Hi Katman
I wonder if this is Ann and son James in 1861......ages are out though.....
Victoria Lodging House Aberdeen, St Nicholas, Aberdeen,
parish #168A , page 1
Servant: Ann McINTOSH 29, House Servant, b Nairn
Servant: Jas. RITCHIE 3, scholar, b Nairn
They are on the same page. There are a lot of servants. There is no other RITCHIE on the page.
Again (as for the 1871, and 1891 especially) I think this would warrant a look at the original image to see if:
a) They are listed next to each other
b) Ann's marital status is widow, married or single.
c) Confirm enumerated ages
All through the other Census : 1871 (if it's them), 1881, 1891 Ann appears to have had just the one child, James. The illigitimate theory for James is a great possibility - as well as the possibility Ann was married to James RITCHIE who died (or disappeared) possibly sometime shortly following son James' birth (which seems closer to 1856/1857 than 1855?)
Ann's death cert :
Where did she die?
Did it say she was the widow of James RITCHIE? Or just that she was a widow?
Summary:
1861: Poss Aberdeen Ann 29 (1832 Nairn); James 3 (1858 Nairn)
1871: Poss Lochee: Ann 45 (1826 Annus [Alness??], Ross & Cromarty); James 14 (1857 Nairn)
1881: Definite Lochee: Ann 51 (1830 Invergordon, Inverness), James 25 (1856 Aldairn, Nairn)
1891: Definite Lochee : Ann 70 (1821 ----? Rosshire), James 35 (1856 Nairn)
1901: Definte: James 44 (1857 Nairn)
You say Ann was 70 in 1901 Census? Or did you mean the 1891 (where the transcript says 70, but possibly meant to be 60)? I can't see her in 1901 with James.....
Cheers
AMBLY