Agnes Paterson & her ever-changing family

[lydiaann]

All the following relates to Dunscore, Dumfriesshire or its environs.

1841 Agnes Paterson, aged 20, a dressmaker (and continues to be so in following censuses).  Lives with Mother Agnes (nee Kirk) aged 55 and brother James, aged 20.

1851 Agnes Paterson, aged 30, living with mother Agnes, aged 66 and MARY GIBSON, aged 12 mos, noted as 'granddaughter' to head (i.e., Agnes the Elder).  As Agnes had 2 brothers named Paterson, it is assumed that Mary is her daughter.

1861 Agnes Paterson, aged 40, living with 'daughter' MARY BOYES, aged 11 and son WILLIAM McConvile, aged 9 mos.

1871 Agnes Paterson, aged 50, living with 'daughter' MARION JOHNSTON, aged 21, son JOHN JOHNSTON, aged 17, and son WILLIAM CONVIEL, aged 10.

1881 Agnes Paterson, aged 60, 'Pauper, formerly seamstress' living with son THOMAS W. G. CONVILLE.

We start with Mary:  starting as GIBSON, then becoming BOYES, finally moving to MARION JOHNSTON.  As the ages and birthplace (Dunscore) are common through 3 censuses it is assumed they are referring to the same girl. 

Next, William.  Starting as McConville, then becoming CONVIEL, and finally moving to CONVILLE (as well as adding 2 forenames).  I understand that, owing to enumerator and/or reporter failings, changes as close as this can happen. 

Finally John, where did he suddenly appear from?

I've tried SP, FamilySearch and Ancestry for births of these 3 children to no avail.  I've looked for marriage(s) for Agnes, still no answers are forthcoming. 

Any clues, anyone - pretty please?  It's doing my head in!!

[brigidmac]

I have a similar case
It was a waste of time looking  for marriages
The young lady hadn't married any of them

However there were clues in baptisms birth.or marriges
which since been confirmed with distant DNA matches with same Surnames on their trees

First step have you looked for the 3 children s births under pterson single mother

Can you find any marriages for them who do they name as father ..were any men of that name around at time

Are there Kirk records of Agnes applying for maintenance from any men .

What is recorded on tjeir death certificates
I have seen a few examples of natural child of "

Agnes could have "married" a mrJohnston Between census es or be living with John as wife he.s too old to be her son too young to be Marion's father
Step son.?

Have you seen the original census or are there mistakes in the transcription ?

Good luck it's a tough one.

[lydiaann]

I have tried looking for births in Ancestry, FamilySearch and SP.  Ditto for marriages.  Still searching for deaths.  Marion and John and Johnston are all common names and there seem to be many entries under all for various parts of the world (yes, including Scotland!).  Even under 'Conville' and McConville there are several entries for various places...and is he known as Thomas or William?  The only constant seems to be Agnes and even putting her down as 'parent' under just 'Agnes' doesn't seem to raise anything significant.  I think I shall close down now and come back to it tomorrow afternoon when we are supposed to get rain!

[hmcc]

Hi,
SP has Agnes Paterson born 30/10/1815 Holywood, Dumfries to Humphry Paterson and Agnes Kirk.
Mary Gibson Boyes born 4/5/1850 Dunscore to Alexander Boyes and Agnes Paterson.
hmcc

[Forfarian]

I have tried looking for births in Ancestry, FamilySearch and SP.  Ditto for marriages. 

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=714261.0

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=825881

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=30381.0

[MonicaL]

This looks a possible birth entry for son William who shows as born in Keir on his 1861 census entry:

William Paterson
b. 17 Jun 1860 Keir, Dumfriesshire
Mother's Name:   Agnes Paterson
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XBMW-VX1

Monica

[MonicaL]

John Johnston's birth in Dunscore looks to have been pre 1855. Can't see anything for him in the OPRs 

Given he doesn't show with Agnes in 1871, there is this entry in 1861:

Elisabeth Thomson 67 plougman (as indexed) b. Wigtown, Wigtownshire
Elisabeth Thomson 11 grandchild b. Dunscore
John I Patterson 6 grandchild b. Dunscore

Address: Broadford, Dunscore

This John remains in Broadford and later marries and with family there up to 1901. Can't see him in 1871. Could he be the John Johnston with Agnes in 1871? Hard to say. From the index in 1861, looks like an I for his middle name. Later entries potentially indexed as Jas (James?).

Monica

[MonicaL]

lydiaann, who reported Agnes's death? When did she die?

You didn't mention 1891, with Agnes and son Thomas still living together. Sure you have it but just adding for additional background here:

Agnes Paterson 76 formerly farm servant b. Holywood
Thomas W G Conville 30 general lab b. Keir
Address: Windsover, Keir

Monica

[Forfarian]

John Johnston's birth in Dunscore looks to have been pre 1855.
Given he doesn't show with Agnes in 1871, there is this entry in 1861:
Elisabeth Thomson 67 plougman (as indexed) b. Wigtown, Wigtownshire
Elisabeth Thomson 11 grandchild b. Dunscore
John I Patterson 6 grandchild b. Dunscore

If that is a transcription, could the I be a mistranscription of J ?