Name change

[KayM]

I have a James Scullion a miner born about 1835 in Ireland who marries Janet Fleming 9 Mar 1860 in Straiton, Ayrshire but calls himself James Smith son of Hugh Smith seaman and Sarah Mclean on the marriage certificate.

In 1861 census they are down as Scullion. Father Hugh Scullion who doesn't appear in any Scottish census is shown as seaman in US navy on James's Death certificate.
Mother Sarah Scullion is with children John, Maryann and James in 1851 census in Netherton Coal Works, East Kilpatrick.

Why would they call themselves Smith for a short while? All the children are registered as Scullion. He was illiterate, witnesses at wedding weren't Scullions. Is it possible he just couldn't spell his name? And neither could anyone else present?

Any ideas?

Kay

[nelmit]

There is quite a gap in age between James and Mary Ann but I know there could be children in between.

The only thing I can think of is that James was born to a Mr Smith and not to Sarah's husband Hugh Scullion. Was Sarah married or widowed on the 1851 census - I have only seen the transcription.

Regards,
Annette

[KayM]

I wondered that too Annette but he has as father Hugh Smith then Hugh Scullion. Would be more inclined to go for that if it was a completely different name. And why would he revert to Scullion?

I haven't looked at the 1851 original census. Would it make a difference?

Sarah is with James and Janet in 1861 as Sarah Scullion and with john Watt as husband in 1871 whom she married in 1867 as a widow.

Kay

[nelmit]

Mmmm I see what you mean about the Hugh thing. I take it you have proof that Sarah's first husband was definitely Hugh Scullion.

Regards,
Annette

[KayM]

Thanks Annette. This is helping me focus.

Don't actually know when James was born in Ireland - on 1860 marriage certificate he is 19 which would indicate a birth in 1840 and 1851 census he is 11 but other censuses have him older b 1834/5. Earlier records are more likely to be right though.

Sarah is a widow in 1851 acc to freecen transcription

Don't have any proof of marriage between Sarah Mclean and Hugh Scullion as they were from Ireland. But they both appear on son John's marriage and death certificates as well.

Wondered about Janet and James being of different religions eg he a Catholic but don't think this would merit a need to change your name?

[LesleyB]

Hi Kay

I wonder if it may just have been an error... if Smith only appears once as the surname, could it have been a case of the registrar just not listening or not hearing properly and writing down what he thought he heard? James may only have said the surname once, with the registrar asking what his father's name was, to which the answer may have been "Hugh", and then the registrar repeating his surname error? Just a thought. Odder things have happened, and those with Irish accents are particularly prone to have their surnames mangled by the Scottish registrars!!

Best wishes
Lesley

[KayM]

Yes, that makes more sense! If they hadn't been sure they would surely have put a note with it. And since neither James nor Janet could read, the mistake wouldn't have been spotted!

[LesleyB]

This one is too old from what you have said to be your man in 1841 on the wonderful http://www.freecen.org.uk ?

Townhead Street, Stevenston, Ayrshire
HOGARTH James M 40 Cotton Hand Loom Weaver Ayrshire
HOGARTH Janet F 40 Ayrshire
MCDONALD Hugh M 25 Labourer Ireland
SCULLION Hugh M 20 Labourer Ireland
SCULLION James M 20 Labourer Ireland

- could the Hugh and James mentioned here be relatives? Remember that ages were rounded down to the nearest 5 in 1841, so both men are aged between 20-24, with my guess being that Hugh is the elder of the two as he is mentioned first...

Mother Sarah Scullion is with children John, Maryann and James in 1851 census in Netherton Coal Works, East Kilpatrick.

Have you found her death in Scotland? With any luck that would give you another cross check on her husband's name (James's father) and may give you a bit more info to work with too, if the informant (who also may be of interest) knew her parents' names

and with john Watt as husband in 1871 whom she married in 1867 as a widow

The 1867 marriage, if it happened in Scotland should give her parents' names and should confirm what she says her own surname was Mclean or ...? IGI lists it as MCILEAN for the 1867 marriage, but that may be a mistranscription.

Best wishes
Lesley

[KayM]

Hi Lesley
I had seen that freecen entry for Hugh and James. Hugh would have been married with children by then. Quite possibly related though.

I got the 1867 marriage cert. Her name is Mcilean father John McIlean mother Margaret Mcfie or mcKie (hard to read) No mention of first husband's name, just widow.

Haven't been able to find her death on SP Got one Sarah Watt other name McLeod thinking it was likeliest but it wasn't. Can't find her or JOhn Watt after 1871. Maybe they emigrated. Scullion sons still around though.

Intrigued by the mention of Hugh Scullion being in the US navy! (from son James's death certificate) Could be fiction! elswhere he is a seaman and a farm servant!

Will leave it at that. Satisfied there are no skeletons in the family cupboard regarding the name change!