Findlay

I note from William’s 1865 marriage that he was a widower, so he obviously had an earlier wife who had died. Statutory marriage registration started in 1845 in Ireland. I searched 1845 – 1864 but did not find one for him, so either he married before that or outside Ireland.

According to some trees on Ancestry, Rev Acheson Findlay died 2.4.1888 in Fort George, St Andrew, Jamaica.  Depending on what his death certificate contains you might get some extra information from that.  I am guessing he was a Presbyterian Minister. Have you searched Fasti for any records of him? It wasn’t possible for Presbyterians to get a theology degree in Ireland until the late 1840s, so most went to one of the 4 Scottish universities to get their degree (Glasgow, Edinburgh, St Andrews or Aberdeen). They all kept good records and often have a little personal information about student’s origins. Could be worth exploring. William Finlay senior was reportedly a clerk, according to the 1865 marriage certificate.

If you think the Rev Acheson may have been a Minister in Ireland, then the Presbyterian Historical Society in Belfast should have some information on him:

https://www.presbyterianhistoryireland.com

Hello, Are you looking for info about the two brothers? About their forebears? Or do you want to find living descendants? If the latter, it seems you would have to trace the descendants down the years until you came to the present day. I hope this helps.

Patricia, Thanks for the above. I know that Acheson was in Jamaica where he married and had children. On William's marriage record it states his father was also William. I have not found either William or Acheson's birth. William Jr. was a Band Master and there must be a reason he went back to Ireland after his wife died in Lanark, Scotland. My thought is he had family in Ireland. As to descendants, I am the great granddaughter of William Jr.

Joan

Saturday March 27, 2021

The informant for William’s death in 1872 was Catherine McClements also of Conlig. I wondered if that might be a married daughter, but I don’t see any Finlay-McClements marriage. There was this Robert Finlay there in 1901. Possible relation perhaps?

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Bangor/Conglig/1251867/

Also this Agnes and her mother Margaret:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Bangor/Conglig/1251895/

Margaret was Mgt Ward, married in 1873 to James Finlay, son of Robert Finlay, weaver. (Perhaps the Robert in the 1901 census). So no obvious connection to William son of William.

Elwyn, That Margaret is not my Margaret. Margaret, Agnes and Marie, all came to Jamaica after their cousin Dr Aubrey Findlay died in England. Margaret married Rowland Jasper Macpherson, in Jamaica. All the girls married in Jamaica. Agnes married Magnan, and Marie married Thomson.

Joan

Elwyn, I never said in the reply above that Rev. Acheson Findlay was an Anglican Priest here in Jamaica. I have no clue if William and himself were born in Ireland or Jamaica. I have been unable to find either births. I know that William died in Ireland and Acheson, in Jamaica. As to William's first marriage I have no clue where and when he married. I am not sure if they had other siblings. 

Joan

Elwyn, hope you are keeping well. Where did you find that the informant of William's death in 1872 was Catherine McClements?

Joan

Joan,

Her name and townland is on the death certificate, in the column for informant:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…

Thanks very much Elwyn. Maybe Catherine was a relative! There must have been a reason he went back to Ireland after his wife died in February 1872. What I still have not been able to find, is any information other than the birth, of the last child William Aitcheson Spencer Findlay. 

Joan