williamsons

[cathy]

Hi all you Williamsons up there in Caithness.
I am researching the Williamson family history, my mothers family.
My grandparents were John Williamson and Catherine Mcphee.
Anyone interested get in touch, even if its just to say hello.
cathy

[Tricia]

Hello Cathy
Small world: Yesterday I posted the following to the CFHS members eGroup:

QUOTE: "Is anyone researching WILLIAMSON or DAVIDSON in CAITHNESS
I have in my tree family of Alexander Williamson b 1776 app and Catherine Davidson - my gx3 grandparents.
They married Wick 1797 and had 6 known children.
Christina Catherine John William Louisa and Hannah. I have quite a bit on the children especially Christina b 1798(m John Cormack in 1819) and Louisa b1811 (m William Johnston in 1835). I link to both these lines with
Christina and John Cormack being my gx3 grandparents
and
Louisa and William Johnston being my gx2 grandparents.
Would love to place a generation before Alexander Williamson and Catherine Davidson or even find siblings etc "

Have you details of your g/father's family?
Tricia

[Angela]

Hi Tricia,

Probably no relevance at all - my gx4 grandmother was Marjory Davidson, b. abt 1755, wife of William Cumming.
Their son Alexander Cumming (weaver) and his wife Jane Miller of Sarclet were my gx3 grandparents.
Their daughter was my gx2 grandmother Marjory Cumming (b. 1819), of Sarclet-she married Robert Munro.
I haven't started looking for Davidsons yet so this is just a stab in the dark!

Angela

[Jeemag_USA]

member clash67 on here is Donnie Williamson, lead singer of Howlin' gaels, he may be able to help, born in Thurso and is 39 y.o. I believe.

[Tricia]

Angela
I will keep this Davidson to hand - you never know :)

Do you have parents or your Jane Miller or dates b/m/d
Tricia

[Angela]

Angela
I will keep this Davidson to hand - you never know :)

Do you have parents or your Jane Miller or dates b/m/d
Tricia
Tricia,

Jane Miller born abt 1880.

Her parents Francis Miller (fisherman) and Margaret Dunn (I think -hard to decipher her surname).

Died at Sarclet 1871, age on death cert 91.

Slight discrepancies as age at each census as follows: 1851 =67, 1861=78,1871=90.

I've not been able to locate her (or her husband or daughter) in 1841 but haven't looked too closely yet. If you can connect her to anyone else please do let me know!

Thanks
Angela

[cathy]

Hi Tricia
Thanks for your reply.My gx3 grandfather came from Invergordon.He had six sons that eventually settled in America.The remaining son travelled up to Caithness in 1851 that is my family line.
They were tinkers travellers and hawkers and moved about the highlands selling thier wares.
They married first cousins, and other travellers like themselves.
Names included are are Stewart Mcphee Newlands Mcneill.
It is possible that other family members settled in Caithness before 1851 but i dont know about them .
Cathy

[dtlinshart@aol.com]

Hi all you Williamsons up there in Caithness.
I am researching the Williamson family history, my mothers family.
My grandparents were John Williamson and Catherine Mcphee.
Anyone interested get in touch, even if its just to say hello.
cathy


Descendants of George Williamson





Generation No. 1


1. GEORGE1 WILLIAMSON was born Abt. 1796 in Caithness, and died Bef. 1861. He married ANN ALSHERSON 06 Jan 1821 in Achalone, Halkirk. She was born Abt. 1789 in Caithness, and died Bef. 1861.

