Maggie Shanks emigrated to New Jersey

[Dinsmore]

My great grandmother Maggie Shanks left Scotland and ended up in Patterson NJ. She was of the Buchanan clan I believe.  She was taken in by the Dinsmore family and later married Thomas Watson. Does anyone know of relatives in Scotland?? Thank you.
Megan Trow

[aghadowey]

Welcome to Rootschat 

Difficult to help without any idea of dates. Depending on when Maggie was born there might be a civil birth record or she might appear in census records in Scotland. U.S. records might also yield details about her background and family.

My great grandmother Maggie Shanks left Scotland and ended up in Patterson NJ.
When and where did she arrive in U.S. Have you checked the passenger manifest for details? have you found her in U.S. census records?

later married Thomas Watson
When and where did she marry? depending on the period and state the names of both parents might be listed. Her death certificate might also give the same details but could be prone to errors since the death would have depended on the informant's knowledge rather than Maggie herself.

[amondg]

Image on Ancestry

Methodist Church records Patterson New Jersey
Maggie Shanks, married James Watson 11 March 1882, both were from Scotland.

transcription of New Jersey records has 11 March 1881.


If this is the correct Maggie Shanks-Watson then she was born circa 1858 Scotland ref: 1910 census
of New Jersey

ADDED  1900 census New Jersey, she is listed as Lizzie Watson born October 1856
Scotland, married 18 years 6 children 5 still living.
Only James' emigration date is listed 1880
Same children as in 1910 so it's the same person

[aghadowey]

If Maggie was born c1858 then her death certificate should be on Scotland's People site (pay per view) but getting names of parents beforehand would be a good idea so that you can look for the family in census records (birthplaces should be listed)- Maggie should appear in 1861, 1871 and possibly 1881 depending on exactly when she left Scotland.

Added- Family Search has lots of Margaret Shanks births in 1850s Scotland- many with middle names LINK

[amondg]

Margaret Watson I referenced died 19 May 1951 age 95. Buried Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Patterson NJ