Notes:

(Research):Word doc. chart attached to e-mail from Janet Marsh rec:15. Mar. 2008

Notes:

Burial: Plot J

(Research):Word doc. chart attached to e-mail from Janet Marsh rec:15. Mar. 2008

John married Christina McFarlane on 11 Aug 1908 in St. Paul's Church, Port Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Christina (daughter of Alexander Macfarlane, Boatbuilder and Mary Ann Tyzack) was born on 8 Aug 1876 in Cannon St., Port Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; died on 29 Jan 1947 in Woodville, Charles Sturt City, South Australia, Australia; was buried in Cheltenham Cemetery, Cheltenham, Charles Sturt City, South Australia, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Burial: Plot J

(Research):Word doc. chart attached to e-mail from Janet Marsh rec:15. Mar. 2008

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Alexander McFarlane
• Occupation: 1861, Govan, Lanarkshire, Scotland; Ships carpenter
• Residence: 1861, Govan, Lanarkshire, Scotland
• Immigration: 1 Oct 1866, Australia

Notes:

1 - A Scottish Boat Builder from Greenock, Scotland to Birkenhead. S.A.
Alexander McFarlane Junior was born in Greenock, Scotland on 19th April 1841 to Alexander McFarlane Snr and Ann (nee Duncan). He followed in his father's footsteps and became a shipwright and boat builder after serving his apprenticeship at the works of Simons, a well known dredge builders, at that time, in Glasgow. He left Scotland on 19th March 1866 for Australia on the "Egmont" as a Carpenter the destination was Mauritius, here he stayed for about two weeks and left there on the "Sarah" and was discharged at Port Adelaide on 1st October 1866.
He meet and married Mary Ann (neeTyzack); Mary had been born in Port Adelaide on 3rd July 1845 to William Tyzack and Mary Ann (nee Kayser). Alexander and Mary Ann were married on 10th June 1867 at Holy Trinity, Adelaide. They first settled in Quebec Street, Port Adelaide and moved to Benson Street, Semaphore and Elder Road, Birkenhead. They had 15 children only 9 survived to adulthood being 7 boys and 2 girls.
Not long after Alexander married he worked as a shipwright in several yards until he started a boat building business himself and as time went by his sons joined him. The business was known as A. McFarlane and Sons.
Not sure of which boat but one day a person who was to own one of the boats that was on the slip , walked in to the business and went up the ladder, then walked on the deck of one of these magnificent boats; Alexander McFarlane saw this and came down from the loft and told him to get off! How dare he climb on the yacht with shoes on! and that he really did not own the boat until it was on the water. So I imagine that he was proud of the boats he was building.
This business had several moves and is now in Jenkins Street, Birkenhead and is managed by his great grand son Andrew McFarlane. This is one of the businesses that will have to go with the new development of Port Adelaide.
Alexander is reputed to have built the "Port Adelaide" being the first eight oar rowing boat to be built in the State. Also they built many small and large boats one being the ketch the "Yalata" and did repair and maintenance work to many boats that serviced the local Ports.
In the 1890's he built with his sons several racing Yachts, there are three of interest; being the "Alexa", "Sayonara" and "Reverie" these were designed by a noted Scottish Yacht Designer William Fife lll of Fairlie, Scotland. William Fife lll (he was known as junior) designed and built yachts for Sir Thomas Lipton (Lipton Tea fame). Two being Shamrock l and Shamrock lll, with these yachts Sir Thomas Lipton competed in the America's Cup but both lost in 1899 and 1903. If any of William Fife's boats are discovered they are lovingly restored and brought back to their former glory and they bring high prices these days.

The "Alexa" length 46 feet, was built for Mr.Wyly, the "Alexa" was named after the builder Alexander McFarlane. Mr. Wyly had great success with her, she was sold on several times and had many owners and had a great history and did win the Plympton Cup (a race between Glenelg and Kangaroo Island) sadly was wrecked in a fierce storm off Glenelg were she was moored in the 1940's, a sad end to a "Gaff Cutter" There is a street down at North Haven named after the "Alexa".

