Confirmation of parentage of Alexander GRAY and Margaret MORTIMER m. 17 Dec 1853

[roycymru]

Hello

I am trying to confirm the parentage  of Alexander GRAY and Margaret MORTIMER married 17 Dec 1853 (O.P.R. Marriages 203/ 0020 0144 Insch (Aberdeen)). Information passed down from one of my aunts states Alexander GRAY's parents as James GRAY and Mary SHERIFFS, and Margaret MORTIMER's parents as George MORTIMER and Jean DAWSON. Is anyone able to confirm this and if so also provide any more information on their parent (date place of birth)?

I have Alexander GRAY b.abt 1835 in Insch and Margaret MORTIMER b. abt 1837 in Oyne (gleaned from later Census records).

Thank you

[Isles]

Alexander Gray, the son of James Gray and Mary Sherrifs was born at Insch on 24 Oct 1830.  Margaret Mortimer who was the daughter of George Mortimer and Jean Dawson was born at Oyne on 14 Oct 1833.

[Isles]

After a little more searching:-

1851 Census of Insch

Upper Boddam
James Gray  44  Ag Lab                            b. Auchterless
Mary      "     42                                         b. Insch
John      "      16  Pauper Insane(Dumb)   b. Insch
Ann        "     13  Indoor Servant               b. Insch
George    "   10   Pauper Insane(Dumb)   b. Forgue            
William    "     6    Pauper Insane              b. Insch 

Mary Gray (nee Sherrifs was born on 12 Jul 1809 at Insch, her  parents being Alexander Gray and Jean Robb).
George Mortimer was born 2 Apr 1794, Oyne - father, George Mortimer.
Jean Mortimer (nee Dawson) was born 9 Aug 1798 Oyne - father Andrew Dawson.   Hope this helps.
 

[roycymru]

Excellent work. Thank you very much

[roycymru]

I have looked on the census for Alexander Gray and Margaret and family and I think I have found them. My only concern is that their DOB seem to get progressively later and then finally down again! In all the census Alexander is listed as born in Insch and Margaret as born in Oyne. From your research they were born in 1830 and 1833 respectively. However in 1861 (Parish: Keig, ED:1, Line 25) their birth years are abt. 1833 and 1835 respectively. In 1871 (where George the next in my lines of descedants is mentioned), (Parish: Tullynestle and Forbes, ED:3, Line 18) their birth years are abt 1835 and 1837 respectively. In 1881 (Parish: Tullynessle anf Forbes, ED:2, Line 7) their birth years are both abt 1836) and in 1891 (Parish Tullynessle and Forbes, ED:2, Line 9) they go back down to 1831 and 1833 respectively!

Do you think they were not truthfull in the middle or have I somehow come across another Alexander Gray and Margret from Insch and Oyne respectively?

[roycymru]

After a little more searching:-

1851 Census of Insch

Upper Boddam
James Gray  44  Ag Lab                            b. Auchterless
Mary      "     42                                         b. Insch
John      "      16  Pauper Insane(Dumb)   b. Insch
Ann        "     13  Indoor Servant               b. Insch
George    "   10   Pauper Insane(Dumb)   b. Forgue           
William    "     6    Pauper Insane              b. Insch

Mary Gray (nee Sherrifs was born on 12 Jul 1809 at Insch, her  parents being Alexander Gray and Jean Robb).
George Mortimer was born 2 Apr 1794, Oyne - father, George Mortimer.
Jean Mortimer (nee Dawson) was born 9 Aug 1798 Oyne - father Andrew Dawson.   Hope this helps.
 

As a general question James ans Mary had 3, Pauper Insanes living with them which seems unusual. Can anyome please give me a further insight into why this might be.

[Isles]

I too am puzzled at there being two children described as Pauper, Insane, and Dumb with a third being Pauper, Insane.  One maybe, but three ?  Can anyone comment ?
As regards the ages given in the Census I wouldn't worry too much.  It's not unusual to find them varying by several years.

[roycymru]

After a little more searching:-

1851 Census of Insch

Upper Boddam
James Gray  44  Ag Lab                            b. Auchterless
Mary      "     42                                         b. Insch
John      "      16  Pauper Insane(Dumb)   b. Insch
Ann        "     13  Indoor Servant               b. Insch
George    "   10   Pauper Insane(Dumb)   b. Forgue           
William    "     6    Pauper Insane              b. Insch

Mary Gray (nee Sherrifs was born on 12 Jul 1809 at Insch, her  parents being Alexander Gray (corrected s/be SHERRIFFS) and Jean Robb).
George Mortimer was born 2 Apr 1794, Oyne - father, George Mortimer.
Jean Mortimer (nee Dawson) was born 9 Aug 1798 Oyne - father Andrew Dawson.   Hope this helps.
 

As a general question James ans Mary had 3, Pauper Insanes living with them which seems unusual. Can anyome please give me a further insight into why this might be.

Hi. Are you able to find a record of the marriage of Alexander Sheriffs/Sheriff/Sherrifs/Sherrif/Sherifs/Sherif to Jean Robb a I can't. Thanks

[Isles]

The IGI has a submitted entry for the marriage of Alexander Sherrifs and Jean Robb at Insch on 21 Feb 1799 but I could find no record of it on ScotlandsPeople. I suppose it's just possible that SP overlooked it when indexing in which case the only way to settle the matter would be to examine the Insch Parish Register of Marriages for 1799.
Given that the submission has an exact date he/she may have found it in a family bible.  Perhaps someone could advise how to contact the Church of Latter-Day Saints.