Morrison family, Aberdeenshire and Perthshire

[LesleyB]

Hi Annette & Kathy

The only thing that puts me off is that William's mother was named as Taylor on his marriage but not listed as deceased.

...on the other hand, I spent a lot of time and credits looking for a mother who was not stated as deceased on a marriage, which led me to believe she was still alive, when actually she wasn't, as i found out months later...! It is possible that the (deceased) bit has just been omitted by accident!

Best wishes
Lesley

[Kathykins]

I've just had a look at the OPR transcripts on Scotlands people...I think my great grreat grandfather was telling porkies! According to the birth/baptism record for William Morison, both George Morrison and Janet Taylor were unmarried. Interestingly the witnesses at the baptism are William Taylor and Jean Adam - could William Taylor be Janet's father or brother?

The good news is that it's the same George - the address on the birth record for William and the marriage record for George and Janet Simpson is the same - Mid Ashalloch.

My grandfather was also illegitimate, and I've often wondered why no-one seemed to mind...this explains it. Although why did William try so hard to "legitimize" himself later?

[LesleyB]

Hi Kathy

Although why did William try so hard to "legitimize" himself later?

I think most folk just prefer/preferred to appear "normal", not labelled with any badge which may disadvantage them in any way - parents not being married is no big deal these days, but carried a bit of social stigma back then. from what I've seen, its not unusual for the "whole truth" not to be told when registering a marriage.

Interestingly the witnesses at the baptism are William Taylor and Jean Adam - could William Taylor be Janet's father or brother?

I'd guess William Taylor is likley to have been a relative of some kind.
Perhaps it's speculation, but I wonder if the situation may also go some way to explain why there is no George in William's brood of children...

Best wishes
Lesley