Robert McArthur & Jane McLellen death info help required

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imcarthur67
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2025 3:46 pm

Robert McArthur & Jane McLellen death info help required

Post by imcarthur67 » Mon Dec 08, 2025 5:05 pm

I am new here and wondered if you can help with a roadblock.

Robert McArthur b. 28 Mar 1815 New Kilpatrick
Jane McLellen b. 2 Feb 1812 Inveresk & Musselburgh

Married 27 Apr 1831 in Kirknewton & East Calder.

On the 1851 census Jane McCarthur is listed as widow. This census was taken 30 Mar 1851.
Their youngest child was Jessie born Jan 1849.
So Robert must have died between 1849 and 1851, but I cannot find his death. I have a Robert McCart in Jun 1851 (burial) in Carluke but this is too late.

Jane goes on to marry Charles McCan 18 Dec 1853 in Bothwell Lanarkshire.
On Edward McArthur’s marriage to Sarah Haggerty in Sept 1885 Jane is listed as Jane McArthur (nee McLellen) which suggests Charles has died (can’t find his death).
On Edward’s death in 1903 Jane is listed as Jane McArthur and deceased so she must have died between 1885 and 1903, yet I cannot find her death. Her mother’s maiden name was Peacock.

Any help appreciated
Ian

ChipChip
Posts: 51
Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2020 5:56 pm
Location: Yorkshire, Northern England

Re: Robert McArthur & Jane McLellen death info help required

Post by ChipChip » Thu Dec 11, 2025 6:48 pm

You have identified an apparent second marriage of a Jane McLellan to a Charles McCann. Although that in itself does not necessarily refer to the same Jane I believe that it is correct subject to a possible change of surname from McCann to McLean.

The 1861 Scotland census on Findmypast has a Charles McLean (40) and wife Jane McLean (45) living in Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Charles is a Coalminer born in Ireland. Jane is said to have been born in Mid Calder, Lanarkshire.? More importantly there's a bunch of McCarter step-children and a daughter Agnes McLean (3). Some of the McCarter children were born after 1851.?

Still some questions but this may help in moving forward.

imcarthur67
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2025 3:46 pm

Re: Robert McArthur & Jane McLellen death info help required

Post by imcarthur67 » Thu Dec 11, 2025 6:55 pm

Many thanks ChipChip, I will look into that line further
Ian

ChipChip
Posts: 51
Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2020 5:56 pm
Location: Yorkshire, Northern England

Re: Robert McArthur & Jane McLellen death info help required

Post by ChipChip » Fri Dec 12, 2025 6:53 pm

The 1871 Scotland census on Findmypast has a Charles McCann (56) and wife Jane McCann (56) living in Craigielea, Blackston Road, Abbey, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Charles is a Miner born in Ireland. Jane is said to be born in Kirknewton, Lanarkshire.?
Also present are McArthur children Janet (22), David (14) and Robert (7).

The current spelling of the location is Blackstoun Road which is in Paisley, Renfrewshire just west of Junction 29 of the M8.

imcarthur67
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2025 3:46 pm

Re: Robert McArthur & Jane McLellen death info help required

Post by imcarthur67 » Sun Dec 14, 2025 10:27 pm

I have come across a conundrum whilst looking for Jane McLellen's death cert.
Jane can also be Jean, Janet & Jessie.
I have a death certificate listed for a Jessie McLellen 8 May 1897 in Auchterderran, Fife.
However when I look at the certificate it states her name as Jessie Miller married to John Miller, so maybe wrong.
But her parents are named as James MacLellan & Helen MacLellan (nee Peacock) which are the right parents.
That leads me to think that after Charles McCan's death (presumed??), Jane re-married and became a Miller.
The 1891 census in Auchterderran has a Jessie Miller (aged 74) and John Miller (aged 73).
So sounds plausible but I can't find a marriage cert for Millers.

ChipChip
Posts: 51
Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2020 5:56 pm
Location: Yorkshire, Northern England

Re: Robert McArthur & Jane McLellen death info help required

Post by ChipChip » Mon Dec 15, 2025 6:54 pm

The conundrum you refer to is well known by most regular searchers. The name that you are born with is not necessarily the name that you carry in later life. The examples you cite are commonplace and usually mean that you have to be a bit nifty with the use of wildcards when you search. The Janet to Jessie or vice versa is the one that I am most familiar with. Another is Donald to Daniel.

In regard to your other point about tracing the death of Jane McCann nee McLellan I do have some concerns as follows -

(1) How can you be certain that the Jane McLellan born in Inveresk, Midlothian with parents James McLellan and Helen Peacock is the same Jane McLellan that married Robert McArthur and Charles McCann.?
(2) Your Jane McCann nee McLellan produced several children from two marriages and yet not one is named James or Helen. This situation can happen but I find it puzzling not to have at least one of her parents names.

imcarthur67
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2025 3:46 pm

Re: Robert McArthur & Jane McLellen death info help required

Post by imcarthur67 » Tue Dec 16, 2025 4:07 pm

Thanks ChipChip,

I take your point. I will go back through the relationships.

Ian