CAMERON family from Leith

[MonicaL]

Nelbec, welcome to RootsChat  I just caught up with your posts....WOW! What a huge amount of information you have provided to Heather. You have filled out a lot of info that would have been hard for her to obtain.

Heather, I must admit I've become a bit obsessed with your Ellen and family  I have gone up and down the censuses in both Scotland and England and have to admit that I think something is not right with the info we may have to work from.

With Nelbec's help, we now have a little more info on possible siblings for Ellen. Apart from the Kenneth that you were aware of, there is also an Alexander who looks to have been born pre 1900 (given his war activity in WW1) and the births we found for a couple of sisters up to 1915.

I am struggling with a couple of things! I cannot see an Alexander and/or Ellen with mother Matilda in 1901 under either Cameron or Kelso.

What I have found, if you remember the only possible entries for Matilda Kelso in 1881 and 1891, below is the 1891 for reference, Matilda showing as born in Greenock:

Alexander Kelso 32, Sugarhouse Labr, b. Ireland
Ellen Kelso 32, b. Ireland
Matilda Kelso 16, Millworker (Wool)
Robert Kelso 14
Margaret Kelso 12
James Kelso 10
John Kelso 5
Ellen Kelso 3

Address: 32 Inverkip St, Greenock Renfrewshire

There is also a likely  marriage for this Matilda showing on Scotlands People:

1893   David HIGGINS and Matilda KELSO in GREENOCK WEST, RENFREW

Now this couple moved down to Cheadle, Cheshire  for 1901. Interesting names for their children!:

David Higgins 30, labourer on railway, b. Scotland
Matilda Higgins 26, b. Scotland
Alexander Higgins 5, b. Greenock
Ellen Higgins 2, b. Didsbury, Lancashire
Mary Higgins 3 months, b. Cheadle, Cheshire

RG13; Piece: 3300; Folio: 64

I also noted from Nelbec's info that in newspaper article for Eric's funeral, father in law is showing as W. Cameron.....

Getting confusing!

Monica 

[wiggo53]

Hi to Monica and nelbec. You people are just fantastic!  I really was of the opinion that my Nan was going to always remain a true mystery. Thanks to your fantasti c efforts I am starting to get excited about finding out more!  Monica, I totally agree that there is a lot of confusion with Matilda's partner/husband. On nan's wedding certificate to Eric, she has listed herself as being born in Leith, Scotland and that her father's name was David Cameron. My dear old dad (Alexander, would you believe? ) who is a pretty fit 86year old living in Melbourne, Australia seems to remember that Nan had told him and his brother Malcolm, sister Marjorie that their grandad on mum's side was indeed an inn keeper. It is very confusing, but I do hope you remain with me on this, as I am not able to do it on my own. I am presently in hospital in Australia and hope to hear from you again. Many thanks to you both :    Heather - would you believe - Wiggins!

[MonicaL]

Hi Heather

Poor you - hope your hospital stay is short and successful 

Did you get the reference to Ellen being born in Leith from her marriage cert? That's unusual as this information is not normally included on marriage certs.

I think I have the Higgins family in 1911. I haven't viewed the original image just the index for the household...again more twists and turns!

Alexander Higgins, 41, gen. lab., b. Greenock Scotland - why not David
Matilda Higgins, 35, b. Greenock Scotland
Alexander Higgins, 15, green (general?) lab., b. Greenock Scotland
Ellen Higgins, 13, b. Stockport Lancashire
Agnes, Higgins, 12, b. Greenock Scotland
Mary Higgins, 10, b. Stockport Cheshire
Francies Emma (son?) Higgins, 8, b. Stockport Cheshire
Matilda Higgins, 6, b. Stockport Lancashire.
Catherine Higgins, 4, b. Stockport Lancashire
Marget Higgins, 5 months, b. Stockport Cheshire
William Cameron, relative, single, 34, general labourer, b. Greenock Scotland

34 Kingston Street, Stockport, Cheshire

Matilda and Alexander show as married for 17 years which would fit with that 1893 marriage in Greenock Scotland. Why the Alexander rather than David?! And the arrival of a William Cameron in the household... And we have a W.Cameron showing as father in law to Eric in 1918...

I have no idea on the geography down in that part of the world. Nelbec, from your knowledge, are these addresses relevant to the school that Alexander shows as having attended?

Monica

[nelbec]

From Stockport to Widnes is 25 miles it takes 30 minutes today on the motorway I dont think it was possible in those days. Also there is no mention of other children in everything I have found so I do not think the Higgins family are connected, but you never know. I will keep searching and will let you know.

[elaine447]

sorry if this just confuses things but may be worth looking at
 birth for Matilda Cameron 1872 in Port Glasgow
there is also a William Cameron born 1874 Port Glasgow
the parents names are William Cameron and Jane Gallina
there are Alexander Cameron's on there too
but different parents
Elaine

[MonicaL]

Trying to get my head round other sources that could be checked. Heather I know that you are in NZ and checking your sources yourself is impossible. Somethings to keep in mind for further checks:

- Electoral roll at Margaret Street pre and post Matilda's death
- One of the girls births we have under Cameron/Kelso
- Death cert of Matilda for details of who reported death

Struggling at this stage to think of other sources 

Monica

[elaine447]

there are loads of Cameron's on here
also if you go to surnames beginning with K
there are some Kelso's too
http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/GetAsset.aspx?id=fAA1ADYAMgAwAHwAfABGAGEAbABzAGUAfAB8ADAAfAA1
only reference to an Inn keeper I can see is a Donald Cameron
Elaine

[wiggo53]

I cannot begin to tell how excited I am in finding out about nan's family and I also cant thank you all enough too. As I am STILL in hospital in Melbourne, Australia I cant try out the suggestions that you have both made for me. I still remain committed to unlocking dear old Ellen Mona Cameron.  Her son, Alexander, my dad, thinks this is all a bit of a hoot (he is 87 years old so I have to humor him). I did notice with his visit today that he asked if I had heard from Rootschat people! Many, many thanks again. With all of this extra info I think I will have to make one overseas trip in my lifetime ; Great Briain or bust!

[MonicaL]

Heather

Just concentrate on getting well  This is all something to keep your brain ticking!

One option that you could do now when you are up to it is perhaps to put a link on either the Cheshire or Lancashire boards (with a copy of the link to this post for background). There may be people locally who could help further. I'm London based, so no use to you at all 

Monica