David Speirs (abt. 1833 - 1907)

Born about 1833 in Renfrewshire, Strathclyde, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Isabella (McFarlane) Speirs — married 10 Nov 1865 in Partick, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Died 7 Jan 1907 at about age 74 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Ming Speirs [send private message]

Biography

When David Speirs was born about 1834-5, He was the son of James Speirs. Still researching his mother. On David’s marriage record, his mother is listed as Mary Irven who was certainly the mother of at least 3 older siblings, He also consistently on census records, lists his birthplace as Greenock Renfrewshire Scotland. However, I have been unable at this stage to find a birth for David. There is a possibility his mother died when he was young and his father ( who died in 1956) had remarried or was working away. He may have had some facts confused.

In the 1841 census, 8 year old David is found staying or living in Abbey Parish Renfrewshire with his older sister who has married Robert Love and who has an 8 month old baby.

David married Isabella Macfarlane on 10 November 1865 when he was 30. She had children from a previous marriage.

They had two children Together during their marriage. James was born on 3rd December 1865. His name was spelt SPIERS but his father signed as David SPEIRS. They had a daughter Catherine in September 1867. Sadly she died young but James became an electrician. He lived with his father for much of his life.

David’s nephew Edwin Speirs [Speirs-372] of London wrote to his brother in 1901 “I occasionally go up to Scotland and always call to see Uncle David who has now retired and is living very well: his only son James Speirs hs turned out to be a splendid electrician and is making plenty of money. Beattie Love of Johnston married into the Coates family and is very well off, and Jenny Love married one of the Weatherspoons and is also well off, they both have families.. I dare say you know that both Provost Love and his wife are dead, he and I became great friends and Inalways had a good reception from them when I went to Scotland. I do not think you ever met them but they were thoroughly Speirs. Uncle William Speirs is still alive though of course he must be rather aged, I have not seen him in some time. “

David died on 7 January 1907 in 29 1/2 Milton Street Glasgow, Lanarkshire, at the age of 74,

On his death record he was listed as David Speirs 74, Church Officer, widower of Isabella McFarlane or Greigg who died of Cardiac Failure. His father was listed as James Speirs deceased a foot soldier.

David was buried in Moodiesburn, Lanarkshire.

Sources

• Unable to locate the birth record for David at this stage. On various census records , David lists his birth place as Greenock Renfrewshire .. on his marriage record he lists his mother as Mary Irven. It is possible that David’s mother died when he was quite young and he may have been unsure of his mother’s maiden name and taken on his older siblings mothers name.

• 1841 Census: "Scotland Census, 1841"
  National Records of Scotland
  (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 12 July 2023)
  David Speirs (8) in Abbey registration district in Renfrewshire, Scotland.
  citing Ref 559/ 13/ 15.

• Marriage Registration: "Statutory Register of Marriages"
  National Records of Scotland
  (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 12 July 2023)
  David Speirs marriage to Isabella McFarlane registered 1865 in Partick.
  citing Ref 646/2/155.

• Birth Registration: "Statutory Register of Births"
  National Records of Scotland
  (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 12 July 2023)
  James Spiers birth registered 1865 in Milton, mother's maiden name McFarlane.
  citing Ref 644/7/1668.

• Death Registration: "Statutory Register of Deaths"
  National Records of Scotland
  (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 12 July 2023)
  David Speirs death registered 1907 in Milton (age 74).
  citing Ref 644/9/19.