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James Aitken

James Aitken

Male 1856 - 1894  (38 years)

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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  James AitkenJames Aitken was born in 1856 in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 11 Sep 1894 in Drumcross, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland.

    Other Events:

    • _UID: 7312469B5BEE4E1ABF641F883485B1E63122
    • Residence: 1861, Silvermines Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
    • Residence: 1871, Silvermines Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
    • Occupation: 2 Mar 1881; Gamekeeper
    • Residence: 2 Mar 1881, Engine Street, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
    • Occupation: 1891; dairyman
    • Residence: 1891, Cathlaw Hill, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
    • Residence: 11 Sep 1894, Drumcross, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland

    Notes:

    When James married, in 1882, he was aged 32. Thus he would be born about 1856, which would fit in with his siblings.
    In the 1891 Census his age is given as 35, thus born about 1856.
    When he died, in 1894, his age was given as 40 thus born 1854.
    There is so much conflicting information with James that I doubt a great deal of it and find previous researchers findings as suspect.

    The informant of the death of Ann Henderson was her son James Aitken

    According to the Beaverbrook researcher, James took over Wester Tartraven Farm about 1874. But he did not make a success of it. He would have only been about 19 at that time.
    He seems to have over extended himself and had multiple houses and farms.
    Once his mother died, in 1880, he became the farmer of Silvermine Farm.
    According to the 1881 Census, the Silvermine Farm was 120 acres, and James was employing 1 man and 1 girl.

    He must have been working both Wester Tartraven and Silvermine because he did not hand over Wester Tartraven's lease until 1884.

    Informant on the death of Geaorge mackay was his brother in law James Aitken

    James married Helen Auld Mitchell on 2 Mar 1881 in Knock Hill Farm, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland. Helen (daughter of David Mitchell and Margaret Baillie) was born on 22 Apr 1856 in Shellsburn, Shotts, Lanarkshire, Scotland; died on 23 Feb 1944 in Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland; was buried in 1944 in Boghead Cemetery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 2. Nelly Margaret Bailey Aitken  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 31 Jan 1883 in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 17 Mar 1974 in 23 St Ninians Way, Blackness, West Lothian, Scotland; was buried in 1974 in Boghead Cemetery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland.
    2. 3. James Aitken  Descendancy chart to this point was born in 1887 in Scotland; and died.
    3. 4. Ann Anderson Aitken  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 7 Dec 1888 in Knock Hill Farm, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 20 Jan 1938 in Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland; was buried in 1938 in Boghead Cemetery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland.


Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Nelly Margaret Bailey AitkenNelly Margaret Bailey Aitken Descendancy chart to this point (1.James1) was born on 31 Jan 1883 in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 17 Mar 1974 in 23 St Ninians Way, Blackness, West Lothian, Scotland; was buried in 1974 in Boghead Cemetery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland.

    Other Events:

    • _UID: B0B398B8E06045708E857B7C0C5B3FFC5483
    • Residence: 1891, Cathlaw Hill, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
    • Residence: 11 Jun 1906, Silvermine, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
    • Residence: 1911, Tartraven Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland
    • Residence: 17 Mar 1974, 23 St Ninians Way, Blackness, West Lothian, Scotland

    Notes:

    Nelly is the spelling on her Birth Certificate but at other times her name was given as Nellie and Helen.
    She was born illegitimate according to her Birth Certificate. Her parents married in 1888 which would then legitimise the birth.

    There is a picture of her sitting outside her house at Windy Wa's She was a 23 year-old spinster at the time she married Alexander Wright Shanks

    Alexander W Shanks and Nelly M B Aitken were married "by declaration" in the presence of "Helen Aitken, widow of a Farmer and Annie Anderson, her daughter."

    Nelly was at the reunion at Silvermine farm, which was held on 17 Aug. 1968. In the newspaper, 'The Scottish Sunday Express Glasgow', of 18 Aug. 1968, it gives her name as Ellen.

