Family History Writing Challenge Week #4 Recap: Curling

This is post wraps up the Family History Writing Challenge, a month-long challenge to stop researching our ancestors and start writing about them. I experienced frustration, learned some valuable lessons, wrote about the places in which my Scottish Muirs lived and people for which I had few facts. But what did people do with the little leisure time they had?  Last week I was looking at the 1858 British Ordnance Survey map for East Kilbride parish. I spotted something interesting -- a curling pond near Swinhill Farm, the home of my 3X great grandparents, Peter and Janet (Torrance) Semple. Perfect timing since one of my favorite Olympic sports is curling. I guess it's my Scottish roots showing!

Curling pond near Swinhill, Dalserf, Lanarkshire

John Quinn a notary in Paisley, Scotland, first described the sport in 1541 when he wrote about a challenge between a monk in Paisley Abbey and a representative of the abbot. The word curling was first used in 1620 in the a poem written by Henry Adamson. We also know the weavers of East Ayrshire relaxed by playing curling matches. They used the heavy stone weights from their warp beams outfit with a detachable handle. The brass handles were frequently kept on the mantle of the home's fireplace, and wives would keep them highly polished. Scottish immigrants brought the game with them to Canada where it is firmly established today and a winter Olympic sport.

Curling on a lake in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1892; photo courtesy of Wikipedia

By 1830 curling was so popular, there was a demand for a national rule-making body to regulate the game as many variations were played. By 1838 almost every parish in Scotland had its own custom-made curling pond. If my Muir ancestors played, I imagine couldn't afford to join a club, but rather gathered with other at-leisure miners on the local pond for a game.

How did I do?

52 Ancestors #9: Riddell Conundrum

Ancestor Name: Robert Riddell or Oswald Dykes Riddell?

I have a conundrum I cannot figure out to solve. Robert Riddell was born on 5 April 1859 at Kirkton, East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, Scotland, to John and Martha (Muir) Riddell.

Robert Riddell's Birth Registration courtesy of ScotlandsPeople

His birth registration includes a notation that his name was altered to Oswald Dykes on 15 May 1859.

Robert/Oswald appeared on the 1861 census as "Oswald D" and the 1871 and 1881 census as "Robert." The names Oswald and Robert never appeared on the same census record, which I would have expected in 1871 if they were different people. In 1881 an Oswald D Riddell, 21, is living in East Kilbride and working as a farm servant for John Crawford. A Robert Riddell, 20, is living with his widowed father in East Kilbride.

On 26 January 1883 Oswald D. Riddell married Annie Cowie. He was 23 years old and a bachelor; his usual place of residence was New Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland, and he was a railway lorry man (or railway quarryman).

Oswald D Riddell's Marriage (to Annie Cowie) Registration courtesy of ScotlandsPeople

On 19 December 1884 Robert Riddell married Catherine McCormick at Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was 22 years old and a bachelor; his usual place of residence was Cambuslang, and he was a mason's laborer. It's been my experience that he would have been listed as a widower if Annie had died. I'm not sure how he would have been listed if he and Annie divorced. I have been unable to find a death registration for Annie. If Oswald and Robert are two separate people, then all is well.

Robert Riddell's Marriage (to Catherine McCormick) Registration courtesy of ScotlandsPeople

Robert and Catherine appeared in the 1891 census and lived at Hamilton. In 1891 his occupation was quarry engine keeper. In 1901 the family lived in Blantyre and his occupation was steam craneman. By this time Robert and Catherine have 6 children living at home. The children's father is listed as Robert on each of their birth registrations. There is one child, Agnes, for which I can find no record of birth, marriage, or death. I do not know if she is Annie's child or Catherine's. (If Oswald and Robert are the same person.) She appeared on the 1891 census but not in 1901.

In 1911 Robert Riddell is living with his sons in Burnbank, Hamilton. His was listed as married but his wife, Catherine, did not appear on the census. His occupation is crane driver at a quarry.

1915 was a tragic year for Robert. His wife, Catherine, died on 9 July 1915 of chronic nephritis at the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow. Robert's occupation was listed as steam crane driver. Four months later, son, Francis, drowned at a quarry in Blantyre. When Robert registered his son's death, he listed his occupation as confectioner.

I next find Oswald Dykes Riddell's 1935 death registration. He was 75 years old, a widower of Annie Cowie, and a retired restauranteur.

Oswald Dykes Riddell's death registration courtesy of ScotlandsPeople

So are Robert Riddell and Oswald Dykes Riddell the same person?

This is my entry for Amy Johnson Crow's 52 ancestors in 52 weeks challenge.

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Robert/Oswald Dykes Riddell was my first cousin three times removed. His parents were John Riddell (1826-1888) and Martha Muir (1830-1876). Martha Muir was an older sister to my great great grandfather, James Muir (1844-1926). John and Martha Riddell lived their entire lives in East Kilbride parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland.