SCOTTISH RESEARCH ON THE FAMILY OF ALEXANDER HERRON
Prepared by Diane Herron Berry July 2003
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: I am the great granddaughter of Alexander Herron and Mary Elizabeth White. I provided research for this branch with two objectives in mind.
I. Alexander Herron was born in Chapelhall, New Monkland Parish, Lanarkshire (Lanark), Scotland, in 1832. His siblings too, were born there, children of Daniel Herron and Mary Anderson. Family of Daniel Herron and Mary Anderson Source: Old Parish Records (OPR) of New Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1066600 Year 1826; Frame #1388, pg. 83 Herron: Robina Herron Daug of Daniel Herron Labr in Chapelhall and Mary Anderson was born 25th Dec 1826 & bapt 14th Jan 1827
Year 1828; Frame #1398, pg. 102 Heron: Helen Heron Daug of Daniel Heron Lab Chapelhall Bothwell & Mary Anderson was born 7th May & bapt 1st of June 1828
Year 1830, Frame 1413, pg. 132 Heron: Mary Heron L: Daug of Daniel Heron Lab Chapelhall and Mary Anderson was born the 1st and bapt 18th July 1830
Year 1832; Frame #1427, pg. 156 Herring: Alexander Herring L: Son of Daniel Herring Lab Chapelhall and Mary Anderson was born 6th April and bapt 13th May 1832
Year 1835; Frame #1443, pg. 188 Heron: Margaret Heron L: Daugh of Daniel Heron Laborer Chapelhall Bothwell & Mary Anderson was born 9th July & bapt 10 July 1835
Year 1838; Frame #1460, pg. 222 Herring: Daniel Herring L: Son of Daniel Herring Lab Chapelhall and Mary Anderson was born 28th March & bapt 9th April 1837 *Scottish name variations of “Herron” include: Heron, Herring, McHerron, MacHerron *”L” = Legitimate birth (parents were married)
Project: To do research on Alexander’s siblings; who they married and the names of their children. Previous research on Daniel and Mary Herron had proven unfruitful. No marriage, census, or death records had been located for them. Consequently, it was assumed that they had both died prior to 1841, as they were not listed with their children in the census of that year.
Knowing that many times the next generation is discovered through research on a sibling rather than a direct ancestor, I proceeded with that idea in mind. To the best of my knowledge,
1 Alexander Herron was the only member of his immediate or extended family to emigrate to the United States and therefore research in Scotland was of the utmost importance.
II. In 1841, Alexander Herron and two of his siblings lived in the following household in Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland. 1841 Census for Holytown, Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland; Dwelling – Pollockhill Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1042745, District 5, pg. 28
Margaret Gibson age 4 born in Lanarkshire, Scotland Rabina Gibson age 13 born in Lanarkshire, Scotland Robert Gibson age 11 born in Lanarkshire, Scotland Alexr. Heron age 9 born in Lanarkshire, Scotland Margaret Heron age 6 born in Lanarkshire, Scotland Daniel Heron age 4 born in Lanarkshire, Scotland Thomas Wardrop age 65, Lab. born in Lanarkshire, Scotland
Project: To find the identity of the other members of the household and gain as much information as possible; hopefully connecting them to Alexander Herron.
Background: Alexander Herron was born in Chapelhall, New Monkland Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland, 6 April, 1832. (As noted above) He came to America in 1850, married Mary Elizabeth White, and settled in Tooele County, Utah. He died in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, 23 December, 1890, and was buried in Tooele City, Tooele County, Utah. Alexander’s death certificate and information found in Tooele City Cemetery records provided documentation of his parents’ names. Information from these records follow.
State of Utah - Certificate of Death Source: Salt Lake Valley County Health Department, Division of Vital Statistics 610 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111-3802; (801) 534-4658
Alexander Herron Birthplace: Scotland Residence: Tooele Name of Father: Daniel Herron Place of Death: East Bench, Salt Lake County Birthplace: Scotland Date of death: 23 December 1890 Name of Mother: Mary Herron Burial: 26 December 1890, Tooele, Utah Birthplace: Scotland Age: 58 years 8 months 18 days Occupation: Tailor Cause of death: Uremia Poisoning; Immediate Acute Bright’s Disease; 9 days
Tooele City, Tooele County, Utah Cemetery Records Source: State on-line services provided by Utah Division of State History Cemetery Burials Database http://history.utah.gov/utah_history_research_center/cemetery_burials/index.html
Alexander Herron Born: 4/5/1832 (New Monklin) Relatives: Anderson, Mary (mother) Death: 12/23/1890 Burial: 12/26/1890 Herron, Daniel (father) Plot #3-19-1 White, Mary (spouse)
2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE I Find Information on the Siblings of Alexander Herron
Rabina Herron
Not all the Herron children were listed in the census record for Holytown in 1841 and additional searching was necessary to locate missing siblings, Robina, Helen and Mary. I found Robina in the 1841 census for Gartsherrie, Old Monkland Parish, Lanarkshire. (Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1042782, ED 3B, pg. 14.) She was listed as “Robina McHerron”, age 15; F.S. [Female Servant] and resided in the household of William and Agnes Grierson. It was very common during these times for children to live away from home, working as male and female servants. This brought much needed extra income to their families. No other record could be found for Robina, and the possibility existed that she died prior to obtaining adulthood. (Lanarkshire marriage, census and death records were checked, as well as general indexes for Scotland.)
