Crawford

Initially when I found my great great grandfather James Crawford, sometimes his birthplace on the census was Ireland and sometimes Scotland.
When I asked cousin Doreen about this she replied:
I think you should be looking to Ireland . James Crawford who married Janet Killoch had a daughter Nancy, born 5 Jan.1857, Port Glasgow. On her birth certificate was a Hugh Crawford, born in Ireland. He was named as her Uncle.
I knew that our grandfather had a brother David, but I could never find him…..yet. Aunty Daisy told me that he emigrated to Canada. So he must have been older when he did that. So maybe check the ships that came here. Grandad’s other brother, Johnston was born 1883 in Fermanagh, Ireland. and emigrated to New York May 10, 1909, He was married to a Martha Ford also from Ireland. They had a child but she died in New York her name was Tillie. But he returned to Scotland after making his fortune. He died in Fife, Scotland.

It was interesting to discover that our Crawford family appear to have originated in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. I hadn’t realised that emigration from Ireland to Scotland was such a common occurrence during the early part of the 19th century. Lochee, blighted by poverty and poor quality housing, was the first port of call for many of the migrants, who settled there for economic reasons and to be close to their workplace – before long it was handed the local moniker “Little Tipperaray”.

Andrew Crawford

The earliest Crawford we have is Andrew Crawford, born 1780 in Ireland married to Agnes (Nancy) Johnston, born 1789 in Ireland.

They had 6 children that I know of:
Agnes, Hugh, Elizabeth, James, John and Jane. I have no birth date yet for Agnes, Hugh was born about 1818 in Ireland, Elizabeth 1824, James 1825, John 1828, Jane 1834.

I found Andrew Crawford and his wife Nancy in the 1851 census for Newark Street, Paisley Middle Church, Renfrewshire. The birthplace for both was Ireland. I haven’t found any mention of them in the 1841 census so this may mean that they emigrated sometime between 1841 and 1851.

In the 51 census Andrew’s occupation was given as labourer and he was aged 71. His wife Nancy was aged 62. Also in the household were Eliza Crawford aged 27, occupation heckler (Lint dresser who separated the coarse flax with a toothed hackle), Jane aged 20 a ropespinner (Maker of rope by braiding yarns of cotton or flax) and John aged 23 a joiner. A great grandchild aged 3 weeks Andrew Freeman was also in the house – the child of their eldest daughter Agnes.

The children of Andrew and Nancy Crawford

Agnes Crawford was married to Andrew Freeman. Their son Andrew Crawford Freeman was born in 1851 and died 1927 in Govan, Lanark. He married Frances Robertson Campbell in 1888 in Kinning Park, Lanark. Frances was born in 1864.

Hugh Crawford was married to Ann Crawford. They had 5 children.

Hamilton born 1843 in Ireland. Hamilton was married to Maggie McGowan, born 1847 in Kirkwall, Orkey. He married his second wife Agnes Soden (born 1865) in 1890 at Kinning Park Lanark.

Sarah was born 1845 in Ireland and died in 1880. She married Samuel Collingwood 1866 in Port Glasgow, son of James Collingwood and Mary Marshall.

Samuel was born 1841 in Ireland. On their marriage certificate, Samuel was a blacksmith, journeyman aged 25. Father James Collingwood, a carter and mother Mary Marshall. Sarah was a mill worker. Her father Hugh was a ? weaver.
They had 7 children: Samuel born 1865, Mary born 1867, Agnes born 1869, Sarah born 1870, Jane born 1872, Andrew born 1876, James born 1878.

Andrew was born 1849.

James was born 12 Jun 1856 in Port Glasgow. He married Mary McKay 31 Dec 1889 in Port Glasgow. She was born 1860.
They had 3 children: Jane born 1890, Sarah born 1893, Hugh born 1895.
Agnes Crawford was born 1859 in Port Glasgow. She married Archibald Wilson 02 Jul 1878 in Port Glasgow. He was born 1859 in Irvine. They had 7 children: Annie born 1880, James born 1882, Ellen born 1883, Hugh born 1884, Andrew born 1886, Archibald born 1888, Sarah born 1890.

