1851 Census lookup - Mitchell

[Dave H]

I'm looking for information on David Mitchell born 1806 who married Margaret Bruce in 1829.

On the 1841 Census they were living in Forfar and had 4 children -
David b 1829
Alexander b 1835
Charles b 1838
Ann b 1840

In 1856 Margaret and 4 children all born after the 1841 census arrived in Melbourne, Australia -
Ann b 1845
Euphemia b 1846
George b 1850
John b 1848

I'm looking to find out what happened to the other half of the family and I'm hoping they are on the 1851 census.
Any help would be appreciated.

[karenlee]

Hi 

This may be them

1851 Census Scotland Angus Forfar
Parish Number 288, ED 14, Page 15, Schedule Number 79, Line 11
Horse Water Wynd

MITCHELL
David Head Marr 46 Hand Loom Weaver Linen Yarn Forfar Forfarshire
Margaret Wife Marr 45 Hand Loom Weaver Lined Yarn Aberlemnoy Forfarshire
David Son Unmarr 21 Shoemaker Forfar Forfarshire
Alexander Son Unmarr 15 Hand Loom Weaver Linen Forfar Forfarshire
Ann Dau Unmarr 11 Scholar Forfar Forfarshire
John Son Unmarr 4 At Home Forfar Forfarshire
George Son Unmarr 3 At Home Forfar Forfarshire

Cheers
Karenlee

[Dave H]

Thank you for posting that.

I think that confirms I have the right family and rules out the older half of the family moving to Australia before 1851. The birthdate I had for Ann was taken from the shipping records and I suspect that this date is incorrect. I'm not sure why Euphemia  is missing from the census, unless she was born after 1851 and the shipping record is wrong again.

[runningbear]

hi my friend,

1851 census; west h street, forfar

janet mitchell...head...age 41...hand loom weaver
david kinnear...son...age 11
euphemia mitchell...niece...age 6

all born forfar

happy hunting

Joe

[MonicaL]

Hi Dave

Did the older children go over to Australia also, if not, this looks like a possibility for eldest son David in the 1861 Census:

David Mitchell    31, shoemaker, b. Forfar
Margaret Mitchell 31, Linen Handloom Weaver, Forfar
Mary Mitchell    6, b. Forfar
Margaret Mitchell 3, b. Forfar
Ann Mitchell 1, b. Forfar

Address: 2 Sunnyside, Forfar

Regards.

Monica




   

[Dave H]

Thanks Joe and Monica, that explains Euphemia and it looks quite likely that the older children stayed behind.

I've tried searching the shipping records for the father or any of the older children and couldn't find any that matched. Were deaths recorded at all before 1855? I was wondering if David died some time between 1851 and 1856.

[MonicaL]

Hi Dave

Have a look at this post from Pam, specially from No.2 onwards which explains what is available on the OPRs (pre 1855): www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,24468.0.html

Like you, I cannot see any deaths in Angus for David Snr between 1855-57. So, he  either died at some point after the 1851 Census and before 1855, or went on to Australia ahead of his family.

What info do you have on the family after their arrival in Australia that would let you try to cofirm whether David husband went over too with Margaret and children?

Regards.

Monica

[runningbear]

i wonder if this is your alexander?

1861 census; south binn farm house, fowlis easter, perth

alexander...head...age 26...coachman...born forfar
catherine...wife...born fettercairn, forfar
mary bell...dau...age 3
elizabeth...dau...age 4 months


Joe

[Dave H]

What info do you have on the family after their arrival in Australia that would let you try to cofirm whether David husband went over too with Margaret and children?

I dont have much, the passenger lists for ships in Melbourne begin in 1852 so its possible he arrived before that, but I can't find a David Mitchell after that date with the right age. I have a newspaper article published 20 years ago which gives a brief history of George Mitchell. It mentions his mother and brother but says nothing about his father. I know when George and John died so I think I will send away for their death certificates next.