Monica and Jonn,
You gave me some home work to do, thanks.
Challenge.
I have two margaret McVicars. One born in Kilmarnock and one born in Lanarkshire. Both have Father Alexander and mother Janet Walker. Only can be the correct Margaret McVicar.
I have the 1881 census listing margaret married to John Laurie and their two daughters. I have not checked where the daughters were born on that census though! I do recall seeing a hint a long time ago about Wales and talking to my cousin about it. I discounted this hint because she did not know anything about a 'Wales' connection, and because William was not listed. i continued to look for a Margaret/William (mother/son) connection to no avail. This Wales lead did interest me enough to look the place up in Google Maps. My cousin asked me to find out what I could about the Margaret Margaret McVicar marrying a John Laurie because of the visits during both Wars.
I do not have William's birth certificate. I do have a IGI but that only lists his mother's name, no father. I do not have a marriage certificate for William to Charlotte Frew, however, I do have a booklet from the 'Maryborough Family Historical Society', Queensland that gives a brief account of their voyage out to Australia in the 'Eastminster', and a passenger list. the passenger list has William, Charlotte and daughter 'Jessie Walker' McVicar. The christian names 'Jessie Walker' had appeared to both my cousin and myself as being a bit weird, but significant; but why, we do not know.
Back to Margaret. The 1851 census is a great help indeed. Many thanks. A Margaret McVicar born in Kilmarnock has always been my belief that even today only in rare circumstances do people venture vary far away from their home to find work. this would have been the same in the mid 1800's. This is why i do not fully subscribe to the Lanarkshire connection 100%.
I have found a roots web document ID 12964 dated 20-08-2008 for Alexander mcVicar born 22 Feb 1805, Govan,Scotland and occupation 1882 master grain miller, 1841 carter, 1861 and 1871 farmer. He is married to Janet Walker 21 Sep 1838, Kilmarnock Ayr. Parents are John McVicar abt 1790 and Elizabeth Colquhoun abt 1790. Janet Walker born 02 Apr 1819 in Kilmarnock, Ayr. Children are: John 1844, Jenny 1847,, Elizabeth 1849, gavin 1854, Alexander 1857, William 1859. All children except Alexander were born in Kilmarnock. Alexander was born in St Marnock (transcription error??). Jenny/Jameshave the same ages in this document and the 1851 census, likewise Alexander's birth location. I had discounted this document earlier because at the time I was still looking for a Margaret/William connection. Reviewing this document again with Alexander Snr and Janet Walker as Grandparents raising William (the actual grandson) as their son is now a possibility. I found this document while searching for the 'welsh' connection document.
Jonn, ref you 11:20 post regarding Gilbert Templeton/Margaret McVicar living at Craigie: my thoughts exactly, but 'til now I have not been able to supply any 'proof'. Still cannot, but, feel I am getting closer.
The 'RootsWeb.Ancestry Ayrshire' thread you refer to Monica is not the same one, but, has opened up a possible excuse for my love of the celtic brown fluid, though!
I am now in a better position to order certificates for William's birth, Janet Walkers' death and Margaret McVicar/Scott marriage certificate(after investigation of the date etc). At this stage, I am going to put the Jessie Laurie/Robert Caldwell connection on hold.
All the signs are now pointing to the Alexander/Janet 1851 Kilmarnock connection, with the Scott Welsh Laurie connections to be further researched by me, then back to Dunbartonshire. the Scott and Welsh connections fill the gap between 1860 and 1880 for Margaret. The thought that William was raised by his grandparents had not occured to me before, but, some 'Jessie Walker' person must have had a big influence in his early life for him to honour her by naming his first born daughter in the way he did!
Monica and Jonn, thanks for your timely assistance. I will post the results when I get my certificates.
Regards
Greg D.