Thread: William BOYD

It's a curly one, as it involves illegitimacy...

I'm looking for the father of great grandfather William BOYD, born 5 Dec 1875, Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, Scotland, to Rachel BOYD (b.1859, Lanarkshire, d.1924, NZ). William was raised by his grandmother Margaret DEAN (BOYD) at Stoneymeadow, Cambuslang, and emigrated with her to NZ in 1883. His birth mother Rachel was already here and had arrived 1878 with her sister.

William's fathers name was Robert MUIR and is mentioned on his marriage certificate as farmer. I wonder if this was a generic occupation for him, as William passed on to his son that Robert was a rope-maker. William's son also passed this story onto his son, who told me. Another cousin (grandaughter of William) thought Robert was a gardner at the place Rachel worked.

William was known later in life as William Muir BOYD. There is nothing on his death cert or on his will in NZ that mentions his father.

There are no changes made to William's birth cert in 1875 on Scotlandspeople. I don't know if there is any christening record at Cambuslang parish.

No records of Robert MUIR found in:
- Poor Applications (thought I'd check as William's grandfather Stephenson BOYD died 1878 and his grandmother may have sought help)
- General Register of Poor and Children's Register for Cambuslang (searched under Margaret BOYD, Stephenson BOYD, Rachel BOYDor William BOYD).
- Admission Register for Cambuslang Public School (for William BOYD)
- Kirk Session Minutes for Cambuslang for 1875-1883 inclusive.

The only thing I can think of is to put Rachel BOYD and a Robert MUIR in close proximity around the time of William's birth in 1875. In 1871, Rachel was working in Glasgow and boarding at 258 Bath Street, Glasgow (coincidently there is a Jane Muir there but I haven't found any connection).

I did find a Robert MUIR who was a rope-maker. He was a year younger than Rachel and in 1881 was living in Yorkshire. I traced this Robert substantially, and in 1871 he was living with his widowed mother Jane BRYCE at 18 Millroad St, Glasgow Calton, occupation rope spinner, which is 2.2m from where Rachel was living. I believe from family oral history Rachel BOYD may have moved around a bit during this time. She was a domestic servant/dairymaid, and 6 months before she left for NZ in 1878 she was working in Glasgow and won a teapot at the Glasgow show. The only thing I can think of is to look and see if Robert Muir is listed on directories somewhere between 1871-1878. He would have had his own business.

Now to throw a spanner in the works, another Robert MUIR was coincidentally living at the very same address where Rachel BOYD was, 258 Bath Street Glasgow, in 1891. This was 20 years after Rachel and this chap was an upholsterer. The only connection is the address and I'd have no other reason to suspect this chap.

Any help would be SO appreciated! I've spent years on this!

hi, I had a BIG HELP request here but it's disappeared. Where do I find it now?

Is this the one Vic?

http://www.ancestryaid.co.uk/boards/...tml#post232494

thanks Finbar. I guess it got moved.

Just an addition: does anyone know if Cambuslang christening records for this period (1875) exist?

Hello

A quick look indicates that there is a user submitted entry on the Familysearch.org site of Wiiliam BOYD circa s/o of Hugh & Margaret BOYD

This suggests to me that either the LDS has not got around to digitalising the Church records that we would expect to find William on or he was baptised in another parish again not digitalised

The alternative is to search the relevant Church records for the appropriate entry..a flying visit?????

You are therefore reliant on the birth certificate of the census returns that are on line to make the link unless there is a member who visits the local record office where the records are kept and is willing to undertake the search.

Yes there are still people who spend hours scouring the records in the Records Office, I for one go at least once (to a local RO/History library or cemetery! )a month for a 'rummage' around! It can be very rewarding.

elsabels

Hi, thanks elsabels.
William BOYD is the son of Rachel BOYD and Robert MUIR, so not this particular record you found.
I have no idea if the relevant church records even exist. I have his birth cert but was wondering if maybe a christening record would have listed his fathers name and occupation (for certain, as we do have family oral history but that needs to be verified).
I'm not in the UK so can't pop on down, but it is definitely something I'd like to do someday!