Biographical notes

David Oswald's death certificate recordes his father as John Oswald (Tailor) but entry for mother is blank. The OPR entry can be found for David's birth, also, looking at IGI records for St Quivox and Newton, there are records of the christening of MARGARET OSWALD on 07 DEC 1778 to parents JOHN OSWALD and MARGARET BLACK. However, this Margaret may have died in infancy as the same parents are recorded for the christening of MARGARET BLACK at St Quivox on the 25 MAY 1785. Likewise for the christening of ANN OSWALD on the 05 MAY 1788.

Further evidence can be found in the summary of the census return for 1821 where David Oswald and his father John are listed as taylors in Cross Street Wallacetown.

In the 1841 Census, John Oswald is listed as OSWALD John, M, 65, Tailor, [born in] Ayrshire and living on his own in Cross Street. His son David also appears living in Cross Street with his second wife Jean, their son David and his children Janet and John from his previous marriage to Janet Kirkland.

In the 1851 Census John Oswald is listed as OSWALD, John, Head U [in fact he was a Widower], M 78 Tailor, [born] Ayrshire - St. Quivox. Still living in Cross Street, Wallacetown. David also appears at a separate address in Cross Street with his wife and his 2 children both unmarried. John (34) is a Shoemaker and Davd (12) is a Scholar. Interestingly a Robert Allan is also listed as a nephew to David Oswald, aged 6 and born in Glasgow. Have not been able to work out the exact family relationship of this Robert Allan.