    The obituary for Nelly M B Aitken appeared in "The Courier" of 22 Mar. 1974.

    Buried:
    PLOT A-287

    Nelly married Alexander Wright Shanks on 11 Jun 1906 in 35 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, Mid Lothian, Scotland. Alexander (son of James Shanks and Catherine Wright) was born on 3 Jan 1884 in 54 Hopetoun St, Bathagte, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 8 Nov 1961 in Bangour Hospital, Broxburn, West Lothian, Scotland; was buried in 1961 in Boghead Cemetery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 5. James Aitken Shanks  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 15 Sep 1906 in Windy Walls, Silvermines Farm, Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 25 Sep 1994 in Falkirk Royal Infirmary, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland.
    2. 6. Helen Mitchell Shanks  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 4 May 1909 in Wester Tartraven Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 10 Aug 1990 in Lochgreen Hospital, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland.
    3. 7. Catherine Wright Shanks  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 23 Sep 1911 in Tartraven Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland; died in Apr 2003.
    4. 8. Annie Aitken Shanks  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 23 May 1916 in Tartraven, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 2 Aug 1990 in Falkirk Royal Infirmary, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland; was cremated in 1990.

  2. 3.  James AitkenJames Aitken Descendancy chart to this point (1.James1) was born in 1887 in Scotland; and died.

    Other Events:

    • _UID: D567BE4CB72744BE8981A784B8564618C703


  3. 4.  Ann Anderson AitkenAnn Anderson Aitken Descendancy chart to this point (1.James1) was born on 7 Dec 1888 in Knock Hill Farm, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 20 Jan 1938 in Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland; was buried in 1938 in Boghead Cemetery, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland.

    Other Events:

    • _UID: 74402F075D364221824A79B9D5ED4F8D7C27
    • Residence: 1891, Cathlaw Hill, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland

    Notes:

    In the 1891 Census her first name is given as Annie.

    Ann was a witness at her sister's wedding in 1906

    Ann died after cutting her finger on an aluminium pot. Her Death Certificate states she died of a severe whitlow and diabetes, in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, but her usual address was Silvermine Farm. Alexander Shanks, her brother-in-law, was the informant.

    Buried:
    PLOT A-287



Generation: 3

  1. 5.  James Aitken ShanksJames Aitken Shanks Descendancy chart to this point (2.Nelly2, 1.James1) was born on 15 Sep 1906 in Windy Walls, Silvermines Farm, Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 25 Sep 1994 in Falkirk Royal Infirmary, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland.

    Other Events:

    • _UID: C55BF006FF60474283DA737927BB5A28AB05
    • Occupation: 1928; Poultry Farmer
    • Residence: 1944, 5 Mannerston, Carriden, West Lothian, Scotland

    Notes:

    Sometime after 1942 Jean and Jimmy seperated and Jean lived in Reading, BKS, England.

    Notes from terry Stewart
    In 1993, I found David Aitken at his home at "Becathlaw".
    Saying that he knew very little about the family he would take me to his "brother's" place. He took me to Jimmy Shanks home.
    This house, Lathallen House by Polmont, had been a mansion once owned by Salvensons the Ship Builder. Now the house was boarded up. The grounds were like a building site with scrap lying all around. Jimmy was variously described as a General Dealer or Scrap-metal Dealer,
    Jimmy no longer actually lived in the main house, preferring to live in a cottage on the estate. When I called there was no one at home. The door, to the cottage, was open and there was a roaring fire in the main room. The main room had been turned into a bedroom. Junk was piled high to the ceiling against all four walls.
    Three televisions were in the room sitting on top of each other. One of them blared out the horse racing. But no one was home.
    I phoned back later and spoke to a lady who turned out to be Jimmy's de-facto.
    She was the one who told me about Kate Manson, Jimmy's sister.
    I never did get to meet Jimmy as he was in hospital and died soon after.
    Robbers had invaded their home and Jimmy and his de-facto had been tied up. They then threatened to cut off his de-facto's fingers to get her rings off.
    Jimmy suffered a nervous breakdown and was hospitalised dying about two months later. He died at The Royal Infirmary, Falkirk, on 25 Sep 1994, of broncho pneumonia.
    Stuart McCracken, his partner, reported his death. Stuart also gave his own home address as Lathallan House.

