Disappointment? – Not really!

    

The Fotheringham Family have several gravestones in Crosshill Churchyard in Baillieston

but unfortunately, the particular branch I was searching for, although they had

a fairly substantial stone marking their lair, about 80% of the inscription had worn away.

Luckily, the names of the couple responsible for erecting the stone were clear!

Despite a few visits at varying times of the day, hoping that the inscription might become

clearer with the sun at a different angle, nothing worked.

After some ‘manipulation’ a few more details emerged.

The first lines presumably reads “In Memory of their Children”,

and the first name looked like Elizabeth with possibly another name following.

John Fotheringham and Jane Watt married at Falkirk on the 17^th November 1865.

Jane’s place of birth on all subsequent Census Returns is listed as Falkirk.

They were not known to have a daughter named Elizabeth – no Elizabeth appeared on any

Census Returns between 1871 – 1901. A check on Scotland’s People revealed that they did have a daughter – Elizabeth Robb Fotheringham, born December 1879 and sadly died

aged 11 months on the 13^th November 1880.

The next name has completely worn away, all that is now legible is

‘died  .. 2 ….. years’

Here, the inscription becomes slightly clearer and appears to read:

Also of … Brother

Henry Fotheringham

Died 27^th May …? Aged 40? Years

Prior to finding a brother for John Fotheringham, his parentage was uncertain, but Henry’s

Death Certificate confirmed that they were John Fotheringham,  Baker and Sarah Jane McKie,

both deceased. The informant on his Death Certificate was his brother-in-law Andrew Robb,

so this added another sibling - John and Henry Fotheringham had a sister.

A quick search on the IGI found the marriage of Andrew Robb and Elizabeth Fotheringham

on 6^th June 1867 in Bridgeton, Glasgow.

Henry died 27^th May 1883 at Canning Place in Glasgow, but that his usual residence

was Montreal, Canada, he was a Book-Keeper and that he was married to

Rachel Matilda Swail.

It is unknown exactly when Henry went to Canada as no further research has been carried out,

but the couple had at least one son – Frederick Henry Fotheringham.

The following marriage in Quebec shows that this son married Beatrice Mac Stiven and that

his father’s full name was Henry Shiels McKie Fotheringham.

‘John Fotheringham

Died 6^th …… years’

A death notice in the Glasgow Herald newspaper matched the legible details.

John Fotheringham died on 6^th February 1909 at the family home, Crosshill Villa.

The next name was again illegible but the date of death appeared to be the 9^th ……

Jane Fotheringham’s Death Certificate reveals that she died

on the 9^th June 1910 aged 71 years.

The sixth name appeared to be

‘Their son John

Died 4^th April 1927 aged … years’

Further research on John revealed that he died 4^th April 1927 age 59 years

and was the husband of Elizabeth Findlay.

John and Elizabeth were married in 1918 when he was 51 and Elizabeth was 52.

Elizabeth was the daughter of James Findlay, a Farmer and Jane McKie.

The last name on the inscription is that of their son

George Watt Fotheringham, who died 28^th September 1933 age 69 years.

His Death Certificate states his occupation as Railway Goods Yard Labourer,

residing at 4 Ellismuir Road, Baillieston.

George had never married.

In an attempt to trace the whole of George, Henry and Elizabeth’s family,

a search was carried out on the IGI (www.familysearch.org)

By entering their parents’ names, it appears there were 11 children born to John Fotheringham

and Sarah (Jane) Mackie/McGhie/McKee/McKie all in Old Monkland.

