John Telfer/Telpher, born in Scotland around 1853, adopted by McCandlish family

[ChristineC11]

Hi there
I am trying to get information on my great, great grandfather, a John Telfer, ( this may have been Telpher and changed) who was born around 1853 in Scotland.  He was taken in by  Gilbert and Elisabeth McCandlish, who lived in Girvan, South Ayrshire, Scotland and his name became John Telfer McCandlish, although I can't find any records of an adoption. 
When John was about 8 or 9 yrs old the McCandlish family took him to New Zealand, where he lived for the rest of his days.  He married Mary Ann Hartwell in Wanganui, New Zealand on March 13, 1861 and they had 5 children, one being my great grandfather, Alexander Telfer McCandlish.
Can anyone shed any light on this part of my family as I can't find out who John Telfer's parents were?

[whiteout7]

Have you got his death printout and marriage printout from New Zealand bdm just incase he put his birth parents names on the certificates or his adoptive parents told him which names to put down?"

Otherwise he might be able to be found on the 1861/1871 census with Gilbert and Elisabeth McCandlish and that might state his birthplace (hopefully one that doesn't have alot of "John Telfer", another clue.

[ev]

Hi Christine , welcome to RootsChat 

Can you confirm the dates you have given ?

He married Mary Ann Hartwell in Wanganui, New Zealand on March 13, 1861

Looking at the NZ BMD index there is a marriage for Mary Ann Hartwell / John McCandlish in 1882.



ev

[isobelw]

Gilbert and family were still in Scotland in 1861 and are enumerated at Clauchan, Bute as Candlish.
Gilbert Candlish 36 , Shepherd born Kirkoswald Ayrshire
Elizabeth 36 born Girvan, Ayrshire
Alexander 12 born Straiton, Ayrshire
Jane 10 born Straiton
Margaret 4 born Straiton
Gilbert 2 born Straiton
As you can see there is no mention of John.
The same family is enumerated at Glenkil, South Lamlash, Bute ( as McCandlish) in 1851 with children John age 7 born Girvan, Elizabeth age 5 born Straiton, alexander age 2 born Girvan and Jane
age 4m born Girvan
Most of the births plus that of another Gilbert b 1854 died 1855 can be found on Familysearch.
also the marriage of Gilbert to Elizabeth Clarke in November 1843.
Familysearch also has a copy the passenger list showing Gilbert McCandlish, Shepherd and family arriving in New Zealand in Jan 1864 which includes children Elizabeth 18, Alexander 16, Jean 14,
John 10, Margaret 6 and Gilbert 4.
I looked for a possible John Telfer in 1861 and found the family of John Telpher , age 59, Farmer and wife Margaret ( whose maiden name appears to be Clarke) in Straiton with a son the correct age. Strangely they appear to have two sons called John, one age 8 and another age 1 (John James Telfer born 1860 in Straiton) John and Margaret married in Straiton in Nov 1843 so it is possible the first John was born to Margaret before she married. Margaret nee Clarke was from Girvan and I believe she may be a sister of Gilbert's wife Elizabeth and that your John born 1853 may therefore have been Gilbert and Elizabeth's nephew. If he wasn't John Telfer's son then that might be a reason why it seemed a good idea for him to accompany his aunt and uncle to New Zealand.
Isobel

[isobelw]

Please note that Margaret Clarke married John Telfer in Nov 1853 ( not 1843 as stated in previous response).
Isobel

[Ross McCandlish]

Hello Christine - I know John Telfer McCandlish's history. (my Gt Grandfather) - contact me and I will tell you the story of his parents, birth and upbringing. I discovered the secret through a DNA test. -  Ross McCandlish.