Elizabeth Graham from Orkney

[airsle]

I can see this part of the forum isn't very active but I have found an ancestor hailing from Orkney (first Scottish ancestor I've found!) and I would love some help.

Elizabeth Graham B1840 to John Graham B1820 (and there is a Janet Graham that witnessed her marriage - possibly her mother?). She married William Ward Burton in March 1864 in Middlesex, I have no records for her from before this so I am missing Birth, 1841, 1851 and 1861. I'm not sure when she moved to Middlesex. All of her census records show Scotland as her place of birth.

I can see it wasn't made law to register births until 1855 so perhaps there just isn't one on record for her but I thought I'd ask here anyway! I got her birth year from her marriage record.

Thank you!

[CaroleW]

If all English census records just show Scotland - how have you determined she was from Orkney if you don't have her on any Scottish censuses?

1864 marriage cert shows father John was a blacksmith

[CaroleW]

There is an 1851 Scottish census entry for a 10yr old Elizabeth Graham b Canonbie Dumfries - father John is a blacksmith.  Have you looked at that entry?

[airsle]

Hi Carole,
That is a great question - I just combed back through the censuses to double check and they all say Scotland but not an area.
I think I got Orkney from a family tree on Familysearch but can't see the proof on there - that does open it up a bit more if it is general Scotland

[CaroleW]

Only one 1851 entry with a father John occ blacksmith as shown in my reply above

[airsle]

Only one 1851 entry with a father John occ blacksmith as shown in my reply above

Yeah I think that must be it, I'm having a look now but can't find another match - glad you asked why Orkney as I had it in my head so was looking there! I can't see dad's occupation though on myheritage - whereabouts are you finding blacksmith?

Thank you for your help!

[airsle]

Whoops, was looking at birth - not census!

[CaroleW]

On her 1864 marriage cert John is a blacksmith.  1851 census shows Blacksmith as does 1861.  Elizabeth is not with her parents in 1861

[MonicaL]

For 1861, I think the Elizabeth is working as a kitchen maid at Blackhall, Ewes, Dumfrieshire. Showing as born in Canonbie and aged 19.

Monica