Which Webster? A mystery solved

Annie Webster was born 12 February 1877 at the home of her grandmother Ann Smith at  Market Square, Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire. The town is a rural settlement approximately 32 kilometres from the city of Aberdeen. She was the illegitimate daughter of Ann Smith, a dressmaker and James Webster, a railway carter. The identity of her father initially proved elusive. Annie used her father’s surname until her marriage in 1907,  not always the case with illegitimate children, but also not necessarily unusual if a father admitted paternity and is named on the birth registration.  There is no evidence her parents continued their relationship after her birth. It is possible that the Webster and Smith families knew each other and socialised from at least the 1850s with a newspaper article reporting on a ploughing competition in 1856 on the Smith farm, with an Alexander Webster, possibly the father of James, mentioned as having attended. 

The search for the correct James Webster narrowed him down to two possible men. In the register of corrected entries (a separate register recording additional information or errors to statutory registers) to birth records for Annie Webster in the Parish of Meldrum on 12 March 1879, James is identified as a railway carter residing at Inverurie. In a further correction, dated 29 August 1883, he is recorded as a labourer, residing in Cowgate, Oldmeldrum.  It is assumed Annie Webster’s mother, Ann Smith, brought actions for maintenance purposes resulting in these additions. You can see on the record above two stamps in the far left hand column. In Scottish records this is a sign that there is more to find out about your ancestor and other official records are attached to the document. Examples can be findings from a coroner or paternity issue. Annie’s mother took a case to the Sheriffs Court twice. A range of sources relating to requests can be found including letters, cards, and witness statements as a relationship between the parties had to be proved. Unfortunately, and to my despair, it was not to be for my research .

The first correction on 12 March 1879 reads as follows: “With reference to Entry 17 in the Register Book of Births for the year 1877, insert the following note on the Authorisation of a Certificate in the form of a Schedule (F). In an action relation to the paternity of a child named Annie Webster born 12 Feb 1877, at the instance of Ann Smith residing in Oldmeldrum, against James Webster, railway carter, residing at Inverurie, the Sheriff Court of Aberdeen and Kincardine on the 21^st day of February 1879, found that the said child was the illegitimate child of the parties aforesaid.”  The second on 29 August 1883 states “With reference to Entry 17 in the Register Book of Births for the year 1877, insert the following note on the Authorisation of a Certificate in the form of a Schedule (F). In an action relation to the paternity of a child named Annie Webster born 12 Feb 1877, at the instance of Annie Smith domestic servant, Tulloch, Oldmeldrum, against James Webster, labourer, Cowgate, Oldmeldrum, the Sheriff Court of Aberdeen and Kincardine on the 23rd day of November 1881, found that the said child was the illegitimate child of the said James Webster.” 

This is the last entry:

The 1881 Scottish census records James Webster, aged 24, living at 24 Upper Cowgate, Meldrum as a boarder with the Cameron family. Mary Cameron, married to baker Donald Cameron, from Beauly in Inverness was James’ sister. Annie Webster and her grandmother, Ann Smith, are recorded as living at 29 Upper Cowgate at the time. The census record also identifies the birth place of James as Oldmeldrum, thereby narrowing the search for Annie’s father. In this regard, the thoroughness of Scottish records at the time is a boon. 

Of the two possibilities identified in Oldmeldrum, both James Webster’s matched probable place and age according to census records. One was quickly discounted as he married in Glasgow in 1877, was recorded there in the 1881 census with his family, and moved to Australia in 1887. 

Annie’s father was in Oldmeldrum in 1881 according to the 1883 Register of Corrected Entries and the address matched the James Webster in the 1881 census. Mary Cameron is the daughter of Alexander Webster and Christian Singer. In addition, identifying James in records as a railway carter matches with the same family, as his father Alexander, as well as being a shoemaker, had a carting business based in Inverurie, with his plant advertised for sale in 1879 after his death in 1878 and recorded in his will.  

