Birth of John HENDERSON

[margaret103]

Hi,

I am trying to find the parents of my GG Grandfather John HENDERSON, who was born circa 1818 in Aberdeenshire. So far I have a choice of three sets of parents for him. (1) Alexander HENDERSON and Elizabeth BROWN, at Belhelvie 20 March 1818; (2) John HENDERSON and Mary COUTTS, at Auchindoir and Kearn 20 March 1818; (3) John HENDERSON and Isabel WHYTE, at Rathen 9 June 1818.  He died 12 December 1848 and was buried in the Churchyard of Old Machar. The OPR death did not reveal who his parents were. He was married to Catherine MORTIMER 10 December 1846 at New Machar.
Has anyone any suggestions where I can find which set of parents are his? (The dates of 20 March 1818 are not misprints! Just coincidence!).

Regards,
Margaret

[Forfarian]

Hmmm. Difficult.

Where did you get his date of birth from? How do you know that he was born in Aberdeenshire? What else do you know about him? Occupation? How did he die? Have you found him in the 1841 census? (If not, use https://www.freecen.org.uk/cgi/search.pl)

If I were you I would try to eliminate some of them by looking for them in 1851 or later, though I have had a look in the 1851 census and it isn't very informative.

Even if you did manage to eliminate some of them you have to remember (a) that there could be other John Hendersons whose birth/baptism records, if they ever existed, have not survived and (b) some or all of your three candidates may have died before 1855, leaving no record of their burials.

I see that John Henderson and Catherine Mortimer had one son, John, born 19 January 1848 in Old Machar. IF they followed the naming tradition I would expect John's father's given name to be John too.

John H, son of Alexander H and Elize, was living with his parents and siblings at Backhill, Belhelvie in 1841, age listed as 20. Neither of the others is obvious.
 

[margaret103]

Thanks Forfarian for the info.
I have the OPR Marriage for John and his wife Catherine MORTIMER which was at Old Machar 10 December 1846.
John HENDERSON died and was buried at Old Machar 12 December 1848 (OPR Death 168/B 210 538 [ScotlandsPeople]). His place of residence at the time was Bridge of Don.

I also have the Marriage of his daughter Jane Anne HENDERSON in St. Nicholas Aberdeen to John LILLIE 2 July 1870 where she states her father was John HENDERSON, a Road Contractor, (deceased) and mother Catherine MORTIMER.

I cannot find Jane Anne's birth.

John and Catharine had a son John who was born 19 January 1848 married Jessie Ann MORRISON 1 July 1871 at St. Nicholas, Aberdeen. The Witnesses were Alexander and David HENDERSON. Have to find out who they were...maybe uncles?? No, I won't assume!

Much to search for.

Thanks again.

Margaret

[Forfarian]

Jane Ann is probably the child listed as aged 5 in the 1851 census with Cath Henderson and John Henderson, 2. If so she was born before her parents' marriage and there may not be a conventional baptism record.

You haven't said why you think John Henderson was born about 1818, and how you know that he was born in Aberdeenshire.

[kenjo]

This is a possible

[Forfarian]

Yes, that's the census I was referring to.

[margaret103]

Thanks Forfarian and Kenjo

I have the 1851, 1861, 1871, and 1881 Census.

The 1851 census has a child named Jean age 6. Therefore born circa 1845. I am thinking that this child would be Jane Ann.

In 1853 Catharine had a child, Alexander, from John SKINNER and a further child, James, in 1860 from the same person. John and Catharine did not marry.

Both birth certs state John SKINNER as the father.

Margaret

[kenjo]

Thanks Forfarian and Kenjo

I have the 1851, 1861, 1871, and 1881 Census.

The 1851 census has a child named Jean age 6. Therefore born circa 1845. I am thinking that this child would be Jane Ann.

In 1853 Catharine had a child, Alexander, from John SKINNER and a further child, James, in 1860 from the same person. John and Catharine did not marry.

Both birth certs state John SKINNER as the father.

Margaret

Hi Margaret,
When we help, we like to get to know the family, that gives us a feel for what came before.
Jane Anne (Jean) was probably illegitimate, but may have been John Henderson's child.
I know that this doesn't really help with your original question.
Have you searched newspapers?

[margaret103]

Hi Kenjo,

Thanks. Yes Jane Ann / Jean married John LILLIE in 1870 and on her Marriage Cert she stated that her father was John HENDERSON (deceased) and her mother was Catharine MORTIMER.

They went on to have 4 children and the 4th one, James became a fireman based in Aberdeen and then married and emigrated to America. All four children married.

Margaret