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My father (Alec Smith) has a poem written by his grandfather (Alexander smith) in 1891 dedicated to his Grandfather also known as Alexander Smith who lived at Drybriggs Cupar Fife around 1830. Can anyone shed any light on the Smiths from Drybriggs. Especially the brother of Janet Smith who married Alexander Page in 1875. Thanks Diana

1851 poss

Name: Alexander Smith
Age: 42
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1809
Relationship: Head
Spouse's Name: May
Gender: Male
Where born: Monzie, Fife
Parish Number: 420
Civil Parish: Cupar
County: Fife
Address: Drybriggs
Occupation: Hand Loom Weaver Linen
ED: 4
Page: 64 (click to see others on page)
Household schedule number: 335
Line: 13
Roll: CSSCT1851_86
Household Members: Name Age
Alexander Smith 42
Alexander Smith 2 Cupar
David Smith 9 Cupar
George Smith 14 Cupar
Helen Smith 12 Cupar
Janet Smith 7 Cupar
May Smith 40 Ceres
May Smith 4 Cupar

Source Citation: Parish: Cupar; ED: 4; Line: 19; Year: 1851.


1861 think this is same family
Name: Alexander Smith
Age: 52
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1809
Relationship: Head
Spouse's name : Mary
Gender: Male
Where born: Eaglesham, Fifeshire
Registration Number: 420
Registration district: Cupar
Civil Parish: Cupar
Town: Cupar
County: Fife
Address: Midbondfield
Occupation: Linen Weaver
ED: 7
Household schedule number: 64
Line: 7
Roll: CSSCT1861_54
Household Members: Name Age
Alexander Smith 52
Alexander Smith 12
Catherine Smith 4
David Smith 20
James Smith 6
Jannet Smith 17
Mary Smith 49
Mary Smith 14
Mary Smith 9



Struggling with 1841


Apparently 1841 census for Cupar is missing

From IGI

ALEXR. PAGE

Marriages:
Spouse: JANET SMITH
Marriage: 04 JAN 1875 Cupar, Fife, Scotland


So puzzled by what you mean about the brother of Janet Smith who married Alexander Page?

Thanks for all your help so far. Janet smith married Alexander Page in 1875 on the 4th of January, in the United Presbyterian church, Cupar. I am searching for the brother of Janet smith, because I think he might be my fathers great grandfather. Thanks again. Diana

Diana,

I could post loads of census info but how would you know the information is correct unless you have certs to get you back to 1901 census.

Slightly puzzled by the comment " I think he might be my fathers great grandfather"

Do you actually have the marriage cert for Janet in 1875 as that would show the names of her parents. I have no way of knowing if the 1851 and 1861 census info I have posted is correct. How do you know this Janet Smith is actually a relation?

Maureen

My father has a golden wedding invitation for 'Mr and Mrs Alex Page Celebration of their Golden Wedding', held on Jan 7th 1925. At the front of this invitation it states the following from the original marriage. At Cupar on 4th January, 1875 by the Rev John Rankine, Bonnygate. United Presbyterian Church, Alexander page, letterpress printer, Youngest son of the late Alexander Page, Pathead Kircaldy TO Janet Eldest surving daughter of Alexander Smith Drybriggs Cupar. The information you sent ties in with this - If Helen had died that would leave Janet as the eldest surving daughter. Also there is a May Smith and the Poem was sent from Alexander Smith to his Aunt May. My Fathers Grandfather was definitely Alexander Smith who married Louise Jennie Laird because we have his fathers birth certificate stating them as the parents. This leaves one of the brothers, Alexander, David or George as the likely candidates for my fathers great grandfather. I hope I have explained it better this time. Thanks once again for your help - My Dad has treasure the poem since he was a boy and is very excited at the prospect of us unraveling its content. Diana

When did Alex marry Louise Jennie Laird?


1861 poss
Name: George Smith
Age: 24
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1837
Relationship: Lodger
Gender: Male
Where born: Cupar, Fifeshire
Registration Number: 685/1
Registration district: St George
Civil Parish: Edinburgh St Cuthberts
County: Midlothian
Address: 5 Romilly Place
Occupation: Mason
ED: 42
Household schedule number: 35
Line: 18
Roll: CSSCT1861_124
Household Members: Name Age
Robert Glover 22
Elizabeth McNab 27
Margaret McNab 54
Robt McNab 20
George Smith 24

1871 poss
Name: George Smith
Age: 34
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1837
Relationship: Head
Spouse's name : Jane
Gender: Male
Where born: Copar, Fifeshire
Registration Number: 692/2
Registration district: Leith South Burgh
Civil Parish: Leith South
Town: Leith
County: Midlothian
Address: 2 Livingstone Place
Occupation: Mason
ED: 2
Household schedule number: 8
Line: 2
Roll: CSSCT1871_169
Household Members: Name Age
H Polson 27 lodger
George Smith 34
Jane Smith 31 Edinburgh
Jane Smith 4



1881 poss
Name: George Smith
Age: 44
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1837
Relationship: Head
Spouse's name : Jane
Gender: Male
Where born: Cupar, Fife
Registration Number: 685/5
Registration district: Newington
Civil Parish: Edinburgh St Cuthberts
County: Midlothian
Address: 29 Richmond Court
Occupation: Grocer
ED: 10
Household schedule number: 52
Line: 2
Roll: cssct1881_291
Household Members: Name Age
Alexander Smith 9 Leith
George Smith 44
Jane Smith 42 St Cuthberts, Edinburgh
Jane Smith 17

Thank you so much for this information. It is interesting that the census information relates to George Smith. Because my fathers father was called George Smith. I think therefore this is most probably his great grandfather and that is very exciting. I have not been able to establish the exact date of Alexander Smith and Louise Jennie Lairds marriage, though I think It is around 1896 because my fathers farther George Smith was born on June 11th 1897 in Crondale Place Edinburgh. His birth was registered on th 25th June in the District of St. Andrews. Thank you once again for your wonderful help. Diana

A little bit surprised if you have not been able to find a marriage for Alex to Louise.

