Scottish great great grandad

[Charles2]

Fri 13 July 2012

Julie and Dave, thank you again for your contributions, as a result of which, here is what I know now.

Nearly the whole story on Great Grandad, Peter Gardiner. He was married to Isabella and had four children, one of whom, Charles, was my Grandad.

We have established that the person who went initially to Canada was my Great Grandad, Peter; and that they crossed over to the States. This clears up the anomaly of thinking they had gone to Canada but having the one photo of them apparently in New York.

My version of my Grandfather going over to Canada with a flock of sheep with his brother, and the brother staying on while Grandad came back, has a ring of plausibility about it.

Great Grandad crossed over to Halifax in 1921, when my Grandad, Charles, would have been 27 years old. Now I know he had two other brothers who seemed to have settled there. Great Grandad’s object for going to Canada was “to settle with my sons.” So all that fits in.

However, my father was born in 1921, and so if Grandad did go initially, he had a wife and a newly born ‘first born’ at home in Scotland to come back to. It is likely all three brothers crossed the Atlantic at some time, but the question is still a little vague as to how and when.

So, what about Great Great Grandad? If he had been born 25 years before my Grandad, he should have been born about 1840. And from the data you have provided, it would appear that Great Great Grandad is ‘another’ Charles born in 1838 who married Mary Ann Ramsay. The dates fit nicely.

It would appear that in addition to his son Peter (my Great Grandad), he had another 9 children, which seems to answer the question, “Did he have any brothers and sisters?”

Initially, I set my sights on going back only as far as 1825. The 19th Century is a period of great interest to me, and once I have a few more family details straight, will look into the social history that nurtured them.

However, I am now wondering if I could go back one more generation, to make it the beginning of the Century.

PS: A couple of very recent coincidences. When I rang my cousin Neil up in Malton about what he knew regarding the Gardiner clan, my other cousin, Hamish, was visiting him with his wife. I had not been in touch or seen Hamish for 45 years. We had a long chat, and he had just come from visiting Kettins in Scotland, where I was born, the week after we had just been up there ourselves!

This must be a sign that the time is right!

Best wishes, Charles Gardiner.

[davelambert271]

Hi Charles

You wanted to go back another generation - how about

1841 census

Daniel Gardina 40 Scotland, -Smith
Isabella (Craig) 35
John 10
Daniel 8
Charles 2
John Robertson 15 App Smith

residence - Rolfhill Village, Cargill

dave

[Charles2]

Thanks again Dave! This takes me right to the start of the Century. I have enough information now to dine on nicely for the next two weeks. The only anomaly at present appears to be two contradictory references to one of my great grandad Peter's children. The records clearly show a 'Donald,' but there is a later family reference to a Daniel. I am hoping they are one and the same. It is suprising how the same names get repeated and carried on down the family.

My cousin reckons my family story about Grandad going over to Canada with sheep was rather with horses to Calvary. It makes sense. He was good with horses and father's a balcksmith. Also I know that in the First World War he took ammunition to the front with a horse and a flatbed.

Looking forward to see where I can consolidate and go from here. Thanks again! Charles