Missing Marriage Record - help request

[MonicaL]

On another note, do you know have any sort of idea how frequent it is that a couple wouldn't have a marriage record in Scotland or why that would be the case?

Have a look at this link www.gla.ac.uk/schools/socialpolitical/research/economicsocialhistory/projects/scottishwayofbirthanddeath/

Click on the 'Marriage' tab. Gives a good overview on marriage practices in Scotland at that time.

The whole report is very readable and gives a great insight into post start of official registration in Scotland.

Monica

[Spinelli]

Mary Jane died in 1863, James Mitchell remarried in 1864 (to Agnes King) and then died in January 1871.

[MonicaL]

Possible brother for James Mitchell. From deaths:

WILLIAM MITCHELL
Age 60
Mother's maiden name MURRAY
1875
Ref 596 / 78
Kilbirnie

Don't know if you have a subs to Ancestry. There is a family tree showing there for this William, born c. 1817 in Ireland, showing his parents as James Mitchell and Mary Murray www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/171247660/person/402220818311/facts

Monica

[Spinelli]

I do - this looks likely, his address at the time of his death is on other records i've found.

[MonicaL]

Another possible sibling is Margaret.

See www.rootschat.com/links/01stl/

For background on this database, see http://censussearchforms.nationalarchives.ie/search/cs/home.jsp

Monica

[MonicaL]

This is Margaret's death on SP:

MARGARET MITCHELL or VERNAL
Age 72
Mother's maiden name MURRAY
1922
Ref 644 / 5 / 311
Garngadhill

And in 1891 with family:

John Vernal 41 Water Pipe Labourer b. Ireland
Margaret Vernal 42 Wife b. Ireland
John Vernal 18
Margaret J Vernal 16
Alice Vernal 11
Patrick Vernal 6 b. Glasgow
Cathon Vernal 2 b. Glasgow

Address 168 Millburn St, Glasgow/ Dennistoun

At the same address in 1901.

Monica

[RW1]

Are they on the 1871 census as a married couple?  If so - marriage was before census date

Not necessarily; for example (in my own family):

1911 Census
Tom Francis Greenland and Elizabeth Greenland
- married in 1937, after respective first spouses had died.

7 April 1861 Census
Edward Charles Green and Sarah Mary Green (false details)
- married under their real names (Charles Greene and Selina Greene) on 13 May 1861, after Charles's wife "drowned".

31 March 1901 Census
William Allum and Elizabeth Allum
- married on 29 July 1901, this being Elizabeth's fourth bigamous marriage.

1901 Census
Edward Ware and Florence Ware
- never married at all, Edward probably believing he was already legally married to Elizabeth (shown above as Allum).