Andrew Fotheringham, born 1^st October 1819, Christened 1^st October 1819

John (1) Fotheringham, born 17^th November 1822, Christened 22^nd December 1822

John (2) Fotheringham, born 29^th July 1824, Christened 22^nd August 1824

James Fotheringham, born c1827*

Anne (1) Fotheringham, born 11th October 1831, Christened 23^rd October 1831

Anne (2) Fotheringham, born 28th October 1832, Christened 11^th November 1832

Elizabeth Fotheringham, born 29^th June 1835, Christened 5^th July 1835

John (3) Fotheringham, born 17th July 1838, Christened 30^th July 1838

William Fotheringham, born 25th December 1840, Christened 10^th January 1841

Henry Fotheringham, born 11^th December 1842, Christened 1^st January 1843

Jean Fotheringham, born 24^th August 1845, Christened 7^th September 1845

*James Fotheringham (born 1827) does not appear on the IGI listings – he was added

to the above ‘list’ when his Death Certificate was found naming his parents and that he

was the husband of Elizabeth Strachan.

The family proved difficult to find on the 1841 Census.

1851, Living at Bargeddie, Old Monkland

John Fotheringham, Head, age 59, Pensioner, Regt of Foot, born Clackmannan

Sarah Fotheringham, Head, age 50, Grocer, born Ireland

Elizabeth Fotheringham, Daughter, age 15, Scholar, born Old Monkland

John Fotheringham, Son, age 13, Coalminer/Drawer, born Old Monkland

Henry Fotheringham, Son, age 9, Scholar born Old Monkland

1861, Living at Rhins, Old Monkland (Rhinds)

Sarah Fotheringham, Head, age 60, Grocer, born Ireland

John Fotheringham, Son, age 21, Engine Keeper, born Old Monkland

Henry Fotheringham, Son, age 18, Grain Merchant, born Old Monkland

*Thomas Gallacher, Grandson/Visitor, age 9, born Old Monkland

*It is unknown which of the Fotheringham sisters married a Gallacher.

As the main subject of this research was John Fotheringham Junior, it was he and

his family who were located on subsequent Census Returns.

1871, Living at Swinton, Old Monkland Western

John Fotheringham, Head, age 30, Wine & Spirit Merchant, born Lanarkshire

Jane Fotheringham, Wife, age 31, born Falkirk

John Fotheringham, Son, age 3, born Rhinds, Baillieston

George Fotheringham, Son, age 1, born Rhinds, Baillieston

The IGI listed the marriage of John and Jane Watt at Falkirk

on 17^th November 1865 and some of their children:

John Fotheringham, born 14^th July 1867, Old Monkland

George Watt Fotheringham, born 3^rd August 1869, Old Monkland

Janet Hendry Fotheringham, born 30^th December 1871, Old Monkland

Jane Fotheringham, born 11 April 1874, Old Monkland

Rachel Isabella Fotheringham, born 25^th March 1881, Old Monkland

1881, Living at Swinton, Old Monkland Western

John Fotheringham, Head, age 40, Spirit Merchant, born Old Monkland

Jane Fotheringham, Wife, age 41, born Falkirk

John Fotheringham, Son, age 13, Scholar, born Baillieston

George W. Fotheringham, Son, age 11, Scholar, born Baillieston

Janet Fotheringham, Daughter, age 9, Scholar, born Baillieston

Jane Fotheringham, Daughter, age 6, Scholar born Baillieston

Henry Fotheringham, Son, age 4, Scholar, born Baillieston

Baby (Rachel I.) Fotheringham, Daughter, age 1 month, born Baillieston

1891, Living at Crosshill Villa, Baillieston, Old Monkland Western

John Fotheringham, Head, age 50, Grocer & Spirit Merchant, born Old Monkland

Jane Fotheringham, Wife, age 51, born Falkirk

John Fotheringham, Son, age 23, Grocer’s Assistant, born Baillieston

George W. Fotheringham, Son, age 21, Commission Agent’s Clerk, born Baillieston

Janet Fotheringham, Daughter, age 19, Grocer’s Assistant, born Baillieston

Jane Fotheringham, Daughter, age 16, Milliner’s Assistant, Baillieston

Rachel I. Fotheringham, Daughter, age 10, Scholar, born Baillieston

Missing from the 1891 Census (apart from the elder children) is son Henry.

