RootsChat.Com
Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: ohbodder on Monday 30 July 18 20:42 BST (UK)
-
Can anyone decipher the words on the bottom line of this description. It gives a clue as to why this woman's husband isn't the father of her child, but I can't make out the crucial part of the bottom line.
I think I can make out:-
Morrison (Baker) who she declares
is not the father of this child
having been _______ of (Scotland?) for four years.
Thank you
-
Hello -
".....having been furth of (outside) Scotland for four years."
craggagh.
-
I agree - I was just about to post the same thing!
Regards
GS
-
That makes sense, I wonder where he'd been.
The woman had had another illegitimate child a couple of years before.
Thank you both
-
That makes sense, I wonder where he'd been.
If you post all details of your man in question regarding your post (including the yr/place (area) of the snip you posted), marriage details/parents/place & approx. Dob/occ. etc (any details you have) I'm sure there's a chance of help available here ;)
Can you please include what you do know of his whereabouts when/where/death (all to help trace the missing yrs)?
If RCers can't find him, no-one will! ;D
Annie
-
If you post all details of your man in question regarding your post (including the yr/place (area) of the snip you posted), marriage details/parents/place & approx. Dob/occ. etc (any details you have) I'm sure there's a chance of help available here ;)
Can you please include what you do know of his whereabouts when/where/death (all to help trace the missing yrs)?
If RCers can't find him, no-one will! ;D
Annie
He is Colin Murray Morrison b 24-6-1824 Edinburgh, Scotland parents Donald Morrison and Euphemia Mathieson
He is on the 1841 Scotland Census as Colin Mcintosh, mother has remarried to an Archibald McIntosh.
He is on the 1851 Scotland Census as Coleen Morrison 26, Baker (Journeyman)
In 1852 he married Isabella Morrison in Edinburgh.
They have two children, Donald in 1854 and Isabella in 1856
Isabella and the two children are on the 1861 census.
On the 1871 census Isabella has married William Churchill and has five children, Donald and Isabella, plus:-
Jane, who on the census is the same as a daughter Isabella, but wasn't on the previous census, can't find a birth record for her.
Eleanor, age 5 (b1865) "illegitimate" on her birth certificate,
Isaac, age 3 (b1868) his birth certicate has the message about the missing husband.
All five children are Morrison on the 1871 census, and "Stepchildren" of William Churchill.
After 1851 I can find no record of Colin.
Rob
-
"Isaac, age 3 (b1868) his birth certicate has the message about the missing husband"
Can you please tell us exactly what it says about the 'missing husband'?
Is he named on Isaacs birth, what was his occ. on that birth & the others?
"Isabella in 1856" What's written on her BC & who signed?
What is Isabella's marital status on the 1861 census?
"Jane, who on the census is the same as a daughter Isabella, but wasn't on the previous census, can't find a birth record for her"
I'm not understanding what you mean, sorry but what ages were each on the census' you have them on i.e. what was the yr of birth of each & where?
Annie
-
"Isaac, age 3 (b1868) his birth certicate has the message about the missing husband"
Can you please tell us exactly what it says about the 'missing husband'?
Is he named on Isaacs birth, what was his occ. on that birth & the others?
Most of the message about the missing husband is in the original post, but I missed the first line. The full message in the father column is:-
Isabella Morrison wife of Colin
Morrison (Baker) who she declares
is not the father of this child
having been furth of Scotland for four years
"Isabella in 1856" What's written on her BC & who signed?
What is Isabella's marital status on the 1861 census?
I can't find births for Donald 1854 or Isabella 1856 (or any years either side). I only have ancestry.co.uk's record of the 1861 census, not the original image, that states she is 'Head' of the family.
"Jane, who on the census is the same as a daughter Isabella, but wasn't on the previous census, can't find a birth record for her"
I'm not understanding what you mean, sorry but what ages were each on the census' you have them on i.e. what was the yr of birth of each & where?
Annie
On the 1861 census we have Isabella (mother) age 27, Donald age 7 and Isabella (daughter) age 5.
On the 1871 census we have Isabella (mother) age 36, Donald age 16, Isabella (daughter) age 14, but now there is also Jane also age 14, and Eleanor age 5 and Isaac age 3.
I have birth records for Eleanor and Isaac, Eleanor states illegitimate and Isaac's says that Colin isn't the father but doesn't say who is.
Hope this helps a bit more.
Rob
-
"Most of the message about the missing husband is in the original post, but I missed the first line. The full message in the father column is:-
Isabella Morrison wife of Colin
Morrison (Baker) who she declares
is not the father of this child
having been furth of Scotland for four years"
Thanks for clarifying which birth & what yr (1868) which was not obvious in the original post.
Have you looked for Colin migrating in 1864 & have you found any potentials?
Do you know of any other family connections in other countries where he may have gone to?
Annie
-
Have you looked for Colin migrating in 1864 & have you found any potentials?
Do you know of any other family connections in other countries where he may have gone to?
Annie
No leads so far, his daughter moved to London some time after marrying,and a sister may have moved to USA, but no further clues there.
There seems to be so many people in Scotland who have the same few names that it difficult to know who is who, and tracking anyone without proper access to the Scottish censuses isn't easy.
-
"I can't find births for Donald 1854 or Isabella 1856 (or any years either side)"
Have you discounted these?
MORRISON ISABELLA 1856
685/7 495 Heriot and Warriston (Edinburgh)
MORRISON JANE 1858
685/7 450 Heriot and Warriston
Annie
-
"Isabella and the two children are on the 1861 census"
Can you supply details (ages) of all of the above please & where all were said to have been born?
Annie
-
"Isabella and the two children are on the 1861 census"
Can you supply details (ages) of all of the above please & where all were said to have been born?
Annie
I think the births in Heriot and Warriston don't have the right parents.
On the 1861 and 1881 censuses, Isabella (daughter) was born in Glasgow, Lanark, on 1871 and 1891 censuses it says Edinburgh or Scotland.
I had checked Glasgow births but none had the right parents, however I've just spotted an
Elizabeth Isabella Morrison born in 1856, in Anderston, Glasgow, parents Colin and Isabelle Morrison. