no image
Privacy Level: Open (White)

Alexander Forbes McWilliam (abt. 1845 - bef. 1910)

Alexander Forbes McWilliam
Born about in Inverness, Inverness-shire, Scotland, United Kingdommap
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married 19 Nov 1872 in Dutch Church, Galle Fort, Sri Lankamap
Husband of — married 2 Nov 1882 in Ennis, County Clare, Irelandmap
Descendants descendants
Died before before about age 65 in Walthamstow, Essex, England, United Kingdommap
Problems/Questions Profile manager: Kerry Wallis private message [send private message]
Profile last modified | Created 29 May 2022
This page has been accessed 125 times.

Contents

Biography

Scottish flag
Alexander McWilliam was born in Scotland.
Alexander McWilliam is a Military Veteran.
Served in the British Army 1864-1890

Birth
Alexander was born about 1845 in Inverness, Inverness-shire, Scotland.[1] He was the son of Alexander McWilliam and his wife Helen, née Forbes, who had been married at Cabrach, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on 16 June 1840.[2]

Military Service
Alexander enlisted at Edinburgh into the Royal Artillery for a period of twelve years on 7 November 1864. He stated he was 19 years of age, occupation Clerk, and residing in Edinburgh.

Alexander was at "home" from 11 November 1864 until 12 October 1868. From 13 October 1868 to 10 September 1875 he was posted to Ceylon, before being "home" until 1 November 1878. He was then posted to India, taking part in the Afghan Campaigns in 1878-1880, before returning "home" on 4 March 1882. Thereafter, Alexander had no further overseas postings.

Alexander was discharged from military service on 25 February 1890, having served for a total of 25 years and 107 days.[1]

Marriages and Children
Alexander married twice, and had twelve children in all.

His first wife was widow Eliza McDougall, née Thompson. They were married at the Dutch Church, Galle Fort, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), on 19 November 1872.[3]

Alexander and Eliza had two children:

  1. Alexander Forbes William, born at Picklecombe Fort, Cornwall, England, on 26 June 1878[4] and baptized at Wyndham Street Presbyterian Church, Plymouth, Devon, on 1 September 1878.[5]
  2. Sarah Eleanor, born at Rawalpindi, Punjab, India (now Pakistan) on 22 July 1880[6] and baptized there on 2 September 1880.[7]

Eliza died at Karachi, India (now Pakistan) in 1881.[8]

Alexander's second wife was Sarah Thompson, a spinster, who he married at Ennis Presbyterian Church in the Parish of Dromcliffe, County Clare, Ireland, on 2 November 1882. Alexander was detailed as a Widower, resident at Ennis, a Battery Sergeant Major in the Royal Artillery, son of Alexander McWilliam, a Farmer. Witnesses were Samuel Howard and Ellen Howard.[9][10]

Alexander had a further ten children with Sarah:

  1. Eliza, born at Ennis, County Clare, Ireland, on 4 August 1883.[11][12]
  2. Rebecca, born at London, England, on 4 September 1884.[13]
  3. Isabella, born at Stoke, Guildford, Surrey, England on 6 August 1885[14] and baptized at the church of St John the Evangelist, Stoke next Guildford, Surrey, on 4 October 1885.[15][16]
  4. Victoria, born at Stoke, Guildford, on 2 September 1886[17] and baptized at the church of St John the Evangelist, Stoke next Guildford, Surrey, on 28 November 1886.[18]
  5. Kathleen, born at Caterham, Surrey, on 31 January 1888.[19]
  6. William James, born at Walthamstow, Essex, on 2 February 1891[20] and baptized at St Mary the Virgin church, Walthamstow, on 12 February 1891.[21]
  7. Margaret, born at Walthamstow on 7 June 1892[22] and baptized at St Mary's church, Walthamstow, on 25 January 1893.[23]
  8. Annie, born at Walthamstow on 15 February 1894[24] and baptized at St Mary the Virgin church, Walthamstow, on 13 March 1895.[25]
  9. Ellen, born at Walthamstow on 15 December 1895[26] and baptized at St Mary the Virgin church, Walthamstow, on 26 February 1896.[27]
  10. John Leonard, born at Walthamstow on 1 March 1898[28] and baptized at St Mary the Virgin church, Walthamstow, on 25 May 1898.[29]

Sadly Alexander lost his wife, and three of his children. His daughter Rebecca died in 1897[30] and was buried at Queens Road Cemetery, Walthamstow, on 11 August 1897.[31] His youngest son, John Leonard, died, aged 2, in October 1900[32] and was buried at the same cemetery on 12 October 1900.[33] About eighteen months later, in 1902, Alexander's second wife Sarah died[34] and was buried at the same cemetery on 11 March 1902.[35] Another eighteen months later, in 1903, Alexander's daughter Kathleen died[36] and was buried with her mother and brother on 19 October 1903.[37]

Census Records
In the 1891 census Alexander is listed at 17 Collard Road, Walthamstow, with his wife and family.[38]

1891 Census of England and Wales: Walthamstow, Essex, England, United Kingdom
Name Relation Status Sex Age Occupation Birth Place
Alexander McWilliam Head Married M 45 Clerk Scotland
Sarah McWilliam Wife Married F 29 Aldershot, Hampshire, England
Alexander McWilliam Son M 12 Pickleham, Cornwall, England
Sarah E McWilliam Daughter F 10 Rawal Pindi, India
Eliza McWilliam Daughter F 7 Co Clare, Ireland
Rebecca McWilliam Daughter F 6 St Margaret's, London, England
Isabella McWilliam Daughter F 5 Guildford, Surrey, England
Victoria McWilliam Daughter F 4 Guildford, Surrey, England
Kathleen McWilliam Daughter F 3 Caterham, Surrey, England
William J McWilliam Son M 2 months Walthamstow, Essex, England

In the 1901 census he is listed at 13 Collard Road, Walthamstow with his family.[39]

1901 Census of England and Wales: Walthamstow, Essex, England, United Kingdom
Name Relation Status Sex Age Occupation Birth Place
Alexander Mcwilliam Head Married M 54 Inverness, Scotland
Sarah Mcwilliam Wife Married F 39 Aldershot, Hampshire
Eliza Mcwilliam Daughter F 17 Sewing Machinist Juvenile Suit Ennis, Ireland
Isabella Mcwilliam Daughter F 15 Sewing Machinist Juvenile Suit Guildford, Surrey
Victoria Mcwilliam Daughter F 14 Servant Domestic Guildford, Surrey
Kathleen Mcwilliam Daughter F 13 Caterham, Surrey
William Mcwilliam Son M 10 Walthamstow, Essex
Margaret Mcwilliam Daughter F 8 Walthamstow, Essex
Annie Mcwilliam Daughter F 7 Walthamstow, Essex
Ellen Mcwilliam Daughter F 6 Walthamstow, Essex

Death and Burial
Alexander passed away in 1910.[40] He was buried on 28th February 1910 in Queens Road Cemetery, Waltham Forest, Greater London, England. He joined his wife Sarah who was buried there in 1902 and daughter Kathleen who was buried there in 1903.[41]

Research notes

I hit a brick wall with trying to work out the parents for Alexander and posted on G2G (https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/1445567/brickwall-inverness-scotland-1847-birth). I had two very helpful comments which I will include here as a note while I investigate these leads further. Thank you to my wonderful WikiTree family for helping me out! Kerry (Paris) Wallis 20/07/2022

Elizabeth (Penman) Russon wrote;

I couldn't find a birth/baptism for Alexander Forbes McWilliam but I did find a marriage of an Alexander McWilliam and a Helen Forbes 31 May 1840 (240/30 157) in Strathdon and Corgaff, and also 16 Jun 1840 (177/20 137) in Cabrach. This could be the parents. Sometimes the child was given the mother's maiden name as a middle name.

Matthew Fletcher wrote;

It doesn't directly answer your question but an Alexander McWilliam from Inverness enlisted into the Royal Artillery in 1864. The transcript may be behind a paywall on findmypast but here are the details. On balance I think it is him. First name Alexander Last name McWilliam Birth year 1845 Birth parish Inverness Birth town Inverness Birth county Invernessshire Birth country Scotland Service number 54 Regiment Royal Artillery Year 1864 Attestation date 07 Nov 1864 Attestation age years 19 Attestation service number 54 Attestation corps Royal Artillery Discharge corps Royal Artillery Document type Attestation Archive reference WO 97 Series Wo 97 - Chelsea Pensioners British Army Service Records 1760-1913 Box 3403 Box record number 43 Archive The National Archives Country Scotland Record set British Army Service Records Category Military, armed forces & conflict Subcategory Regimental & Service Records Collections from Great Britain, Scotland https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBM/WO97/3403/157871

