Find Ancestors

Best of luck - grand-daughter has worn me out now as usual - Off to bed now !!

Nite nite all,

Dea x

Thanks Dea,
I'll give it a go and see what i find out.
x

OOOhh - also - I found this site which, if you do not already have it, might prove useful to you. There are people on here who will do look-ups for you!

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~leighann/index.html

Dea x

You are very welcome - I am going to take a break from this for a few days but feel free to get in touch again as you get further forward - I would be very interested in your findings.

I believe the 'prison' is now a museum in Stranraer - I did have the contact details but I seem to have 'buried' them somewhere in my notes.

Try a 'google' for museum of Stranraer and I am sure you will find it - they may be able to advise?

DO let me know how you get on.

Best Regards,

Dea x

Hi Dea,

You're fantastic!!! Thank you so much! Looking at the marriage again there is a d after McLellan but it is really faint. It all fits! I've ordered some other certs just to confirm all this but it says to wait up to 1 month so it could be a long wait!

I have also got in contact with people with some of the people on my tree also on theirs and it all seems to confirm what we've found although they all seem to be stuck at the same place i am.

I still don't know who margaret's parents were. Cant find her anywhere! Althought there's a Margaret born 1844 who is the daughter of Andrew Mcmurtrie and Margaret Clanachan.

I'll have a look and see if i can find Helen on the 1851, maybe i missed her the first time! As for the prison - it doesnt sound good at all. i wonder what james did! Hopefully i'll be able to find out somewhere, dont know where yet.

Thanks again. Your help is really appreciated!

Jen x

Could be Helen on 1841: ????

Helen McClellan
Age: 25
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1816
Gender: Female
Where born: Wigtownshire, Scotland

Civil Parish: Penninghame
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Newton Stewart Wigton Row
Parish Number: 895
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age - all born Newton Stewart,Penningham
Annie McClellan 4 .......is she daughter or grand-daughter???
Helen McClellan 54
Helen McClellan 25
Jess McClellan 18
Thos McClellan 55 he is a Dyker. c 1786

Still can't find her on 1851 - Can anyone else see her???

Dea x

OOOhhh err!!!!!!!

If it WAS him in Prison (and it does seem likely), I hope he did something REALLY bad to deserve it as it doesn't sound like much of a 'picnic'........


At Stranraer:
A solid tower castle, probably built by William Adair of Kinhilt, dates from around 1500,
and for some time was the headquarters for the notorious sheriff of Wigton, Graham of Claverhouse,
known to history as "Bloody Clavers", for his persecution of the Covenanters.
From about 1820 to 1907 it provided a prison, with a pit-cell reached only through a trapdoor from the floor above.


Dea x

A 'hint of scandal' perhaps???

IF the above marriage is correct - we would expect to find them on 1851 ??

However, I can only find this (for James)??:

Name: James Ferguson
Age: 27
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1824
Relationship: Prisoner !!!!!!
Gender: Male
Where born: Ireland, Count Down
Parish Number: 891
Civil Parish: Stranraer
Town: Stranraer
County: Wigtownshire
Occupation: Laborer
ED: The Prison Of Stranraer
Page: 2 (click to see others on page)
Household schedule number: 1
Line: 22
Roll: CSSCT1851_216

Nothing for Helen so far !
- I will explore !

Dea x

Hi Jen,

Don't know if you have this or not but going back to my efforts at transcribing the marriage cert:

(for ref.)
Thomas Ferguson , Wood Cutter - batchelor marrying Margaret McMurtrie - spinster.

His parents James + Helen (nee McLellan or McFellan)
..........

I have found this which looks good to me?

JAMES FERGUSON
Marriages:
Spouse: HELEN MCLELLAND Marriage: 14 APR 1846 Leswalt, Wigtown, Scotland

What do you think?

