Despite not having posted - I have been lurking around for quite some time, picking up endless tips and links to help trace my ancestors. Although I’m inching slowly toward tracing various rellies back to the 18th century, I am blowed if I can find anything on my maternal gggrandmother since 1891.
What I’ve got so far:
Margaret Dunsmuir (born in Garrallan on 26. 04. 1870 to Charles Dunsmore and Catherine Fergusson) had an illegitimate child by John H Black on 17.12.1891. The child was named Robert Black on the birth certificate. (The child was brought up by his father and paternal grandmother).
(I’m not sure why Maggie and John did not marry as there appeared to be no impediments. I do suspect, however, that John’s mother Jane H Black - who was apparently, a very fearsome and status conscious lady - perhaps did not approve of such a union).
Maggie’s occupation on her child’s birth certificate was ‘Dairymaid’ - and, indeed, I found her on the 1891 census working at Dreghorn Dairy Farm in Ayrshire - and her address was shown as Glengyron Cottages (miners’ cottages where her parents lived in Old Cumnock).
I have found Maggie’s birth certificate, all her siblings’ birth (+ some death & marriage) certificates, most of her parents certificates but for the life of me, I cannot find anything on Maggie since she had her child in 1891.
I have spent a flipping fortune on SP - using every variation of the names Maggie and Dunsmuir I can think of - and found absolutely nothing. I’ve looked for possible marriages and death certificates from 1891-1953 and I even tried looking for her under her mother’s maiden name of Fergusson/Ferguson - but nothing.
I’ve tried various links from this site for poorhouses etc……..Nothing. I’ve read so many ships passenger lists that I feel acquainted with everyone who left our shores in the late 19th century. Still nothing.
Before I retire to a darkened corner, bash my head against the wall and cry - does anyone have any suggestions or leads that I might follow?
Yours in desperation!
Christine
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It appears like you've done a great deal of work on this one. We'll take a look at it and see if anything jumps out....(not to get your hopes up because it does sound like you've already looked in all the corners...but still...sometimes several heads are better than one) I've always wondered what I would do with several heads as it's a challenge to keep track of just the one though.... 
