Search for content in message boards

Scottish or English Self-identification Young Family

Scottish or English Self-identification Young Family

Posted: 16 Oct 2013 8:39PM GMT
Classification: Immigration
Surnames: Young
I have a g-g grandfather who was believed to be born in Scotland, Aberdeen specifically. This is due to family lore and a watch inscribed with his name, the city and the date 1851. He died in 1875. Problem is, the few records which identify him mostly refer to England rather than Scotland. 1. 1870 census, his country of birth is England. 2. Naturalization record, nationality is English. 3. When his child was placed in an orphanage he is described as English. Then his eldest son married and records his father as Scottish. (The son was 12 when his father died.) He also is described as Scottish on a census where the nationality of a person's parents is asked for. I can't find other records, let alone others which record his national origin.
My question is this: what is the likelihood that a Scotsman would describe himself as English or born in England. Scots I know are very proud of being Scot, and often reject British. I can't imagine them calling themselves English.
Does anyone have any insights on this? Thanks in advance.

Re: Scottish or English Self-identification Young Family

Posted: 16 Oct 2013 8:44PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 16 Oct 2013 8:46PM GMT
Well, it depends if HIS parents were English I suppose...

Also - did he fill out the census or did someone else? it is still a misconception in many places that British means English and if the enumerator wasn't particularly well informed that mistake may have been made

Anyway it might help us to help if you could tell us his name please. And what is his estimated birth year? And the name of his wife and children please.(and birth years)

Fiona

Re: Scottish or English Self-identification Young Family

Posted: 16 Oct 2013 9:34PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thanks for the reply
His name was Thomas Young, his wife was an Irish immigrant (1849 from County Down) Susan Flannigan, his children were Alexander (b. 1862 NY), Charles (b. 1865 NY), Susannah Elizabeth (b. 1871 NJ.
In the 1870 Census they were living in Jersey City, NJ. Thomas was 40, Susan 30.

I thought the same thing about the Census enumerator, but the naturalization papers and the orphanage records make me think again.

BTW, I have a likely candidate for a Scot born in Aberdeen with parents named Alexander and Elizabeth.
per page

Find a board about a specific topic