James Rankin Laing

[akissling]

I believe that my ancestor Margaret Black, daughter of Walter Black, provost of Hamilton, married James Rankin Laing, watchmaker and jeweller, on 31 JUL 1853. I was able to find the marriage bann today. It states James Laing, watchmaker Glasgow St and Margaret Black residing there.
What is odd is that Margaret was previously married to William Barr, watchmaker from Hamilton. Wm died around late 1847 or early 1848. Margaret continued his watchmaking business until she sold her inventory in 1851.
The reason I think this Margaret is the wife of James Laing is because she is named on her daughter's marriage certificate (attached). Margaret and William Barr had a daughter Margaret. This Margaret Barr married William Templeton in 1873. On her marriage certificate it states that her mother is Margaret Laing formerly Barr M.S. Black (deceased). What I find confusing is that Margaret used her maiden name when she married J.R. Laing in 1853. Does anyone know if this is common? I feel pretty confident that the wife of J.R. Laing is my Margaret but I haven't been able to find a marriage announcement in the newspaper or anything that would clear this up for me. Thanks!

[CaroleW]

Hi

Think you mean her father was Walter Black?

Margaret Black, daughter of Walter Barr, provost of Hamilton,

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X15K-KQ8

[GR2]

Legally, in Scotland, Jean Smith who marries John McDonald is called "Jean Smith or McDonald". The session clerk recording the intent to marry and proclamation of banns would be quite correct in using her maiden name.

[CaroleW]

From Family Search - she married William Barr in 1840

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XTBL-QQK

Baptisms

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X15K-KQ2
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X15K-KQ8
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X15K-KQ8

Grace & Janet are not on the 1851 with Margaret but in addition to Margaret - there is a son William aged 8.  Margaret is transcribed as Mrs William Barr aged 30 b Hamilton

In 1861, Margaret & William are living with their aunt & uncle James & Ann Cochrane

[akissling]

Fixed that (Black not Barr)! Thanks CaroleW! I appreciate the extra information on Margaret's children as well. Thanks to GR2 as well. I guess I thought because she was married to William Barr before James that they would use Barr in the banns. Very interesting. I guess I can feel pretty certain that this is my Margaret then. Thanks again!

[Skoosh]

Still jewellers in Glasgow called Laing!

Skoosh.

[akissling]

Wow, that is pretty amazing! Thanks!

[lizci]

They're very well known jewellers in the Argyle Arcade in Glasgow ... you might find this interesting http://www.argyll-arcade.com/laings.htm

Lizci

[Rodeo]

Hi akissling

There is the following Bent Cemetery burial record:

Laing, Maregrat [sic] (BLACK), age 33, date of death 25 December 1855, date of burial 28 December 1855, Wife of James R. Laing, Glasgow

That 1855 death certificate should give you an abundance of information.

Cheers,

Rodeo