The short version of my question is as follows: Would there have been a difference between the occupations "Accountant" and "Chartered Accountant" in the 1840s-1850s? If so, would knowing that somebody was a chartered accountant help to track them down in a census or through some other profession-related source? I have posted to the group(s) on this subject before. I am searching for the father of my great x 2 grandfather. His paternal ancestry is a gaping hole in my family tree. James Douglas Smith (who is my great x 2 grandfather) was born October 21, 1843 in Edinburgh but I cannot find a birth record and suspect that he was illegitimate. His naval records contain a statement from his grandmother (dated 1850) that reads, "I, Jessie Dickson or Ferrie, widow residing at Gilmerton in the County of Edinburgh do solemnly and sincerely declare that James Smith is my grandson. That he was born in Edinburgh on the Twenty first day of October One thousand eight hundred and forty three. He was left with me by his father and mother when he was an infant and has been with me and under my charge ever since and has my full consent to join Her Majesty's Navy." The fact that he was left with his grandmother makes me suspect he was illegitimate, along with the missing birth record. J.D. Smith went to Plymouth for naval service. In his marriage certificate (1867 at Plymouth, Devon) his father is listed as James Smith, Accountant. Unfortunately, the Devon records do not state whether the father was living or dead at the time. His mother is listed as Mary Crichton Ferrie. I know quite a bit about his mother and her family, but nothing at all about the father, due to "James Smith" being such a common name. I don't think the parents married, as there is no matching record for that either in the OPRs. Also, Mary Crichton Ferrie (b: Dec. 3, 1822) married twice later in life: first to James Laurie (1849, Glasgow), and secondly to John Brodie (1870, Edinburgh). At her earliest recorded marriage (1849) her maiden name is recorded... this makes me suspect she never married James Smith, Accountant. Actually, would it have been standard to record a maiden name or a previous husband's surname at a second marriage in the OPRs? Anyway, she died in 1900 in Stirling and only James Laurie and John Brodie are mentioned as husbands on the death record. Lastly, I just found. James Douglas Smith's death certificate (1925, Lochee), on which is father is listed as a "Chartered Accountant". I was wondering if there was any different between "Accountant" and "Chartered Accountant", and whether this information would be useful for tracking down the father. Thanks, Graeme Boocock (Toronto)

On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 15:30:10 -0500, Graeme Boocock <graeme.boocock@utoronto.ca> wrote: >The short version of my question is as follows: Would there have been a >difference between the occupations "Accountant" and "Chartered >Accountant" in the 1840s-1850s? If so, would knowing that somebody was >a chartered accountant help to track them down in a census or through >some other profession-related source? As regards Chartered Accountants in Scotland, "A History of The Chartered Accountants of Scotland from the Earliest Times to 1954" is a good history of the profession, and easily obtainable. Three Scottish professional accounting bodies were formed in the mid-19th century, members of which were granted the title "Chartered Accountant" and allowed to use the post-nominal letters "CA": - Society of Accountants in Edinburgh, Royal Warrant given 1854 - Institute of Accountants and Actuaries in Glasgow, Royal Warrant given 1855 - Society of Accountants in Aberdeen, Royal Charter granted 1867 The following extract is taken from the above book: ================ Before concluding this chapter, reference should be made to the adoption of the designation "Chartered Accountant" with the distinctive initials, "C.A." Very shortly after its incorporation, the Edinburgh Society resolved that this title, with its abbreviation, be adopted by all members. A similar course was recommended by the Glasgow Institute to all its members at the Annual General Meeting in January 1856. In Aberdeen the title was adopted from the incorporation of the Society there. Some little time elapsed before the new name became familiar to the public of Scotland or even among the members themselves; but before very long the value of the designation became apparent to all and in due course came to be one of the most jealously guarded privileges of the three Societies. When in 1880 the designation of Chartered Accountant was also adopted by The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales on its incorporation by Royal Charter, the term soon received a widespread recognition. The abbreviation " C.A." in its use for professional purposes is still an exclusive privilege in the United Kingdom for members of the Scottish Institute, and at various times in the earlier years the three Societies, sometimes acting jointly and sometimes separately, took steps to defend this exclusive right to its use as a professional designation in Scotland. ================ Relating the above to your case, the phrase "Chartered Accountant" wasn't used in Scotland before 1855, and even after its introduction, not all members used it for some time. Names of accountants can be found in Oliver and Boyd's Edinburgh Almanac, and the Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory. The 1861 edition of the latter has a section for Members of Society of Accountants in Edinburgh, and another section for plain "Accountants". Unfortunately neither lists a James Smith. Neither does a James Smith appear in the list of Accountants in the Post Office Directory for 1842-43. Forrest -- Forrest Anderson - British Military Genealogical Researcher. E-mail: forrest@military-researcher.com Website: www.military-researcher.com

I too have been wondering what standard practice for the name recorded for a second marriage in the OPRs was. Would it have been the maiden name or the previous husband's name? Given that for formal documents in Scotland even now a woman is known as e.g. "Jessie Dickson or Ferrie" (Dickson being the maiden name), I suspect the maiden name would be the one used but would be very pleased to hear from any experts! Best wishes, Sheena Ireland -----Original Message----- From: Graeme Boocock [mailto:graeme.boocock@utoronto.ca] Sent: 29 March 2005 21:30 To: MIDLOTHIAN-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Chartered Accountant vs. Accountant His naval records contain a statement from his grandmother (dated 1850) that reads, "I, Jessie Dickson or Ferrie, widow residing at Gilmerton in the County of Edinburgh do solemnly and sincerely declare that James Smith is my grandson. That he was born in Edinburgh on the Twenty first day of October One thousand eight hundred and forty three. He was left with me by his father and mother when he was an infant and has been with me and under my charge ever since and has my full consent to join Her Majesty's Navy." Also, Mary Crichton Ferrie (b: Dec. 3, 1822) married twice later in life: first to James Laurie (1849, Glasgow), and secondly to John Brodie (1870, Edinburgh). At her earliest recorded marriage (1849) her maiden name is recorded... this makes me suspect she never married James Smith, Accountant. Actually, would it have been standard to record a maiden name or a previous husband's surname at a second marriage in the OPRs? Graeme Boocock (Toronto) ______________________________