Andrews, Joan
Subject: Re: [Ferguson-L] Passengers and Immigration--9840

Do you by any chance have any data concerning Ferguson immigrants in the late
1850's. My grt grt grandfather  Richard Ferguson entered America during that
period with his wife Jane, daughter Elizabeth and son James. My grt
grandfather was born somewhere in America, as stated in the 1881 census for
County Durham in England. Up to now I have been unable to trace his birth. Any
help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in anticipation
Joan Andrews
 

I don't know if you are interested in my Fergusons. My great grandfather
Joseph Ferguson was born in USA circa 1860  according to the 1881 census.
Unfortunately he did not state which State he was born in which has made it
very difficult to trace his place of birth. His parents Richard Ferguson born
1834 in Torpenhow  and Jane Gallantry were born in Cumberland and only stayed
in America for a few years before returning to Cumberland before 1865. If any
one comes across the birth of Joseph I would be very grateful.
Living in hope
Joan Andrews

Ask and ye shall receive <G> Torpenhow is listed as a city in this county . . .Paul

A maritime and border county of England, having the counties of Dumfries and
Roxburgh on the north, Northumberland and Durham on the east,
Westmorland and Lancashire on the south, the Irish Sea on the west, and the
Solway Firth on the NW.; length, NE. and SW., 75 miles; extreme
breadth, E. and W., 45 miles; average breadth, 22 miles; coast line, about 75
miles; area, 970,161 acres, population 250,647. The coast on the
Solway is low and sandy, but on the Irish Sea it is lofty and rugged; chief
promontory, St Bees Head. In the NW. the country is open and flat; it is
watered by the Eden and other streams, and consists chiefly of verdant meadows
and good arable land. From this plain the surface rises towards the
east and south into a region with deep defiles or dales, which form the
mountainous district of "The Lakes,". Coal and iron are extensively worked
in the west, the coalfield stretching from the neighbourhood of Whitehaven to
that of Maryport. Numerous blast furnaces are constantly at work.
Plumbago or black lead is obtained in considerable quantities near Keswick.
Slate, limestone, and sandstone are abundant. Copper, cobalt,
antimony, manganese, and gypsum are also found. Owing to the general elevation
of the land, and the moisture of the climate, the cultivation of the
soil is less attended to than the rearing of sheep and cattle. The dairy
produce is very considerable. Woollen manufactures are carried on to some
extent at Carlisle and some other places The County comprises 5 wards, 208
parishes, the parliamentary and municipal borough of Carlisle (1
member), and the parliamentary borough of Whitehaven (1 member). It is mostly
in the diocese of Carlisle. For parliamentary purposes it is divided
into 4 divisions, viz., Northern or Eskdale, Mid or Penrith, Cockermouth, and
Western or Egremont, 1 member for each division.
From Bartholemew's Gazetteer of the British Isles, 1887.