Robert Stevenson

[sleuthjan]

Looking for the parents of Robert Stevenson. I do not know when exactly when or where he was born but the information I have is that he married Ann Jamieson on Aug. 26, 1808 in Stewarton, Ayrshire. They had a daughter Elizabeth Stevenson who was born Oct. 15, 1815 in Stewarton, Ayrshire. Robert Stevenson's occupation was mason (according to records located - mostly relating to his daughter Elizabeth). I know nothing else about him. I've been unable to find him in any census record. However, I believe I found his wife Ann and daughter in 1851 living in Stewarton on Main St. Ann is listed as the head of household with her 35 year old daughter (who married late - 1856 -to an Alexander McMillan). I think that Robert Stevenson died between 1859 (the year his wife died - he reported her death) and 1867 (due to information from other records located). Thus I searched for death records in that time frame.

My search at Scotland's People showed only ONE death for a Robert Stevenson during that time frame. That Robert Stevenson was a mason (so that information fits) but the record stated that he was the widower of Janet Houston. Record says he died on Main St. in Beith, Ayrshire. I do not know if that is the same as Stewarton.

Anyway, it all seems pretty odd. I am just wondering if anyone has Robert Stevenson and Ann Jamieson as ancestors or knows anything more about them. Could he have had a double life or a double wife Family legends say we are related to Robert Louis Stevenson but I have been unable to establish the connection. Any insights greatly appreciated.

[StewL]

Hello Sleuthjan

You have information that he was married to Ann Jamieson, it is just possible he also married Janet Houston, you would have to do a fair bit of research to find out though.
All the best

[sleuthjan]

Hmmmm .... Any idea of how to check something like that? So he could have been a bigamist with wives in two nearby towns?

[johnniegarve]

Have you thought of a connection to the "Lighthouse" Stevensons, Ayrshire, Renfrewshire & Glasgow, see Robert Louis Stevenson's, "Records of a Family of Engineers".

Cheers,

johnnie.

[AnneM]

Hello Sleuthjan

Elizabeth's marriage certificate in 1856 gives both her parents as deceased. The census you identified in 1851 also states that Ann is a widow. In fact in the 1841 Census, also at Main Street, Stewarton, it looks as if the person enumerated as the head of the household is actually Ann and not Robert, which would suggest that Robert was dead by 1841. It looks as if it says Mrs Robt Stevenson rather than Mr. So it seems that poor Robert has been maligned. Instead of being a bad bigamist he is just respectably dead.

There are a couple of possible Robert Stevenon births in Stewarton on SP, one in 1767 to John Stevenson and Agnes Carswell and one in 1774 to Thomas Stevenson and Dorrothy Armour. Very difficult though to find out who his parents were as he seems to have died before a census date.

The only clue I can offer is that in the 1841 Census a few doors down from Ann and Elisabeth there is a John Stevenson a slater who looks about the right age to be a possible brother of John. He has a wife Marion and a large family, It might be worth following him up to see if there are any further clues to be had from him.

Anne

[sleuthjan]

Thanks for this reply - most helpful! While Elizabeth Stevenson's marriage to Alexander McMillan in 1856 does say he is deceased (thanks for noticing! - how did I miss that? On Robert Stevenson's wife Ann (Jamieson) Stevenson's death record in 1859 it says "widow?" That is, widow with a question mark. It was signed by her son-in-law Alexander McMillan and his wife Elizabeth was still alive - so wouldn't she know if her father was deceased? But Elizabeth seemed to know in 1856. Just peculiar.

I have not seen the original of the 1851 census record, but the transcription found at Ancestry just says she is "head" of household. It sounds as though you've seen the original? And I don't think I've seen the original 1841 census either but this is pretty interesting. Do you have these records that you could share with me via regular email if I provide my email address?

I am fascinated that Robert's brother John could have been in the neighborhood and that is a really good lead. So I thank you very much. I guess I owe Robert an apology Sorry Robert!

Oh, I have seen the record of birth for Robert Stevenson to Thomas Stevenson. Scotland's People has transcribed the mother's name as "Dorothy Armour" but it really looks more like "Dolie Irland." So either my eyes are playing tricks or they just couldn't figure it out either.

[sleuthjan]

Oh, and thanks Johnnie! Family legend has it that our famiiy is related to the author and, therefore, also the lighthouse builder. I've just been unable to establish the connection - bummer! But Robert was born around the right time so ... who knows? I will post if I get good news.

[AnneM]

That is very bizarre. Ann is also noted as deceased on Elizabeth's MC and initially I could not find the DC you were talking about but indeed there it is. I searched with the two surnames and for some reason it did not come up. You are right that 'widow' is followed by a question mark. Curioser and curioser....maybe you are right and Robert had just disappeared and could have been a bigamist when he was believed to have snuffed it. All very remarkable. I got the originals on Scotland's People and don't think I can email them very well. This proves nothing is ever straight forward.

Anne

[sleuthjan]

Quite all right. I think I have the relevant records now. Assuming that it was quite possible that Robert died before 1841 (unless he was just misplaced ), there were only 3 deaths in Stewarton between about 1830 and 1840. The one dated April 30, 1831 was most interesting. It did not give his occupation or name of his wife but, again curiously, listed a person who appears to be "Clark, Mary." Well, it so happens that was his mother-in-law's maiden name. Now why would that be there? Would that make any sense? I don't know.

There were also a couple of deaths of Robert Stevensons in Stewarton in the spring of 1838 (both on the same page). These offered simply the name - nothing else - so not worth looking for.

So if you or anyone else know if it would be likely for a mother-in-law's name (maiden name no less!) to be on a death record, well, please let me know.