John F. Smith

Notes:

John F. Smith died in October 1913 at the age of 43 by overdosing on Laudanum. My grandfather (Harold West Smith) was 3 at the time.

His wife Lillian apparently went crazy after his death and died less than 2 years later in the mental hospital in Blackfoot, Idaho. They left several young children. See her record for more details.

John Smith was buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Marysville, Idaho. http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/fremont/cemeteries/pineview.txt shows:
Smith, J. F.
Male
Date of Burial:
Burial No. 7
Lot No. 11
Block 2

Lillian was buried adjacent (Burial No. 6) to John with the record being listed as "Smith, Mrs. J. F."

Either the graves were unmarked or the headstones have been removed or lost, because neither is currently found in the cemetery. Rumor says that a flood wiped out part of the cemetery, but I find this unlikely considering the location and can find no record of such a flood. Because of the missing headstones, neither John nor Lillian appear on any modern cemetery listings.

John & Lillian's marriage record - http://abish.byui.edu/specialCollections/westernStates/westernStatesRecordDetail.cfm?recordID=13709

Note that her name is listed as "Lillie", instead of "Lillian" and last name spelled "Arehart". Residences listed both as Rexburg. John was 31 and Lillie was 22.

They were married almost 12 years at the time of John's death.

John F Smith's death notice (searchable here) indicates his death in October 1913 in Marysville, Idaho. The notice is from St. Anthony Chronicle, St. Anthony, Idaho, 30 Oct 1913, pg 2. No official death certificate can be found.

The text of the notice, posted under "Marysville Items" reads:

John F. Smith of this palce (sic) committed suicide last Monday by drinking laudanum. He moved here last fall from Plano and took up the profession of veterinary surgeon and had a good practice. He wrote a ltter to his mother and other relatives stating that the pain in his stomach was unbearable and assigning this as an excuse for his rash act.

He was owing about $150 on his home here and was afraid he could not meet it, and this seems to have bothered him a great deal, and it is understood that he had threatened to take his own life a good many times during the past six months, in fact so often that his friends thought it only and (sic) idle threat.

He sent an old gentleman down to Ashton to get the drug, representing that it was for a sick horse, and when the poison was delivered to him he drank it, about four ounces, then went and laid down on the bed telling the old gentleman goodbye; his wife was away to a neighbors and nothing was known of it for two hours. When he was found a doctor was sent for but the poison had permiated the entire system; all that was possible was done but he never rallied and died at 2:30 Tuesday morning.

He leaves a wife and four children in very strengent circumstances, but kind neighbors have assisted them and are doing everything in their power for them. His mother and brother-in-law came up from Provo, Utah, to attend the funeral also a brother-in-law came from Idaho Falls and several friends from Plano. The body was interred in the City cemetery Thursday after a short service in the ward meeting house under the supervision of the ward authorities, Arthur Gifford and T.W. Murphy were the speakers.

John F. Smith had a previous marriage on 25 December 1893 in Vineyard, Utah to Martha Rosetta Fausett (b. 27 October 1873 in Mona, Juab, Utah and died 22 September 1919 in Magna, Salt Lake, Utah).

They had a daughter Agnes Bliss Smith (b. 2 January 1895 in Provo, Utah, Utah and died 18 July 1991 in Fruita, Mesa, Colorado).

Little is known of this marriage. By 1900 Martha is shown as "widowed" on the census, though this was certainly not correct. This was one year before John's marriage to Lillian and one year before Martha's marriage to John Henry Forsyth Snyder.

Numerous records verify this marriage - and it is indisputably verified by DNA relationships to descendents of Agnes Bliss Smith Bergesen.

