James McDonald Forsyth (1879 - 1958)

Born 10 Jun 1879 in Muiravonside Stirlingshire Scotland

Ancestors

Son of Archibald Forsyth and Nancy (Irvine) Forsyth

Husband of Christina Wood — married 26 Oct 1904 (to 2 Jan 1921) in Stirling, Stirlingshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Husband of Philomena Augusta (Yancey) Forsyth — married 9 Oct 1923 in Tampa, Hillsborough, Florida, United States

Descendants

Died 12 Sep 1958 at age 79 in Tampa, Hillsborough, Florida

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Marsha Richardson [send private message]

Biography

This profile is part of the Forsyth Name Study.

James Forsyth was born in Scotland.

James McDonald Forsyth was the son of Archibald Forsyth and Agnes Irvine. He was born 10 July 1879 In Muiravonside parish, Stirlingshire Scotland, United Kingdom. ^[1]

In 1881 the family lived at Muiravonside Parish, Stirlingshire, Scotland, United Kingdom. The address was Maddiston. ^[2]

In 1891 James was 11 years old and living in the same place as he was in 1881. He is a scholar and has 3 younger brothers.^[3]

In 1899 The Falkirk Heard ran an article "Muiravonside, Horticultural Society Annual Exhibition". In this article, J. Forsyth of Lily Bank is noted for his Window Plants, Geraniums of any sort. ^[4]

In 1901 James and his family are living in the same place, but the address is Lilybank. James is 21 years old and working as a bricklayer. ^[5]

On 26 October 1904 James married his first wife, Christina Wood. ^[6]

James and Christina's Children

# Archibald McMillian Forsyth was born on 2 November 1906 in the District of St. Rollox, County of Lanark, Scotland. He was baptized 13 January 1907 in Muiravonside.^[7] He died 21 June 1907 of Tubercular Meningitis. ^[8]

1. Alexander (AlistaIr) Wood Forsyth was born 21 March 1908 in the district of Springburn, County of Lanark, Scotland, United Kingdom. His parents were James McDonald Forsyth, bricklayer, and Christina Pritchard Wood.^[9]
2. Nancy was born 11 August 1910. Christina and their two children arrived in New York on 19 December 1910.
3. James McDonald Forsyth, JR, was born 17 September 1912 ^[10]in Tampa, FL.

19 April 1910, James McDonald Forsyth arrived at the New York Harbor aboard the S.S. Furnessisa which has left the Glasgow port on 9 April 1910. ^[11]. There were several reasons James and his family immigrated. One was on the advice of his wife's doctor to seek a warmer climate. Another reason his daughter told me was that he did not get along with his father and his mother thought it best for him to move away. She may have also feared he would end up in the coal mines and they knew bricklayers were in demand in West Tampa, Florida.

In May 1910 James lives in a boarding house located at 265 Palmetto Street in West Tampa, Florida. Also living in the same boarding house is his cousin, John Forsyth, and two friends from Scotland, John Biggar, and William Potts. All four have some type of construction occupation and easily find jobs in the area. James is a bricklayer. ^[12]

James' wife remained in Scotland for a short while because Christina was expecting their third child, Agnes Irvine (Nancy Lee) Forsyth.

City directories:

• 1913 He and Christina are living at 1309 Spruce Street, West Tampa, Florida Occupation-construction ^[13]
• 1917 He and Christina are living at 1309 Spruce. and he is a bricklayer. ^[14] Lives same place, now a bricklayer
• 1919 still living at the same place, but now Superintendant for the Sanitation Department ^[15]
• 1923 James is living in the home on Spruce. Christina has died and he has not remarried yet, but will later in the year. He is working for the city of West Tampa supervisor water works ^[16]in the 1920 census, the Forsyths are living at 1309 Spruce Street, in West Tampa. He is an inspector for the Sanitation Department. ^[17]

On September 10, 1920, James McDonald Forsyth became a naturalized citizen of the United States. His naturalization certificate describes him as 5ft 9in tall, white, and fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. His wife and children are listed with him all living at 1309 Spruce in West Tampa, Florida. ^{[18] [19]}

USA Certificate of Naturalization

His wife, Christina, died 2 Jan 1922 in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida. ^{[20] [21][22]}.

