Genealogy Chat

My ggg grandfather Alexander Morrison's (born Towie Scotland 1839) occupation was recorded as Veterinary surgeon in Rhynie scotland according to the 1871 scottish census. Can anyone advise me where i go to find where he may have gone to University to study this and about his qualifications. I did receive some information that an Alexander Morrison was on the 1851 census attending school in Greenwich hospital London and they suggested he may have come to London to study but not sure its the same Alexander. Also the vetinary college in Ediburgh website does not make reference to family history to ask about past students, so if anyone knows where i could follow this up or find a site that would have listings of old students and where they studied would be great. Thank you.

Googled him and found this site which has him in Towie in 1851. Interesting info here if you haven't already seen it.

http://www.kildrummyfamilies.co.uk/TNG/getperson.php?personID=I8970&tree=kil

Not wanting to crush your research Jacqueline, but sometimes a vet was self taught/learnt from a mentor. Ive found one who is a groom on one census and then calling himself a vet on the next.

You could try looking at directories of the period and Id personally still write to the vet college anyway - they must keep records.

It is extremely unlikely that a college or University would keep records that far back!

I work for a Uni and we don't have records from the 1970s let alone the 1800s.

Sorry

Claire

I think a general Uni or college is somewhat different to a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. (I also worked at a "new" Uni and appreciate just what they are like ) Mind you, Im surprised they havent got records of degrees given out at yours, if only to boost their league table position.

Even at my sons old school they had records of the pupils back to 1800, so I think you may find that diplomas given out will have been recorded and details kept in a yearly publication. However, as I said before, it may be this chap never actually attended a College for his qualifications, but nothing ventured ..............

The Scottish universities seem to be very good at keeping lists of alumni, so you might be lucky - if he studied in Scotland.

Matriculation was not made compulsary at Scottish Universities until 1859 with the reforms of the Universities ( Scotland) Act 1858. Prior to that only students wishing to graduate or vote were required to matriculate.
Sorcha

Sorry to clarify the uni i work for was founded in 1895. I don't think anywhere in my post did i say it was a 'new' university.

I would assume a 'new' university would be those founded in the late 1980s and early 1990s like Nottingham Trent. I may be wrong!