The Downs Family – The Family of Jane Downs

Thomas Downs and Mary Ann Drummond

We know from the marriage registration of Timothy Chrystal Neil and Jane Downs on 16 February 1928 that Jane’s parents were Thomas Downs, iron turner and Mary Ann Drummond. I know from the census returns for Thomas Downs that he was born circa 1865 in Glasgow but I do not know of any siblings nor have I researched his parents in any detail.

I have found a birth for Mary Ann Drummond and some of her likely siblings including John Drummond born 1871 and Jane Drummond Born 1874. A search of Scotland’s People throws up other probable siblings Jane born 1874, Sarah born 1877 and Edward born 1880 but I have not pursued these; they seem a little off-topic for the moment. Because I have Mary Ann Drummond’s birth registration, I include it here.

Birth of Mary Ann Drummond 22 Apr 1866 at 108 Main Street, Gorbals

1866-04-22 BIR Mary Ann Drummond child of John Drummond + Sarah Gilmartin 108 Main Street, Glasgow [[N371-clip]]

1866 Births in the District of Hutchesontown in the Burgh of Glasgow
Mary Ann Drummond [born] 22 April 1866 [at] 1h 0m PM [at] 108 Main Street, Glasgow [daughter of] John Drummond, Hammerman [and] Sarah Drummond MS Gilmartin [who were married] 3 July 1865 at Glasgow

Birth of Mary Ann Drummond 22 Apr 1866, Scotland’s People 1866 DRUMMOND, MARY ANN (Statutory registers Births 644/10 711) Page 237 Item 711

Marriage of Thomas Downs and Mary Ann Drummond 28 Dec 1888.

1888-12-28 MAR Thomas Downs + Mary Ann Drummond [[N145-clip]]

1885 Marriages in the District of Gorbals in the County of Lanark
On the 28th December 1888 at 24 Abbotsford Place, Glasgow after Publication according to the Forms of the Church of Scotland. [were married] Thomas Downs (Signed) Iron Turner (Journeyman) (Bachelor) [aged] 23 [usual residence] 21 Commercial Road, Glasgow. [son of] Archibald Downs, Mason (Journeyman) and Robina Downs ms Chalmers (deceased)
and
Mary Ann Drummond (x her mark) [Signed] Andrew Leiper Witness. French Polisher (Spinster) [aged] 22 [usual residence] 15 Commercial Road, Glasgow. [daughter of] John Drummond, Ironstone Labourer and Mary Ann Drummond ms Gilmour. [officiating minister] Andrew Leiper Minister of Gorbals Parish. [Witness] J Drummond [Witness] Nellie Brown. Registered 31st December 1888 at Glasgow. Jno Brown Registrar.

Marriage of Thomas Downs and Mary Ann Drummond 28 Dec 1888, Scotland’s People, 1888 DOWNS, THOMAS (Statutory registers Marriages 644/12 591) Page 296 Item 591

Thomas Downs and Mary Ann Drummond married 28th December 1888 at 24 Abbotsford Place, Glasgow after Publication according to the Forms of the Church of Scotland. He is said to be aged 23 and an Iron Turner (Journeyman) the son of Archibald Downs, Mason (Journeyman) and Robina Downs ms Chalmers (deceased). His usual residence is 21 Commercial Road, Glasgow. It is signed by Andrew Leiper Minister of Gorbals Parish and registered 31st December 1888

Mary Ann Drummond is a 22 year old French Polisher, a spinster and the daughter of John Drummond, Ironstone Labourer and Mary Ann Drummond md Gilmour. Her usual residence 15 Commercial Road, Glasgow. The witnesses are J Drummond and Nellie Brown

We find Thomas and Mary Ann a couple of years later living at Green Street an the Calton district of Glasgow.

