What do I do with this?

[kernowmaid]

Oh I so love the "Hints" on Ancestry.

My 4xgt uncle was William ELLIOT, born about 1797 in (New)castleton, Roxburghshire. He was a Cattle Trader, never married.
My first official "sighting" of him is the 1851 Census.

So this could possibly be him ... and then again, possibly not.


So HOW DO I INVESTIGATE?
What is the point of a "hint" if it doesn't tell you anything?

Jane

 

[Sandiep]

there is a census in 1861 Langholm street Casleton for a William Elliot Unmarried Cattle Dealer
There is a Helen, Ann and Robina all unmarried at same address

 

[GrannyBarb]

The source book is listed on Google books, but not much help:

https://books.google.com/books?id=E811AAAAMAAJ&hl=en

There is a limited search preview. I don't think the record you want is included.

 

[Sis]

On Ancestry there's a transcription that says the ship is "Schooner Union Packet". Port of Departure was St Andrews and he was a shoemaker. Arrival date was 26 April 1830.

 

[kernowmaid]

Thanks Sandie - yes, that's him in 1861 with my 3xgt gran Helen (his sister). He appears to have had a drink/mental health problem and shortly afterwards was arrested (crime: Insane) and committed to 2 asylums - which I've researched and sound awful.
It's his life pre-1851 that I can't track (there's a possible Ag Lab in 1841, but no way to prove it's him.)

Thanks Sis - there was a Shoemaker William Elliot born around the same time as my William, so I think you've proved that I can ignore the hint.

Thanks Barb - I shall take a look right now!

Jane

 

[kernowmaid]

Now here's what could be a stoopid question:

Is there a National Archives in the USA - and how do I access it?

(The above reference produces zilch from the .gov.uk site)

Jane

 

[kernowmaid]

Answered my own question: of course there is!

I really must get to grips with Ancestry's Card Catalogue - it's all in there somewhere, just with ridiculous titles!

Jane

 

[Sandiep]

there is a William Elliot arrived 26 4 1830 on Union Packet to New York age 33 who it says is a shoemaker

 

[Sandiep]

dont know if you have seen this site

https://www.oldscottish.com/castleton.html

quite a lot of free records but they do charge for some Must admit couldnt match your William but there might be some other Elliots can see some

 

[kernowmaid]

Thanks Sandi

Yes, a very helpful site - that's where I found William's Asylum documents.
I think I've gone as far as I can with him.
Maybe one day he'll pop up when I'm not expecting him

Jane

 

[Sandiep]

Well it took me 10 years to find hubbies grandparents marriage as i was looking for 1874 and they didn't marry till 1904!! So there's always hope