I must have over 100 scottish birth certs and they usually give the date of the parents marriage - sometimes the year or month can be wrong.

Thanks for the information. I will ask my father to re look at his fathers birth certificate when he can and find out where that information is. I wrote down as many details as I could from it but I didn't notice that. The writing wasn't overly clear, though it did have his baptism on the back which was 28th day of June at what looked like St. Bernadie Parish. Thanks again, this would be impossible with out your help. Diana

Hello Maureen,
We have found out the marriage details Alexander Smith married Louisa Jenner Laird on 20th July 1986 in Torryburn Fife.
Thanks again
Diana

Hope you mean 1886 or 1896?

ages of the couple would be useful - also the names of parents etc

Also any occupations listed

Sorry 1896 they were both 24 when they married. Alexander's parents are both listed as deceased George Smith, occupation is given as Mason (Master) , and J. (Can't quite read the name but it looks like Jeannie) Smiths single name is listed as Bryce. Louisa's parent are Robert and Margret Laird. Robert Marshal Laird occupation is clerk of works (Retired)
Thanks again
Diana

Right a little bit more info

Possible marriage from IGI
George Smith
Married 22 Nov 1861 Edinburgh
Spouse Jane Bryce

Still not convinced that the 1881 family for George and Jane is correct as occupation has changed from mason to grocer. Unfortunately Ancestry do not have census images for Scotland so can not check that out. BUT Alex born 1872 could be the right one.


1881 possible
Name: Louisa Laird
Age: 9
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1872
Relationship: Daughter
Father's Name: Robert
Mother's Name: Margaret
Gender: Female
Where born: Portobello, Midlothian
Registration Number: 684/1
Registration district: Duddingston Portobello
Civil Parish: Duddingston
County: Midlothian
Address: Broadlee Hope, Cottage
Occupation: Scholar
ED: 13
Household schedule number: 121
Line: 23
Roll: cssct1881_278
Household Members: Name Age
Jane Laird 11
Jessie Laird 16
Louisa Laird 9
Margaret Laird 44 Elgin
Mary Laird 14
Robert Laird 44 Duddington, house carpenter
John Thomas 28



1891 poss
Name: Robert Laird
Age: 54
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1837
Relationship: Head
Spouse's name : Margaret
Gender: Male
Where born: Duddingston, Edinburgh
Registration Number: 684/1
Registration district: Portobello
Civil Parish: Duddingston
County: Midlothian
Address: 140 High St
Occupation: House Carpenter
ED: 4
Household schedule number: 147
Line: 3
Roll: CSSCT1891_332
Household Members: Name Age
Jeanie Laird 21
Jessie Laird 26
Margaret Laird 54
Robert Laird 54



1901 poss
Name: Robert Laird
Age: 65
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1836
Relationship: Head
Spouse's name : Margaret S
Gender: Male
Where born: Duddingston, Midlothian
Registration Number: 692/2
Registration district: Leith South
Civil Parish: Leith South
Town: Leith
County: Midlothian
Address: 5 Cochrane Pl
Occupation: Joiner (retired)
ED: 4
Household schedule number: 59
Line: 9
Roll: CSSCT1901_399
Household Members: Name Age
Margaret S Laird 65
Robert Laird 65



Struggling with 1901 for Alex Smith


1901 could be?

Name: Alex Smith
Age: 29
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1872
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Louisa P
Gender: Male
Where born: Scotland

Civil Parish: St Andrew
Ecclesiastical parish: St Luke
County/Island: Northumberland
Country: England

Street address:

Occupation: manager of marble works

Condition as to marriage:

Education:

Employment status: View Image

Registration district: Newcastle upon Tyne
Sub registration district: St Andrew
ED, institution, or vessel: 2
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 143
Household Members: Name Age
Alex Smith 29
Geo A Smith 3
Louisa P Smith 29
Robert M Smith 6 months

All shown as born in Scotland. Not sure about the initial for Louisa?



1891 this could match the 1881 family?
Name: Alexander Smith
Age: 19
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1872
Relationship: Son
Mother's Name: Jane
Gender: Male
Where born: Leith, Midlothian
Registration Number: 685/2
Registration district: St Andrew
Civil Parish: Edinburgh St Cuthberts
County: Midlothian
Address: 21 Leith Street
Occupation: Drapers Assistant
ED: 37
Household schedule number: 39
Line: 15
Roll: CSSCT1891_341
Household Members: Name Age
Alexander Smith 19
Jane Smith 51
Jane Smith 27



What was the occupation of Alex on his marriage cert?

His occupation is listed as Drapers assistant, so I think the 1891 census is correct. I agree that the change of job from mason to grocer in the 1881 census does appear as an anomaly, but the rest of the information fits together exactly. Louisa Laird was my fathers grandmother. Interesting he has a few old photographs of a family with four girls. I think the photographs could be the Laird family.
Thanks again for your wonderful support.
Diana