James was born to Alexander Webster, a shoemaker, and Christian Singer who married in Oldmeldrum on 17 December 1839 after due proclamation.

Marriage December 1839 – ‘Alexander Webster and Christian Singer both in the Parish having contracted in order to marriage were after due proclamation, married 17^th Old Parish Registers Oldmeldrum 229/30 300. Crown copyright National Records of Scotland. Generated 22 June 2019.

James was the couple’s sixth child, born 22 December 1855 in Oldmeldrum to 41 year old Alexander and 34 year old Christina.

Birth record for James Webster – born 22 December 1855 at 6am. Born Oldmeldrum to Alexander Webster, Shoemaker aged 41 from Monymusk and Christina Webster nee Singer, aged 34 from Oldmeldrum. Parents married December 17, 1939 and have 3 boys living and 2 girls living (none deceased). Fathers signature in on document and the birth was registered 10 January 1856. Statutory registers Birth 229/82 Oldmeldrum. Crown Copyright National Records of Scotland. Generated 22 June 2019.

James was living with his father in the 1871 Census at 27 Urquhart Road, Meldrum, Aberdeenshire. By then Alexander was widowed and the household included older sister, Christiana (Christina), aged 23 and niece, Mary Williamson, aged three years. Mary was the illegitimate daughter of Christiana, born in November 1867 at Urquhart Street. Alexander’s younger brother Robert’s wife and children, named Alexander, Jane and Helen, were erroneously recorded as living in the same house as Alexander and as his wife and offspring in one transcription. On obtaining the document they were found to actually be in the house next door to Alexander. Helen’s husband Robert, a carter, was recorded in Monymusk, lodging with William Thain during the period the census was recorded. It is most likely he was working in the area. This again points to the value in accessing the original document as opposed to relying on a transcription.

In 1901 James was boarding with members of a Webster family in Oldmeldrum at 1 Union Place, working as a Stillman, likely at the Garioch distillery.  He next appears in a death record on 11 July 1934 at 100 Station Road, Thornton Parish of Markinch, East Wemyss, Fife. He never married and was working as a watchman. He died of Myocarditis; Heart Failure. The informant is John Ballantine, Occupier. The record of his parents has his father recorded as a carting contractor. 

Death Record for James Webster – 11 July 1934 at 100 Station Road, Thornton, Fife at 4am. Parents: Alexander Webster, carting contractor and Christina Webster (nee Singer). Cause of death: Myocarditis; Heart Failure cert by Adam Tait MB, CHB. Informant: John Ballantine, Occupier. Occupation: Watchman. Marital Status: Single. Crown Copyright National Records of Scotland.

Burial Record in Oldmeldrum Kirkyard

A burial record in the Oldmeldrum Kirkyard confirms that this death is James, son of Alexander and Christian Singer with dates of death and parent’s names aligning, as well as that of Christina Cameron, a granddaughter of Alexander and Christian.

Inscription

Side 1: Erected by Alexander Webster, feuar, Oldmeldrum in memory of his spouse CHRISTIAN SINGER d 6 May 1866 aged 44; son ALEXANDER d Belleville, Ontario 30 Nov 1875 aged 34 and is interred there.
Side 2: The foresaid ALEXANDER WEBSTER d Oldmeldrum 11 Sept 1878 aged 63 much respected and deeply regretted. In memory of JAMES WEBSTER son of the above who was laid to rest on 13 July 1934 aged 78 years.
Side 3: Also in memory of CHRISTINA CAMERON granddaughter of the above Alexander Webster died at Dee View, Bieldside 21 Nov 1941 aged 73 years.

There is definitely more work to be done and new information to be discovered. Particularly relating to James’ movements during the 1890s and up until his death. Roll on the publication of the 1921 Scottish census. This does show the process I have followed as best I can to solve a mystery with some confidence. To be fair, the fact that he was Scottish and their record keeping has been so thorough has helped immensely. As with other members of this family however, there are gaps to be filled.