Helen Herron
No marriage, census or death records were found for Helen either. She may have died as a child.
Mary Herron
Mary was found in the 1841 census for Old Monkland Parish, Lanarkshire, living in Calder Bank with the family of Hugh and Elisabeth Rodgers. (Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1042782; Parish of Old Monkland, Calderbank Iron Works, pg. 14). She too, was listed as a F.S. [Female Servant]; age 10. She was listed under the name of “Mary Herring”. A marriage search produced the following record.
Mary Herron married Robert Frost on 14 November, 1850, in Gorbals Parish. Old Parish Register for Gorbals Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1042983; Book 644-2/8, Frame 1488, pg. 17
For November 14th, 1850; Robert Frost & Mary Anderson Heron both in Laurieston of this Parish, married by the Revd. Nathaniel Paterson Dec. 6th 1850.
Following is the list of Mary Herron and Robert Frost’s children. The first two children were found in parish records and the rest in civil registration records.
1) John Frost: born 9 December 1851 Old Parish Register for Glasgow, December 1851 Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1042941, pg. 169; 1850-1854
Frost: Robert Frost, Baker & Mary Anderson Heron, a Law. son John, bo. 9th December. Witnesses John Frost and Alexander Heron. *”Law.” = Legitimate
An interesting note: The witnesses were John Frost and Alexander Heron. We know that John Frost was either the child’s grandfather or uncle (Source: Glasgow census records), however, Alexander’s identity remains to be discovered. Our Alexander Herron was already in Utah and 3 there is a chance that the “Alexander Heron” listed could possibly be the next generation back, father to Daniel Herron, or perhaps an uncle to the Heron children. Scottish naming patterns would fit this scenario. I have conducted a search of the 1851 census for all of Glasgow but so far no information regarding Alexander has been discovered. Continued research is suggested, as this could be the key to extending the Herron line back.
John’s death record follows and from this we learn the name of his wife and the name of one of his children: Certified Copy of John’s Death Certificate; Hawich, Roxburgh, Scotland; 1925, #30 Source: General Register Office, Edinburgh, Scotland
John Heron Frost: Baker Foreman; died 5 February 1925; 74 years old Married to Ellen Dewsberry Parents: Robert Frost, Baker Master (deceased) Mary Frost, (deceased) Cause of death: Valvular Disease of the Heart – 2 years, Dropsy – 1 month Informant: Robert James Frost, son
2) Daniel Heron Frost: born 28 April, 1853 Old Parish Register for Glasgow, April 1853 Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1042941, pg. 397; 1850-1854
Frost: Robert Frost & Mary Anderson Heron, a Law. son, Daniel Heron, bo. 28th April. Wit. John Deans & John Brown.
Daniel died prior to 1861, as another child was born later, and given the name of Daniel. *This was a very common practice.
3) Mary Frost: born 1 March 1855; Hutchsontown, Glasgow, Lanarkshire (Source: Extracted Scottish Civil Registration Records for Hutchsontown; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, comp., International Genealogical Index, version 5.0, (Online: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., 1999- 2005),
Mary died in 1875, just two years old. (Source: Statutory Register (Civil Registration) Death Index, General Register Office, Edinburgh, Scotland; on-line database -
4) Margaret Frost: born 8 December, 1856 1856 Births in the District of High Church in the Burgh of Glasgow Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0256490, entry #1954, pg. 652
Margaret Frost: Birth December Eighth 1856; 10h PM; Residence: 84 East John Ave., Glasgow Father: Robert Frost, Baker (Journeyman) Mother: Mary Frost, Maiden Surname – Heron Informant: Robert Frost (present)
5) Robert Frost: born 26 January, 1859 1859 Births in the District of High Church in the Burgh of Glasgow Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0280579, entry #192, pg. 64
Robert Frost: Birth January Twenty Sixth 1859; 10h 30m PM (Twin) Residence: 84 East John Ave., Glasgow Father: Robert Frost, Baker (Journeyman) 4 Mother: Mary Frost, Maiden Surname – Heron Informant: Robert Frost (present)
Robert died a few days after birth on 14 February, 1859 1859 Deaths in the District of High Church in the Burgh of Glasgow Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0280394, entry #259, pg. 87
Robert Frost (single): Died February Fourteenth 1859; 19 days old; 4h AM Residence: 84 East John St., Glasgow Father: Robert Frost, Baker (Journeyman) Mother: Mary Frost, Maiden Name – Heron Cause of death: Debility from premature birth; John McCarrow, Surg. Buried: Southern Necropolis, Glasgow Undertaker: Andrew Menzies Informant: Faruiher [?, hard to read] Robertson, neighbor, 84 E. John St.