    James married Jean Branks Young on 22 Jun 1928 in Church of Scotland, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland. Jean (daughter of James Young and Jane Rankine Branks McNairn) was born on 10 Oct 1907 in Brucefield Farm, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland; died on 31 May 1983 in 20 Lucey Close, Reading, Berkshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 9. Living  Descendancy chart to this point
    2. 10. Living  Descendancy chart to this point
    3. 11. Margaret Nellie Shanks  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 3 Oct 1932 in Craigmailen, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 12 Feb 2003 in Bannockburn, Stirlingshire, Scotland.
    4. 12. Alexander Wright Shanks  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 25 Dec 1935 in Craigmailen, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 18 Aug 1951 in Polmont, Redding, Stirling, Scotland.
    5. 13. James Alexander Shanks  Descendancy chart to this point was born in 1937; died on 18 Aug 1951 in Polmont, Redding, Stirling, Scotland.
    6. 14. Living  Descendancy chart to this point
    7. 15. Living  Descendancy chart to this point
    8. 16. Living  Descendancy chart to this point
    9. 17. Living  Descendancy chart to this point
    10. 18. Living  Descendancy chart to this point

  2. 6.  Helen Mitchell ShanksHelen Mitchell Shanks Descendancy chart to this point (2.Nelly2, 1.James1) was born on 4 May 1909 in Wester Tartraven Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 10 Aug 1990 in Lochgreen Hospital, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland.

    Other Events:

    • _UID: 0A145E4B7B1F4EF39C985BB1110CE8F3DA39
    • Residence: 29 Jul 1929, Hilderston Glebe, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
    • Residence: 10 Aug 1990, Blackbraes, California, West Lothian, Scotland

    Notes:

    Helen, "Nellie" helped organise the Aitken family get together at Silvermines Farm.

    Helen married William Taylor Aitken on 29 Jul 1929 in 6 Bank St, Edinburgh, Mid Lothian, Scotland. William (son of John Cunningham Aitken and Margaret Taylor) was born on 24 Jul 1904 in Hareburn Farm, Muiravonside, Stirling, Scotland; died on 26 Apr 1978 in Marjoribank Street, Bathgate, West lothian, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 19. John Cunningham Aitken  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 21 Feb 1930 in Ballencrieff Cottage, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 22 Oct 1988 in Strathcarron Hospice, Denny, Stirling, Scotland.
    2. 20. Alexander Shanks Aitken  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 12 May 1933 in Gateshiels, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 1 Jun 2011 in Strathcarron Hospice, Denny, Stirling, Scotland.

  3. 7.  Catherine Wright ShanksCatherine Wright Shanks Descendancy chart to this point (2.Nelly2, 1.James1) was born on 23 Sep 1911 in Tartraven Farm, Torphicen, West Lothian, Scotland; died in Apr 2003.

    Other Events:

    • _UID: F98F4577237E463E87B25FC0DC1B47191832
    • Occupation: 12 Nov 1941; Shop Assistant
    • Residence: 12 Nov 1941, Hilderston Glebe, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
    • Residence: 1990, 4 Holding, Champany, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland
    • Residence: 1994, 35A Preston Road, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland

    Notes:

