Looking for info: Janet Orr 19/10/1815 Ayr and Frederick Mcpherson (writer)

[chempat]

A Janet Orr (there are lots of Janet Orr's) married a William Edgar in 1837, Ayr.  On 1841 there are 3 children, Fredrick 5, Janet 3, Agnes 1.
Can only see Janet and Agnes on igi with parents William Edgar/Janet Orr (up to 1841)

Also, just spotted this birth
Emma Mcpherson Edgar
Christening Date: 6th December 1846 in Ayr
Birth Date: 6th November 1846
Father's Name:   William Edgar  Mother's Name:   Janet Orr

[Alan of Kaslo]

I was all excited when it said over the course of documents that he was a 30 year writer. Spent way to long looking for his writings then realized it could mean anything from notary to lawyer etc. Then I saw the site about how Frederick Adolphus Mcpherson ESQ had moved to Australia in 1839 and I remembered seeings Frederick Mcpherson ESQ W.S listed in the 1830's Pigot guide to Edinburgh and other postal listings. When I looked up WS and saw writers to signet I knew I was on to something. I did find it odd that the person lays out his whole life except who his mother is and where/when he was born. Only a comment section mention of how he was previously married to Janet orr and had a child (my grandfather) did I realize it was almost definitely Frederick Adolphus who was the Frederick Mcpherson.

[Alan of Kaslo]

Thanks for that info I will check it out and see how it pans....

I have seen many census ages be wildly wrong and quite a few be right. In that case Frederick should be 3 but he's 5, within the margin of error for sure. Good eye! I will investigate more. Double good eye on the Emma Mcpherson living with Janet Orr

[chempat]

This death for that lady:
Janet Orr  Janet Edgar  age 65
1881  644/6 1083  St Rollox

[Alan of Kaslo]

My original thought was that maybe she had a kid with Frederick Mcpherson in 1834 and then either passed away or got married.


Bells are going off though... Married in 1837 but has a kid named Frederick born in 1832 (1834 actually). Ding Ding. Then has another kid with last name Mcpherson. You have found it I do believe and will check more. Man, I have spent months trying different combos and a set of fresh eyes finds the needle in the stack like that. I will look into it more and see if I can substantiate more. I will test the theory and buy that death cert for the St. Rollox Janet Orr and see if it lists her parents as John Orr and Janet Stewart.

Thanks so much.

[Alan of Kaslo]

Wow ScotlansPeople lists 8 kids for William Edgar and Janet Orr ...but young Frederick is not mentioned. Agnes is , and so is Emma Mcpherson (which is interesting). Why name a child with another man you had a kid with's surname... Odd.

Still though I'm excited and ready to dig more.

[loobylooayr]

Hi,

The birth/baptism OPR record for Frederick McPherson reads (I think)

Frederick Nat. son of Frederick McPherson...…

This means Frederick McPherson and Janet Orr were not married.
Other entries on the same page have ' lawful son/daughter' meaning the parents are married , apart from the third birth on the page for Grace Watson which also has the abbreviation 'Nat'

Looby

[loobylooayr]

Sorry , should have elaborated.

Nat. stood for natural. A natural born son or daughter was born outside of marriage.

Looby 

[Alan of Kaslo]

Yes I had read that lawful vs. Nat before. Though sometimes it was very hard to read. Thanks for reminding me. At least it didn't mention fornication,,,,