RootsChat.Com

Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Berwickshire => Topic started by: Kirsty Spence on Monday 22 August 16 02:54 BST (UK)

Title: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Kirsty Spence on Monday 22 August 16 02:54 BST (UK)
Looking to see if anyone can help me in finding information on a John Donaldson who married a Mary McPherson in the Leitholm area in the 1800s. These were my great, great grandparents. All I know is that they are burried in Leitholm Cemetry and had a daughter called Mary Ellen Anderson Donaldson. I don't know if they had any other children or who they were related too. PLEASE HELP ME. Thank you in advance for all your help ;)
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: ev on Monday 22 August 16 05:09 BST (UK)
Hi ,

Do you know when the daughter Mary Ellen Anderson Donaldson was born ?

Just to note , Leitholm is in the Parish of Eccles.......I think.
Scotlandspeople has a death for a Mary Donaldson(other surname McPherson) 1935 Eccles Berwick , born c1855.



ev
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: ev on Monday 22 August 16 05:28 BST (UK)
http://www.coldstreamhistorysociety.co.uk/index.php/transcriptions/transcription/leitholm-section-a-row-8-4-donaldson-mcpherson

If that's the correct couple , then there is a marriage in 1877 Coldstream Berwick that may be of interest.



ev
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Monday 22 August 16 06:05 BST (UK)
If this is the same couple Eve found there is  birth for a Peter Donaldson 14 March 1881 Eccles Berwickshire
Father John Donaldson .mother Mary  McPherson Donaldson

Possible census 1881 Eccles Berwickshire
John Donaldson b1855 Coldstream Berwick age 26 occupation tailor
Mary Donaldson b1855 ::::::::::::::::::::::age 26 tailors wife
Jessie Donaldson b1879 :::::::::::::::::::::age 2
Peter Donaldson b 1881 Eccles  age 1 month
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Monday 22 August 16 06:16 BST (UK)
1891 Census address Leitholm Eccles Berwickshire
John Donaldson age 36 tailors school bd officer
Mary Donaldson age 36 wife
Jessie 12,Peter 10,A?? R Donaldson female b1884 age 7 Eccles ,John U Donaldson b1886 age 5 ,Mary A Donaldson b 1888 age 3 ,James T Donaldson b1890 age 1 all born Eccles
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Monday 22 August 16 06:32 BST (UK)
Same couple in 1901 Census address Earnslaw House Eccles Berwick
John 46 tailor general ,Mary 46, John 15, Mary A 12,James 11,
Isab 9,David 6,Christa,6 Ella 4
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Monday 22 August 16 06:59 BST (UK)
There is a Margaret Ellen Anderson Donaldson born 12 November 1896 Leitholm married 1917
Chester -Lee-Street Durham John W Maddison ...This could possibly be Ella in the 1901 census
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Millmoor on Monday 22 August 16 09:21 BST (UK)
There seem to be quite a few family notices in  the Berwickshire News and General Advertiser relating to this family.
18 Dec 1877 At Coldstream on the 30th November by the Rev A Nesbit John Donaldson,tailor,Leithholm, to Miss Mary McPherson, Coldstream.

28 Oct 1902  United Free Church Leitholm Oct 25 by Rev J Mitchell Watson, Leitholm, Matthew eldest son Of Dixon Henderson of Coquet Cottage, OldgateStreet, Morpeth to Jessie,eldest daughter of John Donaldson, Leitholm. (Suggest you look to see where Mary  A Donaldson is in 1911 census).

There are also notices for the births of a number of John Donaldson and Mary McPherson's children.

