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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Caithness => Topic started by: BassinghamTerrier on Wednesday 11 January 17 15:07 GMT (UK)
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Hi all
I've looked all over for a marriage between GEORGE SWANSON and ANN MILLER but I simply can't locate it. I've tried Ancestry and Scotlands People but with no success. Can somebody here please help out?
I know that they had four children, namely ...
- ISABEL SWANSON - baptised 31 Oct 1790 Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland*
- JANE SWANSON - baptised 14 Feb 1793 Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland
- ROBERT SINCLAIR SWANSON - baptised 21 Jan 1797 Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland
- ISOBEL SWANSON - baptised 28 Dec 1799 Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland
*I suspect that the first Isabel died between 1793 and 1799 and was 'replaced' by the later one!
I have 'pulled' the baptism of Jane and it says "Jane Swanson, lawful daughter of George Swanson and Ann Miller in Achlibster was baptized 14th February [1793]" which gives a clue as to where they were living. I also know that George was a farmer - as noted on Jane's 1812 marriage and 1856 death - which suggests that they lived at Achlibster Farm. I have not 'pulled' the other baptisms although I have checked the dates and they certainly are there on the Scotlands People free search.
As Jane's is certainly a "lawful" birth I would suspect that they MUST be married by 1793, but I have checked for marriages 1750-1799 on both Ancestry and Scotlands People and nothing comes up. I have searched for marriages not only for George Swanson, but also for Ann Miller and Anne Miller but still there's nothing.
And, while we're at it, whilst I can't offer any dates for births of either George or Ann I can confidently say that they are both dead before August 1856 which is when daughter Jane dies and her parents are both "deceased" on that document.
Can anyone please help out?
MT ;)
UPDATE! I've just found Ann Miller under maiden name in the 1841 Scottish census in Thurso, Caithness, suggesting that she was born in Caithness c1761. She is living with the family of her son Robert Sinclair Swanson and it would appear that her husband George is dead by 1841.
Parish: Thurso; ED: 6; Page: 9; Line: 950; Year: 1841
Is there any way that I can get to see the original of this document? Ancestry just lists the people on the page.
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I don't know of any way to see a Scottish census.
I wonder why Ann would be under her maiden name if they really had been married. Could the name Sinclair be a clue? Is there a marriage under that name?
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Hi Millie
I've no idea.
I only found Ann on the census completely by chance as I wondered if Robert would appear on the 1841 because he had an unusual name. My search threw up Robert Swanson and there was also Ann Miller aged 80, and I presume that both were born in parish so 2+2 made four for me!
I am presuming that George was dead, so perhaps she went under her maiden name to aid identification.
I really have no idea!
And, no - no marriage for Miller/Sinclair 1780-1840 (that I can find, anyway)
MT ;)
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Could be a Scottish thing to record under maiden name? Think I have heard that somewhere but am sure someone more knowledgeable will know.
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The only place to see the original of the 1841 census is on Scotland's People.
Caithness census records are well covered on Freecen (100% coverage up to 1881) and you can also scroll to see who else lives nearby.
It is not uncommon to find women recorded on Scottish censuses by their maiden name particularly when widowed.
Although it will not help you in finding the marriage you are seeking, you might find it of interest to look at the Scotlands Places site (it is the sister site of Scotland's People) where various tax rolls from the 18th and early 19th century are now browsable for free.
William
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Thanks for your contribution, William.
I'll certainly take a look at the Scotland's Places site over the next few days.
MT ;)