James Angus - 1851 But what date?

[Aliballibee]

Evening all,

I'm looking to clear up an illegitimate (or not) son of "Alexander Angus - 1828 - 1909".

Scotlands People have James HEATHERWICK born illegitimate on 18th April 1851 to Elizabeth Burr (aged 14!) and Alexander Angus in Fetterangus.

One Ancestry family tree has James ANGUS born 24th February 1851 but no mother listed (before Alex marrying Janet Bruce)
Ancestry family trees also seem to have James ANGUS born 24th February 1851 to Alexander and Janet Bruce (his wife) but they aren't married until 1854
FamilySearch also have the 24th February 1851 date to Alexander and Janet.

Scotlands People have no James Angus (or Heatherwick) born on 24th February 1851

I'm beginning to think I have two different people here - can anyone assist please?

Many thanks

Alan

[AndrewP]

Hi Alan,

I see JAMES HEATHERWICK ANGUS, born 18th April 1851 in Fetterangus (Old Deer parish).

The 24th February does not appear to be supported by any birth or baptismal record from the OPRs. It is a submitted record on the IGI (familysearch), not taken from the records. So whoever put that date to him presumably has some other source (possibly a headstone inscription?). I see his younger siblings on the statutory birth records, in Aberlemno, Angus.

You would have to se if you could find them both in the censuses to prove that they are different people, and hopefully work out which one (if either) is your ancestor.

All the best,

Andrew P.

[Aliballibee]

Hi Andrew

Thanks for the quick response.

I see James Angus, aged 9, in the 1861 Census is now with his grandparents, William and Isabella. Interestingly his place of birth is listed as Forfar, which is similar to other family members.

I wonder if the family simply made life a little easier by omitting the fact that young Angus was illegitimate?

Many thanks

Alan

[nelmit]

Hi Alan and Andrew,

I am pretty sure this is James Heatherwick Angus with his mother in 1861 at Braeside, Fetterangus -

Charles Watt 31
Elisabeth Watt 28
James Watt 10 born Old Deer
Scott Russell Watt 7
John W Watt 5
Christian M Watt 2
Ann S Watt 4 Mo

Charles Watt married Elizabeth Burr in 1853.

So he definitely is not the grandchild with William and Isabella in 1861 at Angus.

Regards,
Annette