Kirk Session Records - Beith

[DarkFyre]

no luck, sadly the record is an index record only, the original is apparently missing from the official register files altogether. But I am convinced this is the correct Flora and marriage. A search of local churches might find the marriage.
Depending on any other relatives coming out here, it's possible your Flora (Elizabeth's only relative here and as far as I am aware at this point, Samuel had no relations here) may have taken over raising my Elizabeth's young children after her early death in 1853 (Samuel remarried in May 1855). I know Archibald ended up living his life in the same town as Elizabeth's eldest son John Craig.

[Geoff Rogers]

Hi Megan

I have the death certificate and will of Flora Smith. At present I can’t be sure she is the Flora Mitchell in my family tree.

Details from the death certificate, all given by Irving Hetherington. - Flora Smith died 5/3/1862 East Melbourne, widow aged 52 years. Stated born Scotland and 14 years in Melbourne. She was married 3 times, firstly to unknown McLean in Scotland, secondly to James Mitchell, stonemason in Melbourne where it states 38 years old and thirdly in Melbourne aged 46 years old. Note: - as she was about 38 when her second marriage took place this meant she would have married in 1848. My Flora Mitchell, now Hadden came over in 1852.

Under issue it states issue unknown at first marriage, a daughter Flora aged 12 years from the second marriage and no issue from the third marriage. Note: - Flora would have been born around 1850, well before my Flora Mitchell, now Hadden came over in 1852.

In the will of Flora Smith made 23 Sep 1859 she left money to the children of Irving Hetherington who was a Scottish Presbyterian minister and executor of the will. In total she left nearly £1500 to named people and stated that any residue should be divided amongst her nearest kin (no one named). It also specifically debarred her husband James Smith from receiving anything although he had now died before Flora.

My theory is that Flora Smith is not the Flora Mitchell, sister of your Elizabeth. Until I find a death or marriage for Flora Hadden I’m afraid the mystery will remain.

Now comes something significant and has remained a mystery for sometime. My Great Aunt in Australia once told me that her mother said “Archibald had cousins in Barwon Downs by the possible names of Hurst and Craig”. This is where Archibald’s wife went in 1905 when she had a stroke.

Do you have any knowledge of any Hurst relatives? Also you stated “I know Archibald ended up living his life in the same town as Elizabeth's eldest son John Craig”, would that have been Barwon Downs?

Regards

Geoff

[Geoff Rogers]

Hello Megan

A bit of a follow up. I've been looking at the LDS site and there are quite a few entries for children of Samuel Craig and Elizabeth Mitchell. They are from user submitted Ancestral and pedigree resource files so the accuracy may be debatable as you mentioned Elizabeth died in 1853.

Elizabeth Craig born 22 Sep 1845 Beath, Ayshire. Death 6 July 1896 Traralgon, Victoria married William Fursman Howe 12 June 1868, Modewarre, Victoria.
John Craig birth 1848, Beith, Ayshire. Death 23 Jan 1910, Birregurra, Victoria, burial 29 Jan 1910, Colac, Victoria.
Hugh Craig 1850 Scotland.
Margaret Craig 1852 Scotland.
Robert Craig 1853 Victoria.
Euphemia Stirling Craig born 1858 Victoria. Marriage 1 William Ewart 1876, marriage 2 James Hurst 1879, Victoria.
Ann Craig 1862 Victoria.
Robert Wilson Craig birth 6 Feb 1868, Layard, Victoria. Death 30 Jun 1936. Married Amelia Abbott4 Aug 1902, Layard, Victoria.
Martha Wilson Craig 1865 Modewarre, Victoria. Death Nov 1939. Married John Henry Atkins 1887.
Samuel Craig 1869 Victoria.

The Hurst connection that I was looking for may be through Euphemia.

Also on the LDS site is
Elizabeth Craig died 28 Dec 1853 Modewarre, Victoria
Samuel Craig died 15 Mar 1891 Modewarre, Victoria, buried 17 Mar Colac. Interesingly it shows his mother was Margaret Willson. (2 later children have Wilson as a middle name)


Regards

Geoff