Margaret McConnachie birth about 1805 Keith possibly

[mcadamsd]

Looking for information on Margaret McConnachie who I believe was born about 1805 in Banffshire, possibly Keith.

She married my 3rd great uncle, James Dunbar, 1 Nov 1829 in Keith based on a marriage from Scotland's People.

However, I have been unable to find a birth or other record for Margaret that fits.  All births with that name seem to be from 1820-1834.

Thinking that the spelling of the surname could be a possible issue I did find a Margaret MCCONACHIE 19 Jun 1811 in Huntly.  Born to a James Mcconachie and Janet Spence.  That would make her 18 at time of marriage and James Dunbar was 30.  The 1851 census has James as a shoemaker master in Keith with Margaret 4 years younger which seems to fit the 1805 date.  In the 1851 census Margaret is five years younger which again seems to confirm the 1805 date.

[mcadamsd]

Happened across one of Margaret's children Elspet Birth 24 DEC 1837 • Keith, Banffshire, Scotland in 1861 census in this household in Keith.  Earlier census documents list Elspet as a Baker Apprentice in Keith in 1851 when she was 14.  Still living at home

MACONACHIE   Helen   Head   U   F   51   Baker    Banffshire - Keith         
 MACONACHIE   Mary   Sister   U   F   36   Baker    Banffshire - Keith       
DUNBAR   Elspet   Servnt   U   F   22   Baker    Banffshire - Keith       
 MACONACHIE   Robert   Lodger   U   M   42   Shoemaker    Banffshire - Keith   

This seems to correct the spelling .

[merryhow]

Possible death for Margaret,  SP Margaret Dunbar 72yrs died 1875 in Keith. Depending on who registered the death you should find her parents names on DC

[MonicaL]

As merryhow mentions, Margaret's death reg will give you formal confirmation of her parents.

From other's research, there looks to be a family headed up by a James McConachie and Helen Robertson in Keith at the right time who could be Margaret's parents.

Monica 

[MonicaL]

Nope, we can take this couple off the list going by this MI for James McConachie, Helen and children http://www.mbgrg.org/photo_index/view_stone.php?churchyard=Macallan&stone=003

The actual stone reads:

IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM McCONACHIE FARMER IN HAUGHS OF ELCHIES FOR 41 YEARS. WHO DIED ON THE 6th APRIL 1856, AGED 86 YEARS. AND OF HIS BELOVED WIFE HELEN ROBERTSON WHO DIED IN DECEMBER 1826 AGED 44 YEARS ALSO OF THEIR CHILDREN THOMAS, WILLIAM AND MARGARET. WHO DIED IN YOUTH ALSO JESSIE McCONACHIE NIECE OF THE SAID JAMES McCONACHIE WHO DIED AT THE HAUGHS 20th APRIL 1937 AGED 80 YEARS ERECTED IN AFFECTIONATE REMEBERANCE BY THEIR THIRD SON JAMES McCONACHIE WHO DIED 29th OCTOBER 1875 AGED 63 YEARS

Monica

[MonicaL]

One more couple for you to consider is a William McConnachie and Helen Taylor.

The spelling of the surname not surprisingly can have a number of variations. There are some births for them such as (thinking here of the 1861 census entry you have):

Helen 1809 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XB39-L2R
Mary 1824 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XB39-VGC

Margaret 1803? https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XB3S-2H5

A James www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/mcconnachie/66/

Others www.rootschat.com/links/01jgi/

Somebody else thinks it might be this couple www.ancestry.co.uk/genealogy/records/margaret-mcconnachie_51688751?geo_a=r&o_iid=41013&o_lid=41013&o_sch=Web+Property

Monica

[mcadamsd]

Monica:  Thanks for the detailed reply.  Much appreciated.