Hello
Long post - some of this you'll certainly have , but pulling all together to show:
There is indeed strong evidence to suggest John Colligan (m Helen Gardiner) and Edward Colligan (m Ann Cleland) were brothers....both sons of John Colligan and Margaret Campbell - and that both their names were often recorded as Colvile / Colvin
That is: John Cooper was the Grand Nephew of John Colligan, and his mother Margaret Colligan Cooper was John Colligan' neice.
Overview
John Colligan (~1820-1874), married ~1838, to Hellen Gardiner (~1815 -1884)In their Census 1871: Nephew John Colligan 16, b New Monkland (abt 1855)
In their Census 1881: (Helen is a widow), nephew, John Cooper 26, b Bothwell (abt 1855)
John Colligan died 1874 in Sorn, Ayr (accident) age 55 ( born abt 1819) - wife listed as: Helen Gardiner and parents informed as being: John Colligan and Margaret Colligan ms Campbell.
THE NEPHEW BIRTH John Cooper 1855 Born 31 March 1855 Newarthill, registered Holytown
Born as 1st child of parents. He was a Twin - his twin is Ann, registered same time, listed as the 2nd child. For both children: Parents married 1854 Newarthill, and:
Mother: Margaret Colvin age 23, born Auldstone near Shotts Iron Works (Abt 1832)
Father: John Cooper age 25 , Coal Miner, b Grangemouth (abt 1830)
CENSUS 1861: at No 3 Water Engine, Shotts, Lanarkshire
John Cooper 34, Coalminer, b Grangemouth, Stirlingashire (abt 1827)
Margaret Cooper 35, Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire (abt 1826)
John Cooper 6, b Bothwell ( 1855)
Ann Cooper 6 b Bothwell (1855)
In 1878: Poor Law Application - Cambusnethan Parochial BoardMargaret Colligan or Cooper, aged 50, born Cambusnethan
Applied 5pm, on 2nd January 1878
No Home. Wishaw.
Married, no home, Carters wife, Partial debility, Dependants: Nil.
Her husband John Cooper from Shotts deserted her 12 years ago. Settlement Shotts. She has mostly been in the Poorhouse for the last 12 years.
Result: 2nd Jan - sent to Poorhouse. 7th Jan. Left Poorhouse
In 1890: Parochial Relief Application- CambusnethanApplicant: Margaret Colligan or Cooper, age abt 58, born Cambusnethan
Applied: 5pm on 11 Jun 1890
No Home, Married, Protestant, Farm Servant
Parents: Edward Colligan, Boilermaker & Ann Cleland. Both Dead
Husband: John Cooper, Carter, b Shotts (thinks), deserted her 20 years ago
Result: Sent to Poorhouse per bus 11 June. Left Poorhouse 12 June.
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