The "Sayonara" length 57 feet was built for a Victorian Syndicate; the original sails were hand made on the Isle of Man England; they had great success with her and the "Sayonara Cup" is named after her and is held at the Royal Sydney Yacht Club (the race was held between Sydney and Melbourne boats). She was a pretty yacht similar to lines to the "Alexa" but much larger. "Sayonara" went to Sydney and during the war years; she was used as a pleasure yacht; taking sight seeing people around Sydney Harbour. In the 1970's a Mr. Handel bought her and was interested into restoring her he made contact with the family, they did not have the plans as they had been destroyed long ago. It turned out he was mainly interested in the rigging. The "Sayonara" was raced around the Whit Sunday Islands, Queensland and beat the "Gretel" which had sailed in the America's Cup for Australia in the 1960's.
When last heard of in the later part of 2007 she was for sale in New Zealand for $800,000

The "Reverie" length 33 feet 6 inches was built for Mr. W. Fisher and he had great success with her. She was moored off the coast at Largs opposite his home (which is now called Lady Gowrie Drive) and near what is now the Largs Sailing Club. When she was sold in 1940's there had been unwritten agreement that when she was no longer wanted and to be sold that she was to be offered back to the McFarlane Family.
A.J. (Jack) McFarlane and his life long friend Alan Cormack bought her and the sailed her with great success and won the Plympton Cup in 1946 Alan sold his share back to Jack as Alan had family commitments. In April 1947 whilst Jack was taking some friends on a week end fishing trip and was going along the Port River the Ketch "Annie Watt' ran into her and she sank to the bottom of the River. The next day Jack with his friend Mack Lawrie and the people from the Harbour's Board lifted her out of the water. She was slipped on Cruickshank's Corner (almost in front of the Birkenhead Tavern) and was repaired by Jack and his father "Tyz" McFarlane (who helped to build her in the 1898 in the family business), so the Reverie was back to her former glory. Jack continued to sail her until he died in 1951. The "Reverie" was sold on and had many owners some looked after her and some did not; a young chap bought her and whilst he was being restoring her at the North Arm she caught alight and was burnt out.
A very sad end to a pretty "Gaff Sloop" that sailed well for many years and bought much delight to many people.
What I can remember about the "Reverie" was that she was a beautiful yacht with varnished decking and polished timbers below and had bunks for five people to sleep, a Galley, a folding dining table everything was so compact and a place for everything and you had to put it away. I always loved going out in her and was so sad when we had to sell her all those years ago.

Alexander and his Sons continued to build boats and do repair work at the old Cruikshank Corner. Alexander passed away at his daughter's Mrs. Ann Ward of Ralston Street, Largs on 13th February 1917. He had stopped working at the Slip several years earlier due to poor health.
We can not name all the boats he built as there are no lists; all records were destroyed many years ago. His sons Bill, Tyz, Ern and Jack (John) continued to work together there until the partnership was dissolved 2nd July 1918. Then Bill, old Ern, Jack (John) continued the business other brothers helped at times, they built the "Queenscliff" Rescue boat in the 1920's until there was only two grandsons managing the business being young Ern and Neil (sons of old Ern) then young Ern's son Ian and Neil's son Andrew continued to keep the family name going. The business moved from Cruikshank corner in the 1930's due to the new bridge being the last boatbuilding business to move.
There is a Silver Snuff Box owned by Alexander McFarlane's Family (Possibly owned by Alexander McFarlane Snr)
Presented to
Mr. Alexander McFarlane
As a Mark of respect
By the Shipwrights of
Messsrs W. Simons & co Glasgow 1854
(compiled by Janet Marsh great grand daughter December 2007)

2 - Alexander McFARLANE married Ann (nee Duncan) and had at least 4 sons Alexander (my great-great grandfather), Ian, Roderick and Neil.
He was born in Greenock 19 April 1841, died in Adelaide, Australia 11 February 1917. He immigrated to South Australia arriving aboard "Sarah" 1 October 1866.
My great-great-great grandfather Alexander was born somewhere around 1810-1820, however, I do not know in which order his sons were born so it could even be before that.
I have been told that the family was involved in ship building in Greenock but I have not been able to find any information confirming that. The Alexander McFARLANE that immigrated to Australia built racing yachts so the ship building link could definitely be something.
[http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,196819.new.html#new]

3 - I am a descendant of Alexander McFarlane born on 19th April 1841 Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland and over the last 20 years my 2nd cousin and I have been collecting information about this family. Our great grandfather was a shipwright and boat builder and the old family business is still (for the time being) working at Port Adelaide and just recently there was a yacht for sale in Wellington, New Zealand and was built here by Alexander and some of his sons in 1897. The going price was $800,000, must be absolutely gorgeous. I have just written an article about the William Fife designs that were built there in the 1890's and the Sayonara was one of his designs..
He married a Port Adelaide girl Mary Ann (Tyzack) in the 1860's and they had 15 children only 9 survived to adulthood one being my grand father Samuel Tyzack McFarlane.
There are about 200 descendants from this union.
[E-mail from Janet Marsh (nee McFarlane) rec: 25 Feb. 2008]

