I thought I'd have a go at posting a brick wall which is still holding strong after a few years of me looking at it and scratching my head. As I think the answer may involve some obscure military record somewhere (or not), I'm posting it in the Armed Forces section...
My ggg-grandmother was a girl called Catherine Campbell. The interesting thing about Catherine is that all her census entries (except 1841, which is 'not born in county') give her birth place as France (British Subject), and the year tends to hover around 1815. Indeed a family story from a distant cousin says she was born at Waterloo.
I'll just check those ages: 1841 - 29 (1811-12), 1851 - 35 (1815-16), 1861 - 45 (1815-16), 1871 - 56 (1814-15), 1881 - 60 (1820-21!).
She died 26 Jun 1889, age 75 according to the certificate (1814-15). The certificate also gives some names for her parents (my brick wall):
Donald CAMPBELL Sergeant in the 42nd Regiment (deceased)
Barbara CAMPBELL m/s STEVENSON (deceased)
The informant was her son-in-law, Charles McGregor, so I don't know how accurate these names are, but it's all I have to go on. Some more facts about Catherine:
She married Donald CAMERON in Aug 1837 at Caputh, and the family lived most of their time in Clunie, Perthshire where her husband was a farmer, but also the local church officer. They had 9 children from 1839 until 1856, two of whom went into the 72nd Highlanders, perhaps a suggestion of something military in their family background. One of Catherine's daughters was called Barbara, and there was also a Donald, but that could be for Donald Cameron (her husband).
I have not been able to find any sign of Sergeant Donald Campbell, 42nd Foot, or Barbara Stevenson. I did find a couple of Donald Campbells of the 42nd Foot on the The National Archive's searchable catalogue, and when at Kew a couple of years ago looked them up and discounted them (I can't find my notes on them now!). I was once sent a copy of a Waterloo database page that had D. Campbells on, and the 42nd only seemed to own one - a Duncan Campbell.
I searched for Catherine’s birth in GRO REGIMENTAL BIRTH INDICES (1761 to 1924) (and supplement) and Army Chaplain’s returns under Campbell, Stevenson and Stephenson. Also searched GRO ARMY CHAPLAINS DEATH INDICES (1796 to 1880) Stevenson, Stephenson and Campbell. Nada.
I have poked scotlandspeople a few times, spending a few credits on various Barbara Ste*ensons, and balking at the too numerous Donald Campbells - they could be anywhere.
I'm left wondering if his name *was* Donald Campbell? Another idea is - was he in the 42nd Foot? Both his grandsons went into the 72nd Foot - maybe their choice was dictated by Donald actually also being in the 72nd? I see one Donald Campbell on the Waterloo database in the 72nd. Or maybe he was in another regiment altogether... Did Barbara marry Donald? Or was Catherine illegitimate? What was Barbara Stevenson doing in France anyway?
Well, I could go on with the questions and theories! Sorry to give out so much info, but if anyone has any ideas at all - I'd be most grateful. I'd love to know what became of Donald and Barbara, and what gggg-grandfather did in the (Peninsular) war, an area I know very little about.
I have more on the Clunie Camerons at
http://www.garenewing.co.uk/family/cameron.htmlMy thanks - Garen.