I am posting this to the Common Room instead of Perthshire, because other areas are involved and I believe they left Perthshire and could be anywhere.
I need new eyes and ideas please. I've been working on this mother and daughter for years. I keep going over various spellings, etc. I have searched so much on SP that I'm sure I'm missing the obvious.
The mother is Helen/Hellen/Ellen McEWAN/McEWEN born in Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland. I have her on the 1841 census Hellen, aged 7. There are so many variations in other census I haven't been able to determine which one she is. Haven't been able to find a marriage or death yet either.
On 13th October 1855, in Comrie,(aged 22) she had a daughter, illegitimate, named Mary Ann McEWEN. Registered by Helen McEWEN on 27th October 1855.
In 1861 census Mary Ann appears (aged 5) with her grandparents Alexander and Christian McEWEN in Comrie. She is down as Mary Ann SHARP.
I think I have her in 1871 census. Mary Ann SHARP, 15, a servant, under nurse, born Comrie. She is at Trinity Lodge, Newhaven, Leith North, Edinburgh. (Just found this one).
On 25 December 1878, in Comrie, Mary Ann SHARP married Charles McCOWAN (coal merchant, aged 27, from Perth)
Mary Ann is aged 23, a ladies maid, from Sketon Penrith! I think this is in Cumbria, England? Had to do a Google search.
Charles' parents are Alexander McCOWAN, a weaver and Jessie McCOWAN ms KEMP.
Mary Ann's parents are down as James SHARP a farmer and Ellen SHARP ms McEWAN
I have found the couple in 1881 census, living in Perth, Scotland. Charles McCOWAN is aged 30, born Comrie and a van driver. Mary Ann is transcribed as Marian, aged 25 born in Comrie.
I haven't found them since! I have looked for deaths, parents deaths, etc.( I have just found the death in 1889, Comrie for Charles' father Alexander.) There is a death for a Mary Ann McCOWAN in Comrie in 1934 but I have downloaded the image and it appears to be Charles' sister.
It may or not be relevent, but I have found a card from Scotland, December 1911 from a Janetta SHARPE (with an 'E') wishing the family well. She may or may not be a relative.
Any help or advise will be greatly received. Sorry for the long post.
Lois