Dea x

Just to confirm, as you wanted a second opinion, - I have in my notes:


Andrew + Margaret McClonachan:

2. JOHN MCMURTRIE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Christening: 03 APR 1843 Old Luce, Wigtown, Scotland

3. JEMIMA JESSIE MCMURTRIE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Christening: 21 MAR 1850 Old Luce, Wigtown, Scotland

4. GRACE MCMURTRIE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Christening: 18 OCT 1841 Old Luce, Wigtown, Scotland

*** 5. JEAN MCMURTRIE - International Genealogical Index ******* Andrew + Rosanna
Gender: Female Christening: 03 FEB 1839 Old Luce, Wigtown, Scotland

6. MARGARET MCMURTRIE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Christening: 23 SEP 1844 Old Luce, Wigtown, Scotland

...

I also had in mind this POSSIBLE marriage for John?

JOHN MCMURTRIE Pedigree
Male Family
Marriages:
Spouse: JANE MCCLANNOCHAN Family
Marriage: 15 FEB 1810 Inch, Wigtown, Scotland

It does all sem to fit but I can never find John with Jane!!!!

Dea x

Mina was the daughter of Mary McMurtrie after her marriage to Joseph Townley.
Mina was born 13th April 1869.

Mary and Joseph married on 7th?!? Jan 1864.

I think i may have had a breakthrough. i know that it's me searching this info but i'm posting it here so you can see what i've got and for a second opinion to make sure it all fits

1851 Scotland Census
about Robert McMurtrie
Name: Robert McMurtrie
Age: 40
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1811
Relationship: Head
Spouse's Name: Helen
Gender: Male
Where born: Inch, Wigtownshire
Parish Number: 894
Civil Parish: Old Luce
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Mid Torrs
Occupation: Farmer's Son Labourer
ED: 4
Page: 1 (click to see others on page)
Household schedule number: 1
Line: 1
Roll: CSSCT1851_216
Household Members: Name Age
Andrew McMurtrie 9
Helen McMurtrie 44
James McMurtrie 18
Jane McMurtrie 6
John McMurtrie 14
Mary McMurtrie 7
Robert McMurtrie 40
William McMurtrie 2


1861 Scotland Census
about Robt McMurtrie
Name: Robt McMurtrie
Age: 50
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1811
Relationship: Head
Spouse's name : Helen
Gender: Male
Where born: Inch, Wigtonshire
Registration Number: 894
Registration district: Old Luce
Civil Parish: Old Luce
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Mid Torrs Cottage
Occupation: Farm Labourer
ED: 1
Household schedule number: 9
Line: 1
Roll: CSSCT1861_148
Household Members: Name Age
Andr McMurtrie 20
Helen McMurtrie 53
Mary McMurtrie 17
Robt McMurtrie 50
Wm McMurtrie 12




Great transcription here

1871 Scotland Census
about Robert McMartin
Name: Robert McMartin
Age: 60
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1811
Relationship: Head
Spouse's name : Helen
Gender: Male
Where born: Inch, Wigtownshire
Registration Number: 894
Registration district: Old Luce
Civil Parish: Old Luce
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Mid Torrs Farm Lodge
Occupation: Farmer Of 400 Acr Of Or Hiel 15 A?? Employ 2 Boys
ED: 1
Household schedule number: 16
Line: 14
Roll: CSSCT1871_189
Household Members: Name Age
William Ambers 16
Mary Beakel 20
Helen McMartin 63
Robert McMartin 60
William McMartin 21
William McMartin 77




1881 Scotland Census
about Robert McMurtrie
Name: Robert McMurtrie
Age: 71
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1810
Relationship: Head
Spouse's name : Helen
Gender: Male
Where born: Inch, Wigton Sh
Registration Number: 894
Registration district: Old Luce
Civil Parish: Old Luce
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Mid Tows Farm Ho:
Occupation: (600 Acres 180 Arab Emp: 2 Men 2 Girls)
ED: 1
Household schedule number: 13
Line: 8
Roll: cssct1881_334
Household Members: Name Age
Mary Bailey 17
Samuel Henry 18
Helen McMurtrie 73
James McMurtrie 46
Jessie McMurtrie 42
Robert McMurtrie 71
William McMurtrie 32
Garles Milligan 19
Margaret Poque 23


1891 Scotland Census
about Robert McMurtrie
Name: Robert McMurtrie
Age: 86
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1805
Relationship: Head
Spouse's name : Hellen
Gender: Male
Where born: Wigtown Shire, Old Luce
Registration Number: 894
Registration district: Old Luce
Civil Parish: Old Luce
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Mid-Torrs Farm Ho
Occupation: Farmer
ED: 1
Household schedule number: 22
Line: 1
Roll: CSSCT1891_407
Household Members: Name Age
Stewart Marshall 22
Jane McClure 28
Hellen McMurtrie 85
Robert McMurtrie 86
William McMurtrie 38
Mina Townley 21 (granddaughter)

Hmm....just thinking, the will would fit with this birth and death. the person the farm was left to was Robert McMurtrie. Could this be his son i wonder?

