Thread: GOWANS family Edinburgh

Hi there,

I'm looking for information about my gggg grandfather Daniel Gowans, b. 1804 Edinburgh and his family. Daniel married Elimus (?) Mason. As far as I know, Daniel's father was Neilson Gowans and his mother was Ann Schaw (daughter of Daniel Schaw). Daniel Gowans was a printers compositor and Neilson was a bookbinder. Daniel Schaw was a printer, so there are definitely book trade connections. I'd like to know more about Neilson also but can't find his birth records. A witness to his marriage is Abraham Gowans so that may be his father but I can't find any records of an Abraham Gowans having children. Would love to hear from anyone who has any connections

Hi Nikki,
I looked up Abraham Gowans on Scotlands People and have a copy of his marriage on 16 Oct 1805 to Catharine Cameron. Abrahams occupation is given as Printer and he was married in New North Church Parish Edinburgh. Catharines father is Donald Cameron and he was a shoemaker.
I also have a copy of Abrahams birth, he was born on 21 Jan 1752 in the Parish of St Cuthberts, Edinburgh to James Gowans and Agnus (yes it is spelt that way on the entry) Forrest. I cannot find any of them in the 1841 census. Hope that gives you a wee bit of help. I will try to find a way for you to get these copies of the certificates, once I know how.

Daniel was born on 8 Sep 1805 and his sister Helen was born on 16 Aug 1806

I can't find a birth for Neilson Gowans on Scotlands People a possibility is that his birth was not recorded in the OPR if he was not baptised there would not be an entry. Another possibility is that he and any other siblings were born outwith Scotland.