William
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Monday 22 August 16 09:50 BST (UK)
Possible 1871 census address Eccles Berwick
Agnes Doneldson ( transcription error ) age 39 b 1832 Westruther Berwickshire ..dressmaker
John Doneldson b 1855 Coldstream Berwick age 16 tailor apprentice
James b 1857 age 14 , Isabella 1860, age 11 , David Pitt born 1865 Son ? Agnes Donaldson 1867 age 4

There is a birth for a David Pitt 1865 with father's name John Pitt mother Agnes Russel ?
Births for some of the children mother Agnes Thompson father Peter Donaldson

Suggest you get the death certificate for John Donaldson to confirm parents
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Monday 22 August 16 10:09 BST (UK)
1861 census address Village of Eccles
John Thomson b 1816 Gifford Haddingtonshire age 45 ..ploughman
Isabella Thomson b 1802 Lauder Berwickshire age 59 wife
Margaret Allen age 25 servant
Agnes Donaldson b 1832 Westruther age 29 boarder dressmaker
John Donaldson b 1855 Coldstream age 6 boarder
Isabella Donaldson b 1860 Eccles age 1

Birth for John Donaldson 4/10/1854 Coldstream baptism 11 November 1854
Coldstream Berwick
Father Peter Donaldson
Mother Agnes Thompson
Not found a marriage so far for this couple
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Monday 22 August 16 11:01 BST (UK)
There is a possibility Mary A Donaldson married a Ralph A young 1911 Morpeth Northumberland She was with her sister Jessie and her husband Mathew Henderson
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Kirsty Spence on Monday 22 August 16 12:28 BST (UK)
Thank you for giving me some info - I will look into it. Really appreciate your help.
Kirsty
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Monday 22 August 16 18:30 BST (UK)
Claim 20 free credits on www.scotlandspeople.gov to help with certificates just go to buy credits and in the voucher box put summer16  :D
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Kirsty Spence on Friday 26 August 16 00:55 BST (UK)
Thank you to all those that helped. I didn't notice the majority of replays until now. 90% of them link so that's helped me out loads. Margaret Ellen Anderson Donaldson was born in Leitholm she was my Great Grandmother. How did you link a Mary Ann Donaldson to a marriage to Ralph A Young?? And MillMoor-how did you find the notices in the news?? Thanks
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Millmoor on Friday 26 August 16 06:40 BST (UK)
The British Newspaper Archive has some Berwickshire titles (it is also on FindMyPast). You can do a basic search for free but have to subscribe to view articles . Confusingly the Berwickshire titles are grouped in Northumberland on FindMyPast. 

William
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Friday 26 August 16 08:39 BST (UK)
It was just a possibility for the marriage for Mary A Donaldson she was with her sister in 1911 and there is  registration for a marriage Apr ---June 1911 Morphett Northumberland
Mary A Donaldson to Ralph A Young ...
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Kirsty Spence on Friday 26 August 16 13:31 BST (UK)
Thanks William. I had a browse online last night and found them on line but like you said you have to be a full member to view them in which I am not unfortunately. Does anyone know where the parish records are kept for Leitholm church as I'd like to view the marriage of Jessie in 1902 to see if I have correct marriage. I gather it would have been a family church as Mary and John seem to be burried there so I would presume that the children were baptised there also. Thank you William for your help- The article bit was extremely good to see.
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Friday 26 August 16 13:53 BST (UK)
Hi Kirsty you can view the records on www.scotlandspeople.gov...If the marriage is in 1902 you can view the image which will give you parents names and the names of the witnesses
Rosie
 Should have added all Statutory Records from 1855 can also be viewed up to a certain date just click on the help button ...The records from the church will be recorded on Scotlands People  :)
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Kirsty Spence on Friday 26 August 16 13:56 BST (UK)
Hi Rosie
I don't have any credits. I registered when you messaged me last time with the voucher code of 20 free credits and the code didn't work.
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Friday 26 August 16 14:05 BST (UK)
Jessie Donaldson did marry 25/10/1902 United Free Church Leitholm to Mathew Henderson
If you private message me your e-mail address I will forward it on to you
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Kirsty Spence on Friday 26 August 16 14:57 BST (UK)
Thanks Rosie
I've PMd you my email address. I really appreciate it. Thanks
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Friday 26 August 16 16:14 BST (UK)
Okay be in touch later
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Kirsty Spence on Friday 26 August 16 20:59 BST (UK)
Look forward to it ;) Thanks again.
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Kirsty Spence on Tuesday 30 August 16 02:03 BST (UK)
Rosie, by any chance did you come across a Leitholm/Coldstream marriage for a Mary McPherson/Macpherson (b abt 1855) to a John Donaldson (b abt 1855) ?? I'd be hugely grateful if you could find any details out on this marriage and let me know. Thanks. Kirsty X
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Tuesday 30 August 16 10:35 BST (UK)
Hi Kirsty the only way to go further back would be Scotlands People as I said ....It will cost you £7.00 to buy some credits it will use up 1 for a search then 5 to view the record ...I'm afraid these records are not free ..hope this helps
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Kirsty Spence on Tuesday 30 August 16 13:15 BST (UK)
Ok. Thanks Rosie. I tried looking for the marriage last night but couldn't seem to find it but it must be there as someone put a comment saying there was a marriage for 1877 in Coldstream.
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Millmoor on Tuesday 30 August 16 15:00 BST (UK)
Kirsty, I have just checked on Scotland's People and searching  for a marriage between Donaldson  John and McPherson Mary (make sure you  put the surname first - I have fallen for that one many a time) there is actually only one result and it is in 1877 in Coldstream, Berwickshire.

William
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Kirsty Spence on Tuesday 30 August 16 17:00 BST (UK)
Thanks William. I was putting surname second that's why I've not been able to find it. Thanks for the useful hint. I'm now trying to find births for their children and a marriage between a Peter Donaldson and an Agnes new Thompson. It's hard work this malarkey! I've only been doing it for 4 months so I'm new to all of this. Thanks again William.
Regards kirsty
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Millmoor on Tuesday 30 August 16 17:57 BST (UK)
Census evidence would suggest that Agnes was widowed in 1861.(Living with her parents?) I cannot see a marriage between Peter and Agnes. It might be worth searching for Peter's death between 1855 and 1861and for Agnes's death to confirm the names of her parents.

William
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Tuesday 30 August 16 18:11 BST (UK)
Yes William I could not find a marriage either few trees have a death for Peter 1861
This is the family of Peter and Agnes Thompson
John Donaldson birth 4 October 1854 Coldstream Berwick Baptism 11November 1854

James Donaldson 20 March 1857 Eccles Berwickshire

Isabella Donaldson 13 April 1859 Eccles Berwickshire
Father Peter Donaldson Mother Agnes Thompson
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Tuesday 30 August 16 18:20 BST (UK)
This is Agnes Donaldson in the 1901 census
John Ormston age 49 farmer Bartlehill Farm House Eccles
Isabella Ormston age 41
Andrew 4,Margaret 8,Thomas 6, Peter 4,
Agnes Donaldson age 70 mother in law
So a death for Agnes will give you her parents
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Tuesday 30 August 16 18:50 BST (UK)
Just seen a copy of birth for one of Agnes's daughters
Agnes Russell Donaldson born 21 November 1866 ( illegitimate )
Mother Agnes Donaldson maiden name Russell widow dressmaker
Tree also had Agnes dead 1904
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Millmoor on Tuesday 30 August 16 19:06 BST (UK)
There is only one death for a Peter Donaldson coming up in Berwickshire between 1855 and 1861 and that was in Eccles in 1860.( Looking at the l851 census for Peter Donaldson in Berwickshire the most likely candidate has parents who were born in Wales!).

William
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Tuesday 30 August 16 19:14 BST (UK)
Think there is a bit of mystery around this Agnes ....I think this could be a possible birth for her
Agnes Thomson Waugh 1 March 1832 mother Isabel Waugh
Agnes is on the 1841 census with her mother Isabel and sister Margaret


Marriage 30 October 1842 Westruther Berwick Isabel Waugh spouse John Thomson
1851 census Agnes is down as Thomson
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Kirsty Spence on Wednesday 31 August 16 00:18 BST (UK)
Thank you for all your help. I've wrote down all the information that you lovely people have found for me so this should keep me busy for a while. It's a puzzle the whole thing! I've been on scotlandspeople and found lots of info out but what I can't find is a marriage in Coldstream for a Neil McPherson and a Janet Robertson and all her children's births are mother Janet Robertson but when I've got info from the death on her tomb stone she's coming up as 'Jessie' McPherson nee Robertson. I'm so confused.
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Millmoor on Wednesday 31 August 16 00:55 BST (UK)
Kirsty Jessie is a pet name for Janet . Your Janet and Jessie are I am sure one and the same. The census evidence suggests that they were born in Skye. I cannot see a marriage for them either(unlike England statutory registration of marriages only started  in 1855 - before that the parish records have to be used and they are incomplete.). Again I think that you will only be able to find their parents names from their death records.

Given that Mary Mcpherson was born in 1855 her birth registration should be on Scotland's People. The records in that first year  were particularly detailed and should give you a lot of information eg when parents married.

William
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Kirsty Spence on Wednesday 31 August 16 03:23 BST (UK)
Yes, I gathered they could be the same person but I could at find a marriage for any of them. I have Mary's birth certificate in which I gained tonight from Scotland's people site and it says they were married in 1850 I just couldn't understand why I couldn't see a marriage for them even looking at the parish records. After gaining Neil's and Janet's/jessies death certificates I have found what their parents are called on Scotland's people but having trouble linking Neil to his parents and Janet/Jessie to hers. This is much harder than I thought 😢 I'm not very good at this, maybe I just need a bit more practice. Thanks for looking though. Kirsty
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Millmoor on Wednesday 31 August 16 07:31 BST (UK)
It becomes harder the further back you go!

I think Rosie may well be correct about Agnes Waugh. Have a look at the Scottish Indexes site and the records for Sheriff Court Paternity Cases. There is one in Duns with the pursuer Isabel Waugh, Rae Cleugh, Westruther with the other party Robert Allen, sometime servant, Mount Mill Channelkirk, formerly at Whiteburn, Westruther. The child was born 1835 and the decree was in 1839. I think this case could refer to Margaret Thomson Waugh born Westruther1835. In the 1861 census in the household of Thomas Thomson is Margaret Allen b 1836 Westruther - she is recorded as a servant but servants are not always what they seem!

William
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: rosie17 on Wednesday 31 August 16 09:38 BST (UK)
I think we do have the correct mother Isabel Waugh on the link Ev provided for the grave index ..John Thomson Waugh in memory of his wife Isabella Waugh died at Hassington 9 July 1874 age 71 years ...John Thomson 11 August 1882 age 69 years ...Agnes is with them 1841/1851/1861 ....Have just viewed the OPR birth for John and it says lawful son of Peter Donaldson and Agnes Thompson...will forward it on
Rosie
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Kirsty Spence on Wednesday 31 August 16 14:04 BST (UK)
These servants were abit of a rebel back in the day! 😂 Just noticed your message Rosie, if you could forward that on, that'd be great. I don't know how you all find this info out. I've spent hours and sleepless nights trying to find it. Hopefully I'll be a pro one day being able to help others.
Title: Re: Mary McPherson & John Donaldson Leitholm
Post by: Kirsty Spence on Friday 07 October 16 13:11 BST (UK)
Could someone help me please?? I'm trying to find the marriage of a Janet Robertson to a Neil McPherson b Sleat married Coldstream 1850 and I can't find it anywhere! I've researched on ancestry and scotlands people and there's nothing. On their children's birth certificate is says they married Coldstream 1850 but where the evidence is I have no idea. Was wondering if someone could help me. Thank you xx