Jane Souter 1855

[ellenavon]

Now wouldn't you think that with a birthdate like that - consistent through the censuses and her marraige - that my gg grandmother would be easy to find. Not a bit of it!!

After 3 years of searching and frustration I believe that I have today finally established her family - BUT, as ever there is just one piece of the jigsaw missing to conclusively tie her in. I just can not find her birth 1855 +/- 2yrs.

Ok, here goes with what I've unravelled so far....

10 June 1876, Jane Souter, age 21, Domestic Servant, marries Alexander Parley at Slains, Aberdeenshire. (one of the witnesses is Wm Souter. ? her brother?)

She gives her parents as William Souter, Joiner Master, deceased, and Jane Souter, ms Ritchie, deceased.

As an aside, Jane had an illegitimate son George Wilson Souter in New Pitsligo, Tyrie, 18 June 1875. He appears in 1881 census at Old Machar, with Jane and her husband Alexander Parley, now showing as George Parley.

1881 census Jane is 26, born Tyrie.

1871 census Jane is working away from home, age and birthplace consistent.

1861 census I find what is almost certainly my Jane at Tyrie, New Pitsligo, living with

Isabella Soutter, 33, b. Pitsligo, wife of Ag Lab (he must be away from home working - haven't found him yet)
William, 10 b. Tyrie, son
Margaret L, 9, b. Pitsligo, daughter
JANE, 6, b. Tyrie, daughter
Cathrine, 5, b. Tyrie, daughter
James, 2, b. Tyrie, son
All children's surnames are Soutter.

Have now established that Isabella Elrick married William Souter 03 Jan 1856 at New Pitsligo, Tyrie. William was a widower.

Margaret L Soutter on the 1861 is Isabella's illegitimate daughter by George Leslie.

So I'm now thinking great just need to establish that William's first wife was Jane Ritchie and we're all sorted.............huh!

Finally track down young William's birth 03 Nov 1850 - to William Souter and Agnes Shirrane!!!

Find William, Agnes and young William, age 5 months, on the 1851 at Blackhills, Tyrie.

OK so Agnes died sometime between 1851 and end of 1855.

But is Jane her daughter, or did William have another dalliance between Agnes' death and marrying Isabella???

I've looked for Jane's birth also under Ritchie, in case she was illegitimate, no luck.

Another fly in the ointment was that the William Souter snr above whom I think was her father is only ever described as an ag lab or general lab on censuses and his death cert, whereas Jane seemed to think her father was a joiner. However, I think that side is sorted, as having tracked down the death cert of her step sister Margaret (Leslie), the informant also believed that William Souter was a joiner.

Any suggestions as to where to go next would be gratefully recieved - or should I just accept on the evidence I have that I really do have the correct Jane Souter and family??

Thanks in advance.

Ellen.

[nelmit]

Find William, Agnes and young William, age 5 months, on the 1851 at Blackhills, Tyrie.

OK so Agnes died sometime between 1851 and end of 1855.

But is Jane her daughter, or did William have another dalliance between Agnes' death and marrying Isabella???

I've looked for Jane's birth also under Ritchie, in case she was illegitimate, no luck.

Any suggestions as to where to go next would be gratefully recieved - or should I just accept on the evidence I have that I really do have the correct Jane Souter and family??

Thanks in advance.

Ellen.

No suggestions Ellen but did you notice who William's neighbour was in 1851?

Piece: SCT1851/248 Place: Tyrie -Aberdeenshire Enumeration District: 1
Civil Parish: Tyrie Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: Tyrie
Folio: 183 Page: 8 Schedule: 27
Address: Blackhills

Surname First name(s) Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Where Born Remarks
RITCHIE John Head M M 79 Parish Relief (Former Weaver) Aberdeenshire - Fraserburgh
RITCHIE Margret Wife M F 77 Parish Relief (Former Weaver) Aberdeenshire - Rathen
RITCHIE Jean Daur U F 34 Farm Servant Aberdeenshire - Fraserburgh
BARRON Elizabeth Grndau - F 5 Aberdeenshire - Tyrie

Kind regards,
Annette M

[nelmit]

There is this death in 1855 -

1855 RITCHIE JEAN LAURENCE F 36 TYRIE /ABERDEEN

Worth a look to see the names of her children if any.

Annette M

[ellenavon]

Oh boy - Annette you are a star!!!

Thanks

Off to look now.

Ellen.

[ellenavon]

Bother!!! I've already been down this route in my circuitous path to Jane's parenthood!

I had already looked at Jean Ritchie's death cert, and there are no children showing on it. Doesn't mean that she didn't have any mind you.
Can't remember finding her and her parents on the 1861, but I must have done. (reminder to self - keep ALL notes in future!)

It really does look like the most likely scenario doesn't it - that Jean Ritchie is Jane Souter's mother? Must go have a look at the online MIs for Aberdeenshire and see if I can establish when Agnes Shirrane died.

Poor William - to have had 2 wives/partners who died young, and then to die at 47 himself (of typhoid). What hard lives our ancestors had indeed.

Have also just tried tracking young Elizabeth Barron who was on the 1861 as granddaughter to Jean's parents. If I could establish that she was also Jean's child, that would allow me to overlook the fact that Jane is not names as a child on Jean death cert. Found her with her aunt Elizabeth on the 1861 as Elizabeth Ritchie, but can't find her later yet on census or marraige/death.

Will keep plugging away.

Thanks for your help Annette.

Ellen.