John married Lillian Myrtle Arehart 04 Oct 1901, St. Anthony, Fremont, Idaho. Lillian (daughter of Gasner G. Arehart and Sarah Lucy Brummett) was born 14 Sep 1879, Willmathsville, Adair County, Missouri; died 11 Apr 1915, Blackfoot, Bingham, Idaho; was buried Apr 1915, Marysville, Fremont, Idaho. [Group Sheet]

1. Myrtle J. Smith was born 3 Aug 1902, Plano, Fremont, Idaho; died 3 Aug 1902, Plano, Fremont, Idaho.
2. Madge Marie Smith was born 08 Oct 1903, Plano, Madison, Idaho; died 9 Feb 2000, Saint Helens, Oregon.
3. Lawrence Gasner Smith was born 14 Sep 1905, Plano, Fremont, Idaho; died 1921.
4. Lloyd Lorenso Smith was born 22 Sep 1908, Plano, Fremont, Idaho; died 18 Mar 1962, St. Anthony, Fremont, Idaho; was buried 22 Mar 1962, Marysville, Fremont, Idaho.
5. Harold West Smith was born 22 Aug 1910, Marysville, Fremont, Idaho; died 23 Aug 1991, Idaho Falls, Bonneville, Idaho.
6. Nina Mae Smith was born 19 May 1912, Marysville, Fremont, Idaho; died 19 May 1912, Marysville, Fremont, Idaho.

Notes:

The following are probably census records showing Alexander and George Smith.

1841
Location: Craig St, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Alexander Smith 25 (Agricultural laborer)
Mrs Smith 26
Janet Smith 10
George Smith 7
John Smith 4
Robert Smith 3
George Swann 35
George Swann 7
Elizabeth Swann 5


1851
Location: 26 Back Causeway Street, Barony, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Alexander Smith 48 (Cotton weaver)
Janet Smith 48
Janet Reid Smith 20 (Cotton weaver)
John Smith 18 (Cotton weaver)
George Smith 16
Alexander Smith 4
Mary Craig 42 (listed as a lodger)


1861
Location: Millers Court, New Monkland, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Alexander Smith 59 (Cotton Weaver)
Janet Smith 60 (Washerwoman)
John Smith 22 (Flesher)
George Smith 20 (Flesher)


1871 - Alexander
Location: 29 Bell Street, New Monkland, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Alexander Smith 68 (Formerly Weaver)
Janet Smith 69 (Labourer)


1871 - George
Location: 6 Craig Street, New Monkland, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland

George Smith 35 (Flesher)
Agnes Smith 30
Mary Smith 5
George Smith 3
John Smith 1
Feler McGary 37 (listed as a boarder)

------

- The 1841 record is almost certainly correct. Ages in the 1841 census were generally incorrect (the nation-wide census was completed by untrained takers in one night and often had transcription errors and significant rounding of ages), but the ages of Alexander and Mrs. Smith are off by at least 13 years (assuming birth years of ~1803 are correct). Of course a 10 year old child at age 25 is rather unlikely. This record does list George before John, with ages off by a few years (perhaps their names were transposed?). The child Robert is hitherto unknown and there are no other known records for this Robert. Craig Street in Airdrie is the same street (and, at least in present day, a very short street) that George and Agnes would live on later in life. Strong evidence of the accuracy of this record is the inclusion of the Swann's. Swan is mother Janet's maiden name. The ages would likely make George Swann to be Janet's brother.

- The 1851 record is probably correct, though the location is about 9 miles West of Aidrie. Strong support comes in the listing of daughter Janet with the middle name "Reid", which matches her birth record in Airdrie in 1832. Reid is the maiden name of her grandmother (Alexander's mother) and also (probably) the middle name of her mother (Janet Reid Swan Smith).

- The 1861 record is likely correct. The listed ages for John (should be 26-27) and George (should be 23-24) are not accurate. Occupations, however, are correct. This was just over a year before George's marriage which has witnesses of his father Alexander and a John Smith, most likely this brother.

- The 1871 records are almost certainly correct. The address matches that found on George's death certificate on 03 May of 1871 (just 1 month and 1 day after this census was taken). Feler McGary signed George's death certificate. Note that Craig Street is also location on 1841 record.

- 6 Craig Street and 29 Bell Street (the 1871 addresses and also address on Alexander's death certificate) still exist in present day Airdrie and are just a few hundred feet from each other.

