William Cheyne

     William Cheyne was born, 2 September 1891, at 10"30 PM, in 52 Hanover Street, Fraserburgh, Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeen, Scotland. The family had been told that William's date of birth was actually 22 September and that the date was recorded incorrectly at the Civil Records Office in Fraserburgh.¹

Margaret Cheyne, Ann M. Cheyne, Barbara Cheyne, Isabella J. Cheyne, William J. Cheyne, Jessie Cheyne and Alexina Cheyne were listed as children in the household of William Cheyne and his wife, Isabella Cheyne on the 1901 Scotland Census, at Dicksons Building, Caroline Place, in Fraserburgh, Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeen, Scotland. He as listed as 9 years of age, born in Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeen and a scholar.²

William Cheyne married Mary Hood Whyte 25 September 1914, in accordance with the procedures of the Congregational Church, at 65 Albert Street, in Fraserburgh, Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeen, Scotland. William Cheyne was listed on the marriage record as 23 years old, a mechanical engineer, residing at 3 Albert Street, Fraserburgh, Fraserburgh Parish. His parents were confirmed to have been as recorded herein.³

William Cheyne, mechanical engineer and father of the child, recorded the birth of William Cheyne, on 29 October 1914, in 80 Mid Street, Fraserburgh, Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeen, Scotland; at 4:45 PM.⁴

William was a toolmaker. He apprenticed with the Chicago Pneumatic Works, in Fraserburgh. He worked at the Conventry Ordnance Works, near Glasgow, during World War I.⁵

William Cheyne was found on a passenger list, dated 15 October 1922, at Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He was a passenger aboard the Metagama out of Glasgow on the 9th of October. He was 31 years of age, married, a mechanical engneer, of Scotch descent and born in Fraserburgh. He was joining a friend, Mr. Robert Cooper, 1958 Geneva Avenue, Detroit. His wife, Mrs. Mary Cheyne, 22 Commerce Street, Fraserburgh was his nearest relative in Scotland. He had never before been in the United States and the length of his stay was to be permanent.⁶

William Cheyne came to America aboard the S. S. Metagama, October 1922. His son has a booklet from the crossing naming all Masons on board. His father was among them. It reads in part: "Greeting from Brethren on board S. S. Metagama, at Sea. Westbound, October 1922......Roster of Master Masons and their Affilitions........Wm. Cheyne, Patrick St. Mary, 117, Glasgow (Lodge, lodge number and location)".

Photo of William taken about 1923.

He was listed on the 1930 US Census as being a naturalized US citizen.⁷

William Cheyne and his wife Mary H. Cheyne were listed on the 1930 United States Census, in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA. He was head of household and a toolmaker at a gear chain shop. Also present were his children, William Cheyne, James W. Cheyne and Mary C. Cheyne. The family paid rent in the amount of $45 per month.. He had applied for naturalization in 1922.⁸

William Cheyne was found on a passenger list, dated 16 July 1934, at Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland. He was a third class passenger aboard the Caledonia out of New York. He was 42 and a toolmaker. His address in Scotland was Finlayson Street, Fraserburgh. He did not intend to remain in Scotland permanently.⁹

William Cheyne was found on a passenger list, dated 19 August 1934, at Quebec, Quebec, Canada. He was a passenger aboard the Athenia, out of Glasgow on the 10th of August. He was a citizen of the United States, 42, married and resided at 15939 Wellend Avenue, Detroit. The second page of his entry was mis-indexed and could not be read.⁶

William Cheyne was named the husband and father that Mary Whyte Cheyne and Mary Craik Cheyne were joining on a passenger list on 12 September 1937. The family resided at 15362 Greenlawn Avenue, Detroit.⁶

William Cheyne and his wife Mary Hood Whyte were listed on the 1940 United States Census, at Greenlawn Avenue, in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA. He was head of household and a tool maker at auto factory. Also present were his children, William Cheyne, James Cheyne and Mary Cheyne. The family rented their home. All had resided in the same house in 1935.. He was listed as 48 years of age, born in Scotland and had filed First Papers.¹⁰

William Cheyne was found on a passenger list, dated 29 September 1951, at Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He was a passenger aboard Trans Canada Airlines flight 211-29 out of Preswick. He was 60 and resided at 14877 Stoepel Avenue, Detroit and held a US Passport.⁶

William Cheyne and Mary H. Cheyne were found on a passenger list, dated 22 August 1957, at Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland. They were tourist class passengers aboard the Sylvania, out of Montreal. He was a retired and she a housewife and they were traveling to 8 Strichen Road, Fraserburgh for an eleven week visit. They were United States citizens to where they would return.⁹

William Cheyne died 9 July 1967 in Pontiac, Oakland, Michigan, USA.⁵