Yes!!!

ROBERT MCMURTRIE Pedigree
Male


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Event(s):
Birth:
Christening: 24 APR 1810 Inch, Wigtown, Scotland

Death:
Burial:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parents:
Father: JOHN MCMURTRIE Family
Mother: JANE MCCLANNOCHAN

i wonder if this could be andrew's birth?

ANDREW MCMURTRIE Pedigree
Male


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Event(s):
Birth:
Christening: 15 MAY 1816 Inch, Wigtown, Scotland

Death:
Burial:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parents:
Father: JOHN MCMURTRIE Family
Mother: JANE MCCLANNOCHAN


JOHN MCMURTRIE Pedigree
Male Family


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Event(s):
Birth:
Christening:
Death:
Burial:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriages:
Spouse: JANE MCCLANNOCHAN Family
Marriage: 15 FEB 1810 Inch, Wigtown, Scotland



John Robert McMurtrie Pedigree
Male Family


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Event(s):
Birth: 1786 County,Down, , , Ireland

Christening:
Death: 1862

Burial:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriages:
Spouse: JANE MCMURTRIE


all seems to fit so far

Rosanna must've died. looks like andrew remarried

ANDREW MCMURTRIE Pedigree
Male Family


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Event(s):
Birth:
Christening:
Death:
Burial:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriages:
Spouse: MARGRET CLANOCHAN Family
Marriage: 11 MAR 1841 Old Luce, Wigtown, Scotland


1851 Scotland Census
about Andrew McMurtrie
Name: Andrew McMurtrie
Age: 38
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1813
Relationship: Head
Spouse's Name: Margaret
Gender: Male
Where born: Inch, Wigtownshire
Parish Number: 894
Civil Parish: Old Luce
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Mid Torrs
Occupation: Farmer's Son Labourer
ED: 4
Page: 1 (click to see others on page)
Household schedule number: 2
Line: 9
Roll: CSSCT1851_216
Household Members: Name Age
Andrew McMurtrie 38
Grace McMurtrie 9
Jamima Jessie McMurtrie 1
John McMurtrie 8
Margaret McMurtrie 30
Margaret McMurtrie 6


1861 Scotland Census
about Andr McMurtrie
Name: Andr McMurtrie
Age: 49
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1812
Relationship: Head
Spouse's name : Margt
Gender: Male
Where born: Inch, Wigtonshire
Registration Number: 894
Registration district: Old Luce
Civil Parish: Old Luce
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Mid Torrs Cottage
Occupation: Labourer
ED: 1
Household schedule number: 10
Line: 6
Roll: CSSCT1861_148
Household Members: Name Age
Andr McMurtrie 49
Andr McMurtrie 4
Grace McMurtrie 19
Jemima J McMurtrie 11
John McMurtrie 18
Margt McMurtrie 40

Hi Dea,

Thanks for that. it matches the birth which i found on SP. I'm thinking it's the correct one. It looks like John may have looked after the children for his children.

Jen x

Sorry - It wasn't the marriage details I had found - It was this christening:

JEAN MCMURTRIE Pedigree
Female


Event(s):
Birth:
Christening: 03 FEB 1839 Old Luce, Wigtown, Scotland


Parents:
Father: ANDREW MCMURTRIE Family
Mother: ROSANNA DORRANCE

Dea x

Hang on - I have details of this in my notes!!!

I will go and find it - back in a mo!

Dea x

i found a will for a john mcmurtrie but dont know if its the right one. i'll send it to you

You REALLY must look for a Will - It is very strange that this John McMurtrie accumulates children right up till his old age but is NEVER with a 'wife' on any census?

I am really curious!

Dea x