**CALLING ALL CROAN DESCENDANTS** - EDINBURGH - CROAN SEAFOOD - O'Reilly, Croan, Stoker, Mackay, Whorton-Aitchison, Malcolm
Hi everyone!
I am desperately trying to trace back my family in Scotland - the Croan family.
I am Francesca the Grandaughter of Veronica O'Reilly. Veronica's Mother was NORAH CROAN (Born 1897 approx). Norah married James O'Reilly from Schull in Northern Ireland, Norah and James met in Edinburugh when James was working on the tramline,
Norah is one of, I believe, 11 children (Elizabeth,David, James, Agnes, Annie, Maggie, Alice, Ada, Thomas, and Isabella) who were all born in the Edinburgh area. Their parents were Ann[ie] Croan (Maiden Name: Whorton Aitchison which I believe was also sometimes used by their children), and James Croan (born 1854 approx) who married in 1874 in Edinburgh. I believe David possible moved to America and I understood was involved in horse racing/trading, I also understand Annie moved to Canada where she lived with her husband George Stoker and her Children George (born 1911) and Violet (born 1914). Annie is registered as dying in Vancover 31/08/1948. Her daughter Violet married Robert Gordon Mackay and moved from her birthplace of Winniepeg to Toronto where she passed away, there is some confusion over her date of death as records show she died in 1976 but my family received notification of her passing in the early 1990's. Although I cannot find records of them Violet and Robert (known to our family by his middle name of Gordon) may have had two sons, possibly called John and Hugh.
James Croan was the brother, I believe, of Robert Croan who started Croan Seafood/ R Croan Fisheries in Edinburugh in the late 1800's. James was one of 12 children who were (Patrick, Mary, Robert, Thomas, Margaret, Agnes, Alice, Mary Ann, Mary, Alex/Alexander, and Elizabeth) and who were all born in Edinburgh between 1855 and 1879. James was registered as being born at the King's Stables at Edinburgh Castle he and his family (siblings and parents) were then registered at the following addresses:
1861 Census: Hunters Close 1871 Census: 45 Carrubbers Close (Occupation: Fish Salesman) 1891 Census: 5 Victoria Street (Occupation: House Dealer)
James Croan was then finally registered during the 1901 Census with his marital family and children at 6 Keir Street with his occupation as Horse Trader. James and his siblings parent's were Agnes Croan (Maiden name Malcolm) and Patrick Croan (Born 1834) who were married in 1851. Patrick Croan was registered in the 1861 Census as a Grocer and then in the 1871 Census as a Fish Salesman. Agnes Malcolm's parents were Catherine Malcolm (Maiden name Key) and James Malcolm (born 1801) who were both born in Angus - they married in 1822.
Other information I have from the family is that Norah Croan possibly had a total of three brothers who were killed in WW1. One of Norah's sisters married someone with the Surname Brown and I understand they lived in Australia for a short time before returning to the UK (possibly the London area). I understand Norah's sister and Mr Brown had two children - Eileen who served in WW2 stationed in Egypt ( I believe she lost a leg), and William (known as Bill). Bill served as a Spy for England in WW2 as he was fluent in French and I believe lived in Bow London - I understood he also became a Catholic Priest training in Rome. I know the family was heavily involved with fish/fishing and horse racing/trading.
I know there is a lot of information but it doesn't connect me with any family today which I'd love to do! It would be great to know if there's anyone else out there connected to my families story .... whethere you're an O'Reilly, Croan, Stoker, Mackay, Whorton, Aitchison, Malcolm, or Key .... or know anything/are connected in anyway please don't hesitate to get in contact!!!!
Many thanks,
Francesca Wells (Great Great Great Grandaughter of Patrick Croan)
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