George married Agnes Wark 04 Jul 1862, Airdrie, Lanark, Scotland. Agnes (daughter of Walter Wark and Mary McDowell) was born 28 Dec 1840, Airdrie, Lanark, Scotland; died 31 Aug 1918, Ophir, Tooele, Utah; was buried 3 Sept 1918, Provo, Utah. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Most records list Agnes' father (probably) incorrectly as Robert Wark. Below are the many evidences that her father was actually Walter Wark:

1. Agnes' death record lists her father as Walter Wark
2. The 1841 census record lists Walter with wife Mary and children Robert and Agnes near Craig Street, Aidrie, Scotland, which is only a few hundred feet in length. Craig Street was the 1841 residence of son-in-law George and 1871 residence of George and Agnes.
3. There is only one Walter Wark in all of Scotland in the 1841 census. There are no Walter Wark's in the 1851 census (after Walter likely died). Walter's wife Mary was re-married by 1861.
4. There is an LDS baptismal record for a Walter Wark in 1846. The record indicates that Walter died 1 Jan 1849. Agnes and her mother were also among the .1% of the Scottish population that was Mormon in 1851. It's quite unlikely that Walter, Mary, and Agnes were members of the same very small church, yet not related.
5. Walter's first (probably) marriage was to Agness Sinton. Walter's daughter was later named Agnes (though admittedly there are perhaps 100s of Agnes Wark's in Scotland at the time).
6. The will of James McDowell (Mary McDowell Wark's father) references Walter Warks (sic) as the husband of Mary. Genetic testing has verified that I (Jared) am a descendent of James McDowell meaning that the will was in reference to my ancestors (Walter and Mary).
7. While there are records of many Robert and Mary Warks with a daughter Agnes in Scotland at the time, none of them coincide well with locations, birth dates, siblings, etc.

The only original record of her father being named Robert is found Agnes' marriage record. This marriage occurred 13 years after Walter's death, so it's quite possible it was mis-transcribed, or more likely, that Agnes' older brother (as found on the 1841 census) Robert or perhaps an uncle Robert was the one recorded.

Despite the many present-date genealogies that list Agnes' father as Robert, the record I maintain here follows the overwhelming evidence there her father's name was Walter.

Agnes' death record in 1918 lists her mother as Mary Getons, though there is no record of anyone with this name. DNA testing proves that Mary McDowell was her mother (see Mary McDowell's record here for further information).

Walter died in 1849 of cholera. Agnes was 8 at the time. The 1851 census shows Mary Wark (age 39 or 40) with daughter Agness (age 10).

Mary McDowell Wark then married John Ferguson some time before 1861. The 1861 census shows Agnes (mis-transcribed as Agnes Evark) living with John and Mary Ferguson. Multiple LDS church records show Agnes with Mary and John between 1861 and 1866.

John and Mary emigrated to Utah some time before 1880, likely to be with Agnes who emigrated in 1877. Mary died sometime around 1890 (see her record for details).

George Smith married Agnes Wark on 4 July 1862 in Airdrie, Lanark, Scotland. George died in 1871 at age 35. George and Agnes had at least 4 children (all born in Airdie, Lanark, Scotland):

Mary Agnes Smith (1865-1888) - Born 3 December 1865. Married James Barton Stratton, had one child (Agnes Ethel Stratton) on 13 March 1888 which died within a week. Mary Agnes died shortly after on 6 October 1888 in Provo, Utah.

George S Smith (1867-1918) Born 2 December 1867. Married Thora Marie Larsen. Died Dec 5, 1923 in Provo, Utah.

John F. Smith (1869-1913) - See his record on this site.

William Smith (1871-1872) - Born 6 October 1871 (5 months after the death of his father George). Died one year later in November 1872.


The following two children of Agnes were born well after the death of George 3 May 1871. The father of these two sons is unknown at this time.

James Hyrum Smith (1874-1939) - Born 22 December 1874. Never married. Died January 4, 1939 at the Veterans Administration Facility, Provo, Utah - death HERE.

Joseph Walter Smith (1877- 1948) - Born April 1, 1877. Joseph departed on the trip to Utah in 1877 at the age of a few months (the ship manifest shows two months, but the ship sailed in October 1877, making him 5-6 months old if the birth date is accurate). He is shown in the 1880 census with mother Agnes and Lars Rove Jensen in Orderville, Utah. He died 16 Feb 1948 in Twin Falls, Idaho - death certificate at http://abish.byui.edu/specialCollections/famhist/Death/detailForm.cfm?recordID=166524

The death records for both James and Joseph list George Smith as their father, though this is not possible (unless there is another George).

