Laird Ancestry Research in Paisley, Renfrew, Clydesdale, Rutherglen and Glasgow

Paisley Abbey

I am looking for family of John Laird and Jane Burke, married Middle Church Paisley Renfrew 12/08/1842. Children: Jean Laird born 10/03/1850; John Clydesdale Laird born 14/07/1851 (my Great Grandfather) in the County of Lanarkshire and the Parish of Glasgow; Elizabeth Laird born 01/10/1853. Witnesses to births William Laird, Andrew Laird, Richard Little and Niven Galt. My Great Grandfather's marriage certificate records that both John Laird and Jean Burke died before my Great Grandfather married on 31/12/1875. Jane Burke's sister Elizabeth had married Richard Little 19/04/1829 Paisley Middle Church. My Great Grandfather never mentioned his sisters and knew little about his parents. We believe his father died when he was 7 years old and that his mother had already died at that time.

John Laird owned the Dye Works at Clydesdale Rutherglen.

He was brought up by his aunt, Elizabeth Burke. We are looking for further details of his parents and sisters. We have always understood John Clydesdale Laird's father was from Wick. He may have been born around 1820.

My Great Aunt said John Laird's wife was Jean Morris.

There is a story in Wick that two Laird brothers who had a rope making business in Wick went to Clydeside and once there one got started in a marine business that employed other Caithness men who went later.  It is possible that one of these men was our ancestor.  What happened to the other?

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