6) Mary Frost: (Robert’s twin) born 26 January, 1859 1859 Births in the District of High Church in the Burgh of Glasgow Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0280579, entry #193, pg. 65
Mary Frost: Birth January Twenty Sixth 1859; 10h 35m PM (Twin) Residence: 84 East John Ave., Glasgow Father: Robert Frost, Baker (Journeyman) Mother: Mary Frost, Maiden Surname – Heron Informant: Robert Frost (present)
Mary too, died a few days after birth on 7 February, 1859. 1859 Deaths in the District of High Church in the Burgh of Glasgow Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0280394, entry #206, pg. 69
Mary Frost (single): Died February Seventh 1859; 4hAM; 10 days old Residence: 84 East John St., Glasgow Father: Robert Frost, Baker (Journeyman) Mother: Mary Frost, Maiden Name – Heron Cause of death: Debility from premature death, J. McCarrow, Surgeon Buried: Southern Necropolis, Glasgow Undertaker: A. Menzies Informant: Robert Frost, father
7) Robert Frost: born 3 February, 1860 1860 Births in the District of Bridgeton in the Burgh of Glasgow Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0280646, entry #276, pg. 92
Robert Frost: Birth: February Third 1860; 10h 0m PM Residence: 10 Coulters Lane, Calton (parish in the burgh of Glasgow) Father: Robert Frost, Baker (Journeyman) Mother: Mary Frost, Maiden Surname – Heron Informant: Robert Frost
8) Mary Frost: born 29 October, 1861 1861 Births in the District of Bridgeton in the Burgh of Glasgow Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0224129, entry #1658, pg. 553
Mary Frost: Birth: October Twenty Ninth 1861; 5h 0m PM Residence: 10 St. Joseph’s Place, Glasgow Father: Robert Frost, Baker (Journeyman) Mother: Mary Frost, Maiden Surname – Heron
5 Married: 1850 Dec. 6, Glasgow Informant: Robert Frost
9) Alison Frost: born 5 September, 1863 1863 Births in the District of Hutchesontown in the Burgh of Glasgow Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0294840, entry #1439, pg. 480
Alison Frost: Birth: September Fifth 1863; 1h 30m AM Residence: 109 Cumberland Street, Glasgow Father: Robert Frost, Baker (Journeyman) Mother: Mary Frost, Maiden Surname – Heron Married: 1850 Dec. 6, Glasgow Informant: Mary Frost
Alison died in 1867, only 4 years old; the cause of death - Scarlatina (Scarlet Fever). 1867 Deaths in the District of Hutchesontown in the Burgh of Glasgow Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0349072, entry #1167
Alice Frost (single): Died: November Eighteenth 1867; 0h 30m AM Residence: 109 Crown St., Glasgow Father: Robert Frost, Baker (Journeyman) Mother: Mary Frost, Maiden Surname – Heron Cause of death: Scarlatina Informant: Robert Frost, father, present
10) Robina Frost: born 2 June, 1865 1865 Births in the District of Hutchesontown in the Burgh of Glasgow Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0321300, entry #1072, pg. 358
Robina Frost: Birth: June Second 1865; 6h 30m PM Residence: 109 Cumberland St., Glasgow Father: Robert Frost, Baker (Journeyman) Mother: Mary Anderson Frost, Maiden Surname – Heron Married: 1850 December 6, Glasgow Informant: Mary A. Frost (mother)
Robina died, just 17 months old; the cause – pneumonia. 1866 Deaths in the District of Hutchesontown in the Burgh of Glasgow Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0350920, entry #1164
Robina Frost (single): Died: November Seventeenth 1866; 9h 30m AM: 17 months old Residence: 109 Cumberland St., Glasgow Father: Robert Frost, Baker (Journeyman) Mother: Mary Frost, Maiden Surname – [not legible] Cause of death: pneumonia Informant: Mary Frost, mother, present
11) Robina Frost: born 16 January, 1867 1867 Births in the District of Hutchesontown in the Burgh ofGlasgow Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0350988, entry #213, pg. 71
Robina Frost: Birth: January Sixteenth 1867; 5h 0m AM Residence: 109 Cumberland St., Glasgow Father: Robert Frost, Baker (Journeyman) Mother: Mary Frost, Maiden Surname – Heron Married: 1850 December 6, Glasgow Informant: Mary Frost, Mother 6 12) Daniel Frost: born 10 March, 1869 1869 Births in the District of Huthesontown in the Burgh of Glasgow Source: Copy of the Statutory Register (Civil Registration) entry downloaded from
Daniel Frost: Birth: March Tenth 1869; 9h 0m PM Residence: 109 Cumberland Street, Glasgow Father: Robert Frost, Baker (Journeyman) Mother: Mary Frost, Maiden Surname – Anderson Married: 1850 December 6th, Glasgow Informant, Mary Frost, Mother
Daniel lived for just a year. He died in 1870. 1870 Deaths in the District of Hutchesontown in the Burgh of Glasgow Source: Copy of the Statutory Register (Civil Registration) entry downloaded from
Daniel Frost: Died: March Eighth 1870; 4h 0m PM; age 1 year Residence: 204 Thistle Street, Glasgow Father: Robert Frost, Baker (Journeyman( Mother: Mary Frost, Maiden Surname – Heron Cause of death: Croup Bronchitis, 8 days; Collapse of Lung as Cert.by Robert Forest MD Informant: Robert Frost, Father
The next record I found was that of the children’s mother, Mary Heron Frost. She died in 1871 as a result of a difficult childbirth. I could not find a birth record for this child and in all likelihood, the baby was stillborn. Here follows the death record of Mary. 1871 Deaths in the District of Hutchesontown in the Burgh of Glasgow Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0224625, entry #787, pg. 263
Mary Frost: Died: June Fifth 1871; 7h 15m AM; 39 years old Married to Robert Frost, Baker (Journeyman) Residence: 204 Thistle St., Glasgow Father: Daniel Heron, Iron Work Clerk (deceased) Mother: Mary Heron, Maiden Surname – Anderson (deceased) Cause of death: Hemmorrhage in childbed; Inflamation of kidneys – 14 days Informant: John Frost, son (present)
With the various addresses of Robert Frost and Mary Heron, I was now able to do some census checking. (Scottish census records were indexed by streets, rather than by surname. At the present time, The General Register Office in Edinburgh, Scotland, is working to get them indexed by surname.)
