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Can anyone help I'm am trying to find my Great Grandad his name was James Nicholson born in Scotland c1866 he moved to Ballina Mayo Ireland and married Catherine Sweeney in 1887 and later died in 1951. I have no idea on where in Scotland he was born and no details of his family. Any leads are more than welcome.

Thanks

Gemma Nicholson

I think you need to get his father's name from his m.cert - you then stand a chance of finding him in 1871 and would hopefully know where his pob was to get his b.cert from SP.

The GRO(I) index thru 1958 (excl N. Ireland post-partition) is available at:
https://www.familysearch.org/s/collection/list#page=1®ion=EUROPE

One can purchase certs (or cheaper still, the uncertified images of the rego) via:
http://www.groireland.ie/

The Irish 1901/1911 censuses are free at:
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search/
[Not heard of any release dates for next census (=1926 in both Irelands)]

Noticed in the Irish census he was a Tailor - found an apprentice tailor on 1881 census. Searched for a birth on Family Search, couldn't find it. Looked at James McLatchie and found info below. May be a coincidence, but he was a tailor and his second daughter was Hannah. His first daughter Margaret is named after his mother in law Margaret Sweeney. Looks like he was named after Hannah's father. Hannah McLatchie was a Domestic Servant and Dairymaid for almost all her life.

Name: James Nicholson
Age: 15
Estimated birth year: abt 1866
Relationship: Grandson
Gender: Male
Where born: New Cumnock, Ayrshire
Registration Number: 608
Registration district: New Cumnock
Civil Parish: New Cumnock
County: Ayrshire
Address: Pathhead
Occupation: Apprentice Tailor
ED: 2
Household schedule number: 85
Line: 23
Roll: cssct1881_194
Household Members:
Name Age
Catherine McLatchie 73
James Nicholson 15

On IGI

JAMES MCLATCHIE Pedigree
Male

Event(s):
Birth:
28 MAY 1865 New Cumnock, Ayr, Scotland
Christening:
Death:
Burial:

Parents:
Mother: HANNA MCLATCHIE

1871 Census:

Name: James Mclatchie
Age: 5
Estimated birth year: abt 1866
Relationship: Grandson
Gender: Male
Where born: N Cumnock, Ayrs
Registration Number: 608
Registration district: New Cumnock
Civil Parish: New Cumnock
County: Ayrshire
Address: Private House
Occupation: Scholar
ED: 2
Household schedule number: 97
Line: 10
Roll: CSSCT1871_114
Household Members:
Name Age
Cathrine Mclatchie 55
Gernard Mclatchie 25
Jean Mclatchie 12
Elizabeth Mclatchie 9
James Mclatchie 5

1841 Census:
Name: Hannah Mclatchie
Age: 5
Estimated birth year: abt 1836
Gender: Female
Where born: Ayrshire, Scotland

Civil Parish: Galston
County: Ayrshire
Address: Old Mans Close
Parish Number: 593
Household Members:
Name Age
James Mclatchie 50
Cathrine Mclatchie 25
Hannah Mclatchie 5
Margaret Mclatchie 3
John Mclatchie 1

To ensure any of this is correct you will have to get a marriage or death cert to confirm as suggested before. I had a look on Mayo marriages at Irish Roots for a marriage in the year you state and couldn't find one for 1897. So it may be just before or just after 1897.

Regards
Catherine

Catherine

The OP said the marriage was 1887..........not 1897

Sorry, yes I have checked again and none in 1887. I searched using Catherine Sweeney & James.

Catherine

Catherine,

Thanks for your help its another lead I can look in to. However I am slightly confused with the different surnames, but I am sure I will work it out.

Thanks

Gemma

Gemma

He was born illegitimate, as there was no father listed, hence on birth cert McLatchie, his mother's name. His name changed to Nicholson between 1871 and 1881. Perhaps he was told who his father was and took his name - pure speculation.

Catherine

Catherine,

That makes sense now, Thank you

Gemma