Mysteries.....

[AnneM]

Hi

I'm completely stumped. George Campbell appears in the 1871 census along with mother Margaret born Lonie and her husband Robert Irvine or Irwin or any variation of the above. He is noted as step-son aged 11 and born Glasgow. On her 1860 marriage to Robert mother states that she is single. I am reasonably sure that his dob is 1858 to 1859 or so. Can't find him in 1861 though mother and Robert have a son James in Glasgow in that year. No sign of a Campbell/Lonie marriage that I can find so seems likely that she was not married before.

I have searched everywhere for George's birth, looked at all the Campbells and all possible Lonies and anything else that might mistranscribe as such. I even scanned all the Georges born in Lanarkshire around that time. Eyes have gone skelly.

What on earth am I doing wrong!!!!

Anne

[ninatoo]

Just a thought and it may not apply....but I have McCallion relatives who changed their name to Campbell, and this was not uncommon. Something to do with ties to the clan.

Nina

[Laura]

Can't find him in 1861 though mother and Robert have a son James in Glasgow in that year.

Anne, were Margaret's parents or other family members on the 1861 Census?

[AnneM]

Hi and thanks for the help. I think I have found Margaret's brother in Leith in 1861 but has not taken me any further forward!

I feel I cannot spare you all the full complexities of this one any more and am desperate for any illumination. Here goes the facts I know without any gloss by me:

1841 John Campbell is in Inverness with his parents Donald a house carpenter and Margaret Grant and his brothers Donald, Andrew and William.

John marries Christina Young in 1852 and in 1861 they produce their daughter Ann

So far so straight forward.

In 1871 John, Christina and family are in Kinning Park in Govan John is a joiner.

Now enter George Campbell man of mystery.

George must have been born around 1859, according to the censuses this unfortunate event took place in Glasgow. No trace of BC. His mother is almost certainly Margaret Lonie, born Edinburgh.

In 1861 Margaret marries Robert Irwin (who subsequently appears as Irvine) in Glasgow stating that she is single.

Robert and Margaret have a son James in February 1861 who dies aged 14 days in Tradeston. Death certified by Dad but can't find the family in 1861.

George appears with Margaret, Robert & family in Glasgow in 1871 as George Campbell, Errand Boy stepson aged 11. All well and good.

In 1883 a George Campbell marries an Annie Campbell in Glasgow. The certificate states that they are cousins german and gives his parents as John Campbell, Railway Passenger Guard deceased and Margaret Irvine, formerly Campbell ms Lonie. Hers are given as David Campbell, Joiner and Christina Campbell ms Fraser. George's age is given as 21 and Annie's not given. He is stated to be a Ship's Steward.

In 1889 in Kinning Park Annie Campbell gives birth to a child George Lonie Campbell whom she registers as illegitimate.

In 1891 Annie is to be found in Govan with husband George a ship's steward, son George aged 2 born Glasgow someone noted to be sister Alexandrine (which Annie had so should be sister in law) and mother Christina Young.

Annie goes on to produce 2 more children whom she registers as illegitimate, a son in 1895 and Alexandrina in 1899. In 1901 she according to my friend whose family this is can be found with Alexandrina and George junior living with a sister called McArthur and masquerading under that name. By now no sign of George senior who does not re-appear.

On 30th June 1899 Margaret Irvine ms Lonie, married to Robert Irvine rivetter, dies in the poorhouse in Govan at Merryflatts. The death is certified by the assistant governor, so no hope of finding George there!

In 1910 Annie re-marries stating that she is a widow.

She dies in 1934 and on her death certificate it states that she was married first to George Campbell ship's steward. Her children seem to believe that he is Daddy.

Of George's death despite intensive searching on SP and at NRH I can find no trace. He obviously just disappeared into the ether (or loped off to Canada or some other far flung destination abandoning the family).

I am at my wits' end to discover George's BC, his death and more to the point if George and Annie were married why the heck did she register her children as illegitimate?

I'm now going off to lie in a darkened room with a cover over my head and sip calming camomile tea or a similar soothing draught. Please, please can any clever person cast any light on this deeply confusing situation.

Anne

[nelmit]

Hello Anne,

Sounds like a search of the Mitchell Poorhouse Index is in order!!

Let me know if you have any records, if not I'll have a look at the weekend.

