Alexander Scorgie Raitt was the sixth child of William Raitt and Helen Scorgie and was born on 18 December 1909 in St Rollox, Glasgow. Known as Alec, he was initially an umbrella maker, but later worked in the Drawing Office in the dockyards. He married Mary Duncan McCallum West on 27 April 1935 in Hutchestontown, Glasgow and they had one son, Alexander McCallum West, born on 7 July 1936 in Tradeston, Glasgow.

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Mary Duncan McCallum West (known as May) was born on 22 April 1909 in Hutchesontown, Glasgow. She died in Glasgow in 1985. Her parents were Alexander McCallum West and Mary Duncan who married on 31 December 1895 in Glasgow and who had six children between 1897-1912. On his marriage extract there is a note to the effect that Alexander had borne the surname West since childhood. And on his death extract for 4 August 1946 in Pollock, Glasgow it gives his name as Alexander McCallum West (formerly Alexander McCallum).

Alexander was born on 18 January 1869 in Blythswood, Glasgow, a son of Peter McCallum and Margaret Robertson who married on 8 June 1866. Peter was born on 1 February 1830 in Arrochar, Dunbartonshire - the son of Dougal McCallum, born about 1803 in Arrochar and Janet MacFarlane, born about 1806 also in Arrochar. Besides Peter, Dougal and Janet had several other children, one of whom was Helen born 1 February 1832 in Arrochar. Helen married John West on 24 November 1865 in Cathcart Renfrewshire. John was born about 1835 in Cross Michael, Renfrewshire.

Peter McCallum was first married to Margaret Ewing and had six children with her between 1855-1864: Janet (1855); John (1856); Dugald (1858); Peter (1860); Jane (1862); and Margaret (1864). With his second wife, Margaret Robertson, Peter had two more sons; Duncan (1867); and Alexander (1869). Finally Peter had another son, Adam (1873), with third wife Jane Steel. I surmize that Margaret Robertson died not so long after Alexander was born and possibly Peter could not look after the young child with all the other children and since his sister, Helen and her husband John West, did not have any children of their own, then Alexander went to live with them. Since he was subsequently called West, then it is possible they formally adopted him, especially as the censuses label him son.

Alexander’s wife, Mary Duncan, was born in 1872 in Glasgow, the daughter of George Duncan and Mary Esdale who married in 1861 in Blythswood, Glasgow. Mary was born about 1838 in Glasgow to James and Ann Esdale of Ireland (1841 census has them both aged 20 living in St Ninians, Gorbals, with daughter Mary aged two).

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Dougal McCallum (abt 1803-)

He could be either the Dougal McCallum born 15 Jan 1803 in Arrochar, Dunbartonshire to Peter McCallum and Margaret McFarlan or the Dougal McCallum born 17 Feb 1806 (chr 21 Feb) in Arrochar to Donald McCallum and Catherine MacFarlane.

The 1841 census for Tynaclach (Tigh na clach), Arrochar, Dunbartonshire has Dugald McCallum, 35, fisherman; wife Janet, 30 and children: Malcolm, 12; Peter, 11; Helen, 9; Margaret, 7; Mary, 5; Dugald, 3; and Janet, 1 - all born Dunbartonshire.

The 1851 census for Village of Tynaclach (Tigh na clach), Arrochar, Dunbartonshire has Dugald McCallum, 49, fisherman, born Arrochar; wife Janet, 45, born Row, Dunbartonshire and six children (Peter is missing) - all born Arrochar, Dunbartonshire.

Dougal’s wife Janet could be the Janet MacFarlan born 3 Mar 1804 (chr 10 Mar) in Arrochar to Duncan MacFarlan and Isabel MacFarlan or the one born 17 Nov 1806 (chr 21 Dec) to Macolm MacFarlan and Isabel Graham or the one  born 29 Aug 1806 (chr 26 Dec) to Macolm MacFarlan and Helen MacFarlan.

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Peter McCallum (1830-)

In the 1841 census for Tynaclach (Tigh na clach), Arrochar, Dunbartonshire, Peter, aged 11 is living with his parents Dugald McCallum, 35, fisherman and Janet, 30 and six siblings.

