Hello,
I have posted before (see above) about my Houston surname puzzle and I am now taking a deeper dive into the mystery to see if I can solve it once and for all.
My 3x great grandmother was born Mary Houston in 1812 or thereabouts. Most records state that she was born at Balquhidder, Perth. In 1832, she married Hugh McGregor of that same place. They had 3 sons there before migrating to Argyll about 1838 and having 9 more children at that place.
I have struggled to find Mary's parents. Her 1893 death registration states that they were James Houston and Mary McPherson. I can find no such couple. Of course, the informant, Mary's son, James McGregor, may have given erroneous information on the registration. I have learned that there were once plenty of Houstons to be found in places like Blackford and Auchterarder, Perth. I think her people probably came from one of these communities.
It is possible too that Mary may have been fostered, raised by relatives, adopted or was illegitimate. I have been looking at men named James Houston born in Perthshire, who would be of age to be Mary's father, which is a wide range I realize, and I found 2 possible candidates.
1. James Houston, born 1771 at Auchterarder to James Houston and Mary Monteith. He would have been about 41 years of age at my Mary Houston's birth. I have not managed to trace his life.
2. James Houston, born 1795 at Blackford to James Houston and Ann McLaren. He would have been a teen, just 17 when my Mary was born. If I have followed the right man, I think he married Mary Philp in 1825.
I am a bit stuck now and wonder if anyone has any information to add that might break down this brick wall. Thanks very much!
Mary