Kind regards,
Annette M

[AnneM]

Thanks Annette

I don't have any poorhouse records for the family and would be very grateful for any information you can find. Certainly Margaret Irvine must have had an application and maybe Annie applied for help once George died or departed. The only trouble is that Campbell is such a common name. Hope a look at the records does not put you to too much trouble.

Anne

[JimM]

Hi Anne and Annette
I had a quick look when i was over at the Mitchell today
I found an application for Margaret Lonie Irvine

Jim

Parish of Govan Combination
Margaret Lonie or Irvine
Res: 31 Graigiehall St 2 up (McDonalds) Age: 53
Date of application: 11.50am 25/11/84
Place of birth: Liberton
Religion: Protestant
Condition: Separated
Trade or occupation: Housework
Wholly or partially disabled: Part
Description of disablement: ---

Name age and weekly earnings of husband, child or children not living with family
Margt 30 born Cockpen wife of Thos Hilley, tinsmith 6 ch in Graigiehall
Geo 25 born Gallowgate, married, seaman, whereabouts unknown
Robt 20 do single, toolsmith, with Margt
Husband Robert Irvine 51 born Belfast, a riveter living with a Mrs McCrae 130 Henderson St. and refuses to support her.
Daughter of George Lonie, carter and Marrion Bell, both dead.

Inspectors Report
3pm 26 Nov 1884
Margaret: 31 Graigiehall St 2 up (McDonalds)
Margaret Lonie or Irvine age 53 years born Hivelts (?) Mill Liberton
Protestant separated daughter of George Lonie, carter and Marrion Bell both dead.

Husband: Robert Irvine 51 born Belfast a riveter
Son of Robert Irvine, land steward and Jane ------? Both dead
He left her two years ago and has paid her an ailment of 5/- a week up until ten weeks ago. He is at present supposed to be (added later ) residing with a Mrs McCrae 130 Henderson St. whom it is alleged he is co-habiting .
Married at Stirling road 28 years ago by the Rev Wm Graham.

Family:
Margaret (illegit) 30 born Cockpen, wife of Thomas Hilley, tinsmith 6 children residing at 29 Graigiehall St. (next close).
George (illegit) 25 born Gallowgate, married whereabouts unknown, seaman
Robert 20 born St James St. single, toolsmith lives with Margt.
Jan 18 born St James St. single, about Glasgow

Residencies
Plantation St. Govan 6 months
Smith St. Govan 1yr
125 McLean St. 4 yr
Plantation St (Reid’s land) 1 yr
Blackburn St. 2yr
Different houses in Kinning park for 8 yrs
Certified by Family Certified in good health
Settlement Govan
Dates ------ change in circumstances & subsequent proceedings
1885 Jan 13 ---- left poorhouse
1888 Feb 7 ---- poorhouse, claim on family S88395 in Feb 3 left March 3 / 88
“ “ Jun 12 ---- poorhouse, apprehended husband S89400 not in
“ “ Jun 13 ---- poorhouse, deserted S90752 in Nov 6 left Nov 15 / 88
1889 July 15---- poorhouse, in June 28 died there June 30 / 89

[JimM]

Hi kuzz
I also took the operchancity to look through the 1861 index for Margaret
they are still living in Tradeston

644/9 - 56 - 15
Margaret Irvine wife mar 27 labourers wife Edinburgh Liberton
Margaret Irvine dau 8 Edinburgh Cockburn
David do son 1 Lanark Glasgow
Mary Cassy sis-in-law mar 25 soldiers (private) wife Edinburgh Collbridge
Margaret do sis-in-law's dau 5 soldier's daughter Edinburgh Edinburgh

More questions than answers I'm afraid.... where is Robert?
and who the dickens is David?.....is this why you can't find a George? k

regards
Jim

[AnneM]

Jim

You are a genius. (Runs in the family). I had seen that entry but the absence of George and the presence of Margaret about whom I knew nothing confused me. (I confuse easily). It is possible that a David Campbell was George's father, See confusing marriage cert above.

I must hassle husband even more than before to mail me or download to my PC the digital images he took of the photos of Maria Ferguson and William McCarlie last time we were down the road so that can mail them to you. Also one other unidentified McCammond female. All that effort requires recompense!

Anne

[Andy]

Some Poorhouse records are as good as an autobiography!!!!