    Notes From Terry Stewart
    By 1994 she had moved into Linlithgow town, residing at 35A Preston Road.
    I found this wonderful lady there, in 1994.
    James Aitken Smith took me to see Silvermines Farmhouse which, when he last saw it, was derelect. When we got there we found it had been reroofed and an artist lady was living in it. She told us of David Aitken. When calling on David he then took us to Jimmy Shanks house at Lathallen. Jimmy was not there and when I phoned back later I spoke to his defacto wife. She told me to speak to his sister Kate Manson, in Linlithgow. This turned out to be Catherine Shanks. When I visited her she was using a walking frame as a result of breaking an ankle. When Kate realised how interested in the family she gave me a whole pile of photographs, trees, family letters etc, from the family reunion that her sister and mother helped organise. As she had no family she thought it would be good if I had them. It was through her that I managed to get back in touch with Cathy Hood nee Aitken.
    I visited with Kate again in July 1999. This time I introduced her to my mother and Aunt Nelly.
    When I went to see her in 2003 her house was empty and was being repaired after a fire. I was informed that Kate had entered a nursing home early that year, where a short time later she had died.
    Her house had been let out and the new tenants had the fire. Kate had died Apr 2003 at the nursing home.

    Catherine married William Liddle Jamieson Bennett Manson on 12 Nov 1941 in Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland. William (son of William Manson and Janet Liddle) was born on 28 Apr 1908; died on 18 Aug 1980 in Champany Holdings, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  4. 8.  Annie Aitken ShanksAnnie Aitken Shanks Descendancy chart to this point (2.Nelly2, 1.James1) was born on 23 May 1916 in Tartraven, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 2 Aug 1990 in Falkirk Royal Infirmary, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland; was cremated in 1990.

    Other Events:

    • Occupation: Office Manageress
    • _UID: 4703F35FE9804E39844B6E60EFF875AE3310
    • Residence: 2 Aug 1990, Summerdale Residential Home

    Notes:

    At the wedding of Catherine W SHanks and WIlliam L J B Manson her sister Nan (Annie Aitken Shanks) was her bridesmaid, and, John Dobbie, a Farmer was the best-man.

    The informant of the death of Annie A Shanks was her sister, Catherine Manson



Generation: 4

  1. 9.  LivingLiving Descendancy chart to this point (5.James3, 2.Nelly2, 1.James1)

    Family/Spouse: Charles Wood. Charles (son of Charles Wood and Alexandria Conquer) was born on 19 Oct 1924 in Dechmont, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland; died in 2007. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 21. Living  Descendancy chart to this point
    2. 22. Living  Descendancy chart to this point

  2. 10.  LivingLiving Descendancy chart to this point (5.James3, 2.Nelly2, 1.James1)

    Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 23. Living  Descendancy chart to this point
    2. 24. Living  Descendancy chart to this point

  3. 11.  Margaret Nellie ShanksMargaret Nellie Shanks Descendancy chart to this point (5.James3, 2.Nelly2, 1.James1) was born on 3 Oct 1932 in Craigmailen, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 12 Feb 2003 in Bannockburn, Stirlingshire, Scotland.

    Other Events:

    • _UID: DCD24CEA17B14EC48B78DD543338BE2C4745
    • Residence: 17 Jul 1959, Lathallen House, Polmont, West Lothian

    Notes:

    She joined the Royal Navy as a Woman Air Mechanic. There she met and eventually married Ordnance Mechanic David Lewis.

    Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 25. James Lewis  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 9 Feb 1963 in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland; died in Feb 1963 in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland.

  4. 12.  Alexander Wright ShanksAlexander Wright Shanks Descendancy chart to this point (5.James3, 2.Nelly2, 1.James1) was born on 25 Dec 1935 in Craigmailen, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 18 Aug 1951 in Polmont, Redding, Stirling, Scotland.

    Other Events:

    • _UID: 34784C16E4344339B630AA08B33B565EDCC4


  5. 13.  James Alexander ShanksJames Alexander Shanks Descendancy chart to this point (5.James3, 2.Nelly2, 1.James1) was born in 1937; died on 18 Aug 1951 in Polmont, Redding, Stirling, Scotland.

    Other Events:

    • _UID: 5B52E692764844F8B811EC4599D2C9ED3AED

    Notes:

    Died as a result of jumping off the back of his father's lorry. He landed on an embankment and rolled back under the rear wheels. This occurred on the service road leading to Lathallan House as they were returning home for lunch.


