Jane Cochrane - Dalmellington Ayrshire

[SarahND]

Hi Lesa,
In the absence of a birth certificate, the marriage document should be the obvious one to look at for clues. If she gave her father's name there, then your question is answered (if you believe what she said!). The certificate can be downloaded at scotlandspeople.gov.uk for a small fee. I don't have enough credits to check, but I'm crossing my fingers that you'll find the information there! In any case, since this is your direct line, you'll want that certificate for your records.

All the best,
Sarah

[Lesa]

thanks again Sarah, I dont have an account there but I do have a very good friend who does, Im sure she will look for me.

[SarahND]

Hi Lesa,
Let us know when you find out (I'm curious now too!)
All the best,
Sarah

[StewL]

Agnes Irvine m Alexander Ross 27 June 1873 Kilmarnock Ayr.
Agnes father is William Irvine and mother is Jane Cochrane or Irvine
Alexander Ross father Alexander Ross mother Margaret Parr? (very difficult to read)
Witness James Ross and Mary Ross.
I hope this helps.

[SarahND]

Hi Stewie,
Nice of you to look this up for Lesa Was an occupation given for William? And was he already deceased?

All the best,
Sarah

[StewL]

Hi Sarah and Lesa
William's occupation was listed as a farmer.

[SarahND]

Thanks, Stewie. That narrows the field

Here is the only one I can see in the general area who might match that description:

1861
Riley Hill, Kirkoswald, Ayrshire
Joseph Irvine, 50, Hd of Family, born Ayrshire, Farmer
Margaret Pettigrew, 52, Wife, born Buteshire, Farmer's Wife
William Irvine, 30, Son, born Ayrshire, Farmer's Son
Margaret Irvine, 26, Daughter, born Ayrshire, Farmer's Daughter
John Irvine, 23, Son, born Ayrshire, Farmer's Son
David Irvine, 20, Son born Ayrshire, Farmer's Son
Joseph Irvine, 17, Son born Ayrshire, Farmer's Son
Jane Irvine, 14, Daughter, born Ayrshire, Farmer's Daughter
William Irvine, 17, Nephew, born Ayrshire, Ploughman
Michael Glancy, 14, Servant, born Ireland, Shepherd

In 1851 he was 20, living with his parents on their 18 acre farm at Laigh Townhead, Kirkoswald. In that census it says he was born in Kirkoswald, his father Joseph in Kilmeny, Argyll and his mother Margaret also in Kilmeny, Argyll

They are also at Townhead, Kirkoswald in 1841.

Now, whether this William was the father of Agnes… no proof as yet, but he is the only one I can find who meets all the facts. I still think that the Kirk Session is the way to go. Perhaps Jane was working on the Irvine's farm at the crucial time?

All the best,
Sarah

[Lesa]

thanks so much Stewie and Sarah, I had a friend look it up for me as well but I have had so much trouble logging in I havent been able to update until this morning.

Margarets last name was Orr which is carried down with middle names of a few females in the family

Yes Sarah that does seem to fit doesnt it, thanks again for all the hard work,
William was dead before the wedding of Agnes so I guess that helps with his time line.

What is the Kirk Sessions? and where do I find those? Sorry I am very new to all this.

thanks again Lesa

[Currie]

Hello Lesa,

You can read about the Kirk Session and illegitimacy here: http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/conte ... x.aspx?578

See Sarah’s post earlier in this thread about the records of Dalmellington Kirk Session not being held in the National Archives of Scotland but at the Burns Monument Centre in Kilmarnock. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=16619#p133186

All the best,
Alan

[nelmit]

It was a long time ago but I emailed Ayrshire Archives when I was trying to find the name of my gg grandfather and they very kindly looked at the Maybole Kirk Sessions and sent me the details of my gg grandmother's confession of fornication .

They may have them at The Mitchell Library in Glasgow - I'll have a look next time I'm there but don't hold your breath for that one!

Regards,
Annette