In the 1841 census I found Hugh and Ann living at Barr’s Brae Foot, Port Glasgow. Hugh was an agricultural labourer aged 23, Ann was aged 20. Also there were Hamilton Crawford (possibly a brother?) aged 25. Birthplace for them all was Ireland.

In the 1851 census Hugh and Ann were living at 7 Ashgrove Lane, Paisley. Hugh was aged 32 and was a labourer. His wife was aged 30 and there were now 3 children: Hamilton aged 8, Sarah aged 6 and Andrew aged 1.

In 1861 the family was living at No.11 Ashgrove Lane. Hugh was aged 46 and his occupation was flax dresser. Ann was aged 42. Hamilton was aged 18, a millwright, Sarah was aged 16, a warper, Andrew was aged 12, a pirn winder (Mill worker who threaded yarn on weaving looms), James aged 4 and Agnes aged 1.

In 1881 the family is at 40 Church Street, Port Glasgow. Hugh is aged 64, occupation labourer in factory. Ann is aged 60. James is aged 24 an unemployed joiner. Agnes aged 22 is now married to Archibald Wilson also aged 22 and they have a daughter Annie C aged 1 year old.

In 1891 Ann Crawford, aged 73, is living with Agnes and Archibald at 6 Falconer Street, Port Glasgow. Archibald Wilson is aged 32, occupation rivetter and Ann is aged 31. They have 7 children: Annie aged 11, James aged 9, Ellen aged 8, Hugh aged 6, Andrew aged 4, Archibald aged 2 and Sarah aged 4 months.

Elizabeth Crawford married Donald McBride in 1867, the son of Neil and Isabella. Donald had been married previously to Elisabeth Taylor and they had 7 children.

In 1871 Donald and Elizabeth are living in Auchnaher, Kilfinian. Donald is aged 60, an agricultural labourer. Elizabeth is aged 48. Donald’s 3 sons are living with them, John is aged 20, a shepherd, Peter is aged 9 and James is aged 6. There is also another son now aged 3 Duncan.

In 1881 they are visiting Donald’s daughter Catherine aged 27 at Glasgow Kinning Park. Catherine is married to William McCartney aged 37 and they have 4 children, James aged 5, Elizabeth aged 3, John aged 2 and George aged 2 months. William’s occupation is Commercial Clerk Sugar Merchants Office.

James Crawford, born 1825 in Ireland. See below.
John Crawford, born 1828 Ireland
Jane Crawford born 1834 Ireland

James Crawford Senior

James was my great great grandfather and married Janet Killock on 11 August 1848 in Port Glasgow. She was the daughter of John Killock and Jean Yuill. She was born in 1827 in Port Glasgow. James and Janet had 5 children, Johnston, Janet, Nancy, Elizabeth and James all born in Port Glasgow.
Johnston was born in 1851 and died in 1900. More information below.
Janet was born 1855 in Port Glasgow. She married Alfred Kerr in 1882 in Lochee, Dundee, he was the son of Alexander Kerr and Jane Logan. He was born 1862. I have one child for them Alexander Kerr born 1884 in Lochee.
Nancy was born 1857 and died on 8th March 1861 of croup.
Elizabeth was born 1860
James was born 1864 and died on 19th December 1865 also of croup. His death details were on Scotlands People, his father James was a ship steward.

I have found the following information on the family in various censuses.
In the 1851 census James was living with Janet at Newark Street, Renfrewshire. James was aged 25 and his birthplace was given as Ireland. He was a labourer. Janet was aged 23 born in Port Glasgow.

In 1861 Janet was living at Clune Brae Road, Port Glasgow. She was a factory worker and she had 3 children Johnston aged 8, Janet aged 6 and Elizabeth 9 months.

