Hi Jen
Thanks very much for your reply and suggestions.
Firstly, the names of his parents are confirmed on James' dc in 1877 as John Cochrane, army officer (deceased) and Catherine Anderson deceased. He died aged 71 on 21st May 1877, which puts his date of birth at late May - end Dec 1805.
>>1841 'a' James Cochrane 'Minister of the gospel' age 35 living Edinburgh - birth place listed as >>unknown - he's with a Margaret Cochrane age 60. Is he your James?
At 2 Scotland Street? Yes, that's him - that's the address given on the banns when he and Jane married in October that year. But who is Margaret Cochrane (60) and Isabella Cochrane (20). Maybe step mother and half sister? Aunt and cousin? There are no other Isabellas in the family.
>>1841 a John and Katherine Cochrane living Perth East Church-Landward
I've not seen these records. What are the names of the family members? Does Fasti say anything about his children?
>>Have a look at this link - It jumped out at me because of the birth place and mother's maiden >>name but could be totally irrelevant.
Interesting. I'm not sure it's them but it could well be relatives.
>>1850 must have been a rough year for James, Henry dies, wife dies and he's left with a babe in arms and three young children to raise. Have you found the baby James in 51 he does not appear to be with the family even though they appear to have quite a bit of help with his sister in law and two servants.
>>A very tough year. Thankfully, baby James is safely with his grandparents and aunt in Canonbie in 51. He does well and ends up working in the Bengal Civil Service but sadly dies there at the age of 23. So James Cochrane outlives 3 of his 5 children
It is a puzzle. James Sr remains very closely connected with his wife's family throughout his life but there never seems to be any sign of his own relatives, so either they weren't close, lived abroad or were all dead.
Kirsty