Sources

  1. 1.0 1.1 Military: "British Army Service Records"
    Archive: The National Archives; Series: Wo 97 - Chelsea Pensioners British Army Service Records 1760-1913; Reference: WO 97
    FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 25 December 2022)
    First name(s): Alexander; Last name: McWilliam; Birth year: 1845; Birth parish: Inverness; Birth town: Inverness; Birth county: Invernessshire; Birth country: Scotland; Service number: 54; Regiment: Royal Artillery; Year: 1864; Attestation date: 07 Nov 1864; Attestation age years: 19; Attestation service number: 54; Attestation corps: Royal Artillery; Discharge corps: Royal Artillery; Document type: Attestation; Box: 3403; Box record number: 43; Country: Scotland.
  2. Marriage: "Scotland Marriages, 1561-1910"
    FamilySearch Record: XTN6-74D (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Alexander McWilliam marriage to Helen Forbes on 16 Jun 1840 in Cabrach, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom.
  3. Marriage: "UK, British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960"
    The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; War Office: Royal Artillery Records of Service and Papers; Class: WO 69; Piece: Piece 552; Piece Description: Piece 552 (1855 - 1879)
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 60931 #19025 (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Sgt Alexander Mae William marriage to Eliza MacDougall on 19 Nov 1872 in Dutch Church Galle Fort.
  4. Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Mcwilliam, Alexander Forbes William (Mother's maiden name: Thompson).
    GRO Reference: 1878 Jul-Aug-Sep in St Germans Volume 05C Page 36.
  5. Baptism: "Devon, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1920"
    Indexes created from Anglican Parish Registers held at South West Heritage Trust; Taunton, Somerset, England
    Ancestry Record 62286 #813721 (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Alex Forbes William McWilliam baptism on 1 Sep 1878 (born 26 Jun 1878), child of Wm Henry McWilliam & Eliza McWilliam, in Plymouth, Wyndham Street Presbyterian, Devon, England.
  6. Birth: "United Kingdom, British Armed Forces and Overseas Vital Records, 1761-2005"
    citing Volume: 626; Page: 45; Line: 119;
    FamilySearch Record: 68KF-CHWP (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Sarah E McWilliam born in 1880 in Rawalpindi, Punjab, India.
  7. Baptism: "British India Office Births & Baptisms"
    Reference: N-1-173; Folio: 48; Page: -
    FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Sarah Eleanor McWilliam baptism on 2 Sep 1880 (born 22 Jul 1880), daughter of Alexander McWilliam & Eliza, in Rawal Pindi,Christ Church, Bengal.
  8. Death Registration: "Gro Army Death Indices (1881 To 1955)"
    Archive: General Register Office; Reference: DARM; Page: 561
    FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Eliza McWilliam death 1881 in Karachi, India.
  9. Marriage Registration: "Irish Marriages 1845-1958"
    Volume: 4; Page: 77
    FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Alexander M'William marriage in Ennis, Clare, Ireland.
  10. Marriage
    Irish Genealogy, Alexander McWilliam and Sarah Thompson, 2 November 1882, Group Registration ID 2219433, Reg District Ennis
    Irish Genealogy Image (accessed 25 December 2022)
  11. Birth Registration: "Gro Regimental Birth Indices (1761 To 1924)"
    Archive: General Register Office; Reference: REG1; Volume: 626; Page: 45
    FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Eliza McWilliam birth 1883 in Ennis, Ireland.
  12. Birth
    Eliza McWilliam, 1883, Group Registration ID 11054548, Reg District Ennis
    Irish Genealogy Image (accessed 25 December 2022)
  13. Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Mcwilliam, Rebecca (Mother's maiden name: Thompson).
    GRO Reference: 1884 Jul-Aug-Sep in St George Hanover Square Volume 01A Page 500.
  14. Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Mcwilliam, Isabella (Mother's maiden name: Thompson).
    GRO Reference: 1885 Jul-Aug-Sep in Guildford Volume 02A Page 80.
  15. Baptism: "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
    FamilySearch Record: ND7L-QS9 (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Isabella McWilliam baptism on 4 Oct 1885, daughter of Alexander McWilliam & Sarah Thompson, in Stoke, Surrey, England, United Kingdom.
  16. Baptism: "Surrey, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1917"
    Surrey History Centre; Woking, Surrey, England; Surrey Church of England Parish Registers; Reference: STK/4/4
