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How sad!

It's interesting that the death cert has his correct DOB even though no other details were known.
Maybe from his employer, Great Northern Railway.

Presumably he only worked for them sporadically, or maybe they were just the most recent employer. Being an alcoholic transient with no fixed abode doesn't suggest a good employment record.

Speculating - maybe James was ashamed to contact his family, because of how his life had turned out.

Yes it is very sad, AG. After his mother died in 1932 there were only his sisters left living in Lerwick so perhaps he decided it was just too far!

William Irvine?

REWARD- A REWARD of ONE GUINEA will be PAID by the INSPECTOR of POOR. North Leith, to ANY PERSON who will give Such Information as will lead to the apprehension of WILLIAM IRVINE, a MARINE FIREMAN, a Native of Lerwick but long resident about North Leith who has DESERTED his CHILDREN.
29 December 1892 - Edinburgh Evening News - Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland


and a possible.

Before Sheriff Hamilton, the Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court to-day, William Irvine, a fireman, charged with having on 21st inst., on board the steamer North Star at Leith, assaulted Frederick Little Moore, a customs officer ...
26 October 1891 - Edinburgh Evening News - Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

Maybe that is this man though :-S

1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census
13, Citadel Street, Edinburgh, Leith, North Leith, Midlothian, Scotland

First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
William Irvine Head
Married Male 39 1862 Trawler Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland
Georgina Irvine Wife
Married Female 32 1869 - Midlothian, Scotland
Andrew Irvine Son
Single Male 15 1886 Scholar Midlothian, Scotland
James Irvine Son
Single Male 15 1886 Scholar Midlothian, Scotland
William Irvine Son
- Male 1 1900 - Midlothian, Scotland


This William's parents are James Irvine and Barbara Gray. He married Georgina Marshall nee Patterson.

I would say the reward notice is definitely our (well, Neil's !) man.

But yes, the assault charge could be the other man. He and Georgina married in 1897.


The reward notice is dated almost 3 weeks after William's announcement that Ann had left him, and that he wouldn't be responsible for Ann's debts. (Posted 24 June, 18:35.)

The last few posts are making my head spin, the fact that my great grandmother gave birth to twins John and Thomas in 1891 then went to Leith, had James in Leith 1895 then Catherine in 1898 then moved back to Shetland where George was born.
I know the marriage fell apart and William took on another partner sometime before 1918
I would assume Ann (Henry) Irvine was living with John Irvine (brother-in-law) son of William (born 1830 father of William born 1862)
Neil

"I would assume Ann (Henry) Irvine was living with John Irvine (brother-in-law) son of William (born 1830 father of William born 1862)"

When do you think that was, Neil? After 1911 (posted earlier) , when she's with three of her children, and no other adult Irvine?

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/181425466/james-irvine

James Irvine
Birth 1896
Death 21 Apr 1950 (aged 53–54)
Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, USA
Burial
Riverside Memorial Park
Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, USA
Plot Lawn Aloysius, 39N--14W, Sp 12a
Memorial ID 181425466 · View Source


Sadly there is no photo but perhaps you could request one?