My Tree Starting with Me

Thomas Chalmers – 4th Great Grandfather

Thomas Chalmers was born 2nd September 1815 in Mains and Strathmartin, Angus. His father was Thomas Chalmers and his mother was Elspeth Coupar. He was baptised 1st October 1815.

In 1841 on the census he is listed as living at Little Mill in Mains and Strathmartin and his occupation is bleacher.

On 2nd December 1849 Thomas marries Jean Hood Smith in Murroes, Angus.

I cannot find them on a the 1851 census.

In 1851 they have a son named William Chalmers (my 3rd Great Grandfather). Followed by a daughter in 1853 and another son in 1857.

I can only find a birth record for Thomas. When he was born they were living at 57 Blackscroft, Dundee. Thomas is listed as a labourer.

On the census of 1861 the family are living in Lower Blackscroft, Dundee. Thomas is listed as a wood yard labourer.

In 1871 on the census the family are living at 97 Blackscoft, Dundee. Thomas is a carter. I have also found a Valuation Roll from 1875 showing Thomas as the tenant of 97 Blackscroft.

In 1877 Thomas is involved in a accident with a cart. This resulted in his ribs being fractured, puncturing his lungs and leading to his death. He died 27th February 1877.

His occupation on his death certificate is listed as Police carter.

A correction was later made to his death certificate giving more detail on his cause of death. The correction states the injuries were caused by the wheel of a cart passing over him.

William Chalmers – 3rd Great Grandfather

William Chalmers was born around 1851 in Angus. I have been unable to find a record of his birth. His Father was Thomas Chalmers, a police carter and his mother was Jean Hood Smith.

On the 1861 census he is listed as living at Lower Blackscroft with his mother, father and siblings Nancy (Ann) aged 8 and Thomas aged 4. His is still at school.

On the 1871 census he is listed as living with his Father, Mother and siblings Ann aged 19 and Thomas aged 14 at 97 Blackscroft, Dundee. His occupation is Millworker.

On 27th February 1877 William’s father Thomas is killed following a cart accident.

In 1881 on the census he is listed as living at 48 Constable Street, Dundee with his mother and sister Ann. His occupation at this time is Mill Overseer.

On 13th March 1887 he had a son born, named William Douglas Chalmers, with Mary Douglas.

On 19th November 1888 William’s mother Jean died.

On 24th May 1889 William married Mary Douglas in Dundee. He was 39 years old and Mary was 22 years old. His occupation is listed as factory worker and hers is listed as jute spinner. His address is still 48 Constable Street, Dundee.

In 1890 they have a second child, a daughter, named Jane.

In 1891 on the census they are living at 16 Lyon Street, Dundee. Williams occupation is still Mill Overseer.

In 1894 they have another son named Thomas followed by another daughter named Ann in 1896 and a final son on 12th April 1898 named David Stewart Chalmers (my 2nd Great Grandfather).

On the 1901 census they are all still living at 16 Lyon Street, Dundee. William is still listed as a jute factory worker.

On 16th August 1904 William dies at 38 Lilybank Road, Dundee. He was aged 53.

David Stewart Chalmers – 2nd Great Grandfather

David Stewart Chalmers was born 12th April 1898 at 16 Lyon street, Dundee to William Chalmers, a jute factory overseer and Mary Douglas.

On the 1901 census he is listed as still living at 16 Lyon Street, Dundee with his Father William and Mother Mary and siblings William, Jane, Thomas and Ann.

On 16th August 1906 when he was 6 years old, David’s Father William died.

On 2nd June 1922 David married Mary Jane Moir Douglas in Dundee. His address at this time is listed as 38 Lilybank Road, Dundee. His occupation is millworker.

Marriage Certificate, David Chalmers and Mary Douglas.

Lilybank Road, 1960s. Mostly demolished now.

On 9th December 1922 they had a daughter, Jane Douglas Chalmers (my great grandmother). Followed by a son David in 1925, a daughter Isobel in 1927, a daughter Roberta Christie in 1929, a daughter Jessie in 1929, a son Douglas in 1930, a daughter Mary in 1933, a daughter Annie Darry in 1935, a daughter Nora in 1937 and finally a son Ronnie born in 1941.

Sadly they lost their son, David, on 8th June 1944 after he was wounded in Normandy, France during WWII.

In the article it states that David is also serving in the was in the Royal Artillery.

On 13th January 1950 David died aged 51 at his home, 81 Drumlanrig Drive, Dundee after battling cancer for 10 months.

Dundee Courier, Saturday 14th January 1950

Jane Douglas Chalmers – Great Grandmother

Jane Douglas Chalmers was born 9th December 1922 in Dundee to David Stewart Chalmers and Mary Jane Moir Douglas.

On 10th December 1940, when she was 18 years old, she had a daughter, named Margaret (my grandmother), born in Dundee. There is no father named on the birth certificate.

On 5th November 1943 Jane married Thomas Milne, a Private in the Pioneer Corps, in Dundee. Her address at this time is listed as 81 Drumlanrig Drive, Dundee. She was 21 years old and Thomas was 27.

Marriage Certificate of Jane Douglas Chalmers to Thomas Milne.

Jane’s marriage to Thomas Milne does not appear to have lasted very long as in 1947, Jane has a second daughter named Roberta Chalmers Livingstone. Father unknown at this time.

In 1948 Jane went on to marry for a second time, this time to Samuel Miller in Dundee.

Jane had a son born in 1950 with her husband, named Samuel Miller and another son born in 1953 named, Douglas.

On April 15th 1953 Jane’s husband Samuel died, aged 55, in Maryfield Hospital, Dundee of acute Bronchitis.

In 1956 Jane has another daughter, named Heather. Father unknown at this time.

On 21st January 1979 Jane, aged 56, died suddenly at home.

Margaret Chalmers – Maternal Grandmother

Margaret Chalmers was born 10th December 1940 in Dundee to Jane Douglas Chalmers. There is no father listed on her birth certificate.

On 10th March 1959, at 19 years old, she married Stewart Ogilvie in Dundee.

On 5th December 1959 they had their first child, a son, named Stewart. Followed by a daughter on 5th March 1961 named Margaret and another daughter born 30th August 1968, named Ann.

Margaret with her husband Stewart and children.

On 27th February Margaret sadly lost her husband, Stewart when he suddenly passed away. Margaret was on 34 years old and was now widowed with three children to care for.

Five years later on 21st January 1879, Margaret’s mother, Jane suddenly passed away.

On 14th September 2010 Margaret passed away whilst living with her daughter, Margaret, in Leuchars, Fife. She had been battling lung cancer.

Henry Bogue (Boag) – 3rd Great Grandfather

Henry Boag was born in Fermanagh, Ireland in around 1823 to Thomas Bogue, a cooper journeyman and Helen Cree.

On 3rd March 1848 Henry appeared in the court reports in the Dundee, Perth and Cupar Advertiser.

Friday 3rd March 1848 – Dundee, Perth and Cupar Advertiser.

On 8th January 1849 Henry married Margaret Kelly in Dundee.

Henry Boag and Margaret Kelly Marriage Record – 4th from bottom.

On 16th March 1849 Henry and Margaret had a daughter named Helen born in Dundee.

I have found an article in the ‘Dundee, Perth and Cupar Advertiser’ from Friday 30th August 1850 which refers to Henry being sentenced to 60 days in prison for assault.

Dundee, Perth and Cupar Advertiser – 30th August 1851

On 7th April 1850 Henry and Margaret had a son, named John Bogue. But sadly on 3rd November 1852 John died and was buried. His cause of death is listed as ‘Decline’, he was only 2 and a half years old.

In 1851 on the census Henry is listed as an Criminal Prisoner in Dundee Gaol and Bridewell and his occupation is listed as weaver. Dundee Gaol and Bridewell was situated behind the court house on Bell Street in Dundee and was closed in 1927. There are no surviving records from the period Henry was an inmate.

On 2nd of March 1854 Henry had another son with his wife Margaret named George baptised at ‘Dundee, St Mary, Our Lady of Victories’. On 9th July 1855 another son, also named John (my 2nd great grandfather) was born. Followed by a daughter, Mary, baptised 8th April 1859.

On 19th May 1859, Henry and Margaret sadly lost another child, their daughter Helen. Her cause of death is listed as ‘Disease of the Brain after 1 week’ and her death certificate states she is buried in ‘Dundee New Burial Ground’. Just over 1 month later they sadly lost a third child, Mary, she passed away on 27th June 1859 from ‘Whooping Cough’.

On the census in 1861 he is listed as living at 205 Hilltown, Dundee. Henry’s occupation is still weaver. He is living there with his wife and their two surviving children, John and George. They are still living in Hilltown, this time 209, Dundee in 1871 according to the census.

