A few weeks ago I wrote about James Young (1824-1895). He was my end of line individual until I finally found his death record and learned the names of his parents, James Young and Janet Robertson. I wondered if my new James Young was also the son of a James Young.
Well, it turns out he wasn’t. The backward streak of James Youngs was finally broken when again I found a death record. This James Young was considerate enough to die after civil registration started in Scotland. This means his death record has the names of his parents. Hooray! I pushed the line back another generation to Thomas Young and Janet Ferguson.
I still have more research to do on James and his family. So far I have identified eight children with a few suspicious gaps. I know that he was born 26 October 1800 in Renfrew, Renfrew, Scotland to Thomas Young and Janet Ferguson. He married Janet Robertson. His first child that I know of was born in 1824. In 1841 he is living in Renfrew with his wife and seven children working as a Cotton Hand Loom Weaver. 1851 finds him at the same address and occupation living with his wife and six children. In 1861 he is living in Renfrew with his wife and two daughters working as a labourer. He died 8 January 1870 in Renfrew.
Without this death record I would have really struggled to find as much as I have so far. So Grandpa James, thank you for living fifteen years past the beginning of civil registration. Fifteen years… I wonder if I might be able to squeak in one more generation? Maybe Thomas or Janet lived past 1855? I haven’t checked yet. I think I need to click on over and give it a look!