(Research):Name Alexander Mcfarlane
Gender Male
Christening Date 02 May 1841
Christening Place EAST PARISH, GREENOCK, RENFREW, SCOTLAND
Father's Name Alexander Mcfarlane
Mother's Name Ann Duncan
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FMS9-G89
Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950
Indexing Project (Batch) Number C11956-2
System Origin Scotland-ODM
GS Film number 1041060, 1041061

Name Alexander Mcfarlane
Gender Male
Christening Date 02 May 1841
Christening Place EAST PARISH, GREENOCK, RENFREW, SCOTLAND
Birth Date 19 Apr 1841
Father's Name Alexander Mcfarlane
Mother's Name Ann Duncan
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTNP-S2G
Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950
Indexing Project (Batch) Number C11956-2
System Origin Scotland-VR
GS Film number 1041061
Reference ID - 2:18HT7K9

Alexander married Mary Ann Tyzack on 10 Jun 1867 in Holy Trinity Church, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Mary was born on 3 Jul 1845 in Port Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; died on 29 Jul 1918 in Largs Bay, Port Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; was buried in Cheltenham Cemetery, Cheltenham, Charles Sturt City, South Australia, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Alexander McFarlane married a Port Adelaide girl Mary Ann (Tyzack) in the 1860's and they had 15 children only 9 survived to adulthood one being my grand father Samuel Tyzack McFarlane.
[ e-mail from Janet Marsh (nee McFarlane) rec:25.02.08 ]

(Research):Word doc. 'A Scottish Boat Builder from Greenock, Scotland to Birkenhead, S.A.' attached to e-mail from Janet Marsh rec:15. Mar. 2008

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Shipcarpenter(Forman), Shipwright, Journeyman
• Alt. Birth: 1809
• Occupation: 1841, Greenock West, Renfrewshire, Scotland; Carpenter
• Residence: 1841, Greenock West, Renfrewshire, Scotland

Notes:

1 - These are the children showing for Alexander and Ann Duncan from IGI:

1. NEIL MACFARLANE Christening: 08 OCT 1843 West Or Old Parish, Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland
2. ALEXANDER MCFARLANE Christening: 02 MAY 1841 East Parish, Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland
3. ELIZABETH LONGWILL MCFARLANE Birth: 13 NOV 1848 East Parish, Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland
4. JANET MCFARLANE Christening: 19 OCT 1846 East Parish, Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland
5. MARY ANN MACFARLANE Birth: 05 FEB 1839 East Parish, Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland
6. CHRISTINA MCFARLAN Christening: 09 MAR 1834 West Or Old Parish, Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland
7. GEORGE MCFARLAN Christening: 13 MAR 1836 West Or Old Parish, Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland
8. JOHN MCFARLANE Christening: 27 FEB 1831 West Or Old Parish, Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland

2 - This looks to be the family in the 1841 Census in Greenock West, Renfrewshire. Everyone showing as born in the county apart from parents and John age 10:

Alexr. McFarlane, age 30-34, Carpenter, b. Scotland
Ann, age 30-34, b. Scotland
John, 10, b. Scotland
Christina, 8
George, 6
Mary Ann, 4
Alexr, 2 months
Agnew Howie, female servant, age 15-19, b. Scotland.

Address: Regent Street, Greenock West.

A couple of points on the 1841 census. Everyone's age for those over 15 was supposed to be rounded down to the nearest 5, children under 15 are supposed to show their actual age. Those born outside the County of the Census, simply show Scotland.
[ http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,196819.new.html#new ]

3 - Unfortunately the 1851 index does not list birthplace although the family (most of them) do appear to be together in Greenock with a few additions
Alexander aged 49
Ann aged 42
John aged 19
Christina aged 16
George aged 14
Mary Ann aged 12
Alexander aged 9
Elizabeth aged 2

Greenock ,ward 433, enum 5, page 2 lines 10 - 17
[ http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,197551.15.html ]

Alexander married Ann Duncan on 26 May 1830 in St Andrew's Church, cnr Ardgowan & Margaret St, Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Ann was born in 1805 in Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Scotland; died in 1861 in Govan, Lanarkshire, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ann Duncan's death cert in 1861, thankfully she died, age 56, after the 1861 Census so you should be able to find her with family in 1861. Alexander husband, a ship's carpenter, is not showing as deceased. The entry is in Govan, son John reported the death.

Parents were John Duncan and Christina (Christian) McKirdy, both deceased.

There is this entry on IGI which may relate to Ann's parents:

John Duncan About 1780 Of, Rothesay, Bute, Scotland
Parents: Father: Neil Duncan

Marriages: Spouse: Christian McKirdy
Marriage: 15 APR 1805 Rothesay, Bute, Scotland

[ http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,196819.new.html#new ]