Alexander Davidson - Alexander Davidson , born 1845 Inverkeillor, Forfar to 1919, Whenuakura, NZ

@Louise Jeff Johnston
I too am a descendent of Alexander and Jean (Jane). The facts you have detailed in your message concur with my own research, but you appear to know much much more than I do! I am particularly interested in Jean's birth and early life if you know more. One thing I can add, though, is that Alexander's brother William was apparently drowned crossing the Waimakariri River in 1863. However, I have never been able to find documentary evidence of this. I have been able to trace the family tree back to 1796 but do not know anything about the James who married Margaret Finlay, apart from the fact that he was a miller. Would love it if you could fill me in with some more details.

Thanks Sue. I was told that William drowned in the Waimakiriri, but have not been able to find any record even in ChCh library and didn't know it was 1863. William identified his father James when he died in 1862 at "Tullo Farm", Menmuir, so they must have left after that, although he is named in his mother's will in 1883(she died 22 Apr 1889.) Janet left nothing to eldest son James(1833) so wonder what he did to annoy her!.
I have Jean and Alexander's marriage---her father named as William Hope Johnstone. Only one family of Hope Johnstones& that's the one that Patrick, head of Clan Johnstone!! .? She was illegitimate. Jean was raised by Janet Gibson---possible relatives buried at Patea.

@Louise Jeff Johnston
Thanks Jeff. I thought it you must be the same Jeff that I knew, but the parents named Francis and Margaret threw me! I didn't know that both your parents had other first names! (Since found out on electoral rolls!)
I found a William Hope Johnstone in the 1841Census, but can't find him after that. He was apparently a gentleman of 'independent means', who must have got one of the local girls pregnant. He must have acknowledged Jean as his daughter? I found a death for an Elizabeth Thorburn in 1854 but I wonder if she ever had anything to do with her daughter after she was born or whether William placed her with the Gibsons more or less from birth. According to Phillip Richardson she was brought up on the Hope Johnstone farm/estate by the Gibsons. Mum used to say that Jean went to Edinburgh University - true?
As to Alexander's eldest brother James, I think he may have gone to Australia, but not sure where I got that from!

@ sue James.
Know that Alexander's cousin, Ellen Davidson arrived in NZ around 1864 as she married a Georgetti in Wanganui in 1865. I am in touch with Georgetti descendants--- he came from Corsica. Don't know who Ellen's parents were, but maybe she came out here on same ship as William and Alexander. Alexander listed his address as "Auckland" in marriage cert, but likely the province. Do you have any info from your grandfather as he was the eldest and of course had the Gibson name. You realise Davidsons are in Anglican part of Patea cemetery. Call me in TKT.

I am researching an Alexander Davidson, born near Philadelphia, PA (USA) in 1760. He married a woman names Sarah in 1794 and they moved to Venango County, PA. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone?? I can't seem to get beyond Philadelphia.

Thanks,
Marianne targetr@verizon.net