Census search strategies? - please .....

[Bryan]

her parents? now there's a question.

On her wedding cert they're given as John McPherson & Margaret Gordon however when her son gets married he gives her maiden name as Margaret McPherson Gordon which indicates a little bit of confusion, at least in his mind.

As yet we haven't pinned down her birth (if illegit she could be down as McP or Gordon), or her parents marriage (if indeed there ever was one).

Alexander's parents were Donald McDonald & Jane Gordon (found a poss marriage for them on IGI in Inverness - but need some indication of Alexander's birthplace to tie that down).

Not sure if the 2 Gordons are coincidence or if they are related in some way

[Jean Jeanie]

Hi Bryan

I did a parents search on the IGI for parents Donald McDonald and Jane Gordon. There are 4 children to this couple born in Duthil and Rothiemurchus.

William b 16 Sep 1856
Margaret b 28 Mar 1858
Alexander b 29 Feb 1860
John b 25 May 1862

Interestingly there is a birth of a Margaret Gordon on the IGI b 11 Oct 1858 in Duthil and Rothiemurchus. Mother Margaret Gordon. No father shown.

I found this Margaret McPherson in the 1881 census. The only one I can find who was born in Duthil.

Dwelling: 3 Princes Square
Census Place: Govan, Lanark, Scotland
Source: FHL Film 0203682 GRO Ref Volume 644-14 EnumDist 34 Page 1
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
William RAFFERTY M 42 M Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland
Rel: Head
Occ: Fish Merchant
Mary RAFFERTY M 41 F Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland
Rel: Wife
Occ: Fish Merchants Wife
John RAFFERTY U 10 M Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland
Rel: Son
Occ: Scholar
Ellen RAFFERTY U 8 F Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland
Rel: Daur
Occ: Scholar
William RAFFERTY U 5 M Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland
Rel: Son
Occ: Scholar
Bernard RAFFERTY U 3 M Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland
Rel: Son
Mary Agnes RAFFERTY 4 m F Strathbungo, Renfrew, Scotland
Rel: Daur
Marion WEIR U 21 F Kilwinning, Ayr, Scotland
Rel: Servant
Occ: General Servant (Domestic)
Margret MC PHERSON U 23 F Duthal, Inverness, Scotland
Rel: Servant
Occ: General Servant (Domestic)

I couldn't find a Margaret Gordon.

It may be worth your while looking at John's birth to see who the parents are.

I think I am correct in saying that between 1856 and 1861 the date of the parents marriage is not shown.

I leave it with you.

If you have any luck then please let us know

Jean

[DavidWW]

....snipped ................

On her wedding cert they're given as John McPherson & Margaret Gordon however when her son gets married he gives her maiden name as Margaret McPherson Gordon which indicates a little bit of confusion, at least in his mind...........snipped ...........

Not really, as, if married, she was Margaret McPHERSON MS GORDON, occasionally expressed by some folk as Margaret McPherson Gordon or Margaret Gordon McPherson .................

David

[sporran]

Hello Bryan,


since Margaret died in Beith, it may be worthwhile looking there in 1901. Alexander may be a little younger than you would expect!

1891 should follow soon.


Regards,

John

[sporran]

Hello Bryan,


the 1901 census information led me to believe that the family should have been in Glasgow for the 1891 census, but I can not find them. I tried cross-referencing on the young children but I did not find the right family.

They may have been elsewhere in Scotland but it is time for me to give up.


Regards,

John

[Bryan]

Hi all

well doubtless you've all had these times where you chip away at your brick walls and all you get for your labours is sore arms and a blunt chisel (and a bill from SP!)

and then

carried forward our index cross reffing to include young John in 1891 and found a Margaret McDonald & a John both right age in the same house in Duthil - but no Alexander. But there was an Alexander in Duthil (again right age) at a different address. Just maybe, we thought, both from Duthil gone back to visit & staying with repective families. So bought them both.

The Margaret was spot on - with John and 2 other sons (Alexander & Donald) staying with her mother (Margaret Gordon - unmarried). All the info ties up - she's born Duthil & the boys born Glasgow - her occ given as "Packing Box Makers wife". With a bit more searching now also got Death cert for the mother with her parents on & birth cert for Margaret(illegit - no father given).

The Alexander was nothing to do with us at all - so we presume he is on his own back in Glasgow.

So not the entire wall down but certainly a damn great hole in it. Can only think now to carry on with the cross-ref to 1901 and see what that brings up.

thanks all for your comments, time and troubles

[sporran]

Hello Bryan,


well done with 1891. I am glad that you had the patience to carry on looking. The Glasgow area cross-referencing was enough for me!

Before you search further for 1901, look back about 2 or 3 postings concerning Beith.


Regards,

John

[Jean Jeanie]

Hello Bryan

Well done!

Let us know how you get on with 1901.

Jean