  6. 14.  LivingLiving Descendancy chart to this point (5.James3, 2.Nelly2, 1.James1)

    Family/Spouse: Alexander Gardner Sneddon. Alexander (son of John Smith Sneddon and Annie Blyth Baird Gardner) was born on 18 May 1942 in 20 Kinneil Road, Bo'ness, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 24 Sep 1996 in Western Infirmary, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 26. Living  Descendancy chart to this point
    2. 27. Living  Descendancy chart to this point

  7. 15.  LivingLiving Descendancy chart to this point (5.James3, 2.Nelly2, 1.James1)

    Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 28. Living  Descendancy chart to this point

  8. 16.  LivingLiving Descendancy chart to this point (5.James3, 2.Nelly2, 1.James1)

    Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 29. Living  Descendancy chart to this point
    2. 30. Living  Descendancy chart to this point
    3. 31. Living  Descendancy chart to this point

  9. 17.  LivingLiving Descendancy chart to this point (5.James3, 2.Nelly2, 1.James1)

  10. 18.  LivingLiving Descendancy chart to this point (5.James3, 2.Nelly2, 1.James1)

    Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 32. Living  Descendancy chart to this point
    2. 33. Living  Descendancy chart to this point
    3. 34. Living  Descendancy chart to this point

    Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 35. Living  Descendancy chart to this point

  11. 19.  John Cunningham AitkenJohn Cunningham Aitken Descendancy chart to this point (6.Helen3, 2.Nelly2, 1.James1) was born on 21 Feb 1930 in Ballencrieff Cottage, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 22 Oct 1988 in Strathcarron Hospice, Denny, Stirling, Scotland.

    Other Events:

    • _UID: 4B57E29CDCA94EB38315141ADE45A7FF3534
    • Occupation: 28 Mar 1959; Poultry Merchant
    • Residence: 28 Mar 1959, 42 Mannerston, Blackness, West Lothian, Scotland

    Notes:

    John was a member of the Masonic Order and Alice was a past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star and belongs to the Kincardine Chapter 388.

    Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 36. Living  Descendancy chart to this point
    2. 37. Living  Descendancy chart to this point
    3. 38. Living  Descendancy chart to this point

  12. 20.  Alexander Shanks AitkenAlexander Shanks Aitken Descendancy chart to this point (6.Helen3, 2.Nelly2, 1.James1) was born on 12 May 1933 in Gateshiels, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland; died on 1 Jun 2011 in Strathcarron Hospice, Denny, Stirling, Scotland.

    Other Events:

    • Occupation: farmer
    • _UID: DEFDCDF1695B4BCEA61E91F99C4E8E225E04
    • Residence: 26 Apr 1978, Blackbraes, California, West Lothian, Scotland
    • Residence: 1994, 4 Champany Holdings, Blackness, West Lothian, Scotland
    • Occupation: 1 Jun 2011; farmer, retired
    • Residence: 1 Jun 2011, 4 Champany Holdings, Blackness, West Lothian, Scotland

    Notes:

    Alex was a witness th wedding of his brother, John, in 1959

    Alex was a Farmer, taking over "Blackbraes" on the death of his father.
    After a period of ill health, with heart problems, he retired from the farm and lived at 4 Champany Holdings Blackness.

    Alex was the informant on the death of his father. William Aitken, in 1978
    Alex was the informant on the death of his mother, Helen Shanks, in 1990

    Informant on the death of Alexander was Dr Helen MacKay

    ------ From Source Attached To: Death ------
    Death Cert, Cit. Date: 10 May 2019.
    -----------------------------------------------

    ------ From Source Attached To: Occupation ------
    Death Cert, Cit. Date: 10 May 2019.
    -----------------------------------------------

    ------ From Source Attached To: Residence ------
    Death Cert, Cit. Date: 10 May 2019.
    -----------------------------------------------



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