Genealogy Chat

Can anyone help me find two people I'm trying find who weren't born in England or Wales? The first is my great-grandfather, William Calder. According to his marriage certificate (Newcastle Upon Tyne, 1894), he was born c1871 and his father was also called William (a shoemaker, deceased). Ancestry.co.uk lists three William Calder's born around 1871, but none of them match (one died within the year, the other two's fathers are not William). It is said that this line of the family comes from Scotland, so I'm guessing this might be my first link, since he doesn't seem to have been born in England or Wales. The second person is my great-great-grandfather, Michael Cardelli. According to his son's birth certificate (Joseph Cardelli, Newcastle Upon Tyne, 1863) he was a figure maker, married to Mary Stevens. I found them in the 1861 census, which says he was born in Italy, c1834. I'm having trouble finding Michael and Mary's marriage in the BMD index, so any help finding that would be appreciated. To make things more difficult, the Cardelli name changes a lot between various spellings. So far I've found Caradella, Cardilly, Cardille and Cordelli. Currently, they are known as Cardella (my mother). Since my family search looks like its heading for Scotland and Italy, info on how to find them might be useful for my future searches, but if anyone can actually find them and get me off and running, that would be great too.

Do you have him on the 1901 census - that would tell you where he was born.

Scotland - try Scotland's People at www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk (pay site). As for Italy, I don't know but if I were you I would look on www.cyndislist*com (replace * with .) to see what is available. Kate.

These are William Calders with fathers also called William, born around 1871, from the IGI, but father's occupation is not given on there. You can look up the corresponding birth certificates online at Scotland's People, and it should give you the fathers' occupations so then you will know if any of them was a shoemaker. (Though of course that will not mean it is definitely your William!) International Genealogical Index / British Isles - 9 Select records to download - (50 maximum) 1. WILLIAM CALDER - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Birth: 06 JUN 1870 Dundee, Angus, Scotland 2. WILLIAM ROSS CALDER - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Birth: 04 MAR 1869 Kilmarnock, Ayr, Scotland 3. WILLIAM CALDER - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Birth: 28 JAN 1872 Morham, East Lothian, Scotland 4. WILLIAM CALDER - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Birth: 28 JUL 1871 Wick, Caithness, Scotland 5. WILLIAM GORDON CALDER - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Birth: 24 MAY 1873 Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland 6. WILLIAM CALDER - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Birth: 08 AUG 1873 Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland 7. William Calder - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Birth: 1872 Wick, Caithness, Scotland 8. WILLIAM CALDER - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Birth: 24 OCT 1870 Deskford, Banff, Scotland 9. WILLIAM FIDDES CALDER - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Birth: 24 DEC 1871 Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland Kate.

The 1901 census brings up another problem. I think I have found William Calder, married to Margaret (correct), with children called Margaret, Mary J, Georgina, William and Catherine (all very probable based on what I know). He's even a Painter, as he is on his marriage certificate. But the census claims he is 37 years old, 7 years older than his marriage certificate says, and born in Newcastle. I found him in 1891, now 27 years old. He seems to disappear in 1881. But he shows up in 1871, the supposed year of his birth, as a 7 year old. A quick search of the BMDs shows that no William Calder's were born around 1864 in Newcastle.

Could it be that he was born before his parents got married (if they did, that is) and so was registered under his mother's maiden name, but later took his father's surname of Calder? Kate.

Never thought of that, Kate. Thanks. It's not unknown in my family. My father's brother had a string of kids with my mother's sister before marrying her.