RootsChat.Com

Further to the foregoing, I have now discovered that Mary Scott/Irving/Johnstone was a niece of William Dalrymple, her mother's brother. I had not found out until further investigation  that William was married twice. Firstly to Janet Lawson who died in 1860, and then to Ruth Irving. Janet gave birth to Mary Ann Dalrymple in 1852 which makes her a cousin of  Mary S/I/J . When Mary Ann gave birth to William Beattie Dalrymple he was Mary's second cousin. As Mary Ann died in 1905 and William was still living g with Mary Johnstone this is almost certainly why she was named as his next of kin on his attestation.

I have gone through all the information you have given, together with more from Scotlands People. I wondered if Mary adopted William, however adoptions were private in Scotland before 1930 so there will be no evidence. As Dalrymple was Mary's mother's surname, I am presuming that Mary Ann was a cousin, and probably was not in a position to bring a child up. I would think that Mary must have adopted him and given him the name of Irving. This is the only explanation I can give for Mary being advised of his death, as his mother. None of this can be proved unfortunately but it seems the most logical explanation.

Thank you for all the trouble you have taken. This has proved most interesting. I can't understand why his surname is Irving as he was born Dalrymple, and was born after Mary married Mr Johnstone. Of course Mary's mother's maiden name was Dalrymple and maybe Mary Ann was a niece. I hadn't been able to find out anything about her, but maybe she died in childbirth and Mary Johnstone brought him up as her own. Thank you again for your help

I am trying to find information about William Irving, who was a lance corporal who died in WW1 on 18th July 1916. He was 41. I have tried Scotlands People from 1870 onwards, but there are no records of his birth. I would also like to see his attestation papers for when he joined up. Any help greatly appreciated.

It should read scamblers court