the elusive George Stephen *FOUND - THANKS*

[sparkle60]

Has anyone heard of George Stephen born mid 1841 / 1842 in St Cyrus please? Believe his mother was Christian Stephen and that she died following his birth. Cannot find a record of her death which must have been after the June 5 1841 census, St Cyrus. Nor George's birth record. No trace of him until the 1851 census age 9 living in Dun, Montrose with his father Francis who had remarried. Then he disappears again until 1865 when he was informant on his father Francis' death cert.  But cannot find him in the censuses, his occupation, did he marry...?

[keyboard86]

Hi Sparkle60 and welcome to RootsChat, I do not normally attempt to find Scottish ancestors as the place names/counties completly confuse me, but I thought I would give it a go with your George!

On the 1861 Census for Scotland is a George Steven b abt 1843 occ Ploughman b St Cyrus and residing at Damside Bothy, Dun, Montrose, Angus, if his grandparents where William and Agnes then it could be him.

Keyboard86

[sparkle60]

Thanks... but sorry, William and Agnes are not ours....

[Annette7]

The William and Agnes Steven in 1861 are not shown as grandparents of George Steven.    He is shown as their servant - other 'Steven's are shown as family, then there's a George H. Duncan, servant followed by George Steven, servant.   Just because they had the same surname doesn't mean they were necessarily related.

Annette

[keyboard86]

Annette, you are possibly my saviour, why did I assume due to age variance, that they were even related!
Keyboard86

[sparkle60]

Thanks but that Steven group still seem unrelated.
In 1865 George's surname was spelled Stephen on his father's death certificate and I've found our history consistent with that spelling.
Many other avenues to pursue I believe. His mother seems to have died between 1841 and 1842 and besides baby George there were four other chidren aged between abt 4 and 13, could have been sent anywhere.
Still searching. Best wishes...

[Annette7]

When you've been doing genealogy as long as I have (almost 30 years) one thing you learn is to think outside the box.

As already stated, the 1861 census shows that George Steven born St. Cyrus was a servant to William and Agnes, not a relation, so they are more than likely not connected to him at all.   This was in Dun where his family were. The 1851 Census shows the only George Stephen born circa 1842 St. Cyrus is yours.    You have to be flexible on surnames the further back you go.   Records were only as good as the person writing it down and most people couldn't read or write and had no idea what was put down.    Since the 1861 Census shows only one George Stephen/Steven born ca.1842 St. Cyrus - in Dun where his father was - then I would say this is definitely your man.   

Don't reject entries because the spelling is not what you expect.  With the 4 other children you refer to (as in 1841 census) the eldest, John, could have joined the army, emigrated, moved to England.    As to the 3 girls - they could have moved to England (no trace in Scotland) but then Scottish christian names can change like the wind.    Jean's can become Jane, Janet, Jessie, Jeannie, Margaret's Maggie, Meg.   Then again, maybe they died like their mother.

Annette

[sparkle60]

Thanks for the advice,
Best wishes...

[chezem]

Hi Sparkle60,

I know who he is. His mother is Mary Taylor. Christian Gowans was the first wife of Francis Stephens married 22 May 1824 in Durris. Had 7 kids. Francis then married Mary Taylor 24 Jul 1842 in St. Cyrus.  Mary Taylor I think was married to Jacob Kemlo prior and had 2 kids with him. Christian Gowans parents are James Gowans and Mary Grieve. I think Mary Taylors parents are James Taylor and Anne Douglas but I'm not 100% sure about them.  Hope this helps.

Cheryl