Goldie Family Line

William Gowdie 1772 – BEF.1841

Not much is known about William Gowdie, it is possible that he was born in Scotland and at some point, before 1792 he migrated south to Flimby in Cumberland. My research has identified a Scottish family of Gowdie`s that were in the merchant navy. This could explain Williams move to the costal town, but this cannot be authenticated.

What is know is that William married Jane Smith on the 19th July 1792 in Flimby.

They had nine children together – Robert (D1809), William (D1815), James, John, Joseph, Henry, Robert, Jane and William.

I am unable to determine when William died but it was before 1841 as Jane is listed on the census as widowed.

Joseph Gowdie 1805 – 1861

Joseph was born March 1805 and baptised on the 27th March 1805, in Flimby, Cumberland.

He would have grown up in Flimby up until at least the age of 10, some point after this date Joseph moved away to Ryton just outside of Newcastle upon Tyne. He would have worked in one of the local mines in that area.

On the 22nd April 1833 he married Frances Reed, Frances would have been 3 months pregnant at the time of the marriage.

Joseph and Frances had seven children William, Robert, Joseph, John, Wilson, Henry and Frances. It is also now we start to see the surname become anglicised to Goldie.

By 1836 Joseph and Frances are living back in Cumberland this time in Parton where Joseph was working as a coal miner.

In March 1861 Joseph passes away in Parton Cumberland.

Joseph Goldie 1841 – 1899

Joseph was born January 1841 in Parton, Cumberland he was baptised 24th January 1841.

Joseph followed in his fathers’ footsteps and became a coal miner, probably from a very young age, he grew up and worked in Parton until just after his mother died in 1864. After this Joseph moves to another mining village, Frizington, here he meets and marries Hannah Briggs.

Joseph and Hannah were married on 21st August 1870 when Hannah was 7 months pregnant.

They go on to have eight children William, Frances, Joseph, Robert, Elizabeth, Hannah, Mary and John William. In 1881 they were living at 187 Main Street, in 1891 81 Trumpet Road and 1893 2 Montreal Street.

In 1892, on the same street, Joseph lost his daughter Frances she died from an infection to the face. Something that now would have been easily treated with antibiotics.

By around 1896 the family had moved to 5 Vale View, Frizington and by 1899 Joseph had to say goodbye to two of his sons. The were going abroad to Africa to fight in the 2nd Boer wars they both returned sometime before 1901 after his death.

Joseph continued to work in the local mine, Margaret iron ore pit a short distance from where he lived but on 19th June 1899 there was a tragic accident.

Whilst working in the mine a ton of iron fell on Joseph causing catastrophic injuries and instant death. He was buried on 22nd June 1899 at St Pauls church, Frizington. He left a mere sum of £25 to his wife Hannah.

John William Goldie 1895 – 1975

John was born on 3rd December at 2 Montreal Street, Cleator Moor north of Frizington. He was baptised 15th January 1896

John`s father died when he was 3 years old and he was raised by his mother supported by his older brothers.

In October 1899 John was enrolled by his mother in the local Frizington Infant school, here he received an education until he was withdrawn to go to Thurnscoe.

In 1902 John`s mother passed away and he was living with his brother Joseph, still at Vale View. Taking into account the education records John was sent to live with his sister in Thurnsoe for a time before returning in 1908, again attending the local school, this time living with his other brother Robert in Mountain View.

Around 1909 John again went to live with his brother Joseph, this time in Cockermouth but by 1911 he was back with his sister living at number 3 Togo Buildings in Thurnscoe.

Military

It is unknown if John had worked during his short age but at the age of 19 in 1914, he had joined the army and was in training at Weeton Camp just outside Blackpool. John was part of the Royal Army Medical Corps and his training would have consisted of learning how to care for wounds, sanitation, about infections and stretcher drills.

Not much documentation survives from John’s admission into the army, but whilst serving abroad he contracted malaria so we can deduce that he was stationed possibly in Africa in 1818 where malaria was rife.

On 5th June 1919 he was sent home, he may have been sent to work in 1st Northern General Hospital that had been set up in Newcastle University to help treat the many causalities of WW1. The 1st NGH was run by the RAMC. This would also explain his presence in Newcastle as he had no relatives in this area. There was also the Northumberland War Hospital, based in Gosforth, John may have worked here, this would explain the proximity to where Elizabeth Raper lived.

It would have been around this time that he met Elizabeth Raper as they later married in the beginning of 1920.

They lived at 22 Mary Agnes Street, Gosforth with Elizabeth`s family. In 1920 John was awarded the victory medal for his services in the war and also a military pension. The went on the have three children James, Joan and Elizabeth.

By 1939 John was working as an Omnibus cleaner and the family were living at 12 Delaval Terrace, Gosforth.

John`s wife Elizabeth died in 1952.

John passed away 10th July 1975.