We found about Alexander through his daughter, Robina Kerr's, birth record. Over a period of time that led us to Alexander's marriage to Margaret Paterson, the birth of his children and a number of Census records. Like Margaret, hisage differs from record to record. The evidence however supports this being the correct Alexander, particularly the common fact of his birth in Linlithgowshire.

KEY EVENTS AND DATES

1805 - 09

Given the various ages ascribed to Alexander across all the records, he must have been born in this period, although no record has been found yet.

10th March 1826

Alexander married Margaret Paterson in Dalkeith. Alexander lived in the Parish of Dalkeith, while Margaret lived in Liberton Parish. Interestingly, one of their witnesses was called James Patterson, Named for the bride - is the double 'tt' a mistake and this is a relative of Margaret's, or is it a coincidence?

6th September 1827

Alexander's son William was born in Dalkeith

19th July 1831

Alexander's daughter Robina was born in Dalkeith. The entry in the Parish Record shows that Alexander was a Porter.

28th July 1833

Alexander's second daughter Margaret was also born in Dalkeith. This birth was recorded on the same page as Robina's birth.

27th September 1838

And his third daughter Marion was born in Dalkeith. This birth was recorded on the same page as Robina's birth.

1841 Census

The Census records that Alexander, aged 30 and Margaret, aged 35, lived Robina living in High Street, Dalkeith. Also living there were their children, William (13), Robina (9), Margaret (7) and Marion (2).

View the record

1842/1843

According to the 1851 Census Alexander's son Alexander was born in this period also in Dalkeith, although at this stage we have not seen the actual birth record.

1851

The Census records that Alexander, aged 45, lived at High Street, Gray's Close, Dalkeith. Living with him were his wife Margaret (49) and his children William (23), Robina (19), Marian (12) and Alexander (8). Alexander was employed as a "Porter (to Grocer)". The record shows that Alexander was born in "Linlithgow, Bathgate", (as was his sister Marian).

Lodging with Alexander was his sister Marian aged 50 and a James Thomson (no indication whether James was related in some way though). James was employed as a Porter to a Grocer.

1861 Census

Although the age given for Alexander in the Census record I have found, is about 3 years younger than the other records suggest, I am confident this is the correct record. The evidence for this is that his place of birth is Linlithgow; his wife's name is Margaret and he has a son called Alexander at the right age.

The record, then, has Alexander as 52 years old, with a birth year 1809. His wife is Margaret, aged 56 having been born in 1805 in Colinton, Midlothian. Alexander lived in West Wynd, Dalkeith and was employed as a Carter, as was his son Alexander, aged 19.

View the record.

1871 Census

This time Alexander's age is given as 63. Now he lives in Wildon's Close, High Street, Dalkeith with his wife Margaret, aged 68. Alexander was employed as a Coal Merchant and was born in 1808 in Hildeston, Linlithgowshire. Margaret's place of birth is recorded as "Callington" (sic), Midlothian.

8th September 1877

Alexander died at 7.30 p.m. at Wilson's Land, High Street East, Dalkeith. He was a widower at the time and aged 70. His occupation had been Coal Merchant. The death certificate records his parents as having been William Kerr, a Stone Quarrier and Margaret Fleming, both deceased. The cause of Alexander's death was Heart Disease and his death was reported by his grandson George Sutter (4).