James Hooper/Hopper/Livingston.....HELP

[kall]

Looking for help please
My 2X gt grandfather was James Hooper or at least that was what I thought.....got his marriage certificate and it states his name as James Hopper married to Elizabeth Connel parents James Hopper and Jessie Livingstone
Started to look at free census and found James Snr and Jessie both living in Annan both Nursery labourers but both single in 1861 when James was supposedly born....couldn't find James Hopper or Hopper born in Annan but did find James Livingston born illegitimate to Jessie Livingston
Do I assume that they are one and the same
Also have Jessie Livingstone death certificate which states that she was single and the witness was  Edward who was listed as her father on 1861 census
Don't have access to 1871 or 1871 census so can't do any checking
Can anyone solve my problem please
Many thanks
Karen

[Kay99]

This looks like James Livingston in the 1871 census

Edward Livingstone 55 Pauper Formerly Stokerings Boat b Kirkcudbrightshire
Isabell Livingston 52 b Lochmaben, dfsshire
Jessie Livingston 32 Nursery Worker b Annan
James Livingston 9 Grandson b Annan

Kay

[kall]

That's great Kay.....Thankyou.
Just need to find out when he changes his surname to Hooper or Hopper
Does the census have an address Kay

[Kay99]

Sorry - in 1871 they were at Butts St, Annan

Kay

[kall]

Thankyou Kay......are you able to find him in the 1881 please
He didn't marry until 1883

[Kay99]

Not at the moment - Where did he marry?

Kay

[kall]

He married in New Abbey, Kirkcudbrightshire in 1883 to Elizabeth Connel......think he lied about his age as he said he was born in 1857.....she was older and already had children...again illegitimate
Don't know what it is about my dads side of the family....so many illegitimate and trying to put the pieces together
Interesting on his death certificate there is no mention of the father....but it was his son in law who was witness...so maybe he just didn't know
Thanks

[Kay99]

Thanks

Checking Scotlands People's free search it looks like his mother and grandparents died pre 1881
All death in Annan

1871  Jessie Livingston age 32 
   
1879 Edward Livingstone age 62

1878 Isabella Livingstone age 64


Kay

[kall]

Thanks Kay.....do you think I have the right parents for James Hooper......I am nearly positive as James Hopper and Jessie Livingstone in 1861 only lived about a 4 minute walk from each other and both worked as nursery labourers
What are the chances of there being another couple in a small town with same names getting together.....by the way she went on to have more children but don't know who with