In 1871 she was aged 44 living at 29 Mid Street, Lochee. She was a mill worker and was living with Johnston now aged 18, also a mill worker.

In 1881 Janet was living at 2 Elders Lane, Lochee. She was a jute spinner and living with Esther Maltman.

In 1891 she was living at 4 Franklin Street, Bridgeton. She was a yarn winder and her daughter Elizabeth, a power loom weaver, was living with her. Elizabeth Magar aged 22 and Mary Russell aged 32 were also in the house.

I have found a Hamilton Crawford who was with Hugh and Ann in the 1841 census. He could be a brother, born 1825.
Hamilton was born 1816 in Ireland and he married Mary Anderson in 1846 in Glasgow. Mary was born in 1824 in Ireland.
In the 1851 census Hamilton is aged 36 living with his wife Mary at Sinclairs Closs, Port Glasgow. Hamilton is a shuttle maker. They have two children, Andrew aged 4 and Mary Ann Jane aged 11 months. Also in the household are Agnes Mugan, a lodger aged 21 and Mary Jane Mugan aged 5.
In the 1861 census, Hamilton and Mary are living in Ashgrove Buildings, Port Glasgow. Hamilton is aged 48, a joiner. In the household are daughter Elizabeth aged 5 and Mary Jane aged 8.
In 1881 Hamilton and Mary are living at 11 Plantation Place, Port Glasgow. Hamilton is aged 67 and a joiner. A son John aged 17 is living there, also Mary Jane aged 24.

Johnston Crawford

He was my great grandfather and he married Annie Bain 06 Oct 1873 in Dundee, daughter of John Bain and Mary Birrell. She was born 21 Nov 1852 in Grange of Lindores, Scotland, and died 1941 in Broughty Ferry, Dundee. Johnston died in 1900. Johnston and Annie had 9 children.
James born 1872
Janet was born in 1875 at 203 Lochee Road, Dundee.
Johnston was born in 1879 in Lochee, Forfarshire. He married Elizabeth Henry Taylor in 1902 Dundee. she died in 1934 in Dundee.
David McKintosh born 1881. He emigrated to Canada in 1906 and I have recently made contact with his grand-daughter Wendy who gave me the following information:

My grandfather was a blacksmith and he and my grandmother (she emigrated in 1911) married in Winnipeg when she arrived.  They settled in Pelly Saskatchewan Canada.  He was the town blacksmith till they retired and moved to Vancouver British Columbia.  They had 7 children.  My father Ronald Charles Crawford was his youngest son.

Funnily enough, Wendy and I happened to be in Dundee at the same time in 2014 and we met up to exchange information.  She had arranged an appointment at the Registrars Office and had discovered that several of the Crawford family were buried in the Eastern Cemetery in Dundee.  I visited the cemetery and found the relevant plots but unfortunately there were no headstones. 
John born 1883 in Dundee, Forfarshire.
James born 1885 in Dundee and died in 1948. See below
Charles Burgess born 1887 in Dundee and died in 1920 in St.Clement, Dundee. He married Margaret Sturrock (born 1892) in 1911.
Andrew born 1889 at 44 Kemback Street, Dundee.
Ann born 1892 in Dundee.

I have the following information from the censuses:
In 1881 Johnston and Ann are living at 7 Derby Street, St.Clement, Dundee. Johnston is aged 28 a yarn bundler. Ann is aged 27 born Newburgh, Fifeshire. Their daughter Janet is there aged 6.

In 1891, Johnston is aged 38 living at 44 Kemback Street in Dundee. He is a yarn bundler. Also in the household are his wife Ann aged 37 born in Grange, Fifeshire and 6 children, Charles B aged 4, James aged 6, John aged 8, David M aged 10 a bobbin shifter, Johnstone aged 12 also a bobbin shifter and Janet aged 16 a winder.