I was unable to locate them in the 1851 census, but did find them in the 1861 and 1871 census records. 1861 Census for Chalmers quoad sacra parish, St. Johns Parish, Burgh of Glasgow District of Bridgeton; Dwelling – 10 St. Joseph’s Place #86 Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0103852; ED 8, pg. 15
Robert Frost head Married age 29 Baker (Journeyman) Born in Lanarkshire, Glasgow Mary “ wife age 29 Baker’s wife “ John “ son age 9 scholar “ Margaret “ daug age 4 “ Robert “ son age 1 “
The census reported them as having one room with one or more windows. Son John was attending school.
7
1871 Census for the civil parish of Govan District of Hutchesontown; Dwelling – 204 Thistle St. Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0104034: ED 70, pg. 4
Robert Frost head Married age 38 Baker (Journeyman) Born in Lanarkshire, Glasgow Mary H. “ wife Married age 37 “ John “ son age 20 Baker (Journeyman) “ Margaret “ daur age 14 Warehouse girl “ Robert “ son age 11 scholar “ Mary “ daur age 8 scholar “ Robina “ daur age 4 “
Alexander Herron
The focus of this research project was not on Alexander Herron personally. As his life has been addressed in previous reports, I will proceed with my findings on the rest of his siblings.
Margaret Herron
Margaret was listed in the 1841 census for Holytown, Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire and she lived to adulthood, marrying Alexander Anderson in 1853. Old Parish Register for Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland Marriage Record: May 1, 1853 Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1042965; item #2; Frame 1028, pg. 136
“Alexander Anderson and Margaret Herring, both of this parish….3 days’
*The above date might have been the day they posted banns as the birth records for their children state they were married in Glasgow in June of 1853. Margaret’s sister Mary Herron was living in Glasgow at that time and the marriage could have taken place there.
Following is the list of Margaret Herron and Alexander Anderson’s children.
1) Mary Anderson: born 19 April, 1854 Old Parish Register for New Monkland Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland – 1854 Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1066601, item #1, pg. 551
Anderson: Mary Anderson, Daughter of Alexander Anderson, Fireman, Glenboig, and Margt. Herron his spouse, was born 19 April & bapt 26 June 54.
2) Janet Anderson: born 26 October, 1855 1855 Births in the Middle District of Old Monkland in the County of Lanark Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0103379, entry #633, pg. 127
Janet Anderson: Birth: October Twentysixth 1855; 8h Am Residence: Dundyivan Road, Coatbridge Father: Alexander Anderson, Engine Driver Mother: Margaret Anderson, Maiden Name – Heron Married: 1854 Glasgow; 1 girl living; 2nd child Informant: Alexander Anderson, father
8 3) Robert Anderson: born 29 May, 1857 1857 Births in theDistrict of Bothwell in the County of Lanark Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0280449, entry #117, pg. 39
Robert Anderson: Birth: May Twentyninth 1857; 12h PM Residence: Crossgates, Bellshill Father: Alexander Anderson, Engine Driver Mother: Margaret Anderson, Maiden Name – Heron Informant: Alexr. Anderson, father (not present), Crossgates, Bellshill
4) Alexander Anderson: born 11 January, 1859 1859 Births in the District of Bothwell in the County of Lanark Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0280576, entry #21, pg. 7
Alexander Anderson: Birth: January Elevnth 1859; 3h AM Residence: Bellshill Father: Alexander Anderson, Engineman Mother: Margaret Anderson, Maiden Name – Heron Informant: John Anderson, unle, Bellshill
5) Daniel Anderson: born 21 November, 1860 1860 Births in the District of Bothwell in the County of Lanark Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0280641, entry #262, pg. 88
Daniel Anderson: Birth: November Twenty First 1860; 6h 30m AM Residence: Blackmoss, Bellshill Father: Alexander Anderson, Engineer on Railway (Caledonian Company) Mother: Margaret Anderson, Maiden Name – Heron Informant: James Robertson, neighbour, Bellshill
6) Henry Cleghorn Anderson: born 26 March, 1863 1863 Births in the District of Bothwell in the County of Lanark Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0294830, entry #95, pg. 32
Henry Cleghorn Anderson: Birth: March Twenty Sixth 1863; 0h AM Residence: Bellshill Father: Alexander Anderson, Engine Driver Mother: Margaret Anderson, Maiden Surname – Heron Married: 1853 June 10th, Glasgow Informant: Alexr. Anderson, father
7) Matthew Provan Anderson: born 21 May, 1865 1865 Births in the District of Bothwell in the County of Lanark Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0321291, entry #162, pg. 54
Matthew Provan Anderson: Birth: May Twenty First 1865; 10h PM Residence: Bellshill Father: Alexander Anderson, Engine Driver Mother: Margaret Anderson, Maiden Surname – Heron Married: 1853 June 10th Glasgow Informant: Alexr. Anderson, father
8) John Anderson: born abt. 1867 John was not born in Scotland and so did not appear in the birth records there. He was discovered while I was doing census research on this family. According to the 1881 census, John was born in Carlisle, Cumberland County, England. Carlisle lies on the northwest border of 9 England (about 100 miles south of Glasgow). His parents, Alexander and Margaret, could have moved here with the Railroad and stayed for just a few years, as their last child was born back in Scotland in 1873. 1881 Census for East Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland; Dwelling - 91 Belville St. Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0203571; ED 5, pg. 13