In the 1851 census for Midtown, Inverkip, Renfrewshire a Peter McCallum, 21, farm servant, born Arrochar, is working on the farm of James Hendry (farmer of 48 acres).

In the 1861 census for 12 Rutherford Lane, Blythswood, St Stephens, Glasgow, Peter McCallum, aged 30, born Arrochar, Dunbarton, is a grain storekeeper living with his wife Margaret, 30, born Largs, Ayrshire; children Janet, 6; and John, 4; Dugald, 2; Peter, 0 - all born Glasgow. Visiting them is Jane Ewing, 16, domestic servant, born Largs - presumably she is Margaret's sister.

The 1871 census for 86 Renfrew St, Barony, St Stephens, Blythswood has Peter McCallum, head, 39, grain storekeper, born Dunbarton; children Janet, 15, domestic servant; John, 14, upholsterer apprentice; Peter, 10, scholar; Jane, 7, scholar; Margaret, 6, scholar; Duncan, 4, scholar; and Alexander, 2 - all born Glasgow. Peter’s marital status is not indicated - I presume he is widower. Duncan and Alexander are children from his second wife.

In the 1881 census for 49 Cadogan St, Barony, Lanark is Peter McCallum, head, married, 47, grain storekeeper, born Arrochar, Dunbarton; wife Jane Steel, 42, born Irvine, Ayrshire; children Peter, 21, unmarried, warehouse porter; Jane, 19, unmarried; Duncan, 13, brass finisher; Adam, 8, scholar - all born Glasgow. Also in the household are several lodgers. Adam is the son of Peter’s third wife, Jane Steel.

In the 1891 census for Cowcaddens St, Barony, Milton, Lanarkshire there is Peter McCallum, head, married, 53, grain storeman, born Arrochar, Dumbarton; wife Jane, 54, born Irvine, Ayrshire; and son Adam, 18, apprentice coachbuilder, born Glasgow.

In the 1901 census for 118 Clarence St, Govan, Tradeston, Lanarkshire, Peter McCallum, age 70, widower, grainstoreman born Arrochar, is a boarder staying with John (56) and Helen (56) West - his brother-in-law and sister.

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Alexander McCallum West (1869-1946)

In the 1871 census for 86 Renfrew St, Barony, St Stephens, Blythswood, Alexander aged 2, born Glasgow is in the household of his father Peter McCallum, head, 39, grain storekeper, born Dunbarton; and siblings Sarah, 15, domestic servant; John, 14, upholsterer apprentice; Peter, 10, scholar; Jane, 7, scholar; Margaret, 6, scholar; and Duncan, 4, scholar - all born Glasgow.

In the 1881 census for 8 Whitehall St, Barony we find son Alexander West, 12, message boy, born Glasgow in the household of John West, 40, brass finisher, born Cross Michael, Renfrew; and his wife Hellen, 40, born Arrochar, Dunbarton. Helen is most likely Helen McCallum, Alexander's aunt (his father Peter's sister) and he was probably sent to live with them after his mother died.

In the 1891 census for 118 Clarence St, Tradeston, Glasgow is John West, head, 49, brass finisher, born Cathcart, Renfrewshire; wife Helen, 49, born Arrochar, Dunbartonshire; and son Alexander, 22, printer apprentice, born Glasgow.

The 1901 census for 15 South Wellington St, Hutchesontown, Glasgow shows Alexr McC West, head, 31, letterpress printer, born Glasgow; wife Mary, 29; children John, 4; and Alexander, 1 - all born Glasgow.

In 1911 census for 15 South Wellington St, Hutchesontown, Glasgow is Alexander West, 40, letterpress printer; wife Mary, 35, (married 15 years with 5 children all living); children John, 14, message boy for hatter; Alexander, 11, school; George, 9, school; Peter, 6, school; and Mary 1 - all  born Glasgow.

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Mary Duncan McCallum West (1909-1985)

As noted above, in 1911 census Mary was aged 1 living with her parents and siblings at 15 South Wellington St, Hutchesontown, Glasgow.