With thanks to Carol Hird for the research and images generously shared

Alexander Baxter
Born: 18 March 1852, Footdee, Aberdeen
Death: West Hartlepool 11 September1931
Stranton Grange Cemetery Hartlepool buried in Plot 19 Row C No 768 in consecrated ground . No headstone
Married: 19 February 1877,Thornaby Parish Church, South Stockton
Occupation(s): SteamBoiler Maker, Iron Ship Plater, Ship Riveter

Alexander is my link back to Scotland.
The Scotland census records, through the decades of the 1800's, show Alexander's father and grandfather as either 'White Fisher' or 'Pilot'.
By the late 1800's the fishing industry, with the advent of steam powered trawlers, was becoming more industrial and the way of life was changing for the fishing community. This may be why Alexander and brother Andrew, as shown in the 1871 Scotland census, became 'boilermakers' rather than fisherman. There was a shipbuilding industry in Aberdeen and this is where Alexander and Andrew may have trained as boiler makers. Their trade was their 'passport' to a new life south of the border. Alexander and Andrew must have moved south sometime between 1871 and 1877 because Alexander next 'shows up' in the Stockton area on a certificate recording his marriage to Jane Morris in 1877 and Andrew married Elizabeth Scott in 1878 in Sunderland. Alexander and Andrew both appear in the 1881 England census, Alexander living in Thornaby, South Stockton.
The brothers were among the thousands of economic migrants to the Tees and Tyneside area, which was then world leader of shipbuilding and enjoying economic boom. Many people made the move from the poor fishing communities along the east coast of Scotland and there was also a large influx from Ireland, which was still recovering from the years of famine.

Alexander Baxter I
Birth 28 March 1852 Footdee
(my G G Grandfather)

Alexander Baxter II
Birth 1881 Thornaby
Died 1969 Hartlepool

Alexander Baxter III
Birth 17 Feb 1902 Hartlepool, Durham,
Death Mar 1969 Hartlepool

Alexander Baxter IV
Birth 30 Jun 1927 Hartlepool
Death 4 Jun 1985 Hartlepoo

Photo appeared in local paper (Hartlepool)
Four generations