William Ramsay was born in 1819 Limekilns, Fife, Scotland to Thomas Ramsay and Elisabeth Nisbet. He was christened on March 28, 1819. His father was a flesher (butcher). William had six older siblings, and one younger brother.
Limekilns in Fife is about 17 miles from Edinburgh on the north side of River Forth. In the early years the village was important for its access to limestone used as mortar for stone buildings. By the mid 1700s it was an important harbour for shipping coal from Fife coal mines.
William is listed in the 1841 Scottish census for Limekilns, so I have assumed that about 1842 William, his sister Elizabeth and younger brother Alexander immigrated to Canada. Did their father come with them? Some evidence has been found to support the fact that he did; other sources indicate this was not so.
William, Elizabeth and Alexander settled in Middlesex County, close to what is present day London Ontario. About 1848 William married Margaret Kerr (1828-1905). (I have her wedding dress!!) They had eight children.
In 1861 William, his wife and five children were living in a brick house in Middlesex County. William was a farmer.
The 1871 census indicates William was living on Concession 5, Lot 25 and owned125 acres. Of this acreage there were 4 acres of wheat, 1 1/2 acres of potatoes, 2 acres of orchard, 14 acres of hay, and 150 pounds of maple sugar.
The 1891 census indicates that William could read and write.
William’s sister Elizabeth married Thomas Skippon and had five children.
William’s brother, Alexander did not marry.
William died in 1907 in Hyde Park, Middlesex County, Ontario.
RESOURCES
Undiscovered Scotland – https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/limekilns/limekilns/ accessed January 31, 2018
12 Ancestors in 12 Months 