In 1901, Ann is living at 14 Baffin Street, St.Andrew, Dundee, her occupation is a mangle keeper. Three of her children are there, James aged 16 an apprentice ship’s carpenter, Charles aged 14 a jute mill worker and Ann aged 9. Two boarders are also living there, John Moir aged 18 a biscuit baker and David Leven aged 18 a shipyard labourer.

James Crawford

My grandfather James was born on 1st February 1885 in Dundee Forfarshire.  He married Davina Lindsay 09 Apr 1909 in St.Andrew, Dundee. He was a shipwright who worked at the dockyard and apparently he was laid off regularly. Times must have been hard as they had 8 children.  He died on 29th January 1948 in a motor vehicle accident.  Newspaper report below which was sent to me by Cupar Library:

James and Davina had 8 children

James (Jim) Lindsay born 1909 in Dundee, Scotland. He married Mary (Maisie) Reilly in 1940. Jim died in 1964 in Blacklaw, Dunfermline.
Mary (May) Siller born 1910 in Greenock. Siller was the name of May’s father (James) best man. She married James Muirhead in Dundee, Scotland. May died in1994 in Hill of Beath, Fife. They had 3 children Eric, David and Wendy.
Davina (Daisy) born 1911 at Crawford Street Greenock. She married George Nisbet Turnbull 1935 in Dundee, Scotland. They had 3 children Samuel Horace, Sheila Crawford and George Lindsay all born in Cowdenbeath, Fife. Daisy died 20 Jun 1981 in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. She was suffering from Alzheimers and cancer.
David Brymer (see below)
Johnston Bain born 1915 in Greenock. He married Helen (Nelly) Gordon Forbes 19 Jun 1940, daughter of John Forbes and Margaret Garvie. Nelly was born 29 Jun 1911 in Dundee, Scotland, and died 1987. Johnston died 01 Jan 1990 in Cambridge, Ontario. They had 3 children Doreen born 1941 in Bradford, Johnston Raymond (Ray) born 1943 in Bradford and Brian James born 1950 in Dundee.
Ann (Annie) Bain born 1917 in Greenock. She married David Taylor 03 Apr 1936. Annie died 07 Jul 1986 in Leeds. They had 4 children Anita, Jennifer, David and Renee.
Alan Lindsay born in 1921 in Greenock. He married Williamina (Mina) Reid 12 May 1944. She was born 09 Aug 1924. Alan died of a heart attack in 1978 in Cambridge, Ontario. They had 3 children Moira born 1944 in Dundee, Sheena born 1946 in Windsor, Ontario and Alan Reid born 1960 in Dundee.
Sheila Lindsay born 20 Oct 1928 in Greenock. She married James (Jim) Leslie Park in Dunfermline. They moved to Paisley in 1969. She died of a heart attack12 Sep 1980 in Ralston, Paisley. They had 3 children Denise born 1953, Alison born 1956 (died 1962) and Ruth Elaine born 1964.

David Brymer Crawford

My dad was born in 1914 at 33 East Crawford Street, Greenock. We always assumed Brymer was a family name, but it turns out that his mother’s sister Barbara Lindsay married a David Brymer so that’s where the name came from.  Dad worked as a delivery driver for a while and then joined the RAF at the age of 17 in 1931. He spent several years in the Middle East working as a driving instructor.

He came back when war broke out sometime in 1939 or 1940 and was sent to Manchester where he met my mother Maisie Sidey in 1944. When they were engaged dad took her up to Scotland to meet his dad who was living at the small holding in Barns of Claverhouse, Dundee. Apparently you had to go through a field of cows to get to the property and Johnston (dad’s brother) locked the gate while mum was in with the cows, scaring her to death. She was a city girl and hadn’t met cows before – Dad was annoyed with Johnston but it was just his sense of humour!

They also went to the pub at some point and my grandfather wanted mum to sit outside as women were not welcome in pubs. Scotland was a bit behind the times compared to London. Dad insisted she went in – so I expect that went down well with the locals.

Mum and Dad married shortly afterwards in August 1943. They had 3 children.
Dad died in 1983 in Burnham on Sea.