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 4772 #58000 (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Isabella Mc William baptism on 4 Oct 1885, child of Alexander Mc William & Sarah Thompson Mc William, in Stoke Next Guildford, St John the Evangelist, Surrey, England.
  17. Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Mcwilliam, Victoria (Mother's maiden name: Thompson).
    GRO Reference: 1886 Oct-Nov-Dec in Guildford Volume 02A Page 78.
  18. Baptism: "Surrey, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1917"
    Surrey History Centre; Woking, Surrey, England; Surrey Church of England Parish Registers; Reference: STK/4/4
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 4772 #2966065 (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Victoria Mc William baptism on 28 Nov 1886, child of Alexander Mc William & Sarah Mc William, in Stoke Next Guildford, St John the Evangelist, Surrey, England.
  19. Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Mcwilliams, Kathleen (Mother's maiden name: Thompson).
    GRO Reference: 1888 Jan-Feb-Mar in Godstone Volume 02A Page 197.
  20. Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Mcwilliam, William James (Mother's maiden name: Thompson).
    GRO Reference: 1891 Jan-Feb-Mar in West Ham Volume 04A Page 329.
  21. Baptism: "Essex, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1921"
    Essex Record Office; Chelmsford, Essex, England; Essex Church of England Parish Registers
    Ancestry Record 61699 #4883449 (accessed 25 December 2022)
    William James McWilliam baptism on 12 Apr 1891 (born 2 Feb 1891), child of Alexander McWilliam & Sarah McWilliam, in Walthamstow, St Mary the Virgin, Essex, England.
  22. Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Mcwilliam, Margaret (Mother's maiden name: Thompson).
    GRO Reference: 1892 Apr-May-Jun in West Ham Volume 04A Page 358.
  23. Baptism: "England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
    England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 1564136
    Ancestry Record 9841 #87632375 (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Margaret Mcwilliams baptism on 25 Jan 1893 (born 7 Jun 1892), daughter of Alexander Mcwilliams & Sarah, in St. Mary's, Walthamstow, Essex, England.
  24. Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Mcwilliam, Annie (Mother's maiden name: Thompson).
    GRO Reference: 1894 Jan-Feb-Mar in West Ham Volume 04A Page 362.
  25. Baptism: "Essex, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1921"
    Essex Record Office; Chelmsford, Essex, England; Essex Church of England Parish Registers
    Ancestry Record 61699 #4884408 (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Annie McWilliam baptism on 13 Mar 1895 (born 15 Feb 1894), child of Alexander McWilliam & Sarah McWilliam, in Walthamstow, St Mary the Virgin, Essex, England.
  26. Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Mcwilliam, Ellen (Mother's maiden name: Thompson).
    GRO Reference: 1896 Jan-Feb-Mar in West Ham Volume 04A Page 350.
  27. Baptism: "England & Wales, Christening Index, 1530-1980"
    Genealogical Society of Utah. British Isles Vital Records Index, 2nd Edition
    Ancestry Record 1351 #1099487 (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Ellen McWilliam baptism on 26 Feb 1896 (born 18 Dec 1895), daughter of Alexander McWilliam & Sarah McWilliam, in Walthamstow, Essex, England.
  28. Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Mcwilliam, John Leonard (Mother's maiden name: Thompson).
    GRO Reference: 1898 Apr-May-Jun in West Ham Volume 04A Page 371.
  29. Baptism: "Essex, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1921"
    Essex Record Office; Chelmsford, Essex, England; Essex Church of England Parish Registers
    Ancestry Record 61699 #4885562 (accessed 25 December 2022)
    John Leonard McWilliam baptism on 25 May 1898 (born 1 Mar 1898), child of Alexander McWilliam & Sarah McWilliam, in Walthamstow, St Mary the Virgin, Essex, England.
  30. Death Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Death (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Mcwilliam, Rebecca (Age at death: 12).
    GRO Reference: 1897 Jul-Aug-Sep in West Ham Volume 04A Page 212.
  31. Burial: "England & Scotland, Select Cemetery Registers, 1800-2016"
    Waltham Forect Council, Walthamstow, England; Walthamstow, England; Waltham Forest Burial Registers
    Ancestry Record 9041 #916637 (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Rebecca McWilliams burial (died in about 1897 at age 13) on 11 Aug 1897 in Waltham Forest, Greater London, England.
