1885 Death Certificate - Robert McCurdie

Death certificate for Robert McCurdie who was found drowned on 11th October 1885 in the River Much. Age listed as 50 years. Signed by son James.

Married to Isabella Ferrel.

1867 Marriage certificate of Robert McCurdy and Isabella Farrel

Marriage certificate for Robert McCurdy and Isabella Farrel - parish of Kilbirnie, county of Ayr.

Robert McCurdy age 22 years. Occupation Labourer.

Isabella Ferrel age 19 years. Occupation Mill worker.

They were married on 10th May 1867 - Church of Scotland Kilbirnie


Parents of Robert :

Father : James McCurdy, Stone Mason (deceased in 1867)
Mother : Margaret McCurdy, ms Hill (deceased in 1867)

Parents of Isabella :

Father : John Ferrel, Labourer (still living in 1867)

Mother : Mary Farrel, ms Cook (still living in 1867)

1876 Margaret McCurdy birth certificate

I found the birth certificate for Margaret McCurdy, my great grandmother and wife of George Batton. Note the different spelling in her surname from that on her gravestone (McCurdie).

She was born on March 18th 1876 at 81 Benquhat, in the parish of Dalmellington in the county of Ayr.

Parents : Robert McCurdy and Isabella Farrel.

The certificate shows that Robert and Isabella were married on 10th May 1867 in Kilbirnie.

My Grandfather George Batton

Above are photos of my grandfather George Batton. Photos supplied by John Davey, son of Betty Toner (niece of George Batton).

George Batton was born on 20th December 1916, son of Geroge Batton and Margaret McCurdie.

He died on 19th May 1976. He died of a heart attack at home (1 Murdoch Road, Darvel).

He married Jean Docherty, who died of TB on 15th January 1952 – children were Frank, George, Margaret, Andrew and Jean.

George married Margaret Dykes and they had one son, John Robert Batton.

Margaret McCurdie Batton - my Great grandmother

Margaret McCurdie Batton above - my mum is named after her grandmother...
Maggie died aged 83 years on 10th October 1959 – born circa 1876
Married George Batton on 27th July 1900 in Galston district.

1881 Scotland Census about Margaret McCurdie
Name:Margaret McCurdie
Age:5
Estimated Birth Year:abt 1876
Father's Name:Robert
Mother's Name:Isabella
Where born:Dalmellington, Ayrshire
Census taken - 81 Benquhat, Dalmellington.

On this Census were the following people residing at this address :
Agnes McCurdie age 3
Isabella McCurdie age 35
James McCurdie age 13
John McCurdie age 1
Margaret McCurdie age 5
Mary McCurdie age 9
Robert McCurdie (Iron miner) – born 1841 Ireland age 40
Sarah McCurdie age 6
William McCurdie age 11

One interesting discovery came with an official copy of Margaret McCurdie's father's death certificate. On the back, was a copy of a police report.
Apparently, Robert McCurdie died :-
"On the night of the 10th or morning of 11th October 1885. Suffocated in the Water of Muck, and at a part thereof about Fifty yards from the Porter Lodge, situated on the Estate of Craigengillan in the Parish of Dalmellington occupied by John Wilson Roadman residing there."
Police ruled the death accidental! Accident, or foul play!

Birth listing on Scotlands People website :

1876 MCCURDY MARGARET F DALMELLINGTON/AYR Certificate number 586/00 0098

George Batton - My Great Grandfather

This is a photo of George Batton Senior, my Great Grandfather.
my great-grandfather, was born on 5th April 1879 at Brewland Street, Galston, Ayshire. He died aged 50 years on 22nd May 1929 at 24 Carnalea, Galston. Occupation Colliery Fireman. He married Margaret McCurdie on 27th July 1900 in Galston.They had the following 9 children : Isabella, Rita, Lily, Agnes, Andrew, George, Margaret, May, Cissy. The version of the story goes: he was sitting at the kitchen table. He said to Maggie that he wasn’t feeling well. She turned away for a second, and when she looked back he was sliding out of the chair after suffering a heart attack. He was only 50. He’s buried in an unmarked grave in Galston Cemetery. Grave number (#204? or 402?). There was a number marker, but no headstone. The other interesting thing is that a young girl is buried with him. Relatives vaguely remembered that it may have been a young niece that was placed there because the family had no burial plot.

Jean Batton - My Grandmother

This is my grandmother Jean Batton who died of TB aged 33 years - on 15th January 1952 – they left children – Frank, George, Margaret, Andrew and Jean.
Jean died in Ayrshire Central Hospital, Kilwinning. Daughter of Frank King and Margaret Brown.
Jean is buried in Darvel Cemetery (the one at the top of the big hill).

The Battons lived at 3 Paterson Terrace, Darvel at this time.