On the 1881 census he is listed as living at 35 Union Street, Dundee. Henry is still a weaver and is living with his wife, son George and a boarder, Eliza McKenna aged 25.

Henry Bogue died 15th February 1889 a pauper, aged around 66, in the East Poor House, Dundee. His cause of Death is listed as ‘Brights Disease’. His son George registered his death.

John Bogue (Boag) – 2nd Great Grandfather

John Boag was born 9th July 1855 in Dundee. His father was Henry Boag, a weaver born in Fermanagh, Ireland and his mother was Margaret Kelly born in Derry, Ireland.

John is listed on the 1861 census, when he is 6 years old, living at 205 Hilltown, Dundee with his Mother, Father and Brother George, aged 7.

In 1871 he is again listed on the census. He is listed as a mill worker and is living at 209 Hilltown, Dundee with his father, mother and brother George.

On 4th November 1879 his first son, John, is born in Dundee to Jane Fearn. And in 1881 on the census he is listed as a lodger, his occupation is listed as jute dyer.

On 12th January 1882 his second son, Robert is born in Dundee, again to Jane Fearn and on 20th December 1882 John and Jane are married in Dundee.

Marriage Certificate of John Boag and Jane Fearn

Unfortunately this particular record is really difficult to decipher.

On 15th February 1889 John’s father Henry died in the East Poorhouse, Dundee.

On the 1891 census John is listed as living with his wife Jane and children – John, Robert, Henry, Richard, Sarah Jane and Margaret – and his mother Margaret at 30 Rosebank Road, Dundee. His occupation is still listed as Dyer.

On 10th October 1892 John appears in the Dundee Courier regarding his son’s John and Robert. They are being sent to The Mars Training Ship.

Dundee Courier, Monday 10th October 1892

This ship was established on the River Tay in 1869. Its purpose, the care and training in seamanship of disadvantaged, orphaned and criminal boys.

On 29th April 1893 John was fined 5s for letting his son Robert sell newspapers on the street at night.

on 9th November 1900, John dies at age 45 in Parochial Hospital, Dundee of Pneumonia. His residence at the time of his death is listed as 11 Albert Street, Lochee.

Henry Boag (Bogue) – Great Grandfather

Henry Boag with his wife Caroline Inglis

Henry Boag was born 4th March 1884, in Hilltown, Dundee. His father was John Boag, a dyer and his mother was Jane Fearn.

In 1891 when he was 7 years old, he is listed on the census with his mother, Jane and father, John and paternal Grandmother, Margaret and siblings – Robert (9), Richard (2), and Sarah Jane (1). They were living at 30 Rosebank Road, Dundee.

When he was 16, in 1900, his father John Boag died of pneumonia.

On 29th August 1903 Henry’s first child with Caroline Inglis was born, A daughter named Elizabeth. Only 3 days later on 1st September 1903 he married Caroline. They were both aged 19 and living at 16 Albert Street, Lochee. On his marriage certificate, Henry is listed as a Labourer.

Another daughter, Harriet Campbell, followed on 25th June 1905. Then Jeannie on 29th May 1907. Then a son, Henry, on 4th January 1910. Another son, my Grandad, James came along on 23rd December 1911. Then Caroline on 3rd June 1914.

On 24th August 1914 he enlisted for service with 8th Black Watch. However he was found medically unfit less than a month later on 21st September 1914 and discharged. On His attestation he states that he was previously in 3rd Royal Highlanders. I know that he was wounded and had shrapnel in his spine which was not suitable for surgery. Later in life this shrapnel moved and punctured his lung, resulting in his death. I am unsure whether he was injured during his service with 8th Black Watch or previously during his service with 3rd Royal Highlanders.

At this time he is listed as living with his wife Caroline and his children Elizabeth, Harriet, Jeannie, Henry, James and Caroline in Lochee.

In 1920 another daughter, Mary was born. Followed by a final son, Sydney, in 1930.

In 1940, Henry is listed as living at 6 Tullideph Street, Dundee when his Mother, Jane, Died. He is the informant on her death certificate.

A photograph showing 6 Tullideph Street as it is today.

Henry died on 4th September 1967 at Maryfield Hospital Dundee. His usual residence before this was 28 Clement Park, Lochee. He died of Pneumonia after the shrapnel from his spine moved and punctured one of his lungs.