(Henry is listed on the family stone, died 1882 aged 5 years 7 months)

1901, Living at Crosshill Villa, Baillieston, Old Monkland Western

John Fotheringham, Head, age 60, Grocer & Spirit Merchant, born Old Monkland

Jane Fotheringham, Wife, age 61, born Falkirk

John Fotheringham, Son, age 33, Grocer’s Assistant, born Baillieston

George W. Fotheringham, Son, age 32, Broker’s Clerk, born Baillieston

Janet H. Fotheringham, Daughter, age 29, Grocer’s Assistant, born  Baillieston

Jane Fotheringham, Daughter, age 26, born Baillieston

Rachel I. Fotheringham, Daughter, age 19, born Baillieston

Elder sons John and George’s whereabouts after 1871 have not been researched.

Daughter Janet H. (Hendry) Fotheringham married James Caldwell, a Slater

who was living at Russell Place in Baillieston on 16^th December 1903.

The couple were both aged 31 and the marriage took place at the Cockburn Hotel, Glasgow.

Janet and her husband are listed on the Caldwell Family stone also in Crosshill Churchyard.

Daughter Jane Fotheringham married Thomas McKnight, a Coal Miner (born Ireland)

who was living at Woods Place in Baillieston on 21^st March 1907.

The couple were both 32 and the marriage took place at 35 Hutcheson Street, Glasgow.

Jane and her husband are listed on their own stone/wall plaque which sits in the row

behind her parents’ stone in Crosshill Churchyard.

Referring back to James Fotheringham the ‘unlisted’ brother of John Fotheringham

who’s Death Certificate linked him without doubt to the family …..

A marriage was found on the IGI of James Fotheringham, Miner and Elizabeth Strachan

in July 1847, Baillieston.

Also found were some of their children:

John Fotheringham, born 7^th January 1855, Lesmahagow

Thomas Strachan Fotheringham, born 18^th August 1857, Old Monkland

Elizabeth Fotheringham, born 21^st August 1859, Old Monkland

Andrew Fotheringham, born 28^th February 1863, Old Monkland

Jessie Strachan Fotheringham, born 13^th May 1866, Shettleston

However, it appears that they had a further 4 children as on son John’s Birth Certificate

in 1855, Elizabeth is listed as having 4 children – 2 boys, both still living and 2 girls, both still living.