Agnes had been converted to the Mormon religion in 1861 (baptism in the Holytown LDS Branch). No baptismal record is known for George.

Around 1877, Lars Rove Jensen, a Mormon settler in Utah approached church leadership with a sum of money in hopes of buying land for a farm. Instead, he was directed to pay the remaining fare for Agnes and her 5 young children to come to Utah. After their arrival, Lars and Agnes were married on 23 September 1878. Lars, Agnes, the children, and Lars' previous polygamous wife (Elizabeth Ann Freestone) moved to Orderville.

Agnes had two additional daughters with Lars - Agnes Sarah Jensen Peck, born 27 Aug. 1879 in Orderville, Utah, died Mar. 27, 1949 in Salt Lake City, Utah; and Jane Elizabeth Jensen Smith born 11 March 1882 and died 11 July 1951.

See the History of Lars Rove Jensen for more details - http://yanceyfamilygenealogy.org/lrjhist.htm

Buried in Provo City Cemetery, Provo, Utah.

http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/99001627.pdf

This is a submission file of the Lars and Agnes Work Smith house to the National Register of Historic Places. It details the location, history, and current status of their original 1885 home. As near as I can tell, the home still stands in Orem at 87 North 800 West.

Notes:

There were many Alexander and Janet Smith's in Lanark, Scotland at this time. Determining which records belong to our family is difficult. This Alexander Smith was likely born 03 October 1803 and Janet Reid Swan was born sometimes around 1802. There are census records for several decades showing this couple and their children. See the record here for their son George Smith for census details and discussion.

Alexander Smith was a Cotton Weaver by trade. He lived his life in Airdrie, Lanark, Scotland, with perhaps a few years in Barony (Glasgow), Lanark, Scotland.

Accepted and generally verifiable children of Alexander Smith and Janet Reid Swan:

Janet Reid Smith (26 January 1832-?) - Janet appears on census records in 1851 at age 20 as a Cotton Weaver (the profession of her father). There is a marriage record for a Janet Reid Smith to John Barrie on 15 July 1869 at High Church, Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland. And also a grave marker in Glasgow for Janet Reid Smith Barrie died 26 March 1912. It's likely that these are valid records for this Janet, though further research is needed.

John Smith (6 July 1834-?) - John appears on census records through 1861 with occupations as a Cotton Weaver and then Flesher. He was likely a witness at his brother George's marriage. He signed at his father's death in 1872. Further research is needed to determine additional details.

George Smith (9 April 1836 - 3 May 1871) - Our ancestor. See his record her for much more detail.

Isobel Reid Smith (15 April 1839 - ?) - The only record I have of Isobel is a birth record. She does not appear on census records in 1841 or 1851 or any other year. It's quite likely that if her birth record is correct, that she died at a young age. As with her siblings, additional research is needed.

We know Alexander's father is named John Smith. Identifying which of the scores of men named John Smith are his father is virtually impossible. Most histories which identify a particular father can easily be proven as incorrect.

Alexander's mother was Isobel Reid or Elizabeth Reid (as indicated on Alexander's death record). Assuming our identification of Alexander himself is correct, his mother is most likely named Isobel. As with the father, identifying a particular Isobel or Isabel Reid is both difficult and probably impossible to verify.

The 1851 census shows the following:

26 Back Causeway Street, Barony, Northern, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Alexander Smith, age 48, born 1803, Cotton Weaver

Janet Smith, Wife, age 48, born 1803

Janet Reid Smith, Daughter, Unmarried, age 20, born 1831, Cotton Weaver

John Smith, Son, Unmarried, age 18, born 1833, Cotton Weaver

George Smith, Son, age 16, born 1835

Alexander Smith, Son, Male, age 4, born 1847

Mary Craig, Lodger, Widow, age 42, born 1809, Cotton Bobbin Winder

Alexander married Janet Reid Swan Mar 1831, Airdrie, Lanark, Scotland. Janet was born Around 1802, Scotland; died After 1872. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Many records attribute Janet Reid Swan to David (or sometimes Robert) Swan and Janet Meikle (or Meckle). There is a birth record for a Janet Swan to parents with these names on 17 October 1813 in Old Monkland or Coatbridge, Lanark, Scotland. However, the birth date of 1813 is at least 10 years removed from dates for later census records for Janet and the location is quite removed from later records. Additionally, a later marriage record for that Janet does not match our Janet. Also, Janet Meckle would have been 15 years old when Janet Reid was born.

