James BUCHANAN

I’m seeking information on James Buchanan, husband of Sarah “Sally” Craig, and possibly the son of John Buchanan and Mary Irvine(?). I’d like to prove/disprove that the James Buchanan who was married to Sarah Craig was the son of John and Mary (Irvine) Buchanan,  identify a birth place, and prove/disprove that he also married Margaret Tatlock

James BUCHANAN was born circa 1812/22 in Ireland and he may have died 17 Apr 1888 in Shotts, Lanarkshire, Scotland of bronchitis. In various census records, he was listed as a coal miner and ironstone miner. About 1845, James married Sarah CRAIG. She was born circa 1809 in Ireland and died sometime between 1851 and 1861 in Scotland.

James and Sarah had two children that I know of:

1. Elizabeth Buchanan (1845/7—13 May 1828) married Peter Purvis Bonnington. Scottish census records place Elizabeth’s birth place most consistently in Lanarkshire, Scotland.
2. Sarah Buchanan (ca 1847—?)

The 1851 Scottish census found him in Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire, Scotland with his wife Sarah, daughters Elizabeth and Sarah, and widowed mother Mary, living at #9 Barnhall Row. He was a coal miner. All the family was listed as born in Ireland. I’m fairly certain that this is, indeed, my James Buchanan.

I believe the 1861 Scottish census found him in Bathgate, Linlithgow, Scotland with his daughter Sarah. He was listed as being a coal miner. Both father and daughter were listed as born in Ireland. Daughter Elizabeth was living with a family in High Church, Edinburgh, Scotland, working as a dairymaid. According to this census, Elizabeth was born in Shotts, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

I may have found him in Shotts, Lanarkshire, Scotland in 1871 and 1881. Unfortunately, while the birth place matches and he’s still a miner, the ages do not match. Additionally, neither daughter is living with him. Instead he’s living with what would be a second family—wife Margaret Tatlock and children: Mary, Catherine, James, William, and John. I think this may be the same James Buchanan, but I need more proof before I can say for certain.

Do you know anything about this Buchanan family? If so, please add a comment.

• Category: Brick Walls