Thomas and Ann Downs at the 1891 Census – 121 Green Street, Calton, Glasgow

Name Rel Stat Sex Age EYOB Occupation Birth place
Thomas Downs Head Mar M 25 1866 Iron turner Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Mary Ann Downs Wife Mar F 24 1867 Glasgow, Lanarkshire
John Downs Son M 1 1890 Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Thomas Downs Son M 0 1891 Glasgow, Lanarkshire
John Drummond Boarder Unm M 19 1872 General labourer Glasgow, Lanarkshire

1891 Census Return for 121 Green Street, Calton, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Find My Past 1891 England, Wales & Scotland Census , Schedule: 39, Record ID: GBC/1891/0033113284)

Here we find Thomas and Ann living at 121 Green Street, Calton with two children and a 19 year old boarder, John Downs. I do not know who this John Downs is but her could be a younger brother of Thomas. Of their children, John is one year old and Thomas is 0 years old. The situation regarding the children of this couple is quite confusing. A search in the baptismal registers finds some of the children born to Thomas Downs and Mary Ann Downs ms Drummond but others were only found in the census returns. Sometimes there is an obvious death to account for a child “disappearing” and sometimes there is no clear reason. I try to account for as many of their children as possible. One feature of this family is the frequency of death in infancy; I have found at least six children who did not live to see their first birthdays.

The Children of Thomas Downs and Mary Ann Drummond

John Downs born 1889 RD Hutchesontown, Glasgow

There is a highly probable statutory index entry for John Downs (644/11/1508 Hutchesontown) but I did not find a baptismal entry for John. He is not present at the next census and I found a statutory death registration for a John Downs, aged 9, in 1898 with a mother whose maiden name was Drummond (644/1/1444 Bridgeton). I found a likely burial entry for this child

1898-12-12 BUR John Downs child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N287-clip]]

Register of Interments in St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth -for Lairs and Vaults
21 Dec 1889 John Downs [aged] 9 [cause of death] Decline [Relation to Owner] Friend 2775 [Lair No] 110 [Section No] 12 [Division] C [Depth of 1st Opening] blank Cost 8/6d

Burial of John Downs 21 Dec 1889 at St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth Find My Past – Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Burials 1863-1958 Division C Section 12 Lair 00110. Record ID SCOT/RC/BUR/0282583


Thomas Downs born 1891 RD Calton, Glasgow

I found a similar probable statutory index entry for Thomas Downs 1891 (644/4/3 Calton) and a similar index entry in the statutory deaths registers for a Thomas Downs aged 0 who died in 1898 (644/4/472 Calton. I could not find a burial record for Thomas.


Archibald Downs born 21 Aug 1892 RD Calton, Glasgow

I found Archibald Downs in the index to the statutory births 1892 (644 / 4 / 826 Calton) and I also found a baptism for him

1892-08-21 BIR BAP Archibald Downs child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N160-clip]]

Parish of St Mary of the Assumption, Glasgow, Calton Page 304
Archibaldus [child of] Thomae Downs & Mariae Annae Drummond [born] 21 Aug 1892 [baptised] 27 August 1892 [sponsor] Sarah McAlpine

Baptism of Archibald Downs 27 August 1892 at St Mary of the Assumption, Glasgow Find My Past –
Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms Archive Reference MP 66/1/2/4. Record ID SCOT/RC/BAP2/0752584

Archibald did not survive for very long, dying in 1895, aged 2 years and 6 months. I found a statutory deaths index entry for him (644 / 12 / 274 Gorbals) in 1895. He was buried at St Peter’s Dalbeth Cemetery on 6 March 1895

1895-03-06 BUR Archibald Downs child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N289-clip]]

Register of Interments in St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth -for Lairs and Vaults
6 Mar 1895 Archibald Downs [aged] 2y 6mo [cause of death] Bronchitis [Relation to Owner] Grandson 2775 [Lair No] 110 [Section No] 12 [Division] C [Depth of 1st Opening] blank Cost 8/6d

Burial of Archibald Downs 6 Mar 1895 at St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth Find My Past – Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Burials 1863-1958 Division C Section 12 Lair 00110. Record ID SCOT/RC/BUR/0280908

This is the same grave plot that John Downs was to be buried in a few years later when he died (1898) The relationship to owner of the plot is given as Grandson but it could be either sets of grandparents I suppose.


James Downs born c 1894, Glasgow

We know from the both the 1901 Census and the 1911 Census that there was a son named James born to Thomas and Mary Ann around 1894 but so far I have been unable to find any other reference to him either in the statutory indexes or in the baptismal registers of Glasgow churches.

The next child was another Thomas, the first having died in 1891.


Thomas Downs born 12 March 1896, Calton, Glasgow

Thomas was born on 12 March 1896 and there is an index entry for the statutory birth registers for him (644 / 4 / 309 Calton). I also found a baptism for him.

