Alexander Sharp Smollett

[DBCoup]

I have found Alexander Sharp Smollett in the 1901 census in the Workhouse, as were his wife Mary Fraser Smollett and their 6 day old daughter. Alexander appears to have been admitted to the workhouse on 3 separate occasions in 1901. He died in 1903, so it would appear his admissions to the workhouse were medically related (?), and his wife for confinement (?). He gives his age as 41 implying a date of birth of 1860. His place of birth is given as "Scotland". In both his marriages his father is given as "William Smollett, farmer". In Alexander's second marriage (1900) his father is "deceased".
I cannot find Alexander Sharp Smollett, born 1860, Scotland, in census records earlier than 1901, at least not that I can confidently identify. Any assistance gratefully accepted.
thanks
daryl

[Pamelawagster]

1881 census, RG11; Piece: 3968; Folio: 63; Page: 7

There is an Alexander Smollett living in Salford With Thomas Smollett & Family. Listed as brother.

Both Thomas & Alexander born Scotland.

[Pamelawagster]

1891

RG12
Piece number 3169
Folio 134
Page 22

Alexander with Ann F Smollett (first wife?)

[Sandyhall]

Note spelling

Name: Alexander Smolit
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 24 Aug 1856
Birth Place: Coupar Angus,Angus,Scotland
Father: William Smolit
Mother: Ann Blair
FHL Film Number: 6035516

[elsinore]

Alexander's age is given as 25 on his first marriage certificate, which suggests a birth around 1856/7.
This one is a candidate, father's name and occupation and brother Thomas all match.

1861 Scotland Census (via FMP, transcription only) at Brighton (?), Ruthven, Forfarshire
William Smollett 33 Farm servant, Mains, Forfarshire
Ann 38 housekeeper, Perthshire
William, son, 13, Mains
Joseph, son, 9, Perthshire
Thomas, son, 6,
Alexander, son, 4
David, son, 0, all Perthshire
Alexander Whyte, visitor, 9

Peter

[elsinore]

Scotland's People has a birth record for an Alexander Smolit (sic), 1856, Coupar Angus.

Peter

[elsinore]

This could be Alexander in 1871(transcript on FMP):

Pitnaffie Farm Cot House, Newtyle, Forfarshire
Robert McIntosh,head, unm, 18, farm servant, Banff
Alexander Smallett (sic) fellow servant, unm, 15, farm servant, Coupar Angus

This may be William and Ann's marriage:
From Scotland's People (transcript)

William Smollet (sic) m. Ann Blair 5th June 1847 Mains & Strathmartine.

Peter

[Lesley Robertson]

William Smolit and Ann Blair had 7 kids - William (1847), James (1850), Joseph (1853), Thomas Duncan (1854), Alexander (1856), Ann (1858) and David (1860). William was born Strathmartine,as Smollett. The next 4 were Coupar Angus, of which the first 3 are spelled Smollitt and Alexander has Smolit and the last 2 were Ruthven, spelled Smollet.

For a small fee you can download a copy of a birth certificate (1855 and after) or Baptism record (up to 1854) from Scotlands People. Unfortunately, 1856 was the least informative of the birth certificates (any 1855 BMD cert is amazingly informative and they cut back drastically for 1856. Whether or not you decide to get Alexander's cert, I would also get Ann or David's as they will give you more info.

(Family Search does well for Scotland the years up to 1875). Spelling variation of surnames was a national sport in Scotland back then - I have a record with 3 spellings in a single entry!

William & Ann married 1847 in Strathmartine.

[DBCoup]

Wow - Thankyou so much Pamelawagster, Sandyhall, elsinore and Lesley. This is a wonderful start.
Thanks again
Stay safe in these trying times
daryl