Looking for 1854 birth record

BarbR · Post by **BarbR** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 7:05 pm

I am looking for the birth of ISABELLA McGHIE. I think it would be 1854, but have been unable to locate her on either OPR or statutory records.

On her marriage record of 25 February 1876 to John Poyner at 18 David Street, Glasgow she states her parents are JAMES McGHIE and AGNES LOCKHART.

On the IGI I have found a marriage of James McGhie to Agnes Lochart 17 October 1856 in Hamilton, Lanark and I have found eight children belonging to them born July 1856 to December 1873 all but the last one in Hamilton, but no Isabella.

Isabella died 12 September 1937 and record states her parents were James McGhie and Agnes Shearer Lockhart.

Is it possible that she was never registered?

Any help or pointers much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Barbara

Jockbird · Post by **Jockbird** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:23 pm

Hi Barb,

Registration didn't start until 1855 so, if Isabella was born in 1854 then there was no requirement to do it.

Also, the dates you've givne mean she was born out of wedlock, so perhaps she wasn't christened either.

What did interest me especially about your post is the names of McGhie and Agnes Lockhart.

On the periphery of my tree, my great grand uncle's first wife to be precise, was called Agnes Lockhart Straiton and her parents were William James Straiton and MARGARET MCGHIE. I noticed from the IGI that one of the children from the marriage of James and Agnes was a Margaret McGhie in 1866. I've not ventured further that my Agnes's marriage certificate in 1909, when Agnes was aged 18 but if there is a link with yours then let me know and I can share what little I have on that part.

Good luck with the rest of your search.

Best wishes
Donna

x

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:41 pm

Hi Barbara
Have you had a look in the 1861 cenus to see what is going on in the household of James McGhie & Agnes Lochart? It would be interesting to see if Isabella is there with them, (aged about 6 from what you have said) and if so, what her relationship is stated as to the head of household. There might be some clues or confirmation there perhaps.

Is it possible that she was never registered?

Maybe. Other options maybe that she is James's daughter perhaps from a first marriage (wife may have died in childbirth...?) and only ever knew Agnes as her mother. Or that she is Agnes's daughter from an earlier marriage or relationship, and only ever thougth of James as her father.

Best wishes
Lesley

BarbR · Post by **BarbR** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:57 pm

Lesley,

Thanks for that, I shall look on 1861 when time permits and get to you.

Donna,

Isabella was my Gt Gt Grandmother. If your Margaret was her sister then we may have a link of sorts.

Thanks for replies

Barbara

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:38 pm

Hi Barbara
A wee play around with the free search on SP suggests that there is one 7 year old Isabella McGhie in Hamilton in the 1861 census. Do let us know what the outcome is!! May not be the one you are looking for, but boy, its tempting!!

There is also a James McGhie aged 27 in Hamilton, and an Agnes aged 25.

Best wishes
Lesley

BarbR · Post by **BarbR** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:50 am

Well, I finally managed to view 1861 census image that you suggested - my java viewer has a flaw and needs to be updated

So....I went to direct download and managed to view, but can't figure out how to print. Anyway, What is showing is:

James McGhie head age 27 mason
Agnes McGhie wife age 25
Isabella McGhie age 7 scholar
Agnes McGhie age 2

I'm fairly sure they are mine, as James is consistently a mason on anything I have so far. It also goes along with IGI records where there is a daughter Janet between Isabella and Agnes, but presume she died as next daughter born Aug 1861 is also named Janet!

How accurate is 1861 census for ages? Were they rounded then or is that likely to be her age? Isabella is 22 when she married 1876 and 83 on her death 1937.

Thanks so much for the pointers, everything helps

Barbara

Post by **SarahND** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 2:52 am

BarbR wrote:How accurate is 1861 census for ages? Were they rounded then or is that likely to be her age? Isabella is 22 when she married 1876 and 83 on her death 1937.

The ages in 1861 were not rounded and were supposed to be the age of the person at midnight on the night of 7th-8th April 1861. The date is different for each year. See the Census tab at the top of this page for explanations.

That said, how accurate it was depended on the person giving information! It was perfectly possible to lie about your age, and many did. In general, the younger the person, the more likely the age was correct

All the best,
Sarah

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 8:41 am

Hi Barbara

James McGhie head age 27 mason
Agnes McGhie wife age 25
Isabella McGhie age 7 scholar
Agnes McGhie age 2

What relationship was stated for Isabella? Is she "dau" of James or is there something else there? Where does it say she was born?

Best wishes
Lesley

BarbR · Post by **BarbR** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 11:56 am

Hi Lesley,

It states that both Isabella and Agnes are "daur" and the whole family is ditto born Hamilton as the houshold before.

Thanks for your help.

Barbara

Jockbird · Post by **Jockbird** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 2:34 pm

Hi Barbara,

Well it certainly seems a coincidence with the name of Agnes Lockhart and the name McGhie.

I'm out of credits for SP at the mo but, as & when I do find out more info, I'll PM you. It's always nice to know what happened to the siblings.

All the best
Donna