Isabella Shewan - daughter of Mary Fraser, Alexander Shewan

[RachelH]

Hi there - looking for information about my great great grandmother Isabella Shewan.
She was born in 1859 in Cruden, Aberdeenshire. The illegitimate daughter of Mary Fraser and Alexander Shewan.

[speleobat2]

Hi Rachel,

Had a look at the census records on Ancestry. Isabella's last name is misspelled a couple of times (Sheran and Sherman), but she is there in 1861, 1871, and 1881. In 1861 and 1871 she is living at Mosside with her mother Mary Fraser and her Fraser grandparents. In 1881, she is 21 and still at Mosside listed as a domestic servant. Haven't gotten any further than that tonight!

Carol

[WilmaM]

Here they are on Freecen:
1861

Piece: SCT1861/185 Place: Cruden -Aberdeenshire Enumeration District: 5
Civil Parish: Cruden Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: -
Folio: 0 Page: 14 Schedule: 70
Address: Mossnook

Surname First name(s) Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Where Born Remarks
FRASER William Head M M 56 Farmer 2 Acres Aberdeenshire - Cruden 3 rooms
FRASER Christian Wife M F 57 Aberdeenshire - Longside
FRASER Janet Dau U F 24 Agricultural Labourer Aberdeenshire - Cruden
FRASER Mary Dau U F 20 Agricultural Labourer Aberdeenshire - Cruden
FRASER James Son - M 11 Scholar Aberdeenshire - Cruden
MATTHEW Mary Grndau - F 6 Aberdeenshire - Cruden
MATTHEW James Grnson - M 6 Aberdeenshire - Cruden
PERRIE Margaret Grndau - F 4 Aberdeenshire - Cruden
MILLER Alexander Grnson - M 2 Aberdeenshire - Cruden
SHUAN Isabella Grndau - F 18m Aberdeenshire - Cruden
BLACK John Boardr U M 29 Pauper Aberdeenshire - Cruden Disability: Deaf & Dumb From Birth

yet another spelling or mistranscription to watch out for.

you can see the 1881 [LDS] version on Scotland's People for free:
living with a cousin Margaret SMITH .

She has an unusual surname which could make her easy to spot, but equally hard to find if it's not in the spelling you are searching for.

An Isabella Shewan married David HIRD in 1886 in Cruden, would that be her?
if so she died in 1906 at Slains aged 46.

And this is how they possibly met?
1871 census he's living with his brother in Cruden.

Piece: SCT1871/185 Place: Cruden -Aberdeenshire Enumeration District: 4
Civil Parish: Cruden Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: Ardallie Q S
Folio: 0 Page: 5 Schedule: 22
Address: Backhill Auchleuchries

Surname First name(s) Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Where Born Remarks
HIRD James Head U M 28 Farmer Of 38 Ac 36 Arable Aberdeenshire - Logie-Buchan
HIRD David Brothr U M 16 Aberdeenshire - Logie-Buchan
HIRD William Brothr U M 11 Aberdeenshire - Logie-Buchan
GORDON Margaret Servnt U F 46 General Servant Aberdeenshire - Cruden

[PaulaD]

Hi all! Haven't been on here for a couple of years but nothing seems to have changed much! Everyone is still really helpful!
Isabella did marry David Hird but not the one you found Wilma. There was 40 odd years difference in age between David and Isabella. He was my gggrandfather and Isabella was his second wife.

Paula

[WilmaM]

Ah, there was an older David Hird on the census Paula , but I'd dismissed him on account of his age.

So you and Rachel are connected in some way. Excellent.

[RachelH]

Hello all

Thank you - I have all that information about Isabella and David Hird, their daughter Rosie Ann was my great grandmother.

I have he paternity order for Alexander Shewan - so I was hoping for information about him.

If anyone wants to know about Isabella and David they can email me: holdenz@gmail.com

[SarahND]

Hello Rachel,

Does the paternity order mention his occupation or anything else about him? There are quite a few possible Alexander Shewans in the area in 1861.

Best wishes,
Sarah

[RachelH]

Hi Sarah

Thanks for replying.

The paternity order only says Alexander Shewan, married man, farm labourer, knapsleask...Mary Fraser was also at Knapsleask so I guess that's where they met.
I'm wondering if its Alexander Sangster Shewan, as he seems to tick all the boxes.

Thanks
Rachel

[WilmaM]

Could it be this chap?

1861
Piece: SCT1861/239 Place: Slains -Aberdeenshire Enumeration District: 5
Civil Parish: Slains Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: -
Folio: 0 Page: 1 Schedule: 4
Address: Easter Brogan Pr. Hse

Surname First name(s) Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Where Born Remarks
SHEWAN Alexander Head M M 32 Ploughman Aberdeenshire - Cruden 2 rooms
SHEWAN Catharine T Wife M F 28 Aberdeenshire - Inverurie
SHEWAN Alexander Son - M 9 Scholar Aberdeenshire - Longside
SHEWAN Jane F Dau - F 7 Scholar Aberdeenshire - Belhelvie
SHEWAN James Son - M 5 Scholar Aberdeenshire - Cruden
SHEWAN Charles Y Son - M 11m Aberdeenshire - Old Deer

the 5 yearold was born at Cruden, but the one younger than Isabella wasn't.
He seems to get about though

1871
Piece: SCT1871/174 Place: Belhelvie -Aberdeenshire Enumeration District: 3
Civil Parish: Belhelvie Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: -
Folio: 0 Page: 2 Schedule: 4
Address: Rocks Of Balmedie

Surname First name(s) Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Where Born Remarks
SHEWAN Alexander Head M M 44 Labourer Aberdeenshire - Cruden rooms unclear
SHEWAN Catherine Wife M F 37 Housework Aberdeenshire - Inverurie
SHEWAN Charles Son U M 10 Scholar Aberdeenshire - Old Deer
SHEWAN David Son U M 5 Scholar Aberdeenshire - Belhelvie
SHEWAS William Son U M 3 Aberdeenshire - Belhelvie
SHEWAN Robert Son U M 1 Aberdeenshire - Belhelvie

[RachelH]

Hi there - this is the Alexander Shewan I believe him to be. Married to Catherine Mark. How to prove he is also the Alexander Shewan of knapsleask who fathered Isabella, is a different story though