1896-03-12 BIR BAP Thomas Downs child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N148-clip]]

Parish of St Mary of the Assumption, Glasgow, Calton
Page 177 Thomas [born] 12 Mar 1896 [bap] 6 Apr 1896 [son of] Thomas Downs and Mary Ann Downs Or Drummond [sponsor] Sarah Drummond

Baptism of Thomas Downs 6 Apr 1896 at St Mary of the Assumption, Glasgow Find My Past –
Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms Archive Reference MP 66/1/2/5. Record ID SSCOT/RC/BAP2/0486159

This shows that Thomas was born 12 March and was baptised 6 April 1896. The godmother is Sarah Drummond but I do not know what relation she is. Thomas fared no better than his namesake and he died a few months after his birth. There is a statutory deaths register index entry for him at (644 / 1 / 823 Bridgeton) He was buried at St Peter’s Dalbeth Cemetery on 5 August 1896

1896-08-05 BUR Thomas Downs son of Thomas Downs + Mary Ann Drummond [[N724-clip]]

1896 St. Peter’s Dalbeth – Interments in Common Ground
August 5th Thomas Downs [aged] 6 months [disease] Diarrhea (5/6d)

Burial of Thomas Downs 5 Aug 1896 at St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth Find My Past – Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Burials 1863-1958 Section 04. Record ID SCOT/RC/BUR/0215094

Another child followed with the same sad outcome.


Edward Downs born 17 Jul 1897, Bridgeton, Glasgow

Edward was born on 7 Jul 1897 and there is an index entry for the statutory birth registers for him (644 / 1 / 1075 Bridgeton). I also found a baptism for him.

1897-07-17 BIR BAP Edward Downs child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N152-clip]]

Parish of Sacred Heart, Glasgow, Bridgeton
[F.P. – father Protestant ?]
Edward lawful [child of] Thomas Downs & Mary Drummond [born at] 21 Dale Street [on] 17 Jul 1897 [baptised] 22 July 1897 [sponsors] Sarh Mc Alpine??

Baptism of Edward Downs 22 July 1897 at Sacred Heart, Glasgow, Bridgeton. Find My Past –
Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms Archive Reference MP/422/1/2/1. Record ID SCOT/RC/BAP2/0413088

This shows that Thomas Downs (senior) was a Protestant and that Mary Ann would have been Catholic. Edward was born 17 Jul 1897 and baptised 22 July 1897. Edward died shortly after birth. There is a statutory deaths register index entry for him at (644 / 1 / 899 Bridgeton) He was buried at St Peter’s Dalbeth Cemetery on 4 Aug 1897

1897-08-04 BUR Edward Downs child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N150-clip]]

St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth – Internments in Common Ground
4 Aug 1897 Edward Downs [age] 21 days Debility 5/6d

Burial of Edward Downs 4 Aug 1897 at St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth Find My Past – Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Burials 1863-1958 CSP, Parish Burials, 1863-1958, volume 00, Section 04. Record ID SCOT/RC/BUR/0217564


The next child born to the family fared much better; this is the Jane Downs that married my grandfather, Timothy Chrystal Neil a few years after the death of his first wife, my grandmother, Margaret McDonald.

Jane Downs born 24 Sep 1898 , 56 Dale Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow

When Jane was born, her parents had already had six children, four of whih we know had died already. They had mostly died within weeks or months but Archibald’s lasted two and a half years. One we know was still alive in 1911 (James who was aged 17 and a plumber’s apprentice) and the other was the family’s first child, John. Unfortunately he also died in December of 1898 – just three months after Jane was born. So Jane was born into a household with just two brothers, the aforementioned John who was aged about nine or ten and James who was aged about four.

Birth of Jane Downs 24 Sep 1898 , 56 Dale Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow
1898-09-24 BIR Jane Downs child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N725-clip]]

1898 BIRTHS in the District of Bridgeton in the Burgh of Glasgow Item Page 522 Item 1562
Jane Downs [born] 24 September 1898 [at]4h 0m am [at] 56 Dale Street, Glasgow [daughter of] Thomas Downs, Ironturner (Journeyman) [and] Mary Ann Downs MS Drummond [who were married] 28 December 2888 at Gorbals, Glasgow [informant] M A Downs Mother [Registered] 10 October 1898 at Glasgow. John Tait Assistant Registrar

Birth of Jane Downs 24 Sep 1898 at S56 Dale Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow. Scotland’s People – Scottish Statutory register Births: 1898 DOWNS, JANE (Statutory registers Births 644/1 1564) Page 552 Item 1564

Jane was baptised at Sacred Heart Church in Bridgeton a couple of days later.

