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!!