The above photograph is of my Grandmother Margaret Annie Bryce, formerly Ewart, nee Holmes is pictured with my father on the left, James Henderson Bryce, Jane Ann Bryce at the back, and her youngest daughter Mabel Grace Bryce.   This photograph is dated around 1920.

John Bryce, son of Robert Bryce, came to work in the shipyards of the North East of England in the mid 19th Century. It is likely that he was working for John Dobson (Boatbuilder) at Hill gate, Gateshead, at the time of his wedding in 1853. He was formerly a wooden boat builder and became an iron shipbuilder who was skilled in metal frame bending. The trade was mainly carried out on a sub-contract basis and it can be seen from the birth places of his children, that he travelled extensively between the Rivers Tyne, Wear and Tees in search of work. Sally (Sarah) was born in Jarrow in 1854, Robert and James were born at North Shields in 1855 and 1857, Thomas and their first Agnes (infant death) were born in Stockton in 1859 and 1860, John was born in Sunderland in 1861, Henry, Agnes and William were all born in Stockton in 1863, 1865 and 1870 respectively, and Jane was born in Sunderland in 1873.

1861 Census - John Bryce 29yrs living at 109 Victor Street, Monkwearmouth Shore with wife Jane 25 yrs, and children Sally (Sarah) aged 7 born Jarrow, Robert 5 and James 4 both born Middle Street, North Shields, Thomas 2 born Stockton and Agnes aged 1 born Hartlepool. 1871 Census - John Bryce 39yrs living at 2 Ogle Terrace, Southwick, Sunderland with wife Jane 36, and children - Sally dressmaker born Jarrow aged 17, Robert iron shipbuilder born North Shields aged 15yrs, James iron shipbuilder born North Shields aged 14, Thomas iron shipbuilder born Stockton aged 12yrs (an early starter, at 12, in shipbuilding), John scholar born Sunderland aged 9yrs, Henry scholar born Stockton aged 8yrs, Agnes born Stockton aged 6yrs, William A born Stockton aged 1yr. 1881 Census - John Bryce not recorded, his wife is described as a widow. John Bryce had five sons who all worked in the shipyards and other engineering works of Sunderland.  John Bryce came from St Ninians, Stirling, Scotland   (Not Muthill as previously thought)

John's father, Robert Bryce, was born in Airdrie in 1811. He married Agnes Jinkin at St Ninians on 8th June 1828 and, in thhe 1851 census the family are listed as:

Agness Bryce m. Robert b.1811 St. Ninian, Stirling wife
David Bryce b.1850 Govan Lanark son
James Bryce b.1836 St. Ninian, Stirling,son
John Bryce b.1831 St. Ninian, Stirling, son
Margaret Bryce b. 1846 St. Ninian, Stirling, daughter
Robert Bryce b.1810 Andrie, Lanark, Head
Robert Bryce b.1834 St. Ninian, Stirling, son
William Bryce b. 1841 St. Ninian, Stirling, son

 

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