Baptism of Jane Downs 26 Sep 1898, Sacred Heart, Bridgeton, Glasgow
1898-09-24 BIR BAP Jane Downs child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N154-clip]]

Parish of Sacred Heart, Glasgow, Bridgeton
Jane lawful [child of] Thomas Downs & Mary Ann Drummand 56 Dale Street [born] 24 Sept 1898 [baptised] 26 Sept 1898 [sponsor] Rosann O’Brien

Baptism of Jane Downs 26 Sep 1898 at Sacred Heart, Glasgow, Bridgeton. Find My Past –
Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms Archive Reference MP/422/1/2/1. Record ID SCOT/RC/BAP2/0413610


Agnes Reid Downs born 10 Oct 1900

Baptism of Agnes Reid Downs, 25 October 1900 at Sacred Heart, Bridgeton, Glasgow

Another girl followed in 1990. There is a statutory births index entry at (644 / 1 / 1764 Bridgeton) She was born on 10 October 1900 and baptised at Sacred Heart Church on 25 October 1900.

1900-10-10 BIR BAP Agnes Downs  child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N155-clip]]

Parish of Sacred Heart, Glasgow, Bridgeton
[notes (PF – protestant father)?]
Agnes Lawful [daughter of] Thomas Downes & Mary A Drummond [of] 56 Dale St [born] 10 Oct 1900 [baptised] 23 Oct 1900 [sponsor] Susanna Wilson

Baptism of Agnes Reid Downs, 25 October 1900 at Sacred Heart, Glasgow, Bridgeton. Find My Past –
Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms Archive Reference MP/422/1/2/1. Record ID SCOT/RC/BAP2/0414561

Burial of Agnes Reid Downs, 18 Aug 1901 at St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth

Agnes shared the same fate as so many of the children before her, dying just 10 months later. There is a statutory register of deaths index entry for her (644 / 1 / 926 Bridgeton) and she was buried at Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth

1901-08-18 BUR Agnes Reid Downs  child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N288-clip]]

St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth – Internments in Common Ground
18 Aug 1901 Agnes Reid Downs [aged] 10 months [cause of death] Inflamation 5/6d

Burial of Agnes Reid Downs, 18 Aug 1901 at St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth Find My Past – Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Burials 1863-1958 CSP, Parish Burials, 1863-1958, volume 00, Section 04. Record ID SCOT/RC/BUR/0226861


This seems like a good place to summarise the children born to Tomas Downs and Mary Ann Drummond up to the 1901 Census. They had seven children up to 1901; Archibald had died aged two-and-a-half in 1892. John had died in 1898 aged 9; another. Three other children had died as babies and that left James, of whose existence we only know of from the censuses and the recently born Jane and Agnes. At the census of 1901 the family lived at 56 Dale Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow.

The Downs Family at the 1901 Census – 56 Dale Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow

1901-03-31 CEN Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N284-clip]]
Name Rel Cond Sex Age Occupation Where Born
Thomas Downs Head M M 36 Ironturner Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Mary Downs Wife M F 34 Glasgow, Lanarkshire
James Downs Son S M 7 Scholar Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Jane Downs Dau S F 2 1/2 Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Agnes Downs Dau S F 5 mo Glasgow, Lanarkshire

1901 Census Return for 56 Dale Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow. Scotland’s People: 1901 DOWNS, THOMAS (Census 644/137/ 11) Page 11 of 18)

More Children of Thomas Downs and Mary Ann Drummond

Michael Downs born 16 Oct 1902

Baptism of Michael Downs, 17 October 1902 at Sacred Heart, Bridgeton, Glasgow

I could not find a birth for Michael Downs in the statutory records but I did find a baptism for him.