More About ANN ALSHERSON:
Other Facts: Other name Alexander

More About GEORGE WILLIAMSON and ANN ALSHERSON:
Marriage: 06 Jan 1821, Achalone, Halkirk

Children of GEORGE WILLIAMSON and ANN ALSHERSON are:
i. CATHERINE2 WILLIAMSON, b. Abt. 12 Nov 1821, Halkirk, Caithness.
2. ii. WILLIAM WILLIAMSON, b. Abt. 29 Nov 1822, Kildonan, Sutherland.
iii. GEORGE WILLIAMSON, b. Abt. 16 Jun 1825, Halkirk, Caithness.
iv. JAMES WILLIAMSON, b. Abt. 10 Aug 1827, Halkirk, Caithness.
3. v. JOHN WILLIAMSON, b. 03 Sep 1829, Achalone, Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland; d. 1919, Halkirk, Caithness.
4. vi. DONALD WILLIAMSON, b. Abt. 07 Jun 1832, Halkirk, Caithness.
vii. MARGARET WILLIAMSON, b. Abt. 11 Jun 1834, Halkirk, Caithness.
viii. ANN WILLIAMSON, b. Abt. 13 Jun 1838, Achalone, Halkirk, Caithness.




Generation No. 2


2. WILLIAM2 WILLIAMSON (GEORGE1) was born Abt. 29 Nov 1822 in Kildonan, Sutherland. He married ELIZABETH MACLEOD. She was born 1824 in Halkirk, Caithness, and died 1883 in Latheron, Caithness.

More About WILLIAM WILLIAMSON:
1881 Census: Aged 56, farmer of 40 acre farm at House in Rangag, Latheron

Children of WILLIAM WILLIAMSON and ELIZABETH MACLEOD are:
i. CHRISTINA3 WILLIAMSON, b. 12 Jan 1862, Halkirk, Caithness; d. bef1864.
ii. CHRISTINA WILLIAMSON, b. 18 Apr 1864, Halkirk, Caithness.

More About CHRISTINA WILLIAMSON:
1881 Census: Aged 16

iii. WILLIAM WILLIAMSON, b. 06 Jun 1866, Latheron, Caithness.

More About WILLIAM WILLIAMSON:
1881 Census: Aged 14

iv. ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON, b. 12 Jun 1869, Latheron, Caithness.

More About ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON:
1881 Census: Aged 11 with an widowed aunt, Williamina Manson, aged 63 born Halkirk at Brabster Street, Thurso


3. JOHN2 WILLIAMSON (GEORGE1) was born 03 Sep 1829 in Achalone, Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland, and died 1919 in Halkirk, Caithness. He married JANET GRAY 08 May 1856 in Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland. She was born Abt. 1823 in Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland, and died 1895 in Halkirk, Caithness.

Notes for JOHN WILLIAMSON:
House In Rangag Census Place: Latheron, Caithness, Scotland
William WILLIAMSON M 56 M Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland
Rel: Head Occ: Farmer (40 Ac 29 Ar)
Elizabeth WILLIAMSON M 54 F Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland
Rel: Wife Occ: Farmers Wife
William WILLIAMSON U 14 M Latheron, Caithness, Scotland
Rel: Son Occ: Farmers Son
Christina WILLIAMSON U 16 F Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland
Rel: Daur Occ: Farmers Daur


More About JOHN WILLIAMSON:
1881 Census: Aged 53, farmer at Achalone, Halkirk 95 acres, 78 arable employing 3 men and 2 girls
Christening: 03 Sep 1829, Toftingall, Caithness

More About JANET GRAY:
1881 Census: Aged 58, Achalone, Halkirk

More About JOHN WILLIAMSON and JANET GRAY:
Marriage: 08 May 1856, Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland

Children of JOHN WILLIAMSON and JANET GRAY are:
i. JOHN3 WILLIAMSON, b. 02 Jun 1857, Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland.

More About JOHN WILLIAMSON:
1881 Census: Aged 23 (U)
Other Facts: Witness at Christana's marriage

ii. CHRISTINA WILLIAMSON (Source: WWW.scotlands people.), b. 08 Oct 1858, Achalone, Halkirk, Caithness (I Cert); d. 1902, Watten, Caithness, aged 43; m. JOHN BUDGE, 27 Feb 1890, Thurso, Caithness (I Cert); b. Abt. 13 Jun 1846, Watten, Caithness, Scotland; d. 1923, Watten, Caithness, aged 76.

