John Buist Graham

John Graham ("Big John") 1918 John Buist (Graham) John Graham (Big John) and Julie

John was born on October 11th, 1918 in Glasgow.¹ 

• Birth Notes

  Death Index records: Birth Date: 10 Oct 1919.
  
  John Buist:  Born 11 Oct 1918 Maternity hospital, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland.  His mother died there 3 days later.
  
  John Graham Born 10 Oct 1919 according to death record, but believed to be an error as thought by family to have been born 11 Oct 1918 (which records confirm).  He had retired at 65 prior to his death.
  
  Name: GRAHAM, JOHN RAMSAY
  MMN: (blank)
  Gender: M
  Year: 1918
  Ref: 644 / 8 / 1372
  RD Name; ST ROLLOX (NE Glasgow)
  
  
  

John's father was George Sharp Graham and his mother was Williamina Buist.  His paternal grandparents were Alexander Graham and Christina McFarlane; his maternal grandparents were James Buist and Catherine Ramsay. He had a half-brother and a half-sister, named Alexander and Peggy.  He was adopted by Alexander Graham & Christina McFarlane.

• Adoption Notes

  Must be son of Alexander, Duncan or George if Alexander and Christina are John's grandparents.
  Unlikely Duncas as he was fighting WW! in France.  Very close likeness to George.

He died by commiting suicide at the age of 65 on September 3rd, 1984 in Tranmere.  He was buried at the Bebington Cemetery.^2 3 

• Death Notes

  Buried in Catholic section of cemetary, although not Catholic.
  
  Mum (Joan) has newspaper cutting of the obituary column.
  
  Name: John Graham
  Birth Date: 10 Oct 1919 (should be 1918 - unconfirmed)
  Death Registration Month/Year: Sep 1984
  Age at death (estimated): 64 
  Registration district: Birkenhead, Cheshire 
  Volume: 37 
  Page: 481 
  
  GRAHAM, JOHN        1919 
  GRO Reference:  DOR  Q3/1984 in BIRKENHEAD  (0371A) 
  Volume 37  Page 481
  
  
  
  GRAHAM, John of 83 Mallory Road, Higher Tranmere, Birkenhead died 3 Sept 1984.  Probate Liverpool 8 Feb.
  
  

• General Notes

  With 5 Johns in the family, John Graham Snr was known as "Big John" by the Mather Family.
  
  The birth was registered as John Buist at St Rollox, Glasgow.  When 2, he was recorded on the census as John Buist Graham..
  
  John was illigitimate, and his mother, Williamina Buist was believed to be a local barmaid. She died in 1918 just 3 days after John was born, so John was brought up by his father's grandparents (Alexander Graham and Christine S McFarlane).
  
  His mothers family were unable to look after John. Williamina father was a single parent, a farm labourer. Her mother had died when she was 18.
  
  John was brought up by Alexander Graham, his step-father (and grandfather). John's blood-father was probably George Sharp Graham.  He would have been 16 (and his mother Williamina 23) when he was consieved, so this may be a wrong information as George was young and also quite an age difference.  Perhaps more likely, his father was Duncan McFarnan Graham.  Duncan was killed in Action in WW1 so maybe his parents adopted John is memory of Duncan. However just look at the photos.  Surrley John is George's son.
  
  In 1921, John Buist Graham, adopted son, aged 2, was living at 8 Fourth Street, Bonhill, Dunbartonshire with his adopted parents Alexander and Christina (48 & 45) and three of their children; Alexander, George and Jeanie (24, 19 & 14).  Their other son Duncan had died in the war.
  
  After WW2 he lived at 50 Thompson St, Tranmere (by Eileen)

Details of John's family with Eileen (Lean) Mather