Where is Archibald McKay in 1841

[Forfarian]

Thanks for that information. Are there cases then where an application is made for relief to the parish of someone's birth but the money was paid out in a different parish?

Yes. Usually the parish of residence pays up and then seeks reimbursement from the parish of settlement.

NB Settlement not birth. It would be the parish of birth unless the person had acquired settlement in another parish. This could be by marrying a man whose settlement was there, or by living there continuously for a specified number of years - originally five IIRC, but later reduced to three. I'd have to check with the book to be sure.

Also the rules had changed radically in 1845 when responsibility for poor relief was transferred from the Kirk to the parochial boards set up to deal with the poor.

[jennywren001]

Many thanks to everyone for all the information provided on this thread it's been really interesting.  J11 I've had a good hunt for Archie in military records but have come up empty handed. I'm going to contact Aberdeen and see if I can get a bit further with Ann Cooper's poor relief record.
Jen

[MonicaL]

Hi Jen

I tried looking for army info too for Archibald on http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/advanced-search...and failed to find anything at all 

Monica

[jennywren001]

Hi Monica,
I'm setting Archie aside for the moment. For me he was a possible link to Robert McKay and Ann Leslie Cooper and perhaps he still is but now with the other discoveries I'm now confident that Robert left Ann and the girls and offskied to Ohio.
Jen

[jennywren001]

I think this is quite amazing a sixty year mystery SOLVED!

The Fraserburgh Poor Records for Ann Leslie Cooper/McKay states " R S McKay, Stonecutter, deserted pauper about 18 years ago and is said to be in America" then in the last column it states "Brother of R S McKay, Archibald in Springfield, Clark County"

This confirms that Robert McKay left Ann Leslie Cooper and the two girls (sad stories for both of them) and started a new life for himself.

Monica thank you so much for finding that crucial piece of the puzzle. 

Jen