This relationship is almost certainly not correct.

There is no known death record for Janet Swan Smith. She was alive at the time of her husband's death in April 1872.

Janet's birth name was probably Janet Reid Swan. Records vary and conflict on her maiden name. It's possible that either Reid or Swan may be a first married name.

The marriage record to Alexander (in 1831, when Janet was probably ~29) and son George's birth record in 1836 show her name as Janet Swan.

Birth records for son John (1834) and Isobel Reid (1839) show her as Janet Reid.

George's marriage record in 1862 indicates his mother's name is Janet Reid Smith (maiden name Swan), but his death record (in 1871, before Janet died) shows it as Janet Swan Smith (maiden name Reid).

Also of note is that her mother-in-law's (Alexander's mother) last name was also Reid.

There are birth records for 22 Janet Reid's and 3 Janet Swan's between 1801 and 1813 in Lanark County, Scotland alone. Without further evidence, her actual name and parents are not likely to be known.

Notes:

There are few records for Walter Wark. In determining Walter's parents, one must work backward through the records.

The latest known record is an LDS church membership record in Bothwell, Scotland. This record shows his birth place as Lasswade, Lonehead, Midlothian, Scotland. It's of interest that Lasswade is 40 miles East of Bothwell.

The 1841 census shows Walter in Airdrie, Scotland (just North of Bothwell). This would put a birth year of ~1808. The census indicates he was born outside the current county of Lanark.

Fortunately, Walter Wark is not a common name. There is only one Walter Wark found on the 1841 census in all of Scotland. In searching for birth records in 1808 in Lasswade, I discovered the attached birth record for a Walter Wark which had previously been transcribed Walter Mark. Seeing as him and his father are the only known Walter Wark's in the area, and both date and location match perfectly, it is presumed that this birth record is for our Walter Wark.

Also recorded on some histories as Walter Warks or Walter Work.

Some notes on geographical names:

Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark refers to the general area of Lanark.

Within the County of Lanark, there are many cities, parishes, and areas. Many of these have changed names and/or borders over the years. One city is Lanark. This, obviously, can cause some confusion.

Lanarkshire is currently divided into council areas of North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire.

In the records here, there is reference to New Monkland and Old Monkland. The Monklands is a district in the North portion of the Lanarkshire. In the mid-1800's it was divided into two parishes, New Monkland and Old Monkland. See this old map for reference.

Within New Monkland, which is within Lanarkshire (modern day North Lanarkshire), is the city of Airdrie, where most of the Wark and Smith family records come from. Some records show family in Clarkston parish (not to be confused with the city Clarkston, which is 15 miles Southwest of Airdrie) which was a small burg just east of Aidrie proper.

Some records are from Barony, another Lanarkshire parish from the mid-1800's that was very near the Monklands. It is no longer called Barony, but is currently part of Glasgow.

Walter Wark was born 2 Oct 1808 in Lasswade, Midlothian, Scotland, a small town Southeast of Edinburth. Walter's father is named Walter Wark and his mother is Janet Gill (see their records here).

Walter Wark married Agness (or Agnes) Sinton 12 November 1830 at Colinton, Midlothian, Scotland. Colinton is 6 miles West of Lasswade. See other note here for details on Agness and her family.

Walter and Agnes had a son John Wark born 7 December 1830 at Colinton, Midlothian, Scotland - https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XTPY-L22. John was born just a few weeks after their marriage. No other details are known of John Wark.

It appears that Walter and Agnes were divorced some time before 1835. Walter then married Mary McDowell in April, 1837. Agnes Sinton remarried to Archibald Christie Laing on 23 Nov 1835 at Canongate, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland -https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XYWD-VQT. They had at least 3 daughters.

Walter was baptized in the LDS church August 24, 1846. His church membership record shows he died 1 Jan 1849 of cholera.


Sinton family notes:

Agness Sinton was born 29 October 1808 at Penicuik or Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland. Agness is the daughter of John Sinton and Christian Wood.

