Helen Geddes about 1814 - 1880

[ColC]

Helen died Blackburn, Livingston, West Lothian in 1880, her death was reported by her Son in Law. The Certificate stated that she was illegitimate, however both parents were named
JAMES HAMILTON STODDART and ISABELLA GEDDES
On the 1851/61 censuses she is noted as born Lasswade but no trace of birth in Lasswade or Blackburn.

The name James Hamilton Stoddart appears on a few 20th century statutory records but only one 19th century and he died age 55 1858 Logie, Perthshire, He was a Journey man paper maker born 1803. There is no mention of family names on the cert. I suspect he was not from there and if the age at death is correct he is unlikely to be the father of Helen.
There are no church records, census or otherwise for the exact name on SP.

I have however discovered the following baptisms at Lasswade but no marriage.

HAMILTON STODDART/ISABELLA GEDDES or BELL GATHERS or BELLA GETHERS

JAMES 30/04/1820, ISABELLA 17/03/1822, ALEXANDER 13/06/1827.

In 1841, Hamilton age 39 a coal miner and son Alex are with the Muir family in West Calder and in 1851 Hamilton 50, a labourer, is in Lasswade with a new wife Christian age 30. I think this is Catherine Gray who he married 1850 in Duddingston.

I wonder if anyone can add any information on Mr Stoddart of Isabella Geddes.

Regards Colin

[Forfarian]

As far as James Hamilton Stoddart is concerned, it isn't uncommon for people to acquire middle names that don't appear on their birth or baptism record. So looking for him as Hamilton Stoddart may not produce the information you are looking for.

Also, it is very common for the baptisms of illegitimate children to be missing from the registers.

You obviously have more information about her than you have given us so far
- What was the name of her husband?
- What were the names and birth years/places of her children?
- What was the name of her son-in-law?
- Where was she in the 1851 and 1861 censuses?
- Who else was with her in those censuses?
- What surname did she use on her marriage and the births/baptisms of her children?

[ColC]

Thank you for your reply, i'm not sure if it will help if I post the information on Helen Geddes and her husband George Prentice and their 11 children, suffice it to say their married life and death was all Blackburn, Livingston, West Lothian.

Whilst I am aware that middle names can be added later, I do find it unusual in this case that the middle name was used instead from 1820 to 1851, all that I can add is that Hamilton stated he was born in Loanhead Northside Of Village, Lasswade in 1851.


Colin

[MonicaL]

Colin, from your notes. If her mother was Isabella Hamilton, wonder why Helen went by the maiden name of Geddes.

Monica

[ColC]

My error Monica, which I have now corrected, Helen's mother was Isabella Geddes, as noted on Helen's death cert.

Regards Colin.

[MonicaL]

Hi Colin

Wandering whether this couple could be source of the name James Hamilton Stoddart?

Marriage/banns from the OPRs:

James STODDART and Jane HAMILTON
20/02/1791
691/40 112
Lasswade

Monica

[ColC]

Thank you Monica, it certainly looks a possibility, sadly no birth records for children in Lasswade, or elsewhere in Scotland in the following years.

It is possible that they both died Lasswade, there is a James in 1821 and Jean, a maybe in 1835.

Regards Colin 

[ColC]

This looks like a possible record for James.

JAMES STODART  - NICKELLE STODART/ SUANN 8/10/1769 Lasswade

WALTER STODDART - NICOL STODDART/LILIAS SWAN 00/10/1770 Lasswade

There is tree on family search, which links the following family to Nicol and Lilias. As far as I can see they were the only Stoddart’s to have children in Lasswade in the period.

Marriage
STODART   GEORGE   HELEN KER   12/07/1794   Lasswade

Children born Lasswade
STODDART   JANE   20/07/1795   No further trace.
STODDART   NICOL   09/07/1797   No further trace.
STODDART   WILLIAM*   12/02/1799   Born Loanhead on 1851 Lasswade –
                                    Married JANET FAIRHOLM 1821, coal miner – died 1859
STODDART   LILLIAS   02/11/1806   
                                    Married HOGG FAIRHOLME 1833 Lasswade.2 children born Newbattle
STODDART   MARGARET   29/01/1809   
                                    Married George Young – on 1851 Lasswade – died 1859
STODDART   ISABELLA   30/08/1812   Married John Kerr 10/01/1844, on 1851 Lasswade’
STODDART   MARY*   4/09/1814   No further trace.

*Mother noted as Jane Ker.

GEORGE STODDART   Death   3/03/1830 or 19/02/1832   Lasswade - no age

1841 – STODDERT - Lasswade
Hellen 65, Isabella 25, George 15 a Coal Miner and William 15 Apprentice Baker
Plus George 35 a Coal Miner and Margaret 25 Young

George and William are the sons of William and Janet Fairholm.

Helen a widow age 83 – 1768, Liberton with daughter Margaret 1851

HELEN KER – Died age 96 – 1859 Lasswade, therefore 1763-1768 but more likely later.


Colin

[MonicaL]

I have however discovered the following baptisms at Lasswade but no marriage.

HAMILTON STODDART/ISABELLA GEDDES or BELL GATHERS or BELLA GETHERS

JAMES 30/04/1820, ISABELLA 17/03/1822, ALEXANDER 13/06/1827.

I wonder if any of these christenings could show family members as sponsors? Have you looked at any of them on SP?

Monica