Renfrewshire 1861.....

[Andy]

Hi Kathy, William's birthcert from 1855 confirms that he was the fourth child born to Samuel and Jane McFie and that 3 boys and one girl was living.

Samuel, as you know, died in 1872 giving the parents names as John and Jean Dixon so Jack's 1851 census is looking good. At least three children were born to this couple in the 1820's

Since they were (perhaps) in their late 60's in 1851 there is an outside chance that they lived until 1855 so you may find their death certs.

The Alexander Grey in 1851 could have been related since John's parent's were reportedly Robert and Agnes Gray.

By the way Catherine Gibson Craig WAS a coincidence. John Craig's sister (educated speculation), Catherine, married a James Gibson in 1867 her address was 25 Arthur Street so it's the right house.

On a more positive note (for me) this Craig family could be from Rathlin Island but I'll have to dig deeper.

[Kathy]

Hi Jack/Andy

I will take this one step at a time so that I don't get confused.

// John CRAIG, head, marr, 67, agricultural labourer, b Kilbarchan, RFW
Janet CRAIG, wife, 64, -------------- b Kilbarchan

John & Jean (Janet) were the parents of Samuel Gibson Craig b 1824

// Samuel CRAIG, head, marr, 27, blacksmith's labourer, b Johnstone
Jean CRAIG, wife, 25, -------- b Johnstone
Samuel CRAIG, son, 2, ----- b Johnstone
James CRAIG, son, 8mos, -- b Johnstone

The above are the parents and elder brothers of Agnes Craig b 1853, next brother was William b 1855.

Margaret CRAIG, daur, u/m 21, cotton throwster, b ???? RFW
I was unaware of Margaret.

Janet BLUE?, gr-daur, 5, ---------- b Greenock
// Alexander GRAY, head, marr, 21, machine maker, b Johnstone
Jane? GRAY, wife, 22, ------- b Americee [sic]
// Isabella McLEAN, head, u/m 64, pauper, formerly cotton throwster, b Isla? ARL?

Janet Blue - no idea
Isabella McLean - no idea

The Alexander Grey in 1851 could have been related since John's parent's were reportedly Robert and Agnes Gray.

Samuel Craig b 1848 married Catherine Gray, perhaps she was a second cousin, at least I hope it was second not first, I will check this further.


this Craig family could be from Rathlin Island - Andy, where is Rathlin Island, and why do you think the Craig's may have come from there?

Kathy

[Andy]

Hi Kathy it's the other Craig family next door at Arthur Street that may be from Rathlin (I've conducted a considerable amount of research into the Island and its people).

Rathlin is the only populated island "belonging" to Northern Ireland. It lies about six miles off the coast from Ballycastle (Giant's Causeway area) in North East Antrim and is about 16 miles due West from the Mull of Kintyre and about 27 miles due South of Islay.

The population today is 84. I've managed to track down over 5,500 folk (not all living) with direct Rathlin links and have a website to help others find their Rathlin connections at http://rathlin.info

The James Craig labourer in 1841 and son John (another Blacksmith) and daughter Catherine who married the Gibson, fit in with a known Rathlin family who disappeared from the Island in the 1830s. They also had a daughter, Jane. The son John married a Mary Ann Morrison in Ireland all their children were born in Greenock. Both Craig and Morrison were common names on Rathlin. The James Craig from Rathlin was married to a Mary Smith. Catherine's marriage cert and James death cert name the mother/wife Mary Smith. (I posted the wrong details before about Ruth Hoy).

Anyway another couple I have in Rathlin was John Craig and Martha Unknown, James parents are listed as John Craig and Martha Weir.

Not conclusive but likely.