Alexander Anderson Head age 46 Railway Engine Driver Born in Bellshill, Lanark, Scotland Margaret “ wife age 45 Born in Chapelhall, Lanark, Scotland Mary “ daur age 26 Born in Garsherrie, Lanark, Scotland Robert “ son age 23 Railway Stoker Born in Bellshill, Lanark, Scotland Alexander “ son age 22 Railway Pointsman “ Daniel “ son age 20 Railway Pointsman “ Henry C. “ son age18 Pupil Teacher “ Matthew L. “ son age 15 Railway Man “ John “ son age 14 Scholar Born in Carlisle, Cumberland, England Jane E. “ daur age 7 Scholar Born in Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland
9) Jane Edwards Anderson: born 29 October, 1873 1873 Births in the East Parish of Greenock in the County of Renfrew Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0300167, entry #713, pg. 238
Jane Edwards Anderson: Birth: October Twentyninth 1873; 6h PM Residence: 10 Morton Terrace, Bellevill St., Greenock Father: Alexander Anderson, Engine Driver (Railway) Mother: Margaret Anderson, Maiden Surname – Heron Married: 1853 June 10 Glasgow Informant: Alex. Anderson, father
Greenock is on the south side of the Clyde River about 22 miles west of Glasgow and lies in a different county, Renfrewshire. Greenock, in the 1800’s was a major Scottish seaport. It was here that Alexander and Margaret’s last child, Jane, was born. It was here too, that Margaret Herron Anderson died in the year 1893. She lived to be 57 years old. Her death record follows.
Official Death Certificate for Margaret Heron Anderson; 1893, #23 Source: General Register Office, Edinburgh, Scotland; 1893
Margaret Heron Anderson: Died: January Thirteenth, 1893; 7h 40m PM Residence: 60 East Crawford St., Greenock Age: 57 years Spouse: Alexander Anderson, Locomative…man Parents: Daniel Heron, Labourer (deceased) Margaret Heron, Maiden Surname – Anderson (deceased) *Note: Her mother’s name was actually “Mary”. It would appear the name was entered incorrectly. Cause of death: Dropsy from malignant abdominal disease – 3 months Informant: Alexander Anderson, widower
In addition to the 1881 census, I found Alexander Anderson and wife Margaret in the 1861 census for Bothwell Parish. 1861 Census for Bellshill, Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland; Dwelling - 9 Blackmoss, Smallie’s Land Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0103844; ED 7, pg. 1
Alexr. Anderson Head Married age 27 Engine Driver Born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire Margt. “ wife Married age 26 Born in Chapelhall, Lanarkshire Mary “ daur age 7 Born in Old Monkland, Lanarkshire Janet “ daur age5 “ Robert “ son age 4 Born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire Alexr. “ son age 2 “ 10 Daniel “ son age 4 months “ Janet “ daur age 60 Born in Shotts, Lanarkshire *Janet was Alexander Anderson’s mother.
Daniel Herron
Daniel was listed in the 1841 census for Holytown, Lanarkshire, Scotland, but no marriage, census or death records have been found for him. He may have died as a young child.
In summary: Chapelhall, the Heron children’s birthplace, was a mining town as were so many of the towns around Glasgow in the 1800’s. Daniel and his family probably lived in a housing project owned by the mining company. These were called “rows” or “single ends” and conditions were often times deplorable. (Source: Lanarkshire’s Mining Legacy; by Guthrie Hutton; Stenlake Publishing, 1997) Daniel Heron’s occupation was listed as “Iron Work Clerk” on his daughter Mary’s death certificate. He was most likely employed by the Chapelhall Iron Works, which was opened in 1826 by the Monklands Iron and Steel Company. To a great extent Mary and Margaret both followed Scottish naming patterns for their children. This pattern consisted of naming the first male born, after his paternal grandfather, the second male after his maternal grandfather, and the third male after his father. The first female born was named after her maternal grandmother, the second female after her paternal grandmother, and the third female after her mother. Mary Heron and Robert Frost: 1- John (Robert’s father) 2- Daniel Heron (Mary’s father) 3- Mary (Mary’s mother, Robert’s mother and herself) 4-Margaret 5- Robert (the father) Margaret Heron and Alexander Anderson: 1- Mary (Margaret’s mother) 2- Janet (Alexander’s mother) 3- Robert (Alexander’s father) 4- Alexander (the father) 5- Daniel (Margaret’s father) *In this case the order of the last two were reversed
Additional research might include employment records for Daniel Heron. (Most are not indexed and would require a personal visit to the General Register Office in Edinburgh)
Also recommended is a more in-depth search of census records in and around the Glasgow area for Alexander Herron, the witness on the birth record for Mary and Robert Frost’s first child, John.
Another research approach would be to seek out descendants of Robert and Mary Frost as well as Alexander and Margaret Anderson. Perhaps there might be a genealogist among them who could provide information as to the parentage of Daniel and Mary Heron.
