Elizabeth Stevens ms Menzies, Dalry

[Rfarace]

Searching for the death record for my 3GG Elizabeth Menzies, born in Wigtownshire c. 1835, married William Stevens, moved about mostly in Ayrshire, presumably for work (he was an ironstone miner) before settling in Dalry. William died 1883. I find Elizabeth in the 1911 census at 77 years old, but not present in the 1921 census. I cannot find a death registration for her. I would like this to confirm her parents’ names. Most records list her as having been born in Wigtown, but what I presume to be her OPR birth record states Kirkmaiden, so I want to be sure I have the correct one. Thank you!

[ColC]

I cannot see a birth/baptism for Elizabeth in Wigtownshire, at the moment, the two records you mention as they appear on https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

ELIZABETH MENNIES   MARRIED   WILLIAM STEVENS   04/07/1853   KILMARNOCK

WILLIAM STEVENS   DEATH   AGE 48 (1835)   LANGDON   1883   DALRY (AYR)

Colin

[ColC]

This looks likely bearing in mind the age at death depends on who reported it.

STEVENS   ELIZABETH   77   MASON   F   1917   IRVINE

MENZIES   ELIZABETH   77      F   1917   IRVINE


Colin

[ColC]

MENZIES FAMILY – 1841 Burnthill, Kirkmaiden, Wigtownshire.

John           45   Agricultural Labourer   Wigtownshire   
Grace   40      Ireland   
Jean           14      Wigtownshire   
Margaret   12      Wigtownshire   
James   8      Wigtownshire   
William   6      Wigtownshire   
Elizabeth   6      Wigtownshire   

Colin

[ColC]

JOHN MENZIES/GRACE GARRET

KIRKMAIDEN BAPTISMS.

MENZIES   JEAN   02/02/1827
MENZIES   MARGARET   07/12/1828
MENZIES   JAMES   21/12/1832
MENZIES   WILLIAM   10/05/1835
MENZIES   ELIZABETH   10/05/1835



So if this is Elizabeth, the mothers maiden name recorded at death is different?

Colin

[Forfarian]

John Menzies, mmn McChlery, died in Kirkmaiden in 1872 aged 78.
Grace Garret or Menzies, mmn Sloan, died in Kirkmaiden in 1877 aged 79.

So the name Mason isn't either of Elizabeth's grandparents, if she is the right one and if these are her parents.

Would still be worth a look at that 1917 death certificate to see what it says about her husband and also who registered the death.

[Rfarace]

Thank you. I had ruled out those two death registrations because Elizabeth was listed as 77 in the 1911 census (which corresponded pretty well, within a year, of previous years’ censuses), because I thought a six-year error was a bit much, but perhaps those are worth looking as, as you say.

In looking at the notes, I’m reminded that Elizabeth had a twin brother William, so looking at him could also provide clues.

I’m trying to be careful to have the correct family—in another branch of my family in the Campbeltown area, there were two Neil Munros, each of which married a McNeill and each had a daughter Helen only two years apart, only one of which, of course, was my 3GG. It was very easy to get them mixed up, and that experience caused me to be much, much more careful to be sure I haven’t made a skip across branches.

Thank you again!

[softly softly]

This looks likely bearing in mind the age at death depends on who reported it.

STEVENS   ELIZABETH   77   MASON   F   1917   IRVINE

MENZIES   ELIZABETH   77      F   1917   IRVINE


Colin

Death cert records Elizabeth the widow of William Stevens occ coal miner. Died 25th June 1917, father David Menzies occ general labourer,deceased. Mother Mary ms Mason

Daughter Ellen Boyd informant

Died in the poor house, *****, usual address 25 *****(Canal Street?) DALRY. She was in Dalry in 1911 census

**** cannot read

John

added Ellen Stevens married William Boyd 1891 Dalry

Birth of Ellen Stevens
STEVENS
ELLEN
mothers maiden name MINIES
F
1869
587 / 393
DALRY (AYR)

[Rfarace]

Ooh, more detective work to do, as my belief was that Elizabeth’s parents were John and Grace.  More digging later today, I hope. Thank you.