Wow, Kay, I didn't expect you to get the certificate, many thanks for finding William Moodie's death. I had the same thought as you about him marrying twice and Eliza(beth) McDowell being his second wife - what made me reconsider was the fact that little Margaret Parkins is the daughter of Margaret Moodie, who seems to be a good fit for my Margaret McWatt Moodie. Then when you found Elizabeth Moodie listed as Margaret Parkins' grandmother, it made me think again, although I guess a stepgrandmother would be listed as just grandmother.
Thanks for reminding me about the new GRO index. When nothing came up for Margaret Parkins' birth, I checked the William Charles' death you found. Turns out he was aged 15, so not the right one. Went back to search for Margaret/Maria Parkins' birth again, anywhere in England, but nothing had mother's maiden name as Moodie.
There seems to be a gap of 7 years between Margaret McWatt Moodie's birth in 1846 and William John Moodie's in 1853, but both in Ireland, according to the census. William John Moodie married Helen McFarlane - I was told that his mother was listed on the marriage certificate as Elizabeth McDowell too. He had a son, William Porter Moodie born 1878 Glasgow which fits with the parents on William Moodie's death certificate. So it's possible the first Elizabeth (if there was one) died in Ireland and William Moodie married Eliza McDowell between 1846 and 1853 in Ireland.
I think you're probably right about the Margaret Moodie in the 1861 and 1881 census not being my Margaret McWatt Moodie. She was born 1846:
William Moodie and Elisabeth Cook, spouses, Barrhead, had their first child being a daughter born on 27th December 1846 and baptised at the Manse on the sixth of May named Margaret McWatt (Moodie)
and the one in the 1861 census is born c1849 and in 1881 census is born c1851. Not exactly a good fit.
I couldn't find them in 1871 either - only Alex. Nor can I find a death for an Elizabeth Moodie after 1881 that fits. The Margaret Parkins who died in 1881 Hutchesontown age 31 so born ca 1850 also fits with the census ages.
Thanks for letting me use you as a sounding board - I really appreciate the feedback. :-)
Back to the drawing board :-)
Jan