Doing research for a friend and looking for a John Wilson, supposedly b St Ola, Orkney 1833-34. I have searched all the batch numbers for John and cannot find a birth of a John, son of James Wilson and Susan Rines, anywhere in Orkney. Scotland's People was no help either. These were the parents he named on his second marriage certificate in 1863 when he married Stewart Sandison.
There is a John Wilson age 8 living with John and Isabella Wilson in 1841 in Lyness, Walls but I don't think that's my John, the stonecutter.
John was a stonecutter in 1861, living at Lighthouse, Westray with his first wife, Jean Liddle, who died Nov 1861. Hence his second marriage.
In 1871 John is not with his family. His wife, Stewart, marked as married, is with her mother Marjory Reid and 2 children - John age 7 and Margaret Ann 3.
In 1881 there is no sign of John or his wife, and three (grand)children are now still living with Marjory in Pierowall, Westray, the latest gdau being Susan aged 6.
Marjory/May Reid died 1890 and thereafter there is no sign of the family or the children in Orkney.
I've browsed LDS and there seem to RINES in the US but I can't see a connection. There was a suitable John born to a James and Susannah in Yorkshire. Father James was a stone mason but looking at subsequent years, this isn't him either.
Can anyone help or is this a lost cause?
Regards
Suzie