11 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE II Identify the members of the 1841 Holytown household (other than the Heron children)
Thomas Wardrop
The first thing I did was check the 1851 census in Bothwell Parish, for Thomas Wardrop. His record follows. 1851 Census for Holytown, Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland; Dwelling - Pollockhill (Hamlet) Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1042423, ED 24, pg. 36
Thomas Wardrop Head Widower age 73 Thatcher Born in Shotts, Lanarkshire Margaret Anderson Visitor Widow age 49 Born in Old Monkland, Lanark.
In 1861, Thomas still lived in the same area. 1861 Census for Holytown, Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland; Dwelling - Pollockshill (Hamlet) Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0103844; ED 3, pg. 2
Thomas Wardrope Head Widower age 83 Retired Thatcher Born in Bothwell
I could not find him in 1871 and so began a death record search. Thomas died in 1863. His death record follows: 1863 Deaths in the District of Holytown, Parish of Bothwell, in the County of Lanark Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0294767; entry #17, pg. 6
Thomas Wardrobe Died: January Sixteenth 1863; 3h AM; pauper, formerly House Thatcher Residence: Old Townhead, Parish of Bothwell Age: 86 years old Widower of Jane Anderson Father: Thomas Wardrobe, Farmer (deceased) Mother: Jane Wardrobe, Maiden Surname – Aire (deceased) Cause of death: Old Age 1 month; no medical attendant Informant: Robert Gibson, nephew (present) *The name “Jane” and “Jean” were used interchangeably in Scottish records. *”Wardrop” surname variations included “Wardrope and Wardrobe”
Now that I had his parents and spouse, I did a birth and marriage search for him and found the following: 1777 Old Parish Register Birth Records for New Monkland Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1066599; item 4, pg. 150
Thomas Wardrop: Born 16 November 1777 Parents: Thomas Wardrop and Jean Ure Birthplace – of Burnhouse *Burnhouse is in Shotts
Marriage Record: Book 655/3; Parochial Registers, County of Lanark, Shotts Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1066605; item 3, pg. 105
Actual record reads: 1806, June 1st; D Treasurer for Money Received To Thos. Wardrope and Jean Anderson; money received for Proclamations
12 Evidence gathered from the records above strongly suggests that Thomas Wardrop (Wardrobe) was the uncle to the Gibson and Heron children listed in the 1841 Holytown census. His wife Jean (Jane) Anderson, seemed to be the sister of the Heron children’s mother, Mary Anderson. The informant on Thomas’s death certificate was “Robert Gibson”; most likely the same Robert listed in the census and therefore the nephew.
Margaret Gibson
I found no record of Margaret in marriage, census or death indexes for Scotland.
Rabina Gibson
The first step was to find a marriage record for Robina. The International Genealogical Index (IGI at familysearch.org) had an extracted Old Parish Record marriage entry for a Robina Gibson and a James Quidhope. “Quidhope” was not a name I’d come across in my census research for Lanarkshire and so I decided to look at the actual film myself. I found that the surname had been transcribed incorrectly and the actual name was “Tudhope”. The record follows.
1848 Old Parish Register Marriage Record, Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1042965, Frame #987
Robina Gibson married to James Tudhope 18 June 1848
A search for Robina Gibson Tudhope’s death certificate produced the following record. Official Death Certificate for New Monkland Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland; 1895, #677 Source: General Register Office, Edinburgh, Scotland
Robina Tudhope Died: December 21, 1895; 10am; age 68 Residence: 13 Deedes Street, Airdrie Widow of: James Tudhope, ploughman Father: Robert Gibson, deceased Mother: Margaret, Maiden Surname – Anderson, deceased Cause of death: Bronchitis, Cardiac Disease, as cert. by Thos. Gunnell, MD Informant: John Tudhope, son *From Ro(a)bina’s death record we learn who her parents were: Robert Gibson and Margaret Anderson. You will note that in the 1851 census record for Thomas Wardrop (listed on page 12), a Margaret Anderson was visiting. There is a strong possibility that these are one and the same. It was very common for a widow to take back her maiden name after the death of her husband.
I now began a census search for James and Robina Tudhope and found them in several records. These follow: 1851 Census for Holytown, Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland; Dwelling - 110 Newhouse Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1042423; ED 24, pg 32
James Tudhope Head age 24 born in Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire Robina " Wife age 22 born in Bothwell, Lanarkshire Thomas " son age 1 born in Bothwell, Lanarkshire
1861 Census for Holytown, Bothwell, Lanark, Scotland; Dwelling - 22 Newhouse (Hamlet) Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0103844, ED 3, pg. 5
James Tudhope Head Mar age 34 Farm Servant born in Cambusnethan, Lanark 13 Robina " wife age 32 born in Bothwell, Lanark Thomas " son age 11 scholar born in Bothwell, Lanark Robert " son age 9 born in Bothwell, Lanark James " son age 2 born in Bothwell, Lanark *Note: Thomas Wardrop was living in the same village and Enumeration District as Robina.
