RootsChat.Com

Forfarian
              The naming of Wigton Dumpfries in the 1851 census creates a real problem and combined with the variation in the ages given it looks to me as if it will be impossible to follow this family any further back. We could never be sure just who his parents might be.
Wyanga

Forfarian
               I had taken that it meant Wigtown on Wigtown bay. I understand that this was the home area of the McGregor clan and at some stage in History the English banned the clan and the McGregor name and that families in the area chose to adobt variations such as Gregson and Grierson among other variations. Forgive me if my Scottish history and geography is hazy.
  I understand that Wigtown is near the boundary between Gallway and Dumfries
Wyanga

CaroleW,
 There seems to be a discrepancy with their ages in the 1861 Census.
  Alexander's age in the 1841 census is given as 70 whereas 10 years later in 1851 he is 88.
 Also Helen was born 1802 so she would have been 49 in 1851. Still a large difference in ages.
Wyanga

 Would there be any newspaper or local reports that might have reported the death of Alexander Grierson in the period between 1851 and 1855 at Barnacabber . Dunoon Kilmun  Parish.
   Alexander is in the 1851 census , listed as a pauper mason at Barnacabber. Official death records start in 1855 and there is no listing for him.
His wife Helen is listed under her maiden name of Mckellar at Ardentinny, living with a sister Catherine Thompson . a daughter Sophiw Grierson is also listed there. as a widow in the 1861 census.
 I believe that Alexander Grierson must have died between the 1851 census and befoe deaths were registered in 1855.
Wyanga

heywood
                If James and Mary's son Patrick Gearn was born in Ireland about 1855 , wouldn't he be recorded in the Official Ireland Births ?
Wyanga