These births would have been between 1847 – 1854

1851, Living at Dykehead,  Old Monkland

James Fotheringham, Head, age 24, Coal Miner, born Old Monkland

Elizabeth Fotheringham, Wife, age 24, born Old Monkland

Mary Fotheringham, Daughter, age 2, born Old Monkland

Sarah Fotheringham, Daughter, age 9 months, born Old Monkland

1861, Living at ‘Supple House’ (?), Old Monkland Western

James Fotheringham, Head, age 34, Coal Miner, born Old Monkland

Elizabeth Fotheringham, Wife, age 34, born Old Monkland

Sarah Fotheringham, Daughter, age 10, born Old Monkland

James Fotheringham, Son, age 8, Scholar, born Old Monkland

John Fotheringham, Son, age 6, Scholar, born Old Monkland

Elizabeth Fotheringham, Daughter, age 1, born Old Monkland

1871, Living at Swinton, Old Monkland Western

James Fotheringham, Head, age 44, Coal Miner, born Old Monkland

Elizabeth Fotheringham, Wife, age 44, born Old Monkland

James Fotheringham, Son, age 18, Coal Miner, born Old Monkland

Elizabeth Fotheringham, Daughter, age 12, Scholar, born Old Monkland

Andrew Fotheringham, Son, age 8, Scholar, born Old Monkland

Jessie Fotheringham, Daughter, age 5, born Old Monkland

1881, Living at Hunter’s Land, Old Monkland Western

James Fotheringham, Head, age 55, Coal Miner, born Old Monkland

Elizabeth Fotheringham, Wife, age 55, born Old Monkland

Andrew Fotheringham, Son, age 18, Coal Miner, born Old Monkland

James Fotheringham died on 24^th March 1891 at Crosshill aged 63 years

1891, Living at Reid’s Row, Baillieston

Elizabeth Fotheringham, Head, age 64, born Baillieston

Andrew Fotheringham, Son, age 25, Coal Miner, born Baillieston

*Andrew Fotheringham, Grand-son, age 1, born c1890, Baillieston

*Andrew Fotheringham was the illegitimate child of Jessie Fotheringham, Domestic Servant.

He was born at Crosshill, Baillieston on 19^th April 1889.

By 1901, Elizabeth Strachan had probably died (no research has been carried out to find

her death), but son Andrew was listed on the 1901 Census as follows:

1901, Living at Dyke Street, Baillieston

Andrew Fotheringham, Head, age 38, Coal Miner, born Baillieston

Maggie Fotheringham, Wife, age 31, born Rothes, Morayshire

James Fotheringham, Son, age 6, Scholar, Baillieston

John Fotheringham, Son, age 4, Scholar, born Baillieston

William Fotheringham, Son, age 2, born Baillieston

Andrew Fotheringham, on, age 1, born Baillieston

*Andrew Fotheringham, Adopted Son, age 11, Scholar, born Baillieston

*Adopted son Andrew would appear to be the same Andrew listed as

Grandson/Visitor on the 1891 Census.

Andrew Fotheringham (Senior), Coal Miner, age 28, of Crosshill, Baillieston,

Married Maggie Fraser, Domestic Servant, age 24 of Cathcart,

on 17^th November 1893 at Baillieston.

Andrew was found dead at No. 3 Pit, Bredisholm Colliery on 5^th August 1910 aged 47 years.

The certifying Doctor reported that on inspection of the dead body, he found that death was

attributable to an accident at the Pit and was due to fractured ribs, fractured right femur,

fractured right arm and injuries to lungs.

The informant of his death was his cousin John Fotheringham (of Crosshill Villa, Baillieston),

but John was obviously not familiar with his widow and informed the Registrar that her name

was Elizabeth Clydesdale, when it should have been Margaret (or Maggie) Fraser.

The Scottish Mining website has transcribed a short report about his death, it reads:

“1910, August 5^th, Bredisholm Pit No. 3, Lanarkshire, United Collieries

Andrew Fotheringham, age 54, Miner

Falls of Side

When working under some top coal which is said to have been supported by a prop, the top coal suddenly fell away and killed him and injured his son who was working with him.”

http://www.scottishmining.co.uk/Indexes/1910deaths.html

Andrew and Margaret Fotheringham also have a stone in Crosshill Churchyard.

The inscription reads:

“In loving memory of our dear father Andrew Fotheringham

Died 5^th August 1910

Also our dear mother Margaret Fotheringham died 16^th April 1949”

The Churchyard Lair Plan below shows the locations of the Fotheringham stones.

Lair 118 – John Fotheringham, Jane Watt & Family

Lair 54 – Jane Fotheringham & Thomas McKnight

Lair 93 – Andrew Fotheringham & Margaret (or Maggie) Fraser

Lairs 15 & 83 Janet Fotheringham (Caldwell Family)

The above ‘plan’ was drawn c2005 and maps out the lairs.

It was created by cross-referencing existing stones and various references

sourced  from existing documentation about the Churchyard.

The yellow boxes indicate that these lairs have a stone whether still standing,

fallen, legible or illegible.

Crosshill Church, established c1833, lay empty from the 1970’s when it was replaced by

St. Andrew’s Church and over the next 30 years became almost derelict.

The building is now a private residence.

So …… if you come across a gravestone with very little of the inscription still legible,

don’t be too disappointed, bear in mind that with time and patience

the story will unfold – eventually!

www.memento-mori.co.uk