Illegitimate Scot but born in England?

[hwickham]

I have an Andrew Thorburn on 1861 census, aged 12, living in Ashkirk but described as "born in England", then on 1871 census, aged 22, living in Edinburgh, again described as being "born in England", then on 1873 marriage certificate in Cupar, Fife described as illegitimate with no father named. I cannot find a birth in England. Where would a single mother in Scotland in around 1849 go to have her baby?
I'd be grateful for any help. Many thanks.
Heather

[SarahND]

Hi Heather,
Welcome to Talking Scot!
Was Thorburn Andrew's mother's surname, or his father's? His birth might be listed under either one.

All the best,
Sarah

Later: Have you found him in the 1851 census anywhere? I must admit I haven't found anything for certain, without knowing more what I'm looking for. What was his mother's name? And what was Andrew's occupation on his marriage certificate?

[WilmaM]

Strangely someone was asking about an Andrew Thorburn just today.

'Looking for Andrew Thorburn' under the 'Scottish People' section.

The 2 are of different generations, but could there be a connection?

[LesleyB]

Hi Heather
Wellcome to Talking Scot

Where would a single mother in Scotland in around 1849 go to have her baby?

Nowhere particular, I don't think. I'm not aware of any particular pattern. The baby would usually be born in the parish where the mother lived, I think, unless she felt the need to go home to her own mother for the birth.

What is is mother's name on his marriage entry?

Best wishes
Lesley

[hwickham]

Wow! What a helpful site (my first time!) and I'm so grateful to Sarah, Wilma and Lesley for their replies.
Sadly, the Andrew Thorburn referred to in Scottish People must be a different one - Thorburn is quite a popular Lowland name.
On my Andrew James Thorburn's death certificate, Melrose, 1878, his mother is Jane Thorburn, housekeeper, who informed the death, father's name left blank and he's described as illegitimate.
However, on his marriage certificate, 1873, Cupar, Fife, Andrew is a coachman/dom.serv., father David Thorburn (!), master draper.
So, either 2 Thorburns married, or, more likely, mother Jane is telling porkies!
A further mystery is that on the 1861 and 1871 censuses, Andrew is born in ENGLAND. Extensive searches reveal no Andrew Thorburns born either in Scotland or England at the right time.

Heather

[joette]

Unless she was a widow & gave him her "married name" but he is registered under her maiden name.Not willing to lie on paper but happy for people to presume he's her late husband's child.

[Currie]

Hello All,

Here’s one on FreeBMD that shows a bit of promise. Search for Andrew *burn. http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/cgi/search.pl

Births Jun 1849
THOBURN Andrew James Newcastle T 25 443

Plenty of Thoburn’s and Thorburn’s in that district. Here’s another one that may cause confusion with an 1851 census check.

Births Dec 1847
THOBURN Andrew Newcastle T 25 349

One of them may have died

Deaths Sep 1852
Thoburn Andrew Newcastle T 10b 38

Most Andrew Thoburn/Thorburn events in England are in that general area.

In the Glasgow Herald, August 25, 1868, there’s an advert for sale by auction of stock-in-trade of David Thorburn, Draper of Bo’ness.

In various newspapers there’s a Mr Thorburn, a Draper in Manchester, had his chimney blown down in 1839. There a Jonathan Thornburn, Draper, in Glasgow, who went bankrupt about 1880, he had a brother-in-law Alex W Fergusson. Then there’s a Thomas Thorburn, Draper and Hosier, of 23 W. Circus Place and 23 Queensferry St., (Edinburgh?), advertising in 1837 and selling off his stock in 1844.

Hope that’s useful,
Alan

[LesleyB]

Hi Heather
Have you found Andrew on the 1881 census? I ask because what I thought would be a very quick search to see if there were any futher clues on him, seems not to be quick at all.... Ah cannae find him....

Best wishes
Lesley