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Family tree▼ Facts and Events
Children
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| 1. |
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| 2. |
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26 Dec 1812 |
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
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28 Sep 1901 |
| 5. |
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
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13 Mar 1905 |
| 8. |
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3 Jan 1907 |
| 9. |
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6 Feb 1914 |
References
- ↑ Isa Cleland. Information that Isa researched on the Shearers. (This information was gathered by Isa until her death in 1999. Most is copied from the Shearer Family Tree.).
- ↑ General Notes on the ShearersThe Scottish naming pattern has been used consistently in the Shearer family and is fairly reliable until about 1900 when using "fashionable" names became more prevalent.The term fashionable refers to the practice of using names that are "in fashion" ie the naming of Marlene's after Marlene Dietrich. There are many other examples.
The Scottish naming pattern is usually
1st son is named for the Father's father
1st daughter is named for the Mother's mother.
2nd son is named for the Mother's father
2nd daughter is named for the Father's mother.
3rd son is named for the Father.
3rd daughter is named for the Mother.Subsequent children are often named for brothers or sisters of the parents or other close relatives or benefactors. Occasionally the first son is named for the Mother's father ...which means that the naming pattern is reversed and the first daughter is named for the Father's mother.... An examination of the birth families of the parents usually provides some clues.The naming pattern suggests that William's parent were Thomas and Margaret.It also suggests that Thomas's father's name was probably James but there is no indication as to Thomas's mother's name. Isabel, Janet or Margaret are strong possibilities since these names seem to resonate down through the family.
An Examination of Names The earliest most complete information is on William Shearer and Helen Strang and thus, I have used their naming of their children as clues to their ancestors names. Given that names usually continue on in families and as such, are traceable in reverse, the first five Shearer children seem to definitely fit the pattern. The naming of the sixth child, Christopher, suggests that the name was most likely prevalent on the Strang side of the house since the name Christopher Shearer is rare, especially prior to 1821. A Christopher Strang of Lickpivick is noted as being the ancestor of several Strang marriages to Shearers and may ultimately be discovered to be Helen's Strang's grandfather. The naming of the seventh child, John, suggests that William might have had a brother named John which also supports the selection of his parentage.The naming of George is unknown but a survey of both Shearer and Strang names suggest that George was a fairly common name in both families.It is not known if Thomas Shearer and Margaret Marshall had other children but the age gaps make it extremely likely. The naming pattern of William and Helen's children strongly suggests that Helen's parent's names were James and Janet and that William's parents were named Thomas and Margaret. The IGI shows a marriage of Thomas Shearer and Margaret Marshall...and their offspring of James and John. William's birth record shows a father of Thomas and mother named Marshall.The omission of a mother's name is not unusual but does make tracing lineages a bit more of a challenge.William died before mandatory registration of vital statistics was implemented in 1855 so it will likely be impossible to absolutely prove his parentage. The IGI also shows a record for the marriage of James Strang and Janet Baird but does not show a Helen (or Ellen) as being a daughter...It does show Helen as being the daughter of James...with no mother's name given. However, Helen's death certificate confirms that James Strang and Janet Baird were her parents Research on the Strang name suggests that Helen may also have had a brother named George. It certainly appears as though Thomas, William, Margaret and John were named for the Shearer side of the family while Janet, James, Christopher and George were named for the Strangs.Ellen (Shearer) Millar was undoubtedly named after her mother.
Methods of Land Transference within the Shearer FamilyThe Shearers consistently appear to transfer land ownership or tenancy to the youngest son and not the eldest. With the size of the families and the age difference between the two considered, it is assumed that the eldest sons were already well established on their own farms and therefore less apt to need their parents help. As a result, it also seems that the elderly parents tended to stay with their younger children who were present at the deaths of the parents. In cases where the grandparents raised their male grandchildren due to the untimely demise of the parents, it is the grandchild's name who appears on the death certificate. This leads to the conclusion that the grandchild had cared for the elderly grandparent and had assumed the role of the youngest child.
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