James Finlayson (1887-1953)

Actor

James Finlayson first went on stage at the Theatre Royal in Edinburgh. He travelled to America in 1911 and worked for a short time in New York before moving on to Hollywood. He played supporting roles in some 122 films alongside Ben Turpin, Charley Chase, the Keystone Cops and other stars of the time. A large fake moustache, double take and fade away head reaction and expression "d'ooooooh" became his trademarks. He married Emily Cora Gilbert from Iowa and became a US citizen. James Finlayson is best remembered for his role as comic foil to Laurel and Hardy appearing in 33 of their films. He died at his home in California in 1953.

Birth in 1887

James Henderson Finlayson was born at 10:50 pm on 27 August 1887, the son of Alexander Finlayson, blacksmith and Isabella Henderson. The entry in the statutory register of births for the district of Larbert in the county of Stirling gives the place of birth as Larbert but no specific address.

Birth entry for James Finlayson (53 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, 1887/485/151

1891 Census

In 1891, James Finlayson, 3, was enumerated at Southbroomage. The census return for the district of Larbert shows the household included his parents, sisters, Isabella and Jane, and brother Alexander. His mother's birth-place is recorded as Dunnottar, Kincardineshire.

1891 census return for James Finlayson (41 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, 1891/485/3, page 8

1901 Census

In 1901, James Finlayson, 13, tinsmith, was enumerated at North Broomage. The census return for the enumeration district of Larbert gives the household over two pages. It includes his parents, sisters Isabella, Jeanie and Agnes Ann, as well as his brother, Alec who was also a tinsmith, and Robert. This time is mother's birth-place is recorded as Stonehaven, Kincardine.

1901 census return for James Finlayson (20 and 36 KB jpegs)
National Records of Scotland, 1901/485A/1, pages 43 and 44