissy, May, Maggie, Lily, Andrew etc.
The photo above is of the wedding of Rena McCurdie and Barry King.
Rena is the daughter of James & Mary McCurdie (above) and married Barry King in 1962.
So Rena is 2nd cousin to my Mum, Bill Strachan, Richard Gladwell, Andy Batton, Betty Davey etc. In the photo above L to R
James McCurdie, his wife Mary (McClymont), behind James is Brian King's sister, then bride and groom (Barry and Rena), Brian King, Jeanette cousin of Rena, Doris mother of Barry & Brian and at the right is Rena's brother John McCurdie.
January 2009 photo taken in Tasmania, Australia and shows L to R
Rena and Barry King, Rena's daughter Charlotte and husband Anthony and little James (named after both Charlotte's grandfather and great grandfather).
I'll explain later how I came about my contact with Charlotte and the photos. Charlotte lives in Australia.
Sunday 8 March 2009
Bill Strachan, son of Maggie Batton & Bill Strachan
Thanks to Bill Strachan for getting in touch and sending a recent photograph.
Bill is currently living in Glencoe, Scotland with his wife Alma.
His 2 children are :
Pamela (age 35) lives in Ballachulish, near Glencoe and is due to get married at the end of March 2009. Congratulations.........
Bill (age 31) and Nikki live in Inverness and have a little boy, Sam. First grandchild for Bill and Alma.
Bill and my Mum are cousins. Bill's mum was Margaret Batton who married William Strachan. Bill's mum and my grandfather George Batton were brother and sister.
Thursday 5 March 2009
Met some of the Battons
Thanks to my contact with Ian Paterson, through my mum's cousins son John Davey - my Mum and I were invited to visit with Doreen and her husband Ian who live in Hamilton, which ironically is where my Mum has lived for the past 45 years - and Doreen and Ian have lived for the past 2 !!
We met Doreen (Batton) and Ian Paterson and their daughter Anne. Also there was Doreen's brother Andrew Batton's daughter Fiona and her daughter Jennifer.
It was lovely to meet them and look at some of their old family photos.
Thanks for their hospitality and it as lovely to meet them.
Hope you like the photographs I took....
Left to right :
Fiona Batton daughter of Andrew Batton, grand-daughter of Robert McGregor Batton
Anne Paterson daughter of Doreen & Ian Paterson (Anne is also the grand-daughter of Robert McGregor Batton)
Doreen Batton - youngest child of Robert Batton and Janet Grant - grand-daughter of Andrew Batton and Lilias McGregor Batton
Sandra Ward, daughter of Margaret Batton - great-great grand-daughter of Andrew Batton and Lilias McGregor Batton
Margaret Batton, great grand-daughter of Andrew & Lily Batton
at the front is Jennifer, daughter of Fiona Batton
Left to right - Fiona, Anne, Doreen, Margaret and at the front, Jennifer (Fiona's daughter)
Anne, Doreen and Ian Pateron with Margaret Straiton.
Doreen's grandparents were Andrew & Lily Batton who lived in Douglas West, Lanark
Margaret's great-grandparents were the same Andrew & Lily Batton.
We met Doreen (Batton) and Ian Paterson and their daughter Anne. Also there was Doreen's brother Andrew Batton's daughter Fiona and her daughter Jennifer.
It was lovely to meet them and look at some of their old family photos.
Thanks for their hospitality and it as lovely to meet them.
Hope you like the photographs I took....
Left to right :
Fiona Batton daughter of Andrew Batton, grand-daughter of Robert McGregor Batton
Anne Paterson daughter of Doreen & Ian Paterson (Anne is also the grand-daughter of Robert McGregor Batton)
Doreen Batton - youngest child of Robert Batton and Janet Grant - grand-daughter of Andrew Batton and Lilias McGregor Batton
Sandra Ward, daughter of Margaret Batton - great-great grand-daughter of Andrew Batton and Lilias McGregor Batton
Margaret Batton, great grand-daughter of Andrew & Lily Batton
at the front is Jennifer, daughter of Fiona Batton
Left to right - Fiona, Anne, Doreen, Margaret and at the front, Jennifer (Fiona's daughter)
Anne, Doreen and Ian Pateron with Margaret Straiton.
Doreen's grandparents were Andrew & Lily Batton who lived in Douglas West, Lanark
Margaret's great-grandparents were the same Andrew & Lily Batton.
Saturday 7 February 2009
Unravelling the mystery of the Batton/Patons
Have found out more on the Batton family.
Who, why, when and where..
Will post later....
Who, why, when and where..
Will post later....
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