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Irish/Scottish Ancestor

My Great Great Grandfather, John Currie arrived in Australia about 1874 from Scotland. It is thought he was a marine engineer on a ship that came to Australia but when he actually arrived here is unknown. It is also not know if he "jumped" ship or came here legally.

According to his Death Certificate, his fathet, also called John Currie, was an iron worker (moulder). It listed his mother as Jane Trainer. I cannot find any record of his birth nor that of his parents' marriage in Scotland. It was thought they came from Ireland. A record for a Jane Trainer , born about 1816 in Ireland has been found but there is no proof she is John Currie's mother. Spelling could also be Curly.

According to the 1861 Scotland census, there is a John Currie, aged 46 with spouse Jane Currie. He is noted as being born in Ireland, occupation Stone Mason. My GG Grandfather is not listed on this census as he would have been of an age that he had already left the household.

I have no idea of where to look in Ireland for a record that may throw light on this family. Is there anyone who could help me find out more information.

Kind Regards

June Blackburn

Australia

Blacky

4 replies

Hi June,

I tried www.rootsireland.ie/ for John's birth/baptism without success I'm afraid.

This was the only Currie - Trainer (+ surname variants) marriage  (I couldn't find it in Scotland either)

Date of Marriage:19-Nov-1835
Parish / District:Monaghan
County:Co. Monaghan
Husband
WifeName:JohnCurry Monaghan Parish
Catherine Trenor Address:Monaghan Parish
 

Their child:

Name:Maryanne CurryDate of Birth:0not liste
Date of Baptism:04-Dec-1836Address:MonaghanParish/District:MonaghanGender:FCountyCo. Monaghan
Denomination:[not Listed]
Father:John CurryMother:Catherine TrenorOccupation:[not Listed]
[not Listed]
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Edward Trenor
[not Listed]Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Anne Hanna

This looked interesting from Unassisted Immigrants to NSW https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/ (but arrival year is 20 years early)

CURRIE John Ship: Arrow Left from: San Francisco 1854-02-02 Status: C (Crew)  Seaman, Scotland 399 Unassisted Immigrants Index 1842-1855 Details & Purchase

I couldn't find a possible birth in Scotland for him 1820's to 40's however

No luck on ancestry either; what was his age on death cert & what year did he die?

Col

 

 

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Hello Col,

Thank you so much for answering my message and doing some research for me.  It is really appreciated.

John Currie was born about 1850 as he died on 27 March 1903 in Sydney, Australia, aged 53.  It says he was born in Glasgow, Scotland and had been in New South Wales for 29 years which means he would have arrived around 1874.  He married on 11 May 1877 in Sydney.  At the time of his marriage he was 28 (according to the certificate) which puts his birth year back to 1846.  As you can tell, his age differs regularly. 

He wasn't the Seaman you mentioned above - too young.

The two females you found - Catherine and Maryanne - do not appear in any of his children's names.  Back in those days it was usual to name children after parents and grandparents.  He married Janes Agnes Hiney and their first born was also called Jane.  The other children are Alice Maud, John Edward, Ellen Elizabeth, Walter Henry, Amelia May and Myrtle.  But the marriage date for John Currie and Catherine Trenor would fit his birth year.

Anything else you might be able to find would be so good.

Thank you once again

June

Blacky

Hi June,

Here are a few birth records from Glasgow from Scotland's People in the range you gave:

 

CURRIE  14/8/1844

JOHN

WILLIAM CURRIE/MARGARET ANDERSON
 

CURRIE 25/6/1847

JOHN

ALEXANDER CURRIE/JEAN SCLANDERS

 

CURRIE  14/8/1851

JOHN

JOHN CURRIE/MARGARET MARTIN 

 

CURRIE  25/8/1842

JOHN

ALEXANDER CURRIE/MARY MCKECHNIE

 

Couldn't find him in the Assisted Passenger List; Unassisted only goes to 1855 so no luck there.

Col

 

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Thanks Col,

I will have a look at them and see if anything rings a bell.

Much appreciated

June

Blacky

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