Cheryl,
The Victorian parochial system in Scotland turned honest but poverty-stricken folk into liars. It was the only way to stay alive.
In order to qualify for poor relief of any sort, the parish demanded that the pauper was either born in that parish or, that he/she had spent the previous seven consecutive years living in that parish. (A wife or child would qualify on the husband/father's birth or residence).
So, perhaps your ancestor was forced to lie, as the alternative would have been having to wait many weeks, or even months, until the parish he made the claim in sorted out with the parish of his birth, who was liable for his (and perhaps his large family's) upkeep. All during that time he would have had to starve. "Liability Admitted" or "Liability Refused" are common expressions on poor relief claim forms. They were awful times and people really had to live by their wits.
Here is a burial entry from the registers of Cambusnethan cemetery, it looks like she's "one of yours".
SUSAN DIGNAN, housewife, Wishaw, aged 59 years, married.
Parents - James Simmons and Susan Kelly.
Interred in public ground 5th March 1914. (a pauper's burial)
In the 1911 Wishaw directory there is only one Degnan - (It is a list of householders only, not a census).
Michael Degnan, ironworker, 14 English Street, Craigneuk.
Also -
William Deighnan, undertaker, 68 Shieldmuir Street, Craigneuk.
Also, there are 2 John Simmons (marked jnr and snr so must be father and son) at 5 cowie's Square and 9 Cowie's Square, Craigneuk. There is also a Philip Simons at 68 English Buildings, Craigneuk.
Hope this helps,
Lodger
