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Alexander was christened in 1833 but William didn't marry Grace until 1834:-

WILLIAM NISH - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Marriage: 17 JUN 1834 Sorbie, Wigtown, Scotland
Spouse: GRACE SPROT

Maybe Elizabeth died in child birth, or Alexander was just his illegitimate child?

All parents William Nish and Grace Sproat:-

JAMES THOMSON NISH - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Christening: 14 JUN 1835 Sorbie, Wigtown, Scotland

WILLIAM NISH - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Christening: 30 JUL 1837 Sorbie, Wigtown, Scotland

THOMAS NISH - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Christening: 29 SEP 1839 Sorbie, Wigtown, Scotland

GRACE NISH - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Christening: 30 OCT 1842 Sorbie, Wigtown, Scotland

ELIZABETH STEWART NISH - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Christening: 04 MAY 1845 Sorbie, Wigtown, Scotland

Christening for Alexander:-
ALEXANDER NISH - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Christening: 20 MAY 1833 Sorbie, Wigtown, Scotland
Father: WILLIAM NISH
Mother: ELISABETH ROB

so maybe William was married twice?

As William was found on census records in 1841 and 1851 but not 1861 I searched from 1851 to 1861 and found the following...

New South Wales, Australia, Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1826-1922 about William Nish
Name: William Nish
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1836
Age: 23
Port of Departure: Melbourne
Port of Arrival: Sydney, New South Wales
Voyage Arrival Date: 22 Nov 1859
Vessel Name: Burnett
Origin Location: Wigton <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

He is listed as part of the crew.
So possible the other William that Lynne tolds us about.

Two William Nish's are shown in the 1841 Scotland Census born Wigtownshire - one c1837 parents John and Mary Nish , Civil Parish of Mochrum and the other c1838 father William Nish and Grace Sproat, Civil Parish of Sorbie - christening found on Latter Day Saints as follows:- 30th July 1837, Sorbie, Wigtown, Scotland.

Tried to follow both of these Williams through the census, the first to reappear is William Nish born c1837 (Mochrum) with his children John, Mary, William, Elizabeth and Hugh and mother-in-law Annie Goodwin - 1881 Scotland Census. Marriage of this William Nish found on Latter Day Saints as follows: 28th July 1864, Mochrum, Wigtown, Scotland to Susan Goodwin.

This William Nish (Mariner) appears in the 1891 Scotland Census with children David, Elizabeth and Hugh also Annie Goodwin mother-in-law. And then he appears in the 1901 Scotland Census with his daughter Mary Nish.

Chances are that this is not the William Nish (Retired Mariner)you are looking for, therefore its possible that the other William c1838 is the man you need to follow.

Have checked findmypast for emmigration of William Nish, nothing showing, although these records only start from 1890.

Lynne

Same family in 1851:-
Name: William Nish
Age: 13
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1838
Relationship: Son
Father's Name: William
Mother's Name: Grace
Gender: Male
Where born: Sorbie, Wigtonshire
Parish Number: 897
Civil Parish: Sorbie
Town: Sorbie
County: Wigtownshire
ED: 2
Page: 4 (click to see others on page)
Household schedule number: 16
Line: 3
Roll: CSSCT1851_217
Household Members:
Name Age
William Nish 68 - born: Sorbie, Wigtonshire
Grace Nish 47 - born: Girthon, Kirkcudbright
William Nish 13
Grace Nish 9
Elizabeth Nish 5
Thomas Nish 10
Mary Nish 48 - Half Sister - born: Sorbie, Wigtonshire
(Formerly House Servant )

and in 1861:-
Name: Grace Nish
Age: 58
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1803
Relationship: Wife
Gender: Female
Where born: Girthon, Kirkcudbright
Registration Number: 897
Registration district: Sorbie
Civil Parish: Sorbie
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Sorbie Village
Occupation: Pauper
ED: 6
Household schedule number: 13
Line: 13
Roll: CSSCT1861_149
Household Members:
Name Age
Grace Nish 58
Thomas Nish 20
Elizabeht Nish 16
George Wilson 38 - Brother born: Penninghame, Wigtown
(Shepherd)

That's a bit of luck! If this is the correct family then you now have mothers maiden name, but it is not Sprout?

This is the William given by Carole:-
Name: William Nish
Age: 3
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1838
Gender: Male
Where born: Wigtownshire, Scotland

Civil Parish: Sorbie
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Sorbie Village
Parish Number: 897
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
William Nish 55 - born: Wigtownshire (Tailor)
Grace Nish 30 - born: Wigtownshire, Scotland
Alexander Nish 7
James Nish 5
William Nish 3
Thomas Nish 1

the marriage cert. should confirm the above info on his father!

hello kaye

william nish was the son of william nish and grace sproat. he was born in wigtown 26th june 1837 and was baptised in sorbie village 30/07/1837

if you e me directly at [email protected] i will try to send you the copie of the entry. it is a little faint though.


no joy on his journey to au though

hope that helps

carole

His marriage cert. should give the name of his father and his profession which may help find him in the census records! Do you not have this info?

Wigtownshire is what it says a Shire, or County, not a town. Do you not know what town he was born this would narrow the search?

There are a few options on Ancestry but without knowing parentage, it is difficult to proceed.

Hello,

I'm trying to find out more about a young boy named William Nish born approx 1841 in Wigtownshire, Scotland. At this stage I do not know who his parents are. Just in case Wigtownshire is a small place this may be easy to find. His birth and maybe Census information.

William came to Australia by 1899 where he married Isabella Hall. As yet I'm still searching for his travel to Australia more than likely landing in Sydney or Melbourne. I have alot of information after his arrival in Australia but not alot of information of his life with his family in Wigstownshire.

Hope someone can help.

Thanking you Kaye.
Updated - I will be back on line again tomorrow morning (Aust time) will look and my thread then. Big thank you to helpers.

Many thanks to you all
Kind regards Kaye