Mary Norris dom. servant to the Crawfords of Clauchaig Farm, Kilmory 1861

[issyb2010]

Hi

I am trying to find out what happened to Mary Norris (b. 1848, Glasgow) who was a domestic servant to the Crawford family in 1861.  The farm was Clauchaig and was owned by the Crawfords until 1901 - all of Donald and Margaret's children never married and lived there all their lives except John.  I have nothing for him living there until 1901.  He did return at some point as he got Mary Norris pregnant in 1867! She had a son called Archibald Crawford Norris.  I cannot find her after the 1861 census.  I finally found Archibald in 1871 living with a different couple as just Archibald Crawford - a 4 year old boarder living with an 80 year old pauper and his 57 year old unmarried daughter?!  Again, nothing until 1895 when he married in Paddington (London).  I was wondering if anyone knew of or where John Crawford was during his missing decades (he was listed as a Tailor) or what ever happened to Mary Norris.  Any info would be great.

[MonicaL]

This possible entry for Archibald on the 1881 census:

Archibald Crawford, 14, inmate b. Rothesay, Buteshire
Address: Kibble Reformatory, Paisley Renfrewshire

Monica

[MonicaL]

Archibald is showing as a serving soldier on his parish marriage entry in 1895. May be why he is hard to find in 1891? Have you tried checking for any possible military records for him?

Monica

[MonicaL]

Getting a lead on Mary Norris is hard 

From the 1851 census, there are two possible Marys. One born c. 1847, with parents Patrick and Alice in Glasgow. She shows with father Patrick in Glasgow in 1861.

The other Mary was born earlier in Glasgow, c. 1841 and shows with parents Daniel and Mary. I think she is also in Glasgow in 1861 showing as niece.

So, these two entries can be excluded as you know that your Mary was working at the Crawford farm in 1861   

Monica

[MonicaL]

Have you viewed John Crawford's death reg or checked his marital status in 1901 when he is back at the farm? He must have left home early as I checked back on the farm till 1851 and he was not living there.

The 1901 census with his siblings shows him as born c.1823, a retired tailor.

Monica

[issyb2010]

Hi Monica

Thanks for the info - I didn't see the reformatory one but I do know of his military records.  He married in 1895 and died in 1915.  Its just the early years before his army time and what happened to his parents.  The Mary Norris you found whose parents are Patrick and Alice are the correct ones.  Why she went all the way to Kilmory for work, again don't know - for a 16 year old girl (not sure when she started work with the Crawfords) that's some distance! I will dig some more into the reformatory one - thanks again for that.

[Forfarian]

I finally found Archibald in 1871 living with a different couple as just Archibald Crawford - a 4 year old boarder living with an 80 year old pauper and his 57 year old unmarried daughter?!

Did the pauper and his daughter have names?

[MonicaL]

Not sure that the Mary you have is daughter of Patrick and Alice...unless she was listed for the 1861 census in two household, with her father Patrick in Glasgow and also working at the Crawford farm?

Monica

[MonicaL]

Possible entry for John Crawford in 1851:

John Crawford, 28, journeyman tailor b. Kilmore, Buteshire

He shows in the Hunter household at Buchanan St Smith's Land in Kilmarnock.

I assume you were able to confirm John Crawford as father from one of the services that lets you 'find the father'?

Monica