There are two birth records for Agness Sinton (also recorded as Agnes Sinton). While rather odd, I'm convinced that they are for the same person. The records are almost identical, but from two different churches (Dalkeith and Penicuik) located only 8 miles apart in the rural suburbs of Edinburgh. Agnes' name and name of her parents are identical on both records. Of note is that Christian Wood is not a common name and there is only one known marriage of a John Sinton and Christian Wood in the area at this time. Additionally, the dates are very similar - birth dates differ by only 2 days and christening dates differ by 3 days. Both records list father John Sinton as a member of the Dumfries Shire militia. To me, with no other records that show a possibility of separate Agnes Sinton's born at the same time at the same place, it is presumed that both birth records are for the same Agness.

John Sinton was born 1793 at Philiphaugh, Selkirkshire, Scotland. His parents are unknown (though I've done little research here). Christian Wood was born 1794 at Leith, Midlothian, Scotland. John and Christian were married 04 January 1808 at Edinburgh Parish, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. They had 5 children:
1. Agness (see above)
2. Robert Linton - born 7 October 1810
3. John Linton - born 16 March 1816
4. Helen Linton - born 5 August 1819
5. James Linton - christened 3 November 1822

All children were born at Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland. Note the name change from Sinton to Linton. This was not uncommon. The names were used almost interchangeably with records showing both spellings.

Child Helen Linton (or Sinton) is typically shown as being born 5 August 1810, but this would have been impossible with brother Robert born in October that year. I found her original birth record which is clearly mis-transcribed as 1810, when it is actually 1819. I have the record if anyone is interested. Helen married Thomas Nivison (sometimes Thomas Nevison or Thomas Niveson) 29 December 1843 at Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland and died 13 August 1874. Thomas and Helen had 6 children between 1844 and 1855 - James Nivison, John Nivison, Thomas Nivison, William Nivison, Robert Nivison, and Alexander Wood Nivison.

Of note is that James Nivison married a Christina Laing who is the daughter of Agness Sinton (Wark) Laing. James and Christina were first cousins - they share the same grandparents - John Sinton and Christian Wood.

Helen is buried at Saint Mungo's Parish Church, Penicuik, Scotland with husband Thomas, daughter-in-law Annie Thomson (wife of son Thomas Nevison), and their son Thomas (died at age 8). I have photos of the grave stone if of interest. These families appear on various censuses in Penicuik.

Walter married Mary McDowell Apr 1837, Airdrie, Lanark, Scotland. Mary (daughter of James McDowell, daughter of James McDowell) was born 14 Dec 1811, Killinchy, Down, Ireland; died Around 1890, Utah. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

LDS Church Membership Records:

- January 24, 1842 - "Mary McDowall" baptized in Airdrie Branch. Removed February 1852. Of note is the user of her maiden name. This is certainly after her marriage and the 1841 census record, though all other details seem to be correct. It is also possible that the church record is an update to a previous, yet unknown record that listed her by maiden name.

- July 6, 1851 - "Mary Wark" transfer record from Irvine Branch, Glasgow to Airdrie Branch.

- February, 1861 - Mary Ferguison and John Ferguison baptism in the Holytown Branch. Holytown is 4 miles south of their residence in Airdrie.

- ~1866 - Mary Ferguison, John Ferguison, and Agnes Wark records in Holytown Branch.

Mary McDowall was born December 14, 1811 (possibly 1812) in Killinchy, County Down, Ireland. She is the daughter of James McDowell of Ireland and later Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada.

Mary and Walter Wark married in April 1837. Mary was 25.

Mary (1842) and Walter (1846) were both baptized into the LDS church. Walter died of cholera in 1849 (daughter Agnes was 8 at the time). The only record of other children is the 1841 census that lists Robert (age 3). Robert is not found on the 1851 census or any other verifiable records. It's quite possible he died at a young age, or perhaps lived with other family after the death of his father. Of note, however, is a listing for Robert on his sister Agnes' marriage record.

An 1851 (two years after Walter's death) Census record shows Mary Wark (age 38) and Agnes Wark (10) with an Archibald Eddies and an Ewing family on Graham Street, Airdrie. Graham Street is just a few hundred feet from their previous and later residences.

