Hi Ian and all,
On a tip from Annette (Nelmit) I spent some time yesterday looking at yet another Christina-- the one born Methlick in 1865. In 1881 and 1891 her family were living in Tanglan-Muir, Methlick and Tangland Cottages, Methlick. Tanglandford is now postcode AB41 7EN called Tanglandford, Methlick, Ellon. There is also Tangland House and Tangland Bridge. I don't find mention of Tangland Muir or cottages, but they were presumably around the same place. This area is VERY close to Haddo House. Certainly, in terms of proximity, the Christina Simpson born Methlick seems the best fit. She is a reasonable age, also! (And she has a sister Margaret/Maggie...)
It is probably another wild goose chase, as you shall see, but in case she ever becomes important, at least in the process of elimination, I'll give you the details. Here she is in her first census:
1871
Cottage Sessnie, Methlick, Aberdeenshire
James Simpson, 35, Head, born Old Deer, Aberdeenshire, Ag Lab
Elizabeth Simpson, 32, Wife, born Ellon, Aberdeenshire
Margaret Simpson, 8, Daughter, born Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scholar
Elizabeth Simpson, 7, Daughter, born Methlick, Aberdeenshire, Scholar
Christina Simpson, 5, Daughter, born Methlick, Aberdeenshire
Francis Simpson, 3, Son, born Methlick, Aberdeenshire
Jane Simpson, 1, Daughter, born Methlick, Aberdeenshire
In 1881 she is a servant in Ellon:
1881
Gallowhill, Ellon, Aberdeenshire
James Davidson, 66, Head, born Cairnie, Banffshire, Farmer of 125 Acres Arable - Employing 2 Men, 1 Girl, 1 Boy
...
Christina Simpson, 16, Servant, born Methlick, Aberdeenshire, General Servant
Sister Maggie is also a servant in Ellon:
1881
Ardlethan, Ellon, Aberdeenshire
Thomas Garland, 28, Head, born Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Farm of 410 Acres Arable Employing 10 Men & 3 Girls
...
Maggie Simpson, 19, Servant, born Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Housemaid Domestic Serv
And here is the rest of the family at Tanglan-Muir:
1881
Tanglan-Muir, Methlick, Aberdeenshire
Elizabeth Simpson, 42, Head, born Ellon, Aberdeenshire, General Servant
Francis Simpson, 13, Son, born Methlick, Aberdeenshire, Unemployed
Jane Simpson, 11, Daughter, born Methlick, Aberdeenshire, Scholar
Helen Simpson, 10, Daughter, born Methlick, Aberdeenshire, Scholar
James Simpson, 7, Son, born Methlick, Aberdeenshire, Scholar
Mary Simpson, 6, Daughter, born Methlick, Aberdeenshire, Scholar
Now, here comes the problem. As AnneM noted, this Christina was married in 1885... I used some of my Freebee Scotland's People credits to look up the marriage. Yes, it was the same Christina. She married Andrew Cooper, the son of John Cooper and Isabella Forsyth, born in Kennethmont. They were married on 9 Jun 1885 at Tangland, Methlick. His usual residence was Mill of Mennie(?), Belhelvie and hers was Kincraig, Foveran.
By 1891 they have, interestingly, gone to Battersea, London (!) and Andrew has become a baker. There is a daughter Mary, age 8 (born well before the marriage) and a daughter Maggie, age 5. It is looking completely impossible that Christina could be the mother of Helen, born the same year as Maggie
But, for the fun of it, let me continue with this family because they are interesting
Here is mother Elizabeth in 1891, with what looks like a whole troupe of possibly illegitimate grandchildren
1891
Tangland Cottages, Methlick, Aberdeenshire
Elizabeth Simpson, 52, Head, born Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Washerwoman & R
Mary Simpson, 16, Daur, born Methlick, Aberdeenshire, Serv (Domestic)
Lizzie M Watson, 11, Grd Daur, born Methlick, Aberdeenshire, Scholar
Rose Jane Cooper, 8, Grd Daur, born Tarves, Aberdeenshire, Scholar
Fanny S Simpson, 3, Grd Daur, born Methlick, Aberdeenshire
Who are all these children?
Rose Jane Cooper shows up in 1901 as Rose J
Simpson. She is a Servant in the Hayward household in Aberdeen
Fanny shows up in 1901 as Fanny
Simpson. She is a Niece in the Crighton household in Banchory Devenick.
Grandma Elizabeth is also in the household. Looks like Christina's sister Mary married Andrew Crighton.
Lizzie M Watson seems to have kept her father's name, unlike the others. At least I think this is she in 1901, a cook in Edinburgh, mis-transcribed as "Coatson" a cook in the household of an Episcopalian priest.
1901
Reginald j S Mitchell-Innes, 52, Head, born Edinburgh, Edinburghshire, Episcopalian Priest (sub Dean)
Margaret Sinclair, 52, Serv, born Latheron, Caithness, Housekeeper
Elizabeth M Coatson, 21, Serv, born Methlic, Aberdeenshire, Cook Domestic
Elizabeth M Forbes, 19, Serv, born Resolis, Rossshire, Tablemaid Domestic
Christina and family have returned from England and are also in Edinburgh, although all of them (at least according to the transcription) have down that they were born in Kennethmont, as was Andrew. Interestingly, Mary is now a
step daughter, Mary
Simpson...
1901
Andrew Cooper, 36, Head, born Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire, Barman
Christina Cooper, 35, Wife, born Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire
Maggie Cooper, 15, Daughter, born Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire, Shop Girl
Mary Simpson, 18, Stepdaughter, born Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire, Factory
Williamina Simpson, 6, Relative, born Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire, Scholar
I do wish the 1911 census were out, so we could figure out who Mary Simpson's father is and who Williamina is... Since in 1891 the birthplace for Mary is only given as "Scotland" and in 1901 they are all wrongly transcribed as having been born in Kennethmont... it is hard to pin down which of the many Mary Simpsons born in Aberdeenshire is the one we want.
Well, the one
I want anyway... it is likely that the rest of you are rolling your eyes and wishing I would bring this post to a close
So, that's it for now!
Regards,
Sarah
$ Maybe if she goes to bed early tonight... I can at least have a look at what you've come up with!