1902-10-16 BIR BAP Michael Downs child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N156-clip]]

Parish of Sacred Heart, Glasgow, Bridgeton
F.P. [i.e. father protestant]
Michael lawful [child of] Thomas Downs & Mary A Drummond, 53 Brown St [born]
16 Oct 1902 [baptised] 17 October 1902 [sponsors] Michael McLaughlan & Sarah Drummond

Baptism of Michael Downs, 17 October 1902 at Sacred Heart, Glasgow, Bridgeton. Find My Past –
Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms Archive Reference MP/422/1/2/1. Record ID SCOT/RC/BAP2/0415511

This records Michael’s birth as being on 16 Oct and his baptism of 17 Oct 1902. The address given is now 53 Brown Street. He only lived for four months. I found a statutory register of deaths index entry for Michael in 1903 (644 / 1 / 199 Bridgeton). He was buried at Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth

Burial of Michael Downs, 18 Feb 1903 at St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth

1903-02-18 BUR Michael Downs child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N726-clip]]

Register of Internments in St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth For Lairs and Vaults
18 Feb 1903 Michael Down [aged] 4 months [cause of death] Convulsions [Relation to Owner] Friend 2775 Lari No 110 Section 12 Division 6 [fee] 8/6d

Burial of Michael Downs, 18 Feb 1903 at St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth Find My Past – Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Burials 1863-1958 CSP, Parish Burials, 1863-1958, volume 00, Section 10. Record ID SCOT/RC/BUR/0117307


Mary Downs born 7 Dec 1903 – 53 Brown Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow

Baptism of Mary Downs, 10 Oct 1904 at Sacred Heart, Bridgeton, Glasgow

I found a statutory births index entry for Mary ( 644 / 4 / 567 Calton) and a baptism for her.

1904-12-07 BIR BAP Mary Downs  child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N157-clip]]

Sacred Heart, Glasgow, Bridgeton
F.P. [i.e. father protestant]
Mary Downs [born at] 53 Brown St [on] 7 Dec 1903 [baptised] 10 Oct 1904 [child of] Thomas Downs & Mary Drummond [sponsor] Kate Foy [priest] Dennis Duggan

Baptism of Mary Downs, 10 Oct 1904 at Sacred Heart, Glasgow, Bridgeton. Find My Past –
Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms Archive Reference MP/422/1/2/2. Record ID SCOT/RC/BAP2/0416571

Mary is said to have been born on 7th December 1903 but she is not baptised until 10th October 1904. The address given is again 53 Brown Street. She lived for eleven months and it seems likely that she was baptised shortly before her death. I found a statutory register of deaths index entry for Mary in 1904 (644 / 4 / 567 Calton). He was buried at Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth

Burial of Mary Downs, 25 Nov 1904 at St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth

1904-11-25 BUR Mary Downs child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N727-clip]]

St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth – Internments in Common Ground
25 Nov 1904 Mary Downs [aged] 11 months [cause of death] Cong of Lungs [fee] 5/6d

Burial of Mary Downs, 25 Nov 1904 at St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth Find My Past – Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Burials 1863-1958 CSP, Parish Burials, 1863-1958, volume 00, Section 04. Record ID SCOT/RC/BUR/0233662


Sarah Drummond Downs born 10 Sep 1905 – 23 Hozier Street, Glasgow

Baptism of Sarah Drummond Downs, 17 Sep 1905 at Sacred Heart, Bridgeton, Glasgow

I found a statutory births index entry for Sarah (644 / 1 / 1594 Bridgeton) and a baptism for her.

1905-09-10 BIR BAP Sarah Downs  child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N158-clip]]

Parish of Sacred Heart, Glasgow, Bridgeton, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Sarah Lawful [daughter of] Thomas Downes & Mary Drummonds [of] 23 Hozier Street [born] 10 Sep 1905 [baptised] 17 Sep 1905 [sponsors] Edward O’Brien Alice McKiver [priest] Denis Duggan

Baptism of Sarah Drummond Downs, 17 Sep 1905 at Sacred Heart, Glasgow, Bridgeton. Find My Past –
Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms Archive Reference MP/422/1/2/2. Record ID SCOT/RC/BAP2/0417039

Sarah is said to have been born on 10th September 1905 and baptised on the 17th September 1905. The address given is now 23 Hozier Street, Bridgeton. She lived to be 29-years-old and so appears with the family at the 1911 Census. I believe she was also one of the witnesses at her sister’ Jane’s, marriage to Timothy Chrystal Neil. She died in1939. I found an entry for her in the index to the statutory death registers (644 / 2 / 244 Bridgeton). She was buried at St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth on 18 Jul 1935