1871 Census for Holytown, Bothwell, Lanark, Scotland; Dwelling - Woodneuk Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0104011, pg. 13
James Tudhope Head age 44 Farm Servant born in Cambusnethan, Lanark Robina " wife age 42 born in Bothwell, Lanark James " son age 12 scholar born in Bothwell, Lanark John " son age 9 " born in Bothwell, Lanark Margaret A. " daur age 6 " born in Bothwell, Lanark Marion " daur age 3 born in Bothwell, Lanark
1881 Census for Bothwell, Lanark, Scotland; Dwelling - Main St. Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0203617, ED 13, pg 9
Robina Tudhope Head age 52 born in Bothwell, Lanark, Scotland Toll Keeper James " Son age 22 born in Bothwell, Lanark, Scotland Blacksmith John " Son age 19 born in Bothwell, Lanark, Scotland Iron Moulder Margret " Dau age 16 born in Bothwell, Lanark, Scotland Marion " Dau age 13 born in Bothwell, Lanark, Scotland Scholar.
My next step was to look for the birth records of James and Robina Tudhope’s children. This information follows.
1) Thomas Tudhope: born 31 August 1849 in Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire (Source: Old Parish Records; Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1042965, Frame 854)
2) Robert Tudhope: born 8 September 1851 in Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire (Source: Old Parish Records; Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1042965, Frame 854)
3) Margaret Tudhope: born 15 November 1853 in Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire (Source: Old Parish Records; Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1042965, Frame 854) Margaret died prior to 1861. She was not listed with the family in the 1861 census for Holytown, Bothwell Parish.
4) Marion Tudhope: born 29 April 1856 in Newhouse, Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire (Source: Civil Registration Records; Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0256488; entry #259, pg. 87) Marion too, died prior to 1861. She is not listed either with the family in the 1861 census for Holytown.
5) James Tudhope: born 1 August 1858 in Newhouse, Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire (Source: Civil Registration Records; Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0280515; entry #335, pg. 112)
6) John Tudhope: born 14 July 1861 in Newhouse, Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire (Source: Civil Registration Records; Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0224125; entry #292, pg. 98)
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7) Margaret Anderson Tudhope: born 20 December 1864 in Woodneuk, Chapelhall, Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire (Source: Civil Registration Records; Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0321220; entry #487, pg. 163)
8) Marion Tudhope: born 4 October 1867 in Woodneuk, Chapelhall, Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire (Source Civil Registration Records; Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0350980 entry #427, pg. 143)
Robert Gibson
I now turned my attention to Robert and found his marriage record. 1838-1854 Extracted Old Parish Registry Marriage Records Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, comp., International Genealogical Index, version 5.0, (Online: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., 1999-2005),
Robert Gibson and Janet Drummond Married 5 November 1854 Carluke, Lanarkshire, Scotland
A census search for 1861 found Robert and Janet living in Holytown, Bothwell Parish in the same Enumeration District as Thomas Wardrop and Robert’s sister, Robina. 1861 Census for Bothwell Parish, Lanark, Scotland; Dwelling – 7 Stone Row Source: Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #0103844; ED 3, pg. 2
Robert Gibson Head Married age 31 Blacksmith born in Shotts, Lanarkshire Janet " Wife age 32 born in Cartland, Lanarkshire Robert " son age 6 scholar born in Bothwell, Lanarkshire John " son age 4 " William " son age 2 " James " son age 11 months "
A list of Robert and Janet Gibson’s children follows.
1) Robert Gibson: born about 1853 (Source: 1861 Census record listed above)
2) John Gibson: born 23 July 1856 in Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire (Source: Extracted Civil Registration Records for Bothwell Parish; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, comp., International Genealogical Index, version 5.0, (Online: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., 1999-2005),
3) William Gibson: born 8 June 1858 in Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire (Source: Extracted Civil Registration Records for Bothwell Parish; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, comp., International Genealogical Index, version 5.0, (Online: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., 1999-2005),
4) James Gibson: born 14 April 1860 in Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire (Source: Extracted Civil Registration Records for Bothwell Parish; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, comp., International Genealogical Index, version 5.0, (Online: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., 1999-2005),
15 5) Gibson (female): born 23 February 1863 in Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire (Source: Extracted Civil Registration Records for Bothwell Parish; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, comp., International Genealogical Index, version 5.0, (Online: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., 1999-2005),
6) Janet Gibson: born 21 May 1864 in Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire (Source: Extracted Civil Registration Records for Bothwell Parish; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, comp., International Genealogical Index, version 5.0, (Online: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., 1999-2005),
7) Thomas Wardrope Gibson: born 20 July 1866 in Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire (Source: Extracted Civil Registration Records for Bothwell Parish; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, comp., International Genealogical Index, version 5.0, (Online: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., 1999-2005),
8) Alexander Drummond Gibson: born 20 June 1869 in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland (Source: Extracted Civil Registration Records for Bothwell Parish; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, comp., International Genealogical Index, version 5.0, (Online: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., 1999-2005),
As can be seen by the birthplace of Alexander Drummond Gibson, Robert and Janet had moved to Bathgate in West Lothian County (bordering Lanarkshire).
The following information came from Dave Thomson, a researcher, who visited The General Register Office in Edinburgh in 2001 and provided us with the 1881 census entry for Robert Gibson, the death record for his wife, Janet Drummond, and the 2nd marriage record for Robert Gibson. 1881 Census of Bothwell, Lanarkshire; 625/2 4/19; Dwelling – Main St. Source; General Register Office, Edinburgh, Scotland Provided by Dave Thomson, Researcher
Robert Gibson Head Married age 51 Colliery Blacksmith Born in Shotts, Lanarkshire Margaret “ Wife age 51 Born in Dunbar, Haddington Alexander “ Son age 11 Born in Bathgate, Linlithgow
Janet was not listed as wife in the above census. Her death record provided the following information. Official Death Record for 1869; Bathgate,West Lothian, Scotland Source: General Register Office, Edinburgh, Scotland) Provided by Dave Thomson, Researcher
Janet Gibson Died: 26 June 1869; 8:45pm; age 41 years Residence: Marjorybank St., Bathgate Married to Robert Gibson, Blacksmith Father: John Drummond, weaver Mother: Janet, Maiden Surname – Henderson Cause of death: Cancer of Tongue 6 months, Fever at Childbirth, 6 days; Cert. by James Longmuir MD Informant: Robert Gibson, widower; present
Following this, a marriage record was located for Robert. Official Marriage Record for Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland; 1870; 26 January 1870 Source: General Register Office, Edinburgh, Scotland Provided by Dave Thomson, Researcher 16
Robert Gibson, Blacksmith (Jour.); Widower; age 39 years Son of Robert Gibson, Farmer, (deceased) and Margaret, Maiden Surname – Anderson Married Margaret Thompson, washerwoman, spinster; age 38 years Daughter of John Thompson, Miller, (deceased) and Euphemia, Maiden Surname – Craig Banns: Evangelical Union; A.M. Fairbairn, minister Witnesses: William Johnston and Helen Donaldson
Robert Gibson’s parents were listed in his marriage record - Robert Gibson and Margaret Anderson. We now had confirmation that Robina and Robert were indeed brother and sister.
At this point I conducted a search for the death record of Margaret Anderson, wife of Robert Gibson, and mother of Robina and Robert. Her record follows. Official Death Certificate for Holytown, Bothwell Parish; 1878, #95 Source: General Register Office, Edinburgh, Scotland
Margaret Gibson Died: 20 May 1878; age 77 Residence: Chapelhall, Parish of Bothwell Husband; widow of Robert Gibson, farmer Father: John Anderson, flaxmiller, deceased Mother: Robina, Maiden Surname – Clydesdale, deceased Cause of death: General Senility, as certified by D. Gibb, physician Informant: Robert Gibson, son; 35 High St., Bathgate
We now had Margaret’s parents - John Anderson and Robina Clydesdale, and the date of her death. Why wasn’t she listed in the 1841 census with her children Robina and Robert?
At first glance, it would appear that Margaret was not listed with her children in the 1841 census for Holytown (refer to page 2). A careful search of all the villages in the area proved unsuccessful as well. The 1841 census warranted a closer look. The first person listed in the household was “Margaret Gibson, age 4”. Heads of households were generally listed first and children were then listed from the oldest to the youngest. Following that would be any lodgers, visitors, etc. Why, in this case, would the youngest child be listed first? The possibility existed that the entry referenced an adult, not a child. It seemed the census taker recorded Margaret’s birthdate incorrectly. Margaret would have been 40 years old in 1841. The “0” could very well have been left off.
In Summary: The above records provide strong evidence that household members in the 1841 census for Holytown included:
Ra(o)bina Gibson – daughter of Robert Gibson and Margaret Anderson Robert Gibson – son of Robert Gibson and Margaret Anderson Thomas Wardrop – uncle to the Heron and Gibson children brother-in-law to Margaret Anderson and Mary Anderson husband of Jean (Jane) Anderson, possible sister of Mary and Margaret Margaret Gibson – mother to the Gibson children
With this new information, I proceeded to do a Parish Register check to see if I could find a family with a Mary, Margaret and Jean Anderson listed. Here follows the record:
17 Etracted Old Parish Records (OPR) for Old Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Parents: John Anderson and Rabina Clydesdale Children: John Anderson born 22 May 1785 in Old Monkland, Lanarkshire Alexander Anderson born 10 Mar 1789 in Old Monkland Rabina Anderson born 29 June 1791 in Old Monkland James Anderson born 28 July 1793 in Old Monkland Robert Anderson born 29 Aug 1796 in Old Monkland Mary Anderson born 9 Dec. 1798 in Old Monkland Margaret Anderson born 1 Oct 1801 in Old Monkland
Evidence points toward this being the correct family for the following reasons: The name “Robina” was used frequently by various family members. Mary Anderson named her first daughter “Robina”, Margaret Anderson named her daughter “Robina”. Mary Anderson’s daughter Mary, named one of her children “Robina” and finally, Alexander Herron, son of Mary Anderson, who had emigrated to the United States, named one of his daughters, “Robina”. According to Margaret Anderson’s death record, she was born in 1801 and this matches with the birth information for the Margaret in the above record. The birthplace for Margaret matches up; Old Monkland Parish Missing though is Jean (Jane) Anderson. Notice there is a break in the years between 1785 and 1789. Jean could possibly fit there. Additional research could provide the answer; specifically, a thorough search of the Old Monkland Old Parish Records on microfilm at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City for the years 1786 through 1789. A search of every listing might provide information missed or transcribed incorrectly by extractors.
Source Information: The terms “Old Parish Records”, “Parochial Register” and “Old Parish Register” refer to the same records; that of the Church of Scotland. For research prior to 1855, this is the largest resource available for birth, marriage and death records. The terms “Statutory Registry” and “Civil Registration” refer to the same records; the official birth, marriage and death records kept by the Scottish government from 1885 on. The 1841 Census was the first census to list the names of members in the households; therefore, it is of great value to researchers.
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