James Boag – Paternal Grandfather

James Boag was born 23rd December 1911 in Dundee, Scotland. Son of Henry Boag and Caroline Inglis.

James Boag (bottom right) with his Mother and siblings.

In 1914 when he was 3 years old, he is listed on his father’s Military History sheet.

Military History Sheet of Henry Boag, 1914.

On 26th October 1929, 17 year old James set sail from London, England on the ship ‘Orontes’ destined for Sydney, Australia. He is listed as a Dairy Worker and his care of address in the UK is listed as ‘Mackay Bros, 9 Whitehall Crescent, Dundee’.

I have found reference to an old advert from March 1928 which reads –

“Australia – Free Passages. Experienced domestics. Mackay Brothers and Co (Dundee) Ltd, 9 Whitehall Crescent, Dundee”

This could be why this is listed as his care of address.

I know from family that James worked on a Dairy farm whilst living in Australia, he earned good money and would send a lot of it home to his parents in Dundee.

On 11th April 1934, James, now aged 22, arrived back in London, England on the ship ‘Otranto’. On which he was a 3rd class passenger. He is listed as a farm hand and his address in the UK is listed as – 6 Tullidelph Street, Dundee, Scotland.

Orient Steam Navigation Company – Otranto

On 20th July 1940, 6 years after returning home from Australia, James married Maria McKaig Coutts, in Dundee, Scotland.

On 9th August 1940, James received an Enlistment Notice instructing him to present himself for service in the Territorial Army on 15th August 1940 at 306th Infantry Training Centre, Auchengate Camp, Troon, Ayrshire.

During his Military service during World War 2, James had two children with his wife. In 1942 they had their first son, James Boag. Followed in 1945 by a second son, Joseph McKaig Boag.

James served in the Highland Light Infantry from 15th August 1940 until 9th February 1946 as a private.

James and Maria had their daughter, Isabel Boag, in 1949. Lastly my father, Sydney John Boag, was born 21st July 1958.

James Boag died February 1989 aged 77. He is buried in Birkhill Cemetery, Dundee.

William Ogilvie – 5th Great Grandfather

William Ogilvie was born 27th December 1770 in the parish of Liff and Benvie, Angus. His parent were David Ogilvie and Jean Chalmers. Only His father is listed on the birth record.

Birth Record of William Ogilvie. 27th December 1770. Liff and Benvie Parish.

On 28th June 1794 William met and married my 5th Great Grandmother Agnes Philp. They were married in the parish of Mains and Strathmartine, Angus.

Marriage record of William Ogilvie and Agnes Philp. 28th June 1794. Mains and Strathmartine, Angus.

On 9th August 1795 they had their first child, a daughter, named Ann Ogilvie. Their second child was born 15th January 1797 named Jean Ogilvie. Their first son was born 29th December 1800 named Alexander Ogilvie and another son was born 24th July 1802. Their final son was born 26th May 1805 names John Ogilvie (my 4th great grandfather). Followed by their final daughter born about 1812 names Elisabeth Ogilvie. All born in the parish of Mains and Strathmartine, Angus.

The first census they appear on is in 1841. The are now living at Windy Mill in the parish of Murroes, Angus.

William’s occupation is listed as Farmer. I’ve done a bit of research regarding Windy Mill. William appears to have been a farmer of corn and flour. Windy Mill was a flour mill. I have found some reference to Windy Mill.

In the South Western part of the parish.
A flour and Corn Mill, with farm house offices attached. For more info click here.

On the next census in 1851 they are still living at Windy Mill. William is listed as a farmer of 75 acres, employing 3 labourers. They are living with their daughter Elizabeth and a servant named Ann Davidson (aged 14).

I have also found William listed in the Valuation Rolls 1855 as the proprietor of properties in Hilltown, Dundee.

I cannot find a death certificate for Agnes but I know she died sometime between the census of 1851 and 1859 as William is listed as a widow on his death certificate in 1859.

William died 24th July 1859 at Windy Mill of heart disease. His death certificate states that he is buried in “old burying ground at Mains”. I have yet to pin point where this is. His death was registered by Alexander Ogilvie, his grandson.

Death Certificate of William Ogilvie. 24th July 1859. Murroes.

I have also tracked down William Ogilvie’s Last Will and Testament in 1860.

Last Will and Testament of William Ogilvie.

I have not included the whole will as it is 10 pages long. His belongings were bequeathed to his daughter Elisabeth Ogilvie.