James Trail, Stirling 1849, to New Zeland 1865
Looking for information on James Trail who married Elizabeth Anderson, Stirling Parish, Stirling by Rev M Leitch on 3 December 1849.James is described as a labourer, but a year later he is listed at the birth of their only son, William Kettle, (born 30 Aug 1850) at Glenmuick Parish, Aberdeenshire (possibly Ballater), as belonging to the 93rd regiment artillery.
Elizabeth Anderson is recorded in the 1851 as age 25 and living at Ballater, Aberdeenshire with her widowed mother (also Elizabeth Anderson) and infant son, William.Also included were a neice, Elizabeth Dunn of 11 years (b1840, father George Dunn, mother Mary Anderson - neither of whom were present on the census) and a sister, Ann Anderson, unmarried, age 19.No mention of James so presumably he was away at war.Elizabeths father was George and was listed at their marriage as being recently deceased.
James was born circa 1820 and died in New Zealand 29 August 1875.James, Elizabeth and William emigrated from Aberdeen on the Viola, departing late 1864, arriving in Auckland 5 april 1865.Their names are on the passenger list.They settled in the Hunua district.
William married Letitia Hobbs in 1876 at Drury, East Wairoa.They had 13 children.Their son, James, (my g-grandfather) married Louisa Shotover Clarkson (her mother was a Bull) and as far as I know they only had one child - my grandfather, another James!
James married my grandmother, Jane Hodgkiss from Leigh, Lancs.
I would appreciate any help you could give me re James Trail regarding birth, parentage, etc.Presumably he would have been living at Stirling when he got married.If he signed up for the army after marriage then he would have been aged around 29 yrs - would this have been too old to sign up?Can I get his army records and how do i go about it?