Isabella Smith born circa 1873/1874 in Edinburgh

[MonicaL]

Why do you think that your Isabella was born in Edinburgh?

There is this birth:

Isabella Smith, mother Euphemia Smith. Born 11 Dec 1872 in Nairn, Nairnshire. Image of birth reg available to view on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk  From the familysearch birth index www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQM1-5JD

I think this is Euphemia and daughter Isabella on the 1881 Census:

Euphemia Smith 24 dressmaker b. Ardersier, Inverness-Shire
Isabella Smith 8 Daughter b. Nairn

Address: 4 Church Street, Nairn

And then on to 1891:

Euphemia Smith 35 Dressmaker
Isabella Smith 17 Daughter, Assistant Dressmaker
Charles Smith 8 Son b. Nairn

Address: 16 Douglas Street, Nairn

1901:

Euphemia Smith 44 Dressmaker
Charles Smith 18 Son Booksellers Assistant

Address: 2a Water Lane, Nairn

Two possible entries for Isabella in 1901. First, lodging in Inverness at a McLeod household at 8 Shuttle Lane. No occupation showing for her. And the other entry could have her working in England www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSX1-FN8

So it would be from here that she would have left not too long after for SA before her wedding in 1905?

Monica

[MonicaL]

... My assumption is that she died before 1978 before my Grandmother died but after 1965 when she gifted my parents a table cloth for their wedding.

Mary Small Carmichael/Smith died in 1970 at the age of 75 at Newport on Tay, Fife. She was born in 1895 in St Clements, Dundee. You can view the image for her death reg on SP (Scotlands People).

Monica

[MonicaL]

I think this may be Mary with her family in 1901:

John Carmichael 40 Mill & Factory Blacksmith b. Strathmiglo, fifeshire
Margaret Carmichael 41b. Inverarity, Forfarshire
Mary Carmichael 5 b. Dundee
Jane Carmichael 3 b. Dundee
Margaret Carmichael 1 b. Dundee    

Address: 157 Strathmartine Rd Cluny Place, St Clement/Dundee

You can check the marriage or death cert to confirm her parents' names as this information is included on these registrations.

Monica

[Byles1978]

Hi Monica, if it were possible I would climb through this mobile phone and give you a massive hug and a good old tango. You know, I was going on the Euphemia line a few years ago but a cousin thought it may be wrong as we had a paper with Isabella's details on it saying she was born in Edinburgh written on by my Aunt, so I relented but I was on the right track. My Mum used to write Christmas cards to Mary Smith at 2 Tay Terrace on behalf of my Dad from when they were married but Mum cannot remember when it ended saying it was before I was born in 1978. Monica, I am bouncing on my sofa. You are a legend and a star. The next question I have is how would I find out who Isabella's Dad was and possibly Charles Dad? A few years ago I saw on a birth certificate or something for her it was James Ritchie I think his name was. If I remember correctly he took responsibility through the court.

[MonicaL]

I was curious about the company address you have noted under Mrs C Charles.

Harley & Cox is still ongoing I think. It is a stationers and printers. I found this for its history https://scottishprintarchive.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Harley-and-Cox1.pdf

Numerous references to Charles Smith. The Charles Smith we have looked at was a master printer so likely this was where he worked. Got on a boat and would go to work in Dundee!

Monica

[MonicaL]

...The next question I have is how would I find out who Isabella's Dad was and possibly Charles Dad? A few years ago I saw on a birth certificate or something for her it was James Ritchie I think his name was. If I remember correctly he took responsibility through the court.

I wonder where this was that you saw the name of James Ritchie. Isabella's birth cert looks to just have mother's name. Father needs to attend the Registrar to register birth with mother in order for his name to be used.

I have checked here www.oldscottish.com/sheriff-court-paternity-decrees-shepherd-stevenson.html but nothing shows under Euphemia Smith's name.

Monica

[MonicaL]

This looks like Euphemia with her family in 1861. Everyone showing as born in b. Ardersier, Invernessshire :

John Smith 42 shoemaker
Caroline Smith 43
May Smith 10
Euphemia Smith 6 b. Ardersier, invernessshire
Thomas Smith 2

Address: 27 High St, Campbeltown, Ardersier Inverness

By 1871 I think her mother may have died and family have moved to Nairn:

John Smith 51 Boot shoemaker
Euphemia Smith 15 servant
Thomas Smith 12

Address: Tradespark, Nairn Burgh

And 1881 we have her following the birth of Isabella and living with her in Nairn.

Monica

[MonicaL]

Euphemia's mother Caroline had the maiden name of Grant. Some birth details here:

Euphemia in 1854 www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XBMP-CZZ
Thomas in 1859 www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XYB1-HGZ

This looks to be Caroline's death entry:

Caroline SMITH
Age 40
Mother's maiden name GRANT
1867
123/ 58
Nairn

Monica

[MonicaL]

My last one for tonight! Something called work gets in the way...boo

This is the most obvious death for Euphemia:

Euphemia SMITH
Age 59
1916
123/ 4
Nairn

Monica