Burial of Sarah Drummond Downs, 18 Jul 1935 at St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth

1935-07-18 BUR Sarah Drummond Downs child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N164-clip]]

Register of Interments in St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeath -for Lairs and Vaults
18 Jul 1935 Sarah D Downs [age] 29 15 Madras Place ??? 11183 777 17 W W £2 15/-

Burial of Sarah Drummond Downs, 18 Jul 1935 at St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth Find My Past – Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Burials 1863-1958 CSP, Parish Burials, 1863-1958, volume 00, Section 13. Record ID SCOT/RC/BUR/0331557


The Downs Family at the 1911 Census – 66 Landressy Street, Calton, Glasgow

1911-04-02 CEN Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond - 66 Landressy Road [[N161-clip]]
Name Rel Sex Age Cond Occupation Where Born
Thomas Downs Head M 45 M Iron Turner Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Mary Downs Wife F 44 M Glasgow, Lanarkshire
James Downs Son M 17 S Plumber's Apprentice Blantyre, Lanarkshire
Jane Downs Dau F 12 S School Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Sarah Downs Dau F 6 S School Glasgow, Lanarkshire

1911 Census Return for 66 Landressy Street, Calton, Glasgow. Scotland’s People: 1911 DOWNS, THOMAS (Census 644/137/ 11) Page 11 of 18)

The above table is an abbreviated version of the image above it. The full information shows that the family now live at 66 Landressy Street, Calton. There are five people and they live in a household with 2 rooms with one or more windows. Mary says that she has been married for 24 years and has had 11 children, three of whom are still alive. This proves that we have found all of her children already and that the marriage date is right for this family. The family consists of Thomas Downs, who is now a 45-year-old iron turner, Mary who is 44-years-old and their children -James (17 and a plumber), Jane (12) and Sarah (6). The two girls are at school.

One Last Child of Thomas Downs and Mary Ann Drummond

Elizabeth Downs born 24 Mar 1912

I found an index entry in the statutory births records for Elizabeth (644 / 3 / 443 Calton)

Baptism of Elizabeth Downs, 12 Apr 1912 at Sacred Heart, Bridgeton, Glasgow

1912-03-24 BIR BAP Elizabeth Downs child of Thomas Downs + Mary Anne Drummond [[N159-clip]]

Parish of Sacred Heart, Glasgow, Bridgeton
No 118
Pater acatholicus [father not Catholic]
Elizabeth Downs [born at] 60 Landressy Street [on] 24 Mar 1912 [baptised] 12 Apr 1912 [child of] Thomae Downs & Mariae Annae Downs or Drummond [sponsor] Isabella McCann
[[a note says that she married Carolo (Charles) O’Hara on 13 Jul 1934 at Sacred Heart, Glasgow, Bridgeton

Baptism of Elizabeth Downs, 12 Apr 1912 Sacred Heart, Glasgow, Bridgeton. Find My Past –
Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms Archive Reference MP/422/1/2/4. Record ID SCOT/RC/BAP2/0422882

I looked up the reference to her marrying in 1934 and found the church register entry for her marriage.

Marriage of Elizabeth Downs and Charles O’Hara , 13 Jul 1934 at Sacred Heart, Bridgeton, Glasgow,

1934-07-13 MAR Elizabeth Downs + Charles O'Hara [[N285-clip]]

Sacred Heart, Bridgeton, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland
13 Jul 1934 I Jacobus Butler married Charles of 51 Madras Place [child of] Charles and Joan O’Hara (ms Gemmell) and Elizabeth of 51 Madras Place [child of] Thomas and Mary Ann Downs (ms Drummond) [witnesses] Henry O’Neil 18 Sorn Street + Margaret McLaughlin of 55 Madras Street [minister] Antonicas Mullins

Marriage of Elizabeth Downs and Charles O’Hara , 13 Jul 1934 at Sacred Heart, Bridgeton, Glasgow. Find My Past – Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Marriages Archive Ref MP/422/1/4/3. Record ID SCOT/RC/MAR2/0113916/2

I looked up possible births for this couple and found nine likely entries in the statutory indexes but I have not pursued this rather tangential family line. I believe she died in 1994 aged 81 years (609 / 156 Glasgow, Martha St).


