JOHNSTON/MOAR/GORRIE confusion!

[treegirl]

Hi!

I wondered if anyone could help work out how these families are connected?

James JOHNSTON (1819) was married to Isabella HUNTER (1833) and they are recorded on a number of census returns and baptismal records as living in Birsay, Orkney. James was recorded as a Seaman in the 1861 census and a farmer in the 1871 census return.

They had a number of children:

Anne - 1857
George - 1859
Christina - 1862
Robert - 1864
Isabella Hoursten - 1867
Mary - 1870

In 1881, Isabella H is in London:

William FOLSTER (1833) - Mariner
J FOLSTER (1823) - Wife
Isabella JOHNSTON (1868) - Vistor

The FOLSTERs are also from Orkney.

She is recorded in Birsay in the 1891 census as:

Isabella MOAR (1830) - Head - Farmer
Lizzie MOAR (1871) - Daughter
Peter GORRIE (1846) - Brother - Blacksmith (out of work)
Isabella JOHNSTON (1868) - Niece

And again in Birsay in the 1901 census as:

Elizabeth MOAR (1871) - Head - Farmer
Isabella JOHNSTON (1868) - Cousin

I am trying to figure out how the JOHNSTONS came to be linked with the MOAR/GORRIEs.

I have found Isabella MOAR (nee GORRIE) in earlier census returns, with her brother Peter GORRIE and family and think I have found a marriage to Thomas MOAR (26/02/1869), but I cannot fathom the link with the JOHNSTONs.

Can any kind soul shed any light?

Thank you so much in advance,

TreeGirl

[CaroleW]

Have you checked on SP for Isabella Gorrie's birth & her mothers maiden name?

Any Gorrie/Johnston marriages?  I can see 2 in Birsay - 1830 & 1847

Unless "J Folster" was nee Johnston as no relationship is shown I would treat her as it says - visitor

[MonicaL]

This looks a possible entry for the death of Isabella Moar or Gorrie:

ISABELLA GORRIE/MOAR
Age 61
Mother's maiden name LOUTTIT
1891
013 / 15
Birsay

Doesn't really help further 

Monica

[MonicaL]

A reference to Johnson. A possible birth or christening entry for Isabella Gorrie:

ISOBELLA JOHNST. GORRIE
Parents JAMES GORRIE/ELIZ. LOUTTIT
20/12/1829
013 20 / 25
Birsay

Monica

[MonicaL]

There is a family tree on Ancestry (you need a subs to view. You may have this?) www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/113630172/person/402220888232/facts

They include the death registration for James Gorrie. He is showing as having been married twice.Firstly to Elizabeth Louittit (mother of Isabella) and then Janet Harvey (mother to Peter). See clip below:

[akc]

Are you a member of  the Orkney Family History Society ? you will find info on this family, there were a few different Johnston families in Birsay, I dont see a connection with Gorries/Gorie or Moars with the family you mention but there is with another Johnston family.