11 November 1922 "Jammie" receives a letter telling him that his father's estate has been setteled and tells him of his inheritance. She also menitons his loss, and news of his cousin, John, who resently visited her. With John was his dauther, Elizabth, who spoke of Nancy Lee (James's daughter). ^[23] See transcribption here in the photos.

Christina has been sick for several years and Philomena Oakes Yancey was hired to take care of her and the children. It was through her that he met and later married her daughter, Philomena Yancey on 9 October 1923 in West Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida.

Children of James and Philomena

1. Marjorie Forsyth
2. Richard Forsyth
3. Mary Ellen Forsyth

City Directories:

• 1924 He and his new wife living at the 1309 Spruce Street home and he is superintendent of the water department.^[24]
• 1925 Living in the same place, but now selling Real Estate. ^[25]
• 1927 living in the same place, but now is a salesman.^[26]
• 1930 The family now lives at 1908 Carmen in West Tampa. He works for the city of Tampa as a building inspector. ^[27]
• 1932 Now living a the old Yancey home at 1012 33rd Avenue. He is still working for the City of Tampa as a building inspector.^[28]
• 1933 They are living at the home on 33rd Avenue and he is still listed as a bricklayer with his wife Philomena. Living with them is his son, Allister, his daughter, Nancey ^[29]
• 1934, Family still in the home on 33rd ave. His daughter, Nancy is still living with them. No employment is shown for James or Nancy. ^[30]
• 1936 They are still living in the family home on 33rd Avenue. His daughter Nancey is still living with them, Now James is working as a gardener.^[31]

1930 Census. Living at the home on 33rd Ave and he is still employed by the city of Tampa as a building inspector.^[32]

1940 Census Only change this year is that his father-in-law is living with them. ^[33]

James McDonald Forsyth died on 12 September 1958. He was employed by the City of Tampa's Sanitation department as a Sanitary Engineer. ^[34], and is buried at Woodlawn cemetery with both is first wife, 2nd wife, daughter, Nancy, and granddaughter, Bonnie. Find A Grave: Memorial #26763347 ^[35]

Sources

1. ↑ Statutory Registers—Births, database and images, ScotlandsPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk), James McDonald Forsyth born 10 July 1879, Maddison, Muiravonside, Stirling; citing Statutory Birth Registers no. 486/00 0057  : accessed: 20, June 2021
2. ↑ 1881 Census: "1881 Scotland Census," database
   Parish: Muiravonside; ED: 2; Page: 20; Line: 1; Roll: cssct1881_138; Registration Number: 486; Household schedule number: 88
   Ancestry Record 1119 #603229 ($, accessed 26 November 2022)
   Name: James Mc D Forsyth; Age: 1; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1880; Relationship: Son; Father's Name: Archibald Forsyth; Mother's Name: Agnes Forsyth; Gender: Male; Where born: Muiravonside, Stirling; Registration district: Muiravonside; Civil parish: Muiravonside; County: Stirlingshire; Address: Maddiston; ED: 2;.

   Name	Relation	Status	Sex	Age	Occupation	Birth Place
   Archibald Forsyth	Head		M	30	Draper	Walston, Lanark
   Agnes Forsyth	Wife		F	32		Stronsay, Orkney
   James Mc D Forsyth	Son		M	1		Muiravonside, Stirling
   John I Forsyth	Son		M	3 Wks		Muiravonside, Stirling

3. ↑ 1891 Census: "1891 Scotland Census," database
   Parish: Muiravonside; ED: 2; Page: 19; Line: 20; Roll: CSSCT1891_152; Registration Number: 486; Household schedule number: 95; Roll: CSSCT1891_152
   Ancestry Record 1108 #1629953 ($, accessed 26 November 2022)
   Name: James Forsyth; Age: 11; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1880; Relationship: Son; Father's Name: Archo Forsyth; Mother's Name: Agnes Forsyth; Gender: Male; Where born: Muiravonside, Stirlingsh:; Registration district: Muiravonside; Civil parish: Muiravonside; County: Stirlingshire; Address: Maddiston; Occupation: Scholar; ED: 2;.

   Name	Relation	Status	Sex	Age	Occupation	Birth Place
   Archo Forsyth	Head		M	40	News Agent	Monkland, Lanark Sh: New
   Agnes Forsyth	Wife		F	43		Stronsay, Orkney:
   James Forsyth	Son		M	11	Scholar	Muiravonside, Stirlingsh:
   John Forsyth	Son		M	10	Scholar	Muiravonside, Stirlingsh:
   Peter Forsyth	Son		M	6	Scholar	Muiravonside, Stirlingsh:
   Matthew Forsyth	Son		M	5	Scholar	Muiravonside, Stirlingsh:

4. ↑ Muiravonside, Horticultural Society Annual Exhibition, Falkirk Herald, Saturday 26 August 1899. The British Newspaper Archives, online images, Window Plants $ : Accessed 31 August 2021
5. ↑ 1901 Census: "1901 Scotland Census," database
   Parish: Muiravonside; ED: 3A; Page: 1; Line: 15; Roll: CSSCT1901_162; Registration Number: 486; Household schedule number: 4; Roll: CSSCT1901_162
   Ancestry Record 1101 #1172824 ($, accessed 26 November 2022)
   Name: James Forsyth; Age: 21; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1880; Relationship: Son; Father's Name: Archibald Forsyth; Mother's Name: Agnes Forsyth; Gender: Male; Where born: Muiravonside, stirlingshire; Registration district: Muiravonside; Civil parish: Muiravonside; County: Stirlingshire; Address: Lilybank; Occupation: Brick Layer; ED: 3A;.

   Name	Relation	Status	Sex	Age	Occupation	Birth Place
   Archibald Forsyth	Head		M	50	News Agent	New Monkland, Lanarkshire
   Agnes Forsyth	Wife		F	51		Stronsay, Orkney
   James Forsyth	Son		M	21	Brick Layer	Muiravonside, stirlingshire
   Peter Forsyth	Son		M	16	Appr Joiner	Muiravonside, stirlingshire
   Matthew Forsyth	Son		M	15	Appr Joiner	Muiravonside, stirlingshire

