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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Selkirkshire => Topic started by: hansa67 on Monday 03 September 12 06:52 BST (UK)
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Looking for info on birth of Elizabeth Hope born c.1816 in Selkirk to mother Elizabeth Hope (1794/1860). Probably an illigitamate child and her father may have the name of James Haig as she used the name Haig all her life. She married a John Ingles in 1834, but still called herself Elizabeth Haig.
Census information Crown copyright -www. national archives.gov.uk
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Fabulous images!
I'm not sure I can help much, but just an initial couple of thoughts:
Have you check Scotland's People for the birth of Elizabeth Hope?
Have you checked her death certificate to see if her parents are named?
You have obviously done some research to discover a possible father is John Haig. Where did you get this information from?
The answers to these questions may help someone help you. :)
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Ruskie - I found circumstances of her birth notated on her death certificate which names James Haig as her REPUTED father. I have her mothers info and her step father was William Johnstone. When she married John Ingles she used the name Elizabeth Hope on the document ( Jan. 30, 1834) but an old newspaper article shows her still using the name Haig and she used Haig as the middle name of her daughter ( my grandma) - Elizabeth Haig Ingles! Have not found her birth record but census indicates circa 1616.
Hansa
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Hi Ruskie - Will retry sending death certificate
Hansa
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Hi Ruskie -Just figured out that you have to click on the death certificate notice in the first reply! Sorry for taking a while to figure things out as I.m quite new at this.
Hansa67
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Hi Hansa67. I have done a little Scottish research in the past and notice that women's married names and maiden names are often virtually interchangeable. In itself, James Haig as 'reputed' father named on her death certificate may not be so reliable as Elizabeth obviously told family (including the informant) that she believed James was her father. On the other hand, if she always believed that James was her father maybe he was. Perhaps her mother told her the name of her father.
If I were you I would attempt to find Elizabeth's birth/baptism.
You might also need to look into specifics of parish relief/support for an unmarried mother, but I'm afraid this is something I have no experience with.
A really long shot ... I would also look at where Elizabeth was born to see if there is anyone around by the name of James Haig. I suspect it could be a common name, but if Elizabeth came from a small place you may be able to find James living nearby.
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Ruskie- Thank-you for your help. I have found a few James Haig around Selkirk but I guess I`ll have to see if I can find a birth or baptism record to get a clue as to which one is the right one. I will try parish records to see if there was any support.
Thanks again
Cheers
Hansa67
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Trouble is if there are a few James Haigs in Selkirk, you will never know which might be 'yours'. He could have been anything from much older (and maybe married ;)) to younger than Elizabeth. :-\ I am not famililar with Selkirk, but imagine it was a fairly big place. If you have a residence or can narrow down the area where Elizabeth lived, you may be able to find that one James Haigs is more likely than another? :-\ Just speculating here. ;)
I hope someone with some real knowledge of these things comes along to give you some more constructive ideas. :)
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Death certificate is interesting - lots of information. I'm afraid I can't read the newspaper article - when I enlarge it, it's unreadable.
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Ruskie- The newspaper article is about Betty Haigs relationship with Sir Walter Scott.She was known amongst the townspeople by her maiden name of Elizabeth Haig and while still young became servant or message maid to one of sir Walters Gardeners in Abbotsford. They had many long conversations and an easy friendship and she was one of the last living people at that time to Remember Sir Walter Scott.
An interesting article as it reinforces my belief that her father was a James Haig. :D
Will still hope someone may see this and remember something!
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you seem confused as to why Elizabeth would be called Hope instead of Haig as she was illegitmate, she would be registered as Hope unless James Haig Legitimised her in court, then her name could be changed legaly, but nothing to stop her begin known as Haig, but the official paperwork would stay Hope (her mother's maiden name).
Also, if you can check out the Halliwell Musuem in Selkirk, its exhibits are based on the people in the area she lived, worth a try - and the old courthouse (museum) with the walter Scott exhibit is, is around the corner, just along from the Halliwell musuem. they run by SBC.
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terianne - thanks for the info on the Halliwell Museum in Selkirk and the old courthouse museum. Will check them out. What do the Initialls SBC stand for?
I understand why her legal name was Hope, but she was so proud of the name Haig that she chose to use it all her life and passed it on to my grandmother, and there were other nieces that were also given this name.
Thanks again
hansa67
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SBC = Scottish Borders Council (the regions local authority)
they also have a Burial Service Dept which hold the local cemetery Lair Books.
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:'(Hi terianne - Thanks for the suggestions - have done the search with Scotlands people and with parish records to no avail. Being Hope was used as her maiden name on her marriage record I would have to assume her name was never legally changed to Haig.
Thanks again for your effort.
Hansa67