RootsChat.Com

Sorry my bad  - yes 1871.

Hi Monica,
Ive found a second source with all of the family (6) as you posted.  The surname used is McQuilter so yes there does seem to be some variation with spelling.  I think this is the right trail and I'm working on it.
Bridge st. where they lived then, was only about 15km from Neil Thomson - who knows they could have met at a common work place.
Don't know what happened to Mary yet but when I find out will let you know. I do know that she subsequently had more children, all registered with the surname McQuilter.
Would this be normal in those days if she was unmarried?

Ive got hold of the marriage cert. and Andrew McQuilter and wife Mary Anne Monaghan were married 0n 26th Sept 1862 in Houston & Killellan.
Also have a birth cert for Elizabeth, born 16 April 1861. Listed as Illegitimate.  My 4 times removed Grandfather (Neil Thomson) had an affair with Mary Anne in 1860 - so she must have been "dating" Andrew at this time for Elizabeth to take the McQuilter surname??  I'm surprised she even married having had Elizabeth.

Neil married Sarah Hemphill (born 1836) on 22 March 1862. Sarah was pregnant at that time with Francis.  They lived at 25 Rutherglen Lane, Govan, Glasgow for 3 months.  Around this time, Elizabeth McQuilter was dropped off at their place and Neil and Sarah raise her under the surname Thomson.

I'm sure Sarah would have been surprised with the new family addition.

On 18 August 1866, Neil, Elizabeth and new daughter Mary Irvine travel to NZ.
Sarah stays to look after her Dad who dies in September and Sarah ends up in the poorhouse.  Seems this was a common place to hang out !! At this time, Sarah had son Neil (who dies) and daughter Ann is born.  After 9 months in the poorhouse, Sarah and Ann depart for NZ.

Its a pretty dysfunctional family - in fact, Elizabeth later has a child by Neil.

I'm now looking for Neils and Mary's roots (as these are direct bloodlines). Neils ancestors were the MacThomas's who lived near Renfrew.

Any other help greatly appreciated.

This is where it gets interesting and why its been difficult finding info.
My blood relative Neil Thomson was having an affair with her around 1860.  They had an illegitimate child Elizabeth  - registered as Elizabeth McQuilter   (my great, great, great Grandmother).

Mary had further children with the surname McQuilter so I only assume (and because of the affair) she was married to a Mr?? McQuilter.

Neil Married someone else in March 1862.  Soon after this marriage, Mary turns up at Neil and his wife's residence and presents them with Elizabeth.  Neil and wife raise her as there own and she takes Thomson as her surname.

That's all I know so far.
Know were I can get any more info? (preferably without having to pay for it).  Links?

Regards
Craig