Ritchie

[Piperchar]

I just began research on my ancestors. I was told by my mother that my great-grandfather was illegitimate, therefore we wouldn't be able to find anything. Contrary to this, I found his death record which show his mother as "Mary Ritchie, formerly Gray, MS Craig. What is meant by "formerly Gray"? If her last name was indeed Ritchie, can I assume that she married the father, and therefore my great-grandfather was not illegitimate? Any ideas are welcome!!

[Ina]

Hi Piperchar,

Welcome to

Have you checked on scotlandspeople for his birth record? Do you know when and where he was born? His birth record may show whether or not he was illigitimate.

I believe "formerly Gray" means that she was married to someone by that name before she married Mr. Ritchie.

Scotlandspeople shows several marriages for Mary Craig and ? Ritchie and also several for Mary Craig and ? Gray.

If you give us some more info perhaps someone can help you.

Regards,

Ina

[crayspond]

Hi Piperchar,

Welcome to Talking Scot!

My grandfather was illegitimate on his birth certificate but the father's name was also on. Well worth looking as this was the only clue for me that my gt grandfather who went to America was in fact the same person.
Maybe someone on the Forum knows it there was a stipulation at the time (my grandfather was born in 1884) that the father had to be declared if he was known?

Ailsa

[Tracey]

I found his death record which show his mother as "Mary Ritchie, formerly Gray, MS Craig. What is meant by "formerly Gray"? If her last name was indeed Ritchie, can I assume that she married the father, and therefore my great-grandfather was not illegitimate?

Not always as the informant at the time of death can fib or tell what they believed to be the truth.
I have two that i know for certain there never was a "formerly" and oddly enough one of them was a Gray