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Hi all,

I need help again! This time, I'm searching my paternal grandmother's family from Scotland.

My nan was one of 6 children born to Samuel Marshall Dorans (c1898) and Roberta Ferguson (1903) in Stranraer, Wigtown:

Evelyn Dorans (Eva) (1926)
Sheila Dorans (my nan) (1928-2003)
Roberta (Ruby) (1935)
Samuel (1941)
Kathleen (birthdate unknown)
Ellen (birthdate unknown)

Roberta (1903) was born illegitimately to Jemima Ferguson (1884) also in Stranraer. Jemima later married Andrew Murray (not sure when)

Jemima's parents were Thomas Ferguson (c1850) and Margaret McMurtrie (c1853). Jemima's birth record shows that Thomas Ferguson was a Steam (something) driver. They were married in Old Luce Parish on 17th Feb 1870. I have a print-out of the marriage cert but it's really hard to read. About the only part I can read is that he was either 20 or 26 and she was 17. He lived in Inch at the time and she lived in Old Luce. I think it says her father was John McMurtrie (farmer, deceased) and the mothers name looks to me to be Sarah although I could be reading it completely wrong.

If you can help with either the Dorans side (i cant find anything about Samuel) or help me with Ferguson/McMurtrie, I'd be eternally grateful.

Thanks in advance

Jen x

Hi,

Can't really help with Scottish records but I am 'quite' good at reading difficult writing.

If you want to send me a copy of the cert I could 'have a go' ?

I will pm you my e-mail just in case!

Dea x

Hi Dea,

Have sent the cert in an email

x

Hi,

Are you sure you have sent me the correct one here???

It is certainly

Thomas Ferguson , Wood Cutter - batchelor marrying Margaret McMurtrie - spinster.

His parents James + Helen (nee McLellan or McFellan)

Her parents - both deceased - John (farmer - deceased)? + Sarah nee Fitzcreach/Liscreach ???

I will work on it tomorow

Hope this helps,

Dea x

P.S. 1 witness was William Mc Murtrie - the other was Martha Mc Carstrie/ McCastrick?(not quite right - will have another look tomorrow!)

Dea x

Hi Dea,

Yes it's the correct one. Thank you so much, I really dont know how you read that! both my mum and i spent ages looking last night and couldnt figure it out

1901 census on Ancestry. You would have to view the original on Scotlands People.

Name: Samuel M Dorans
Age: 3
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1898
Relationship: Son
Father's Name: James
Mother's Name: Mary
Gender: Male
Where born: Stoneykirk, Wigtownshire

Registration Number: 898
Registration district: Stoneykirk
Civil Parish: Stoneykirk
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Claychoft Cot H
ED: 7
Household schedule number: 22
Line: 14
Roll: CSSCT1901_443

Household Members: Name Age
James Bruce 12 (noted as being Mary's son)
Annie Dorans 1
James Dorans 26 (General Labourer - Masons)
Mary Dorans 31
Samuel M Dorans 3
Kenneth Forles 5 (This surname must be mis-transcribed as he's noted as being the son of James and Mary)

Thanks Susan, hopefully now i'll be able to trace the dorans side too

A bit more info for you:

1871:

Thomas Ferguson
Age: 21
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1850
Relationship: Head
Spouse's name : Margaret
Gender: Male
Where born: Inch, Wigtownshire
Registration Number: 886
Registration district: Inch
Civil Parish: Inch
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Aird Cott House
Occupation: Gardener Lab
ED: 11
Household schedule number: 8
Line: 20
Roll: CSSCT1871_189
Household Members: Name Age
Helen Ferguson 1 Mo
Margaret Ferguson 18
Thomas Ferguson 21

......................

1861:
James Ferguson
Age: 35
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1826
Relationship: Head
Spouse's name : Helen
Gender: Male
Where born: Ireland
Registration Number: 886
Registration district: Inch
Civil Parish: Inch
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Aird
Occupation: Ag Lab
ED: 11
Household schedule number: 7
Line: 6
Roll: CSSCT1861_148
Household Members: Name Age
Helen Ferguson 45
James Ferguson 35
Thomas Ferguson 11
William Ferguson 13

.....................

Margaret - 1861:
John McMurtrie
Age: 75
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1786
Relationship: Head
Gender: Male
Where born: County Down, Ireland
Registration Number: 894
Registration district: Old Luce
Civil Parish: Old Luce
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Mid Torrs Farm House
Occupation: Farmer Mid Torrs 900 Ac Employing 3 Labourer ?? Boys
ED: 1
Household schedule number: 11
Line: 12
Roll: CSSCT1861_148
Household Members: Name Age
Minie Cullock 50
James Deven 12
Jean McMurtrie 21
John McMurtrie 75 says Margaret is his daughter ?
Margt McMurtrie 8
Robt Plorker 16
John Templeton 17

Source Citation: Parish: Old Luce; ED: 1; Line: 12; Year: 1861.

John above does not have a wife on 1861 or 1851 so I am not sure who Margaret's mother might be yet.

I will try to find more tonight if no-one else has sorted it.

Just a thought - It seems quite a large farm - It would be worth looking for a Will??

Dea x

Just curious as something is 'not sitting quite right here'???

Do we have Jemima on 1891 Census please? Or on 1901?

She does not appear to be with her parents and the only close one I can find does not fit??

Dea x

Dea, for info

I also had a look for her in 1891 and 1901 and only found 'Jemima' born c1886 (was this the one you found?).

Checked on Scotlands People and Jemima was born 1884 in Stranraer (there were also another two Jemimas born 1885 - one in Old Luce, One in Portpatrick).

Thank you Susan - I thought we had the wrong family here for a moment as the 'grandparent's didn't fit !!

I wonder where she was then - I will have another search!

Dea x

hi guys.

Thanks for the info. Yes she was born in 1884 in Stranraer. Old Luce is a possibility, her parents were married in 1870 in old luce. I've got the birth of jemima from scotlands people. It shows her parents were Thomas Ferguson (Steam(something) driver) and Margaret nee McMurtrie. they married 17th feb 1870

Jen

I've just found Jean and John on the 1841 census?

1841 Scotland Census
about Jean McMurtrey
Name: Jean McMurtrey
Age: 2
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1839
Gender: Female
Where born: Wigtownshire, Scotland

Civil Parish: Old Luce
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Middel Torrs
Parish Number: 894
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Hellan McClasky 18
Andrew McMurtrey 25
Jean McMurtrey 70
Jean McMurtrey 2
Jennat McMurtrey 10
John McMurtrey 45
Margret McMurtrey 20
John Neilson 30
Robert Thompson 30


1851 Scotland Census
about Jean McMurtrie
Name: Jean McMurtrie
Age: 12
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1839
Relationship: Daughter
Father's Name: John
Gender: Female
Where born: Glenluce, Wigtownshire
Parish Number: 894
Civil Parish: Old Luce
County: Wigtownshire
Address: Mid Torrs House
Occupation: Scholar
ED: 4
Page: 1 (click to see others on page)
Household schedule number: 4
Line: 19
Roll: CSSCT1851_216
Household Members: Name Age
James Allison 15
Catherine Blaney 23
Janet Lenox 20 (i wonder if this is daughter Janet after marriage?)
Jean McMurtrie 12
John McMurtrie 65

Just looked at Scotlands people for a birth of Jean McMurtrie to find out her parents. It looks like she was actually John's grandaughter. Her parents were Andrew McMurtrie (on 1841 census with her) and Rosanna Dorrance.

I need more credits on SP to check further but i think that's her

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

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

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

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

Dea 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

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