Peter Johnston or Johstone

[Forfarian]

Ruth, Elspet is a dairy maid,at Shannas, Old Deer, in the 1881 census.

I have her in 1881 - it's 1891 that I can't find her.

There's an Elspeth Third, 'inmate' aged 40, general servant domestic, born Old Deer, in the 1891 census in New Deer (FindMyPast transcription). 

[flst]

Just read that, Elspet(h)Third, 40, is there along with her children; Sarah, Christina, Richard, James & Georgina. I suspect they are actually in the Buchan Combination Poorhouse in Maud.
flst

[rosie17]

She certainly was a very busy lady  and to have so many children no wonder Peter did not know his father ..At least his mother has been found 

Rosie

[Philldw]

 This is a photo of Jane Cruickshank's sisters taken 1907 by their brother who had a photographers business in Aberdeen. Thought you might be interested. Lily ,far left went to Canada,still work in progress on that. David

[Philldw]

 Need to go to go to the right to see all of the photo. david

[rosie17]

Lovely to have photo's of family members to look back on good luck with the rest of your research

Rosie

[Philldw]

Working my way thru the postings this morning. Will see what I can put on my Family Tree on FindMyPast.
 Would take this opportunity to state my sincere thanks to all the guys who have had patience and
 time with the posting. You are a lifeline to me when I need help. THANK YOU David

[ruthhelen]

I've made some progress with the Third sisters and their various children.

So starting with Elspet - she had nine children in total that I’ve found so far - all, on the face of it, with different fathers:

Peter Third or Johnstone
b. 5 Sep 1868, Old Deer
d. 27 Apr 1926, Newhills

William Third or Davidson
b. 25 Jan 1872, Ellon
m. Isabella Ross, 17 Jan 1896, Tarves
d. 1949, Aberdeen
His father was named as Thomas Davidson (b. 1849, Peterhead; m. 1876 Mary Elrick Downie; d. 1898, Ardaillie)

Ann Third or Sorrie
b. 3 Feb 1875, Old Deer
m. George Samuel Murdoch, 1897, Banff
d. 12 Jul 1955, Aberdeen

Jessie Third or McCrae
b. 1876 Old Deer
m. Hugh Cairns Buchan, 11 Feb 1927, Peterhead
d. 1930, Peterhead

Sarah Ann Wood Third
b. 1878, Old Deer
d. 1908 New Deer
She had a son, John Third, b. 4 Nov 1898, Peterhead; d. 1964, Aberdeen

Christina Third or Corsie
b. 27 Aug 1880, Old Deer
m. William Kelman, 27 Dec 1911, Peterhead
d. 28 May 1962, Aberdeen
She also had an illegitimate daughter, Alexina Bruce Third, b. 1899, Peterhead; m. John Edwards, 24 Apr 1918, Peterhead; d. 1963, Peterhead.

Ritchie Third or Laurie
b. 16 Oct 1882, Old Deer
d. 1904, Old Deer.
His father was named as William Laurie.

Georgina Third (twin)
b. 16 Mar 1886, Old Deer
m. William Donald, 9 Jun 1906, Old Deer
d. 1913 Ellon

James Matthew Third (twin)
b. 16 Mar 1886, Old Deer
m. Betsy Gordon Duthie, 12 Dec 1910, Peterhead
d. 23 Mar 1918, France

I haven't yet followed all the reputed fathers - a couple were named in RCEs, but the others are either names the children were sometimes known as in census data, or that appeared as middle names.

I'll be back with the other sisters later - so far, I have 7 for Ann and 3 for Sarah before they both got married  Christian, at the moment, seems the only sister who got married before having any children...

Ruth

[Philldw]

 Good grief Ruth you have been busy!! I appreciate your work and never dreamed that a simple (?) posting would lead to such a convulated family history!
Thank you David