Mary Jane Coutts neč Bruce - Did She Immigrate to South Africa in 1901 ?

[darylr]

Hi,

I'm trying to trace where my 2 x great grand aunt Mary Jane Coutts, neč Bruce disappeared to in 1901 from Maryhill, Glasgow. She was born on 3 May 1874 in Brechin, Angus to David Bruce & Mary Shirret.

She was married to William Coutts, a joiner, and had 2 children James Shirret Coutts and Violet Mary Robertson Coutts.

I can't seem to find her in the 1911 Scottish census, so I am wondering if she immigrated possibly to South Africa as another sibling Daisy Baxter Bruce ended up in Cape Town sometime between 1901 & 1911.

Can anyone help ?

Daryl

[Milliepede]

Can you find her husband and children or is it the whole family that disappears?

[darylr]

Hi,

It's all of them, I can't seem to find. Marriages, or deaths.

I did find tonight a death for a William Coutts on 23 Nov 1903 in Cape Town, who was a carpenter who was born in 1873 so he could be Mary Jane's husband. His death cert stated he was married and was Scottish but that was it.

His address he was living at was 3 Junction Buildings, Main Rd, Cape Town. He's buried in the Maitland cemetery.

[keyboard86]

Hi the death of a William Coutts in South Africa could be this one:-

Mr W Coutts occ Joiner aged 28 departed Southampton for Cape, South Africa 31st May 1902 on Vessel Goorkha

Also on the 27th September 1902 a Mrs Coutts 28 along with a Mastr J Coutts 4 and Miss ? Coutts 1 departed Southampton for Cape, South Africa on the Braemar Castle

Also a Miss D Bruce aged 24 occ Domestic departed Southampton for Cape, South Africa 6th June 1903 on Vessel Raglan Castle

Keyboard86

[Johnf04]

Here is the probate, and "Death Notice" for Mary Jane COUTTS - South African records are very informative.

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS9L-C7J5-W?mode=g&i=2428&cat=188051

[darylr]

Hi John & Keyboard86,

Wow , thank you so much for finding my 2 x great aunt Mary Jane . That's definitely her,
I see her father's name on her death cert is incorrect though it should be David Bruce but the other details are correct.

I noted that her will was witnessed by William Clemitson, who was Daisy Bruce's husband.

It makes me wonder if another sister Betsy Hillocks Bruce b. 6 June 1867 in Brechin, also immigrated to South Africa with her husband David Robertson in 1901 from Arbroath, Angus. It's the same story, I can't find any trace of them, apart from being on the 1901 Scottish census.

I found a death for a David Robertson on 6 July 1912 in Claremont, Cape Province. He was a railway signalman in 1901 but died a labourer working at a railway station. Again his age and other details seemed to match, apart from not mentioning his wife's name. Again, maybe Betsy remarried after his death.

Many thanks again for finding those records.

Daryl

[darylr]

Hi John,

I forgot to say I am also looking for Farrell's in Ayrshire, particularly in Kilbinie.
Especially Mary Farrell, daughter of Thomas Farrell & Agnes McVitie are you related by any chance ?

Daryl

[keyboard86]

Hi again, re the possibility of David/Betsy Robertson also emigrating to SA:-

Mr D Robertson 29 occ Signalman departed Southampton for Durban (Port Natal) on Vessel Braemar Castle 26th April 1902

Mrs B Robertson 36 departed Southampton for Durban (Port Natal) on Vessel Braemar Castle 27th September 1902

Noted from 1901 census that David was younger than Betsy eg b c 1873
Keyboard86

[Johnf04]

Here is the South African archives index for Betsy ROBERTSON. Unfortunately, the probate records on Family Search for Natal only run to 1950.