6. ↑ Statutory Registers Marriage, Scotlandspeople database and images, Reference number 490/ 149,( http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk ) ,26 Oct. 1904 James McDonald Forsyth, Bricklayer, married Christan Wood, cook. He was the son of Archibald Forsyth and Agnes Irvine and she was the daughter of Alexander Wood  : Accessed: 20 June 2021
7. ↑ Statutory Births, ScotlandsPeople, Database and images, '(http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk) Archibald McMillan Forsyth, born 2 November 1906 Keppehill, Glasgow, son of James McDonald Forsyth and Christina Pritchard Wood, ref # 644/6 1763 : accessed 20, June 2021
8. ↑ Statutory Records -Death, ScotlandsPeople, Database and images, Ref 644/6 524, '(http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk) Archilbald McMillian Forsyth, died 1907m son of James McDonald Forsyth a bricklayer and Christina Wood, died of Tubercular Meningitis. :Accessed 20 June 2021
9. ↑ Statutory Registers-Births, ScotlandsPeople, Database and Images '(http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk)
10. ↑ North Carolina Death Certificates,North Carolina State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. North Carolina Death Certificates. Microfilm S.123. Rolls 19-242, 280, 313-682, 1040-1297. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina, Ancestry.com, Images online, Ancestry Record 1121 #467390 : Accessed 15 September 2021
11. ↑ Ships Manifest, Ellis Island database and Images, Ellis Island: Accessed 16 September 2021
12. ↑ 1910 US census. Acestry.com , database and images, West Tampa, Hillsborough, Florida; Roll: T624_161; Page: 31B; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1374174,A Ancestry Record 7884 #2979734 : Accessed  : Accessed Accessed 20 June 2021
13. ↑ 1913 City Direcotry,Ancestry.com, online images, Ancestry Record 2469 #664308106: Accessed 14 September 2021
14. ↑ 1917 City Directory, Tampa, Hillsborough, Florida, Ancestry Record 2469 #666740107: Accessed 14 September 2021
15. ↑ 1919 City Directory, Tampa, Hillsborough, Florida, 1909 Spruce, Bricklayer, wife ChristinaAncestry Record 2469 #669500879: Accessed 14 September 2021
16. ↑ 1923 City Directory, Ancestry.com, online images, Ancestry Record 2469 #669460413: Accessed 14 September 2021
17. ↑ 1920 Census, Ancestry.com, images,1920 Census : Accessed 31 August 2021
18. ↑ Original Document, Marsha Richardson's collection (see photo)
19. ↑ Florida Naturalization records, 1847-1995, Ancestry.com, images, - Application for citizenship : Accessed 31 August 2021
20. ↑ Forsyth, Christine, J.L. Reed and Son Funeral Home Records Aug 1920-May 1924, book, Germany Library, Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL:
21. ↑ Obit, Mrs. James M Forsyth, The Tampa Times, 3 Jan 1922, Page 3, Newspapers.com, online images, Obit : Accessed 31 August 2021
22. ↑ Administration Records, 1847-1928; Author: Florida. County Judge's Court (Hillsborough County); Probate Place: Hillsborough, Florida Ancestry.com, Images online, Ancestry Record 8993 #270138 : Accessed 15 September 2021.
23. ↑ Personal collection of Marsha Cain Richardson, from family papers
24. ↑ 1924 City Directory, Ancestry.com, online images, Ancestry Record 2469 #662498685: Accessed 14 September 2021
25. ↑ 1925 City Directory, Ancestry.com, online images, Ancestry.com, online images, Ancestry Record 2469 #666549485: Accessed 14 September 2021
26. ↑ 1927 City Directory, Ancestry.com, online images, Ancestry Record 2469 #662399073: Accessed 14 September 2021
27. ↑ 1930 City Direcotry,Ancestry.com, online images, Ancestry Record 2469 #662316144: Accessed 14 September 2021
28. ↑ 1932 City Direcotry,Ancestry.com, online images, Ancestry Record 2469 #1088845885: Accessed 14 September 2021
29. ↑ 1933 City Directory, Tampa, Florida, Ancestry.com, images, Ancestry Record 2469 #670463865: Accessed 14 September 2021
30. ↑ 1934 City Directory, Tampa, Florida, Ancestry.com, images, Ancestry Record 2469 #964192501: Accessed 14 September 2021
31. ↑ 1936 City Directory, Tampa, Florida, Ancestry.com, images, Ancestry Record 2469 #674931291: Accessed 14 September 2021
32. ↑ 1930; Census Place: Tampa, Hillsborough, Florida; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 2340054, Ancestry.com, online images, Ancestry Record 6224 #103003300: Accessed 14 September 2021
33. ↑ 1940; Census Place: Tampa, Hillsborough, Florida; Roll: m-t0627-00635; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 70-95, Ancestry.com, online images, Ancestry Record 2442 #134249582: Accessed 14 September 2021
34. ↑ Death Certificate, State of Florida, Office of Vital Statistics, File no 32477, Registration no. 2518
35. ↑ Obit, Tampa Triburne,NewsPapers.com, images, 13 September 1958, page 2 Obit : Accessed 31 August 2021

DNA Proof

• Maternal relationship is confirmed by an autosomal AncestryDNA test match between Marsha (Cain) Richardson and Mike W, her 3rd cousin . Their most-recent common ancestors are John Irvine and Jessie Croy, the great great grandparents of both Marsha (Cain) Richardson and Mike W. Predicted relationship from AncestryDNA: 4-6 cousins, based on sharing 34 cM across 2 segments

• Paternal relationship is confirmed by an autosomal AncestryDNA test match between Marsha (Cain) Richardson and Deborah F V, her 3rd cousin . Their most-recent common ancestors are James Forsyth and Agnes McDonald, the great great grandparents of both Marsha (Cain) Richardson and Deborah F V. Predicted relationship from AncestryDNA: 4-6, based on sharing 61 cM across 5 segments.

Acknowledgments

Recollections from his granddaughter, Marsha Cain Richardson