George Ainslie - Death, Divorce or Desertion?

[dragonlady403]

Hi, I am going around in circles here. 

George Ainslie (B 1814, St Cuthberts, Midlothian) Married (Dec 10 1836) Ann Oughton and had a couple (that I know of and are confirmed) daughters Janet and Margaret. 

In 1851 his wife Anne is living with her mother and two daughters.  No sign of George and she eventually marries one of her mother's workers David Neil in 1852.

George seems to have disappeared.  There is a George Ainslie in Kentucky who marries a Mary Thirwell in 1844.  He dies in Kentucky in 1878. But I have not been able to confirm if this is the same George.

If he lived and emigrated he would likely have left Scotland for the States sometime before 1851 (or even prior to 1844 if it is the correct person). 

I am not sure if George and Ann would have divorced?  Perhaps he wanted to go to the States and Anne decided to stay in Scotland with their two daughters?  Or whether he died in Scotland and she simply moved in with her mother as a result.

Any assistance with either a death certificate, or immigration records or another avenue I might pursue would be very much appreciated!
Thanks in advance, Carol
 

[MonicaL]

Hi Carol

Why do you think that father George may have disappeared? The 1851 census shows wife Ann as widowed:
 
Margaret Oughton 55 Inkeeper & Farmr 100 Ac Emp 5, widowed b. Lasswade
Anne Ainslie 35 daughter, Farmers Daughter, widowed b. Lasswade
Gavin Oughton 25
Robert Oughton 24
Margaret Ainslie 13 granddaughter b. Roslin
Janet Ainslie 11 granddaughter b. Roslin
Margaret Mcivor 22
David Neil 21
Robert Stedment 18
James Liddle 13
Thomas Stracham 21

Address: College Hill Roslin Inn, Lasswade

Monica 

[MonicaL]

As an aside...in case you haven't seen it. Anne's mother, Margaret's Inventory entry after her death:

Margaret OUGHTON 2 March 1863   MRS, alias WILSON, Relict of JAMES OUGHTON, Farmer and Innkeeper at Roslin - INVENTORY   EDINBURGH SHERIFF COURT INVENTORIES   SC70/1/115

Monica

[Forfarian]

I am not sure if George and Ann would have divorced?

Very unlikely. See http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/socialpolitical/research/economicsocialhistory/historymedicine/scottishwayofbirthanddeath/divorce/

[Forfarian]

Why do you think that father George may have disappeared?

Maybe Carol is using one of the transcription web sites that don't include all the relevant information?

[dragonlady403]

Hi Monica - I had most of that information you listed EXCEPT the part about her being widowed!  It seemed highly unlikely they would have divorced in that day and age.

Thanks very much for that.  Saves me a lot of time and energy and I can now focus on the actual family rather than the "possible" family.  Much appreciated.

[dragonlady403]

Thank for that link Forfarian.  I knew it was a long shot, but was having much success anywhere else.
Regards, Carol

[MonicaL]

Glad you are there! Divorce in those days was next to impossible...and so expensive and legally difficult to arrange.

Have looked on the Scotlands People database for death/burials (pre 1855 database). Cannot see anything for Ann's husband, George Ainslie, unfortunately. Nor can I see anything on the Wills & Testaments database.

Monica

[dragonlady403]

I know that's what has me worried.  I keep wondering if he just took off and she called herself a widow.  Keep hoping a death cert will turn up for him somewhere.