Mary married John Ferguson sometime before 1861. They are shown together with Agnes on the 1861 census in Holytown, Bothwell parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland (just a few miles south of Airdrie). John, Mary, and Agnes were baptized into the Holytown Branch of the LDS church in 1861 (this was Mary's second baptism). John and Mary are found together on the 1871 census in Aidrie, Scotland at ages 55 and 60.

Sometime before 1880, they both emigrated to Utah, probably to be with daughter Agnes who emigrated there in 1877. They are found in Santaquin, Utah in 1880.

Most genealogies indicate that Mary died March 1888 in Provo and is buried in Alpine, Utah, though I can find no death record and there is no record of a Mary Ferguson or McDowell buried in Alpine. There is a cemetery record for John Ferguson in Provo City Cemetery, Provo, Utah Block 2 Lot 7 with a death date of July 1886. The grave is unmarked. It is unknown if perhaps Mary is buried here. Of interest, however, is an entry for a Mary Ferguson widow of John Ferguson in the 1890 Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, page 283. The residence was 451 N Third West. In August of 1890 there is an unnamed burial record for "Ferguson" in the Salt Lake City cemetery. There is also a Mary Ferguson buried in the Murray, Utah cemetery (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=44131). It is quite possible that these records may be for Mary.

Notes:

Children of John Smith and Isobel Reid (christening dates in parentheses):

13 Oct 1800 (18 Oct 1800) - Janet Smith
23 Oct 1803 (23 October 1803) - Alexander Smith (My ancestor)
01 Jul 1806 (14 Jul 1806) - Jean Smith
25 Apr 1808 (15 May 1808) - Agnes Smith
09 Feb 1811 (24 Feb 1811) - Isobel Smith
04 May 1814 (15 May 1814) - Jane Smith
26 Dec 1818 (10 Jan 1819) - David Smith
17 Apr 1823 (26 Apr 1823) - John Smith

Daughter Janet Smith (https://familysearch.org/tree/#view=ancestor&person=M1C4-K56) married William Paterson September 1821 - https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XT1Q-V59
They had children:
01 Sep 1825 (18 Sep 1825) - John Paterson
13 Jun 1830 (04 Jul 1830) - Isobel Reid Paterson
16 Feb 1833 (17 Mar 1833) - Elisabeth Donnie Paterson
20 Sep 1837 (24 Sep 1837) - Alexander Paterson
02 Jan 1840 (26 Jan 1840) - Walter Rankin Paterson

Most histories list Alexander Smith and Margaret Roger (sometimes Margaret Rodger) as the parents of our John Smith. Beside the fact that a John Smith was born to this couple in approximately the correct year and location, I've found no other definitive evidence that these two are my ancestors. There were dozens of John Smith's born in Lanarkshire during this time.

Of note is that the name Alexander was passed to John's son, though the name Margaret does not appear anywhere is near-subsequent generations.

While Alexander and Margaret are likely our ancestors, this is not definitive.

John married Isobel Reid Jan 1799, Airdrie, Lanark, Scotland. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Also Isobel Ried, Isabel Reid, Isabell Reid.

Several records identify Isobel as an Isabel Reid, born 7 Sept 1777 to David Reid and Janet Walker. This is, as near as I can tell, unsubstantiated and quite unlikely. I've been unable to find any records that can verify this. This date and relationship was first generated in the 1920's from unknown sources.

There are probably no records that can absolutely identify which Isobel is the mother of Alexander, and any attempts at identifying the parents of Isobel are almost certainly guesswork at best.

As it currently stands, Isobel Reid is as far as this line can by extended.

Notes:

Walter Wark, father of Walter Wark, was born sometime around 1780, probably in Scotland. Very little is known about him. The only known, verifiable records are for the births of his children.

Walter married Janet Gill sometime around 1800. They had son Alexander Wark, born 29 Jan 1805 at Cockpen, Midlothian, Scotland (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XTP3-29H).

Walter Wark, Jr. was born 2 Oct 1808 at Lasswade, Midlothian, Scotland (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XTRG-GX2 See Walter's record here). Lasswade is very near to Cockpen.

There is another possible earlier child born to a Walter Work and Jenet Gill, born 06 Dec 1802 at Jedburgh, Roxburgh, Scotland (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XT17-SD7). Even though the names are a close match, this record is suspect primarily because Jedburgh is 40 miles Southeast of Lasswade.