The Deaths of Thomas Downs and Mary Ann Drummond

Thomas Drummond died in 1942, aged 76, and Mary Ann died in 1944 aged 77. Of their surviving children, I do not know what happened to James who was a 17-year-old plumber at the 1911 Census. Jane, went on to marry Timothy Chrystal Neil and outlived her parents. Sarah, as we have seen, died in 1935. So, at their deaths only Jane and Elizabeth (and possibly James) of their 12 children were alive.

The Death of Thomas Downs 17 May 1942 Springburn, Glasgow

I found an index entry in the statutory register of deaths for 1942 for Thomas (644/ 5 / 792 Springburn). He died 17 May 1942 and was buried 19 May at St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth

The Burial of Thomas Downs 19 May 1942 at St Peter’s Dalbeth Cemetery

1942-05-19 BUR Thomas Downs husband of Mary Anne Drummond [[N163-clip]]

Register of Interments in St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeath -for Lairs and Vaults
19 May 1942
Thomas Downs [age] 77 SH (hospital ?) ??? 11183 777 17 W W £1 19/-

Burial of Thomas Downs 19 May 1942 at St Peter’s Dalbeth Cemetery. Find My Past – Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Burials 1863-1958 CSP, Parish Burials, 1863-1958, volume 00, Section 14. Record ID SCOT/RC/BUR/0136981

I would imagine that the place of death (SH?) is probably a hospital in Glasgow.

The Death of Mary Ann Downs or Drummond 8 Feb 1944 61 Rumford Street, Bridgeton

1944-02-08 DEA Mary Ann Downs wife of Thomas Downs 61 Rumford Street, Anderston [[N723-clip]]

1944 Deaths in the DISTRICT of BRIDGETON in the BURGH OF GLASGOW Page 14 Item 40
Mary Ann Downs Widow of Thomas Downs Iron Turner [died] 8 February 1944 [at] 7h 0m am [at] 61 Rumford Street, Glasgow [aged] 77 [daughter of] John Drummond, Ship Breaker (Deceased) [and] Sarah Drummond MS Gilmartin (Deceased) [cause of death] Myocarditis Bronchitis [as cert by] D.J. Barrett MB Bch. [informant] Mary Neil, Grand Daughter (Present) • 9 Feb 1944 at Glasgow
(Present) [Registered] 9th February 1944 at Glasgow. William Tover Registrar

Death of Mary Ann Downs or Drummond 8 Feb 1944 61 Rumford Street, Bridgeton. Scotland’s People- Scotland Statutory registers Deaths. 1944 DOWNS, MARY ANN (Statutory registers Deaths 644/2 40) Page 14 Item 40

Mary Ann was buried at St Peter’s three days later.

The Burial of Mary Ann Downs or Drummond 11 Feb 1944 at St Peter’s Dalbeth Cemetery

1944-02-11 BUR Mary Ann Downs of Drummond [[N162-clip]]

Register of Interments in St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeath -for Lairs and Vaults
11 Feb 1944 Mary Ann Downs [age] 77 61 Rumford Street 11183 777 17 W £1 19/-

Burial of Mary Ann Downs or Drummond 11 Feb 1944 at St Peter’s Dalbeth Cemetery. Find My Past – Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Burials 1863-1958 CSP, volume 00, Section 15. Record ID SCOT/RC/BUR/0139156

Summary

Thomas Downs and Mary Ann Drummond were married for fifty-four years during which they had eleven children. Six children died under a year old; one died aged two-and-a-half and one died aged 9. Only three or four of these lived to adulthood (I do not know James’s history) and only two (or three if James was still alive) outlived both their parents. Jane Downs married Timothy Chrystal Neil, a widower, in 1928. Elizabeth Downs married Charles O’Hara in 1934 and went on to live to the age of 81, dying in 1994. Her younger sister, Sarah Drummond Downs was likely a witness at the marriage of her older sister, Jane Downs to Timothy Chrystal Neil. I have not found a marriage for her and she died in 1925 aged 29

This is as far as I have reached with this family though there are lots of areas to pursue if time and cost were unlimited. The key individual is, of course, Jane Downs who married my grandfather, Timothy Chrystal Neil.