More About CHRISTINA WILLIAMSON:
1861 census: Aged 2 at Halkirk
1881 Census: Aged 22, a visitor at Princes St Thurso, Elizabeth Waters, a widow, aged 70
1901 Census: Aged 43, at Spittal
Occupation: 1890, Housekeeper

More About JOHN BUDGE:
1851 Census: Aged 4
1861 census: Aged 14, at Hofflingate, Watten
1881 Census: Aged 33 at Auchalone, Halkirk. Farmer's son. Unmarried
1901 Census: Aged 54, at Spittal, Retired Farmer
Christening: 13 Jun 1846, Watten, Caithness, Scotland

More About JOHN BUDGE and CHRISTINA WILLIAMSON:
Age when Married: John 43 Christina 31
Marriage: 27 Feb 1890, Thurso, Caithness (I Cert)
Witnesses: John Williamson and Jeannie Sutherland

[trinkie]

Have you read The Yellow on the Broom .
A great book about the Travelling folk.

Trinkie

[Tricia]

Thanks David for posting your Williamsons.
Not mine though but I will keep handy - you never know.
We have had contact before re possible BUDGE links.
Tricia

[fred]

Hi Tricia
Thanks for your reply.My gx3 grandfather came from Invergordon.He had six sons that eventually settled in America.The remaining son travelled up to Caithness in 1851 that is my family line.
They were tinkers travellers and hawkers and moved about the highlands selling thier wares.
They married first cousins, and other travellers like themselves.
Names included are are Stewart Mcphee Newlands Mcneill.
It is possible that other family members settled in Caithness before 1851 but i dont know about them .
Cathy

http://www.graven-images.org.uk/temp/mcphee.jpg

[cathy]

Hi Fred
Thanks for the picture and the very interesting piece of information.Did you find this in a book or was it in a newspaper.
These people must be part of my family, as my grandmother was a Mcphee.
The Mcphees used to live in caves , then tents and later caravans like other travelling folk.
Cathy

[cathy]

I have not read The Yellow on the Broom, but i have read The Summer Walkers.
Its about travelling folk and mentions Mcphees and Williamsons .
cathy

[fred]

Hi Fred
Thanks for the picture and the very interesting piece of information.Did you find this in a book or was it in a newspaper.
These people must be part of my family, as my grandmother was a Mcphee.
The Mcphees used to live in caves , then tents and later caravans like other travelling folk.
Cathy

It was originally in the John O'Groats Journal then it was included in a book.

Some of your family continued to live in caves right up until the second world war, when many of them were drafted into the army. I know of one cave which was still lived in occasionaly in summer around 1960.

http://www.graven-images.org.uk/temp/tinkler.jpg

[cathy]

Fred,
thank you for the picture of the inhabitants in the cove.
Makes you wonder how they survived, with it being so cold and very little food.
I read a book The Summer Walkers, and it says that the Mcphees are the hardest men on earth.
Is the cove at South head around Wick bay area. I have onley been to Caithness once so not sure where it is .
Cathy

[johno]

Fred,
thank you for the picture of the inhabitants in the cove.
Makes you wonder how they survived, with it being so cold and very little food.
I read a book The Summer Walkers, and it says that the Mcphees are the hardest men on earth.
Is the cove at South head around Wick bay area. I have onley been to Caithness once so not sure where it is .
Cathy
Hi Cathy, I think the cave is just under where the old coastguard station is,
I can only just recall some familie,s in it in the summer months in the mid 50 ,s
There used to be a tinkler camp where the school at the end of Willowbank . is I can remember it well. In fact some of the children who were living there
were at school with me, so they are still about. [good god im getting old] :~(

[fred]

Fred,
Makes you wonder how they survived, with it being so cold and very little food.
I read a book The Summer Walkers, and it says that the Mcphees are the hardest men on earth.


I can't imagine it would be much worse than sleeping in a shop doorway in Manchester.

This is the Tinkers' Cave at Forse, they made it quite homely.

http://www.graven-images.org.uk/temp/tc.jpg

[cathy]

Fred thanks again for the great pictures, and taking the trouble to send them.
You are probably right about the shop doorway, it certainly would have been healthier and safer in the cave.
Cathy