1851 census: "Finaday"? can't figure out where ancestor was born

[Matt62]

On the 1851 census return for my 4x great grandfather John MacPherson (then living in Balfron, Stirlingshire as a lodger), it states that he was born circa. 1791 in "Finaday, Argyll".

Finaday!?

I assume this must be some mistake on the part of whomever transcribed the document, as I cannot find any record online of anywhere in Argyll named "Finaday". Might as well be Brigadoon......

His wife, Anne "Nancy" MacFarlan, was born on the isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides circa. 1793.

I am interested in this couple since I managed to find a 3rd cousin 1x from Canada with whom I share genetic segments at a very high level over on AncestryDNA and whose most recent common ancestors with me are none other than John MacPherson and Ann MacFarlan. In other words, I seem to have established an actual genetic inheritance from this couple, in addition to my paper trail.

If anyone can help me figure this out, I'd be grateful!

[Rosinish]

I would firstly suggest you get a copy of the original census to find out what the place name may be?

Annie

[Rosinish]

Just a wee addition...

It may have been the name of a farm rather than an actual place name?

There are also place names for Argyll which may sometimes be confused with Inverness as they border each other & depending on where, there's a chance of a mix up?


Annie

[josey]

Just to add to Annie's post [in case you didn't know] that the original images of the Scotland censuses are only available at https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/. It's a pay site. If you cannot read the actual writing you can post a snip of the image on the rootschat 'Deciphering and Recognition' board.

[Millmoor]

Agree with all the above comments re the original on SP.The transcription on Freecen while giving place of birth as Finaday has the remark "Unsure PO birth".

William

[MonicaL]

Hi Matt

Why do you think the 1851 entry connects to the John McPherson you are interested in? The John you mention in Balfron is showing as unmarried.

What else do you have on John McPherson and Ann McFarlane? Are John and Ann the couple having children in the Archattan area of Argyll from at least 1814?

Monica

[MonicaL]

Some family trees show this 1851 census entry for the family:

Hugh Mcpherson 25 Crofter Of 18 Acres & Ag Lab b. Ardchattan
Ann Mcpherson 60 mother b. Mull, argyleshire
Mary Mcpherson 22 sister b. b. Ardchattan
Peter Mcpherson 18 brother b. b. Ardchattan

Address: Dabrouach, Ardchattan

I can't tell from the transcript I am looking at what is showing for Ann's marital status in 1851 (married or widowed). Freecen have only so far transcribed the censuses for 1841 and 1871 for Ardchattan. If you don't have the original from SP, would be worth checking...

Monica

[Millmoor]

The Ann McPherson you have identified, Monica, is showing as a widow.

William

[MonicaL]

You likely have all of these but just for background here:

1841:

John McPherson 50 crofter
Nany McPherson 45
Donald McPherson 25
Hugh McPherson 15
Mary McPherson 11
Peter McPherson 8

Address: Dalronich, Ardchattan

ADDED: With William's confirmation that Ann is showing as a widow in 1851, you have your window for John Snr's death...likely at Dalronich.

Monica