Struggling

[Neale1961]

All I can add at the moment from the 1871 census you mention with Edith McArthur https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRN5-ZXJ

Thanks, I should have posted that.
Here is the same Browning family in 1861
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2M2-KMZY

And in 1841
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQVM-XHB

[NorthernGeezer]

Gold star for Neale for all the effort he has put in, thanks very much, I wouldn't have been able to get that far, I know that!

The Scotland connection is a puzzle, he's listed as a customs clerk in the 1851 UK census so job wise its on the right lines, I don't think its him though, I'm swinging towards my Duncan being the one who travelled from Liverpool on the Sarah Sands in 1849 and who is listed on the 1850 US census with the Perry's.

I can buy in to the Browning London connection but.....................would he really have travelled to Liverpool to get on a boat to the USA when there are other options nearer??

Question..................Its the right Edith but would she really have travelled all that way at 14 to see someone she didn't know?
Edith is also listed in the 1870 US census, at home with the family
I've searched the ISTG website for her outward journey and return home but cant find it.

[NorthernGeezer]

Andrew, copy of the marriage declaration attached.

[Andrew C.]

Thanks but I was hoping that you could get hold of the actual marriage certificate to see who Duncan’s father or both parents where. We seem to be all over the place with this search.

[NorthernGeezer]

Andrew, your right, I think its the only way to be sure.
I've been on the NYC Department of Records and its not that easy to do, however, I know a guy who has offered to help previously in the USA, you don't like to impose too much do you but I think I'll reach out to him and see what he can do.
I'll get back to you on this

[Ladyhawk]

Andrew, your right, I think its the only way to be sure.
I've been on the NYC Department of Records and its not that easy to do, however, I know a guy who has offered to help previously in the USA, you don't like to impose too much do you but I think I'll reach out to him and see what he can do.
I'll get back to you on this

I think that's a good idea fingers crossed.

For info.

Charles Perry
Residence Date   1850
Street Address   2 Eagle street City Road
Residence Place   London,
Occupation Gold & Silver Beater
London, England, City Directories, 1736-1943 - can find nothing for a Duncan Browning, occ Wine Merchant

Edith seems to have visited London in 1878 as a married woman (perhaps visiting family)
Edith McArthur married 12 Apr 1877 Manhattan died 8 Sep 1910 NY

Edith F Prehn Age   22
Place of Origin   United States of America
Departure Port   London
Destination   USA
Arrival Date   26 Oct 1878
Arrival Port   New York, New York, USA
Ship Name   Canada
New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957

It might be helpful if a passenger list could be found for the Perry's - I've not found anything yet 

Sorry don't have access to papers might there be something useful there 

Duncan McArthur
Topic   Politics
Residence 19 Nov 1864
Residence Place   Brooklyn, New York, USA
Newspaper Title   The Brooklyn Union

You may already of seen the attached record for Duncan McArthur age 40 occ Broker born ENGLAND - U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865

[Ladyhawk]

Duncan Macarthur
Residence Year   1871
Street Address   George 1st hw Union av
Residence Place   Morrisania, New York, USA
Occupation   Broker
Publication Title   Morrisania and Tremont Directory, 1871-72
U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 - Can't see any earlier entries

Charles Perry
Residence Year   1868
Street Address   87 Hilary
Residence Place   Brooklyn, New York, USA
Occupation   Gold-Leaf
Publication Title   Brooklyn, New York, City Directory, 1868

[Forfarian]

1870/1880 US census his occ Custom House Broker
1850 US census Duncan McArthur occ Clerk

For info…… there is this Duncan McArthur but he’s born in Scotland 
1851 census Abbotsford Place, 33, Gorbals, Laurieston, Lanarkshire, Scotland
DUNCAN McArthur   Son   Unmarried 1821   Clerk (customs) Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire
1841 census Shore Street, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland
DUNCAN  McArthur   1820   Renfrewshire, Scotland

That's a good find, but you then have to explain how come he was in Glasgow in 1851 if he was in New York in 1850 (for the census) and 1852 (to get married).

This looks like the son of Charles McArthur and Elizabeth Forrest, baptised in Port Glasgow on 3 May 1920. There is no record of his death in Scotland unless there's an error in his mother's name in the index.

[Forfarian]

I can buy in to the Browning London connection but.....................would he really have travelled to Liverpool to get on a boat to the USA when there are other options nearer??

From London, yes, he might well have done. He could have travelled by train from London to Liverpool.

Less likely he would sail from Liverpool if he was from Scotland as there were lots of ships from Glasgow, Greenock, Gourock etc. But he might have done.