1851 lookup - HARPER

[surfmate]

Could someone do a lookup in 1851 for James Harper b 1813 in Paisley. Married to Catherine, don't know about children. Found him in 1861 in Paisley, but with parents.
If not in Paisley, a search wider afield would be appreciated

Steve

[RJ_Paton]

Sorry, I can find no trace of a James Harper of that age in the 1851 index for Renfrewshire

[surfmate]

This man is proving to be elusive. Not found in 1851 or 1871 and with parents in 1861. He died in 1878, married to Catherine Bell. He was born in 1813 in Paisley and listed in 1861 as a shawl weaver.

Where could he be?  Age possibly wrong or illegible in census?  Living in another county?

Would someone be able to check 1851/71 for a James Harper and wife Catherine regardless of age

Thanks,

Steve

[RJ_Paton]

I've checked the 1851 index for Glasgow and for lanarkshire County area with no success for  James and Catherine Harper - there are a few James' and a very few Catherine Harper's but none of them together.

[surfmate]

The puzzle continues!!  Given that I found him in 1861 in Paisley(with parents), can someone do a lookup in 1861 for a Catherine Harper, married, but with no husband present on census night. Expect her age to be 40-50

Steve

[RJ_Paton]

Could it perhaps be a late marriage ..... there is a 43 yr old Catherine Bell living in Port Glasgow in the 1851 index she is the only one aged between 25 and 45 in the index. (The nearest Catherine Harper is aged 22)

[surfmate]

James married a Catherine Bell in 1834 and died in 1878 and on cert. listed as being married to Catherine Bell. So I don't know anything about him between those years apart from being in the 1861 Census. If anyone has any ideas for my next investigative steps, they would be greatly appreciated.

Steve

[RJ_Paton]

What are the parents details (where he is in 1861) .... I'll check them in the 1851 index ... at least it would be one line of enquiry ruled out.

[surfmate]

1861 Census 559/01 024/01 017

Parish of Abbey, Burgh of Paisley

No. 83 18 Gt Hamilton Street

Robert Harper, head, marr, age 73, Shawl Weaver, born Paisley
Janet Harper, wife, marr, age 76, born Paisley
James Harper, son, marr, age 47, Shawl weaver, born Paisley