Walter married Janet Gill. Janet (daughter of Alexander Gill and Jean Thomson) was born 18 Apr 1774, Lasswade, Midlothian, Scotland; was christened 26 Apr 1774, Lasswade, Midlothian, Scotland. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth record - https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XYSM-71S

Notes:

James McDowell was born around 1793 (based on his grave marker) probably in Scotland or Ireland. There are many presumed birth records, but I know of none that can be verified.

He is the father of my ancestor Mary McDowell born 14 December 1811 in Killinchy, Down, Ireland. There is no known birth record; the birth date is derived from later records.

James married Elizabeth Glover (often mis-transcribed as Groves) 23 Feb 1813 in Killinchy, County Down, Ireland (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FGN3-YXX). This marriage was 14 months after Mary's birth. It is unknown if Elizabeth is Mary's mother.

James had several other children with records in Killinchy (https://familysearch.org/search/records/index#count=20&query=%2Bsurname%3Amcdowell~%20%2Bbatch_number%3AC70030-1):
- James (05 May 1813 - 2 months after the marriage)
- Margaret (18 Jul 1815)
- Elizabeth (01 Sep 1818)
- John (06 Dec 1822)

It is unknown if Elizabeth is the mother of all of these children. The family, excluding Mary, immigrated to Pennfield, New Brunswick, Canada sometime before 1831. Son James indicated on one census that he immigrated in 1819 (he would have been age 6). One can only speculate why Mary did not go with the rest of the family - perhaps she stayed with her mother.

James married Ann Reid sometime before 1831. Most genealogies indicate this marriage in New Brunswick in November 1822, though this is unlikely if the birth record in Ireland for John is correct. I do not know if Ann is the mother of John or not, though most ascribe him to her. James and Ann had several more children in New Brunswick - William McDowell and Duncan McDowell.

Ann McDowell died in November 1842 at age 45. James died 4 June 1849 at 57 years of age.

In 2010, while researching Walter Wark, I happened upon an online entry written by Greg McDowell that inquired about Walter and Mary Warks of Scotland as mentioned in James McDowell's will - http://genforum.genealogy.com/scotland/messages/53937.html I tried to contact Greg at that time without success.

Two years later, my father and I received a letter from Greg, a direct descendant of James McDowell. He had found this site and wanted to collaboratively research a possible connection between my Mary McDowell and his James McDowell.

Beyond the will, we really had very little to go on. Mary McDowell had indicated that she was born in Killinchy, Down, Ireland in 1811, but I had no other substantive information that could link the two. Through the modern miracle of DNA testing (we have both tested at Family Tree DNA), we can now confirm that Greg and I are indeed related (4th cousins once removed) and share a common ancestor in James McDowell. This verifies James as Mary's father and also places James at Killinchy, Down, Ireland, thus bringing us to additional records for James' marriage to Elizabeth Groves and his children.

I owe a great deal to my distant cousin Greg for his information, recommendations, and persistence over several years as we've researched and collaborated to establish this valuable connection.

The parents of James McDowell are unknown. Most records indicate that James was born 27 Feb 1788 in Kirkmaiden, Galloway, Scotland to Alexander McDowall and Janet McClery (or Janet McChlery). See https://familysearch.org/tree/#view=ancestor&person=KZK4-LL8

Beyond the birth record for this James, I've found no other documentation that suggests that this is correct. The location, names, dates, etc. just don't match up at all with what we do know

James' will (transcribed on this page) indicates that he had sisters Margaret Geddis and Mary Cleland both in Ireland (I've been unable to find any additional information about either of these women). There are no known records for a Margaret or Mary born to the couple above. Additionally, the birth year of 1788 doesn't match the 1792 or 1793 birth date derived from James' grave marker.

On the other hand, there is some evidence that indicates that James was born 8 June 1793 to Andrew McDowall and Janet Ross in Stranraer, Wigtown, Scotland (see https://familysearch.org/tree/#view=ancestor&person=KZTB-4B3). The birth year matches James' grave marker. Andrew and Janet had a daughter named Margaret on Feb. 13, 1795. Other given names match better than with Alexander. So, this is better evidence, but far from conclusive. There were several James McDowalls born in Stranraer around this time.

Without further evidence, the parents of James will remain unknown.