Up A Blind Alley!.....

[jillruss]

Can anyone help please?

I don't think the Scottish 1851 census is available online anywhere, is it? Does anyone have access to the Aberdeen section and could very kindly do me a look up?

I've been up a very convincing blind alley with my greatx3 grandmother ELISABETH SHEPHERD (nee PIRIE) and had - or so I thought - not only obtained her birth record (in Dundee) but also her parents' marriage record.

Now I have found her on the 1841 census living in Gerrard Street, Aberdeen (West Parish) with her family, but indicating that she was born in Aberdeenshire!

My geography is not great, but I don't think Dundee has ever been part of Aberdeenshire!?

So, I now need to find her - if possible - on the 1851 census. Going by her details from the 1841 census, by 1851 ELISABETH (or Elisa) would have been aged 55 to 59, her husband would be 80 to 84, so possibly she's a widow. Her children - with ages for 1851 - were William (30-34), Jane (30-34), Margaret (25) and twins Charles and Elisa (24).

I feel a bit of a pratt, having followed the wrong road with this branch of my family for so long. It's amazing how long I've spent trying to find the wrong Elisabeth's mother!!

Can anyone please help?

Jill.

[jillruss]

Sorry,

Forgot to add - Elisabeth's husband was ALEXANDER SHEPHERD

Jill.

[gen10]

Hya Jill
Found one more son for Alexander and Elizabeth on the IGI
THOMAS SHEPHERD christened 1st April 1820 St Nicholas, Aberdeen.
Lex

[gen10]

Found this on the IGI. YOUR ANCESTORS WERE MARRIED IN ABERDEEN, it's possible that they were also born there. Can I ask you what made you think that Elizabeth was born in Dundee? By the way don't feel a prat, we've all been there at one time or another.

ELIZABETH PIRIE - International Genealogical Index / BI
Gender: Female Marriage: 05 JAN 1815 Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland

GEN10

[jillruss]

GEN10,

I wish I knew the answer to that! In my defence, it was in my very early days of tracing family history. I got their marriage record from Scotlands People (the correct one!) and it said Elisabeth's father was William Pirie. The Dundee baptism fitted and, if I'm honest, my Scottish geography left a lot to be desired ( although I'd probably have got an A+ in todays' GCSEs!!).

Now, I'm a bit more clued up ( I think!) and realise I've made a mistake. I should have twigged that - as they married in Aberdeen and with her husband Alexander being from outside Aberdeenshire - it was very likely that Elisabeth was from there. Her father William was described as a farmer from Culsalmond, which I now know is in Aberdeenshire. Trouble is, the only baptism I can find in the IGI for an Elisabeth Pirie in Culsalmond with father William is in 1786, a bit earlier than Elisabeth's age on the 1841 census would suggest (1791-5).

All the more reason to find her on the 1851 census and see how old she was recorded as then and where she was born.

Thanks for your help - and sympathy! I still feel a pratt!

Jill

[gen10]

Hya Jill
Found one birth for Elizabeth Pirie on the IGI for Aberdeen between 1790 and 1800 with a father named Pirie, no mother named. This would fit in with your age group for Elizabeth. Remember never take an age for granted, apparently in the 41 census they rounded the ages up to an even number. Have you tried Scotlands People for a death certificate? If you think she was alive in the 51 census then it's just a chance but maybe she survived to the time of compulsory registration of B, D & M. If this is your Elizabeth then in 1855 she would be 59, every chance she was alive then.

ELISABETH PIRRIE -
Gender: Female Christening: 14 JUN 1794 Fraserburgh, Aberdeen, Scotland
Lex

[jillruss]

Hi Lex,

Thanks for finding the IGI in Fraserburgh.

I think it's beginning to come together ( famous last words!).

Fraserburgh isn't too far from Aberdeen and the 1794 baptism would fit the age given for Elisabeth on the 1841 census - and the father's name (William) is right as well.

My main problem now is that the possible baptism for Elisabeth in Culsalmond in 1786 is also a contender - right place, but at least 5 years too early - though I do appreciate what you say about not taking ages given on censuses for granted.

Interestingly, I searched the IGI for poss siblings for the Elisabeth in Fraserburgh and couldn't find any for the right period. I did the same for the other Elisabeth in Culsalmond - came up with a few but the last was in 1792. So, I'm wondering if the 1786 Liz died , the family moved to Fraserburgh, and then Liz no. 2 was born? Would this era fit in with the Highland clearances, when I remember reading that farmers were forced to the coast to earn their livings?

For good measure, I'm pretty sure that Elisabeth's husband Alexander came from Marnoch in Banffshire, and, looking at the map ( as I always do now!) that is quite near both Culsalmond and Fraserburgh. I know they married in Aberdeen, but they may have met earlier.

If only I could get my hands on that 1851 census! I think I'll have to join the Aberdeen FHS and hope they can help with that.

The search continues!!

Jill.

[jillruss]

Hi,

Thanks for everyone's help.

I think I've exhausted likely websites, but I still need to get my hands on a copy of the Aberdeenshire 1851 Census.

I've investigated the Aberdeen FHS and Scottish Geneaology Society websites and neither seem to have it in their 'for sale' catalogue.

Does anyone know where I can buy it?

Jill

[JackyHSF]

Hi Jill

Don't know whether 1851 Census for Aberdeenshire is for sale, but I'm a member of the ANEFHS and if you can wait a few days, I should be able to get in later this week and have a look at the films for you.

If you think there's any more info that would help narrow down the search just let me know.

Jacky

[jillruss]

Hi Jacky,

That would be really great - and very kind of you.

Just to recap-

On the 1841 census ALEXANDER and ELISABETH (nee Pirie) SHEPHERD and family were living in Gerrard Street, Aberdeen - West Parish. His age was 70 (so 70-74) and he was a nurseryman. her age was 45 (so 45-49) but I'm wondering if she was a bit older than that, as I think the possible baptism I've found for her in Culsalmond in 1786 is favourite.

I think it's probable that Alexander is deceased by 1851 - but you never know! I'm hoping that Elisabeth was still with us, and perhaps living with one of her children -

Alexander bp 1815
William bp 1817
Jean bp 1818
Thomas bp 1820
Margaret b 1825
Charles b 1827
Elisabeth b 1827

I'll keep my fingers crossed! [-o<

Thanks again,
Jill