Finding the right parents

[MonicaL]

Just working with the children's names for clues.

There is a couple, John Johnston and Marion Borthwick, who were having children in the right time frame for John. A number of children show in the OPRs including:

John Johnston
Parents John Johnston and Marion Borthwick
28/01/1816
Ref 479 50 / 583
Falkirk

There was an earlier John born to this couple in 1809 in Falkirk.

Monica
   

[lpeake]

Thank you all for the information, I have a few bits to go back and check.

I have the following info for the children of Margaret and John
Marion 1837 - Grahamston
Janet 1839 - Grahamston
John 1841 - Grahamston
Margaret 1845 - Grahamston
Helen 1847 - Maryhill
Jeannie 1850 - Maryhill
Andrew 1855 - Milton

Would it be normal practice for an illegitimate child to take the name of the father or do I have to presume that Janet Dun married Robert Clark?

Thanks

[MonicaL]

Yes. Illigitimate children often used the surname of their reputed father, if known to them. In this case, Robert Clark acknowledged that the child that Janet Dun was pregnant with at the time was his.

Monica

[MonicaL]

A possible further connection for John Johnston to the family of John Johnston and Marion Borthwick.

Marion Borthwick is showing in 1841 with some of her children. 1841 census is always the most limited in terms of info. Not clear whether she is a widow by now. Her age is not correct. She should be showing as born c. 1791 (parents Walter Borthwick and Agnes).

Marion Borthwick 40
William Johnston 20 iron moulder
James Johnston 20 iron moulder
Agnes Johnston 15
Elizabeth Johnston 2
   
Address: Grahamston

   
Wondering if this is Marion Borthwick's death on SP:

MARION JOHNSTON or BORTHWICK
Falkirk Burgh
1878
479 / 1 / 192

Her mother's maiden name not given. May not have been known by the informant.

Monica