Information Request: Dempster * Re-opened *

[kdunn]

My g-grandmother was Margaret Dempster, born May 1838 in Ayrshire.  I found an entry in the 1841 Scotland Census that appears to match, listing parents John and Jennet Dempster with children Jane, Adam, William, and Margrat, and an Agnes Cooper (perhaps Jennet's mother).  I pick up Margaret again, nearly 20 years later, when she marries my g-grandfather in Dudley, Worcestershire. I don't find any trace of the other family members, that I can positively identify.

I would appreciate any help you can provide.

[runningbear]

hi pal

a good start for you maybe the website www.familysearch.com as it lists margaret's birth as the 11th may 1838 in straiton, ayrshire. i agree that agnes was janet's mother, janet maiden name was couper and seems to have married in barr by girvan on the 27th january 1821

Joe

[kdunn]

Wow, that was fast! Thank you!

I'll look on that site - I tend to get wrapped up in Ancestry, as though that's all there is. Obviously I need to branch out more.

Thanks again!
Kenna

[runningbear]

hi pal,

good scottish site for scottish research has got to be www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

best of luck, come back if you need more help please, or just come back and tell us how well your doing

Joe

[hume]

Address: Langcroft, Straiton, Ayrshire
William Cooper, m, head, 50, agr. labourer, b. Dalry
Jean ", f, wife, 52, -, b. Girvan
Robert ", m, son, 16, labourer in tile work, b. Straiton
Janet ", f, dau., 11, scholar, b. Straiton
Margaret Dempster, f, niece (visitor), 12, -, b. Straiton

Looks like Margaret was visiting her maternal uncle on census day! Family are in Kirkoswald by 1851:

Address: Low Whiteston Gate, Kirkoswald, Ayrshire
John Dempster, m, head, 64, farm labourer, b. Dalry, Wigtownshire (as on original image)
Janet ", f, wife, 55, domestic duties, b. Barr
Jane ", f, dau., 20, milliner, b. Barr
William ", m, son, 15, farm labourer, b. Straiton
Janet ", f, dau., 6, scholar, b. Straiton

hume24

[hume]

This looks like Janet's christening from the IGI (accessed through the link Joe gave):

Janet Couper, chr. 28th Sep 1794 at Barr by Girvan - father John Couper

By searching the batch number for Barr, you also get:

Hellen Couper, chr. 22nd Apr 1792 - father John
Agnes Couper, chr. 25th Aug 1796 - father John Couper and mother Agnes Cathcart

Agnes Cathcart is likely to be the Agnes of the 1841 census entry.

Will have a search for John Dempster's details.

[hume]

Hmm, looks like John got his counties mixed up in 1851. I think he was actually born in Dalry, Kirkcudbrightshire. He died 13th February 1856 at Kirkoswald, aged about 71. Parents on his death certificate are given as Robert Dempster, shepherd (dec.) and Jean Dempster m.s. Wilson (also dec.). Another little bit of extra information is that he was buried in Barr churchyard.

Only one birth showing for Robert and Jean:

Margaret Dempster, chr. 18th January 1785 in Dalry

hume24

[kdunn]

Well, I tried to post another Thank You several hours ago, and it seems to have wandered off. You have both been amazingly helpful.

Thank you! I'm so glad I found RootsChat!
Kenna

** Marking this as COMPLETED now.

[kdunn]

I guess I spoke too soon.

I was able to find the Couper records in FamilySearch, but I have not found the John Dempster records. Could you explain where/how you found them?

Thank you.
Kenna