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Try as I might I cannot find a birth entry for my grandfather anywhere, not even a remote possibility. I know he died in WW1 in France in 1918. I know he was married in Wales in 1911 and I know his father's name. What I shall never know is whether he was born in Scotland of Scottish or Irish parents. RIP Grandad

He must be on a census somewhere............... Name? Age at marriage? Father's name and occupation? Names of witnesses to marriage? Reg

his marriage cert will tell you his fathers name, from there you can go back or sideways , usually

Hey :) If you give us some names and dates i'm sure we can find something for you or if we cant, we can suggest somewhere where you might be able to get some help. Mhairi

Hi everyone. I have looked on Ancestry and Scotland's People but maybe you can help me but please not places like Inverness like I have been sent before. Actual spelling on Marriage Certificate 1911 in North Wales James Patrick Macdonald (I spell it MacDonald but maybe even McDonald) Occupation Collier Age at marriage September 1911 was 24 Father Dominic (Deceased) Occupation Sailor Now my late father always told me his dad was from Greenock but whether he was born there I don't know. I have a strong feeling we are talking of Irish connections here. I did manage to get a record of a Dominic McDonald in the death records but have no way of knowing if it is the same one. This was in Glasgow. Would appreciate any serious leads.

Hey Pandora There is one James Patrick McDonald birth in scotland between 1885 and 1889 1887 MCDONALD JAMES PATRICK M CAMLACHIE GLASGOW CITY/LANARK 644/02 1444 Have you looked at this one? Regards the Dominic McDonald death you found, could you post the details of that as well please? It may help to rule him in or out. Oh and do you know the date he (James) died? I've taken a wee look on the CWGC and cant really see any likely deaths. Thanks Mhairi

My grandad James Patrick died in France in November 1918 and is buried at a cemetery outside Rouen. That record you found. Where is it please so I can look? I think I've reached that stage where I can't think straight anymore. Can't even remember what you asked me now.

The James Patrick birth is on Scotlandspeople, i can take a look if you want. I have a few spare credits. Mhairi

Only if you will let me help you out on Ancestry but you are probably on there anyway yourself. If you looked would it give you the names of his parents i.e. Dominic and his mother. I can tell you now that if I found out the name of my great grandmother I would totally break down. I am getting so muddled and my filing system is sort of under a piece of paper under another piece. How could I return the favour?

Sorry forgot to add you also get parents marriage to on the birth certificate details on Scotland people.. Think Mhairi has gone off to look for you.!! Betty

Scotlands People marriages give names of both sets of parents the bride and the grooms father and mothers. Just for information o.k!! Betty

I'm going to have to go for now, will look up the birth later, probably tomorrow. Staying at my grans house since she's away and dont know if i can get a wireless internet signal from anywhere round about, fingers crossed. Mhairi

Thank you everyone for this. Actually, my head is hurting too much to carry on. I need a break from my computer. Bye for now.

Mhairi, I can look it up if you are too busy just now, just let me know, don't want both of us doing it. Betty

Hey Guys, I'm sorry to say that the birth wasnt the one we are looking for. There are also no Dominic McDonalds in the 1901 Scottish census nor the english one that fit the bill. I think that what you need to do now is to trace James backwards using the Electrol Roll starting in 1911 with the address he used when he married. For the electrol rolls you need to get in touch with the main local library in the area that he was staying. They should be willing to do a lookup for you. Other than that you may have to wait till the 1911 census is released and see where he lists as his birth place. Sorry i couldnt be more helpful Mhairi

Yes Mhairi, like I said at the beginning - I had come to a dead end. I too thought that waiting for the 1911 Census would be my next option. Sadly too this was the last census that he took part in. If he was as I suspect born of Irish parents who had immigrated to Scotland then I might be stuck there also as Irish records are so difficult to trace. All along I have hoped that I might discover the names of some of his brothers or sisters so that I might still have some living relatives who might be able to help me with long forgotten family stories. Thank you again everyone.

Who were the witnesses on the marriage certificate...any clues there? Gwyn

The witnesses on the marriage certificate were George Youd and Amelia Hughes but how does this help please? Can you explain?

Could we please have some details of the CWGC record? The exact name of the cemetery near Rouen would be helpful. Denis

There is this one on CWGC Name: McDONALD Initials: J P Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Welsh Regiment Unit Text: 1st/6th Bn. Date of Death: 25/11/1918 Service No: 266931 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: S. III. B. 4. Cemetery: ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN corresponding medal card Medal card of McDonald, James P Corps Regiment No Rank Royal Welsh Fusiliers 8033 Private Welsh Regiment 15531 Private Welsh Regiment 266931 Private Date 1914-1920