  32. Death Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Death (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Mcwilliam, John Leonard (Age at death: 2).
    GRO Reference: 1900 Oct-Nov-Dec in West Ham Volume 04A Page 187.
  33. Burial: "England & Scotland, Select Cemetery Registers, 1800-2016"
    Waltham Forect Council, Walthamstow, England; Walthamstow, England; Waltham Forest Burial Registers
    Ancestry Record 9041 #942381 (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Leonard Mc William burial (died in about 1900 at age 2) on 12 Oct 1900 in Waltham Forest, Greater London, England.
  34. Death Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Death (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Mcwilliam, Sarah (Age at death: 40).
    GRO Reference: 1902 Jan-Feb-Mar in West Ham Volume 04A Page 225.
  35. Burial: "England & Scotland, Select Cemetery Registers, 1800-2016"
    Waltham Forect Council, Walthamstow, England; Walthamstow, England; Waltham Forest Burial Registers
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 9041 #944212 (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Sarah Mc William burial (died in about 1902 at age 40) on 11 Mar 1902 in Waltham Forest, Greater London, England.
  36. Death Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Death (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Mcwilliam, Kathleen (Age at death: 15).
    GRO Reference: 1903 Oct-Nov-Dec in West Ham Volume 04A Page 194.
  37. Burial: "England & Scotland, Select Cemetery Registers, 1800-2016"
    Waltham Forect Council, Walthamstow, England; Walthamstow, England; Waltham Forest Burial Registers
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 9041 #718298 (accessed 25 December 2022)
    Kathleen McWilliam burial (died in about 1903 at age 15) on 19 Oct 1903 in Waltham Forest, Greater London, England.
  38. 1891 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1891"
    citing PRO RG 12, Essex county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
    FamilySearch Record: QG3V-NPZ (accessed 19 July 2022)
    FindMyPast Image
    Alexander McWilliam (45), married head of household in Walthamstow in West Ham registration district in Essex, England. Born in Scotland.
  39. 1901 Census: "1901 England Census"
    Class: RG13; Piece: 1628; Folio: 127; Page: 19; ED, institution, or vessel: 39; Household schedule number: 104
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 7814 #9423321 (accessed 19 July 2022)
    Alexander McWilliam (54) head of household in Walthamstow in West Ham registration district in Essex, England. Born in Snowshill, Scotland.
  40. Death Registration: "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007"
    citing Death, West Ham, Essex, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
    FamilySearch Record: 2J7D-WK2 (accessed 19 July 2022)
    Alexander F Mcwilliam death registered Jan-Feb-Mar 1910 in West Ham (age 60).
  41. Burial: "England & Scotland, Select Cemetery Registers, 1800-2016"
    Waltham Forect Council, Walthamstow, England; Walthamstow, England; Waltham Forest Burial Registers
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 9041 #944214 (accessed 19 July 2022)
    Alexander Forbes Mc William burial (died in 1910 at age 60) on 28 Feb 1910 in Waltham Forest, Greater London, England.

Acknowledgements

Secret Santa
This profile received some WikiTree kindness during the 2022 Secret Santa!




Is Alexander your ancestor? Please don't go away!
 star icon Login to collaborate or comment, or
 star icon contact private message the profile manager, or
 star icon ask our community of genealogists a question.
Sponsored Search by Ancestry.com

DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Alexander: Have you taken a test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.


Comments

Leave a message for others who see this profile.
There are no comments yet.
Login to post a comment.

Featured Asian and Pacific Islander connections: Alexander is 33 degrees from 今上 天皇, 30 degrees from Adrienne Clarkson, 24 degrees from Dwight Heine, 32 degrees from Dwayne Johnson, 27 degrees from Tupua Tamasese Lealofioaana, 30 degrees from Stacey Milbern, 28 degrees from Sono Osato, 40 degrees from 乾隆 愛新覺羅, 32 degrees from Ravi Shankar, 29 degrees from Taika Waititi, 26 degrees from Penny Wong and 27 degrees from Chang Bunker on our single family tree. Login to see how you relate to 33 million family members.

M  >  McWilliam  >  Alexander Forbes McWilliam

Categories: Walthamstow, Essex (London) | Royal Artillery | Challenge, Secret Santa 2022