David Binnie - Davina Binnie

Hello Cathy,
I am most sorry for not replying to your message about your Grandmother Davina before now, but I have been neglecting Geni for a while (after getting obsessed with it for several years).

It certainly sounds like Davina matches the daughter of Elizabeth, second wife of David Binnie in my tree. In fact that branch of the tree is research I did on behalf of an aunt of mine, and I added details of her husband's family. His name is David Baird, (now aged 85 and living in Northampton, England), and he is the son of Elspeth Binnie (1892-1961). Her father was Peter D. Binnie (1862-1910), who was the son of David Binnie (1832 - unknown) and his first wife Jane Sturrock. Peter was one of the 5 siblings of Georgina Wilson (who was born circa.1860).

Davina and Elizabeth were something of a mystery as I found very little documentary evidence of them in my research. Below is what I know of David Binnie and his family:
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1832 :born but not registered in Brechin

1841 census: age 9, living with parents and 5 siblings at City Road, Brechin

1851 census: age 18, tobacconist apprentice, living in Brechin with mother and 2 siblings

1855: age 23, tobacco spinner - 1832 :born but not registered in Brechin

1841 census: age 9, living with parents and 5 siblings at City Road, Brechin

1851 census: age 18, tobacconist apprentice, living in Brechin with mother and 2 siblings

1855: age 23, tobacco spinner (one who prepared tobacco for sale)from Dundee (at time of marriage)

1861 census: aged 28, tobacco spinner, living in Murray Place, Arbroath with wife Jane and children Alexander (4), Isabella (2) and Georgina (10 months) [NB name spelt Binny on census]

1862: tobacco spinner (Peter's birth) living at 24 Helen Street, St Vigeous Parish, Arbroath.

cir. 1867: birth of daughter Charlotte in Arbroath

cir. 1868: family moved from Arbroath to Aberdeen

cir. 1869: birth of son David in Aberdeen

1871 census: David, age 38, a tobacco spinner, born Brechin, now living at 9 Charles Street, Old Machar, Aberdeen, with wife Jane (36), and 6 children.

1871: death of Jane in Old Machar, Aberdeen. (17/06/1871)

1881 census: David, age 48, a tobacco spinner, now living as a boarder at 32 Nicholas Street, Blackfriars district, Glasgow St Paul parish, Lanarkshire (none of family there).

1891census: David, age 59, tobacco spinner, lodger with Mooney family at 3, Baltic Street, St Clement parish, Dundee. David's 2nd wife, Elizabeth and daughter Davidina (or Devina) also present.

1901 census: David, age 68, widower, tobacco spinner, living at 51 Bruce Street, Dunfermline, Fife, with daughter Davina (12)

No record found of David's death, 2nd marriage or birth of daughter by that marriage.

1861 census: aged 28, tobacco spinner, living in Murray Place, Arbroath with wife Jane and children Alexander (4), Isabella (2) and Georgina (10 months) [NB name spelt Binny on census]

1862: tobacco spinner (Peter's birth) living at 24 Helen Street, St Vigeous Parish, Arbroath.

cir. 1867: birth of daughter Charlotte in Arbroath

cir. 1868: family moved from Arbroath to Aberdeen

cir. 1869: birth of son David in Aberdeen

1871 census: David, age 38, a tobacco spinner, born Brechin, now living at 9 Charles Street, Old Machar, Aberdeen, with wife Jane (36), and 6 children.

1871: death of Jane in Old Machar, Aberdeen. (17/06/1871)

1881 census: David, age 48, a tobacco spinner, now living as a boarder at 32 Nicholas Street, Blackfriars district, Glasgow St Paul parish, Lanarkshire (none of family there).

1891census: David, age 59, tobacco spinner, lodger with Mooney family at 3, Baltic Street, St Clement parish, Dundee. David's 2nd wife, Elizabeth and daughter Davidina (or Devina) also present.

1901 census: David, age 68, widower, tobacco spinner, living at 51 Bruce Street, Dunfermline, Fife, with daughter Davina (12)

No record found of David's death, 2nd marriage or birth of daughter by that marriage.

Elizabeth Dowie/Binnie was born in Fife circa 1844.
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Obviously, from your information, Elizabeth had been married previously (to Mr Dowie) and Davina was their daughter. After her marriage to David Binnie, Elizabeth must have died sometime between 1891 and 1901, I'm guessing that after David's death, Davina and her half-sister emigrated to the USA.

Your grandmother's name is variously spelled on census documents as Devina or Davidina!

I will let Uncle David know of the connection - I don't imagine he has any idea about this, but I am sure he will be interested.

I hope all this is helpful. Let me know if you want further information.

Alan White.

What a pleasant surprize to hear back. My grandmother always spelt her name Davina but her birth certificate says Davidina. We were not sure if her mother Elizabeth was married because my Grandmother was born in what is listed as a poor house in Stonehaven. I wish we could find that tid bit out. I have tried to look up where the poorhouse was but can not find it. I can give either you or your Uncle further family information if he would like it. Georgina Binnie Wilson had a daughter Catherine who was an exceptional violinist who played before President Roosevelt.

Thanks for getting back in touch Cathy. It is clear that we are talking about the same people, especially as the census record I have for Davina gives her birthplace as Stonehaven. I have passed the information on to my Aunt and Uncle, and am awaiting their reply. I would be interested in any further information that you have. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with.
Alan