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Forfarian

Thank you for your information and advice. A professional searcher is probably my best bet. I will look into it.

I've just had a look at one of the Smyllum threads. Those poor, defenceless children.

cew1

Margaret married Henry Welsh 19.4.1907, St Patrick's, Edinburgh. They had four children, all born in Edinburgh, Annie 1907-1907; Margaret 1908-2003; Henry 1911- 1941; Walter 1913-1915.
Henry joined the Royal Scots Reserve 4.1.02. His last re-engagement, for four years, was on 29.7.11. He was called up for permanent service on 15.8.14. He was transferred to UK for release 22.9.1918.
The marriage broke down. There is a letter, dated 21.10.1916, in Henry's army record in which Henry requests that Margaret no longer receives any payment from him. He states that he will continue to support the two children as long as they remain in her care.
There is an undated note in his record stating that the children are in the care of Mrs F Hepburn, 142 High Street, Edinburgh. A search on Google revealed that this was the address of Children 1st (RSSPCC).
The son of Margaret's daughter, contacted the orphanage to try and find out the reason for their admission. He was told that they were admitted on 20.9.1918 from 2 Ann Terrace, Abbeyhill. The reason for admission is given as 'by order of Court'. The children, due to their Roman Catholic denomination, were transferred to the RC orphanage at Smyllum, Lanarkshire on 30.9.1918. Smyllum closed in the 1980's. Margaret's son contacted The Daughters of Charity in London in an effort to get further information. He only received an admission document showing the children were registered together at Smyllum on 1.10.1918. The document indicates that their father is a soldier with ASC and that their mother is in prison. The document mentions a conditional baptism for Henry at St Mary's, Lanark on 13.6.1919. Henry is listed as an inmate at Smyllum on the 1921 Census.
I am hoping to find out why, where and for how long Margaret was imprisoned. 

Good evening all.

flst

Margaret McAndrew died at 20 Causewayend, Aberdeen and her death was registered by her son John who was living at 87 Lock Street, Aberdeen. Her parents were listed as John McLennan, Shoemaker, Master, Deceased and Grace McLennan, MS McKinlay, Deceased.

I checked the birth registration for George Ritchie, born 24.1.1859 but have discounted him as his parents were Alexander Ritchie and Isabella Ritchie, MS ?Lawrence and the birth was registered by Alexander.

Forfarian and Looby

Yes, I, too, am sure that Frederick is an imaginary person, possibly created to to save face when George got married. I am now torn between two schools of thought. My first and strongest one is that George Ritchie and George McAndrew are the same person. If there are two Georges, who was little George Ritchie, and what happened to him? I have not discounted the George McLennan born in 1863. His age matches the military deserter George McAndrews, but it does not seem likely that his mother would have registered him as McLennan and then called him Ritchie.

Thank you all for your help and guidance.

chris

George's occupation is 'hotel waiter'. His address is 27 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh.
The witnesses are Jane Maxwell Macpherson and Catherine Dingwall
Christina's parents are William Russell, Blacksmith and Mary Russell, MS Hislop
Christina's address is 4 St Stephens Street, Edinburgh