Searching for Charles Swanson

[M Swanson]

Hi. I'm trying to trace my GGGrandfather, Charles Swanson, who was born in Latheron, Caithness, about 1822. He shows in the 1841 Census as marrying 'Frank,' whose mother was Catherine Sutherland. I believe this name should have read, Frances Ann, nee Young, but on succeeding Census's it's given as Frank, Fanny or Francis. I have obtained a copy of their marriage certificate, but it doesn't give the name of the parish they were married in, but the name Achastle appears several times. I cannot trace who Charles's parents were and would be so grateful if anyone could help in anyway, please. It's a long shot I know, but I thought well worth a try. Many thanks.

[Durran]

Hi,

Not surprised you are having problems with Charles Swanson.

He married Frances Ann Young 23 February 1848 in Latheron. In the 1841 census he is the only Swanson in Achastle, but Margaret Sutherland, aged 95 and Catherine Sutherland, aged 45, are in the same household. In 1851 he, Frank and daughter Catherine are in Achastle along with Catherine Sutherland, aged 40 (obviously wrong), who is described as his mother.

There is no entry in Latheron c1822 for a Charles Swanson, but a Charles Sutherland is baptised 7 June 1821 in Latheron, father William. Is that him, and if so, why has he adopted the surname Swanson?

You may have a big problem to solve.

John

PS Have done some more work - all census returns for 1851 to 1901 indicate that Charles was illegitimate and Catherine Sutherland, aged 80 in 1871, unmarried, was his mother. It also looks as if Margaret Sutherland, aged 95 in 1841, was his grandmother. Charles was alive in April 1901, aged about 80, so you could try ScotlandsPeople to get his death certificate.

[spittalhill]

According to Scotland's People,there is a Charles Swanson death in Latheron Parish in 1903, but the birth is given as c1826. You would need to look up the death certificate for further details.

[M Swanson]

Thank you Spittallhill. I too, found his date of death as being 1903, but unfortunately, I haven't been able to trace Charles's birth certificate. I began to wonder, if perhaps, some records have been lost, or destroyed for Latheron at some time. Scotland's People and FREEREG have been so useful, but even they have little on Charles. I'll certainly heed your advice and see if c1826 is more fruitful. Thanks again.

[M Swanson]

Just popped back to tell you, that I have obtained a copy of Charles' (who died at Achastle), death certificate. I'm so pleased. His father was also Charles Swanson, a ploughman and his mother is given as Catherine Sutherland, agricultural labourer. There is not a maiden name shown, which supports John's theory that he was illegitimate?

[spittalhill]

If you can get access to the Kirk Session records, you may find that the couple had to appear before the Session to confess their adultery, if that was the case. Unless they are still held locally, Kirk Session records are held in Edinburgh and are currently being digitised for viewing via Scotland's People. This project is now behind schedule.

[M Swanson]

Thank you so much for your efforts on my behalf, John. I very much appreciate it.

I've had a day off from researching, because I couldn't reconcile the information, or even verify it, with the different reference points. I'm very new to this kind of project, but all went relatively smoothly, until Charles Swanson's name was mentioned, as the father of my GGrandfather Robert of Banffshire. I have a copy of Robert and Isabella Jane Winchester's marriage, in which Charles is given as the father and 'Frank' nee Young, is his mother. I cross referenced with Ancestry and noted that 'Frank's name changed in the 1841, 1851 & 1861 Censuses. She was shown to be 'Frank,' 'Fanny,' or 'Francis.' I obtained a copy of their marriage certificate from Scotlands'People, in which her name shows as Frances Ann Young, of Achastle, on 23rd February, 1848, but the Parish is not shown.

I can't, as yet, trace a birth certificate for Charles, but I'm reasonably confident, that your references from the Census's, in which Catherine Sutherland is given as his mother, is the ancestor I'm researching. The 1861 Census shows Charles and Fanny had a son Robert and on checking the dates this points to him being my GGrandfather. I was wondering myself if Charles was illegitimate. I found a reference to Charles dying a pauper in 1903, but haven't been able to find his death certificate, or his birth certificate which would be so helpful.

I'll check Charles Sutherland and see if anything strikes a chord. I can't imagine how his surname would have changed and it's very baffling. Thank you for the pointer. I've certainly found my first brick wall, but will carry on regardless.