Where were they in 1841?

[ash33au]

I've got two people I just can't locate via Census in 1841. Both are in 1851, but are living where they work, not with family.

First one is:
John McPHEE - what we do know is that he was born approximately 1833 somewhere in Scotland. In 1851 he is working on a farm called Silleghole in Dalmellington, AYRSHIRE. He married in 1854 in Dalmellington, I have a copy of the parish register and it gives nothing away as to his original hometown. On the parish register it also has his surname spelled as McPHIE and I've also seen it spelled as McFEE, McFIE and MacPHEE in various records, however I have a document with his handwritten signature and he spelled it as McPHEE. On the certificate for his second marriage, in Adelaide, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, his father's name is listed as James. Going by Scottish naming patterns, this would appear to be correct as well as his mother's name possibly being Mary.

Second one is a hard one:
Mary [Ann] SMITH - in 1851 she is working on a farm called either Trees Muir or Hon Muir somewhere in the vicinity of Maybole, AYRSHIRE, where her future husband Charles (also SMITH) is also working. We know from the 1851 census and her death certificate in SOUTH AUSTRALIA that she was born approximately 1831 in Ayr, AYRSHIRE. She married Charles in Maybole in 1853, I have that parish register, where it reveals little other than "both of this parish." I've managed to find a Mary SMITH of the right age baptised in Ayr with the parents James and Helen (nee McINTOSH) - is this her and where is she on the 1841 Census?

[malcolm99]

Have you seen this? http://www.maybole.org/history/index.htm

Click on 'Maybole Census of 1841 in Excel Format' and Charles Smith aged 10 is at Trees Muir and there are 3 Mary Smiths in different places - one is age 7 and born in Ayr. Could that be him & her?

malcolm99

[malcolm99]

I see there are also a Helen and John Smith there in Welltrees Square.

[ash33au]

Thanks Malcolm, makes for very good reading but still none the wiser re Mary.

Maybe Ayr...

[ash33au]

I've found a possible Mary at New Bridge St, Ayr... right name, right age, right birthplace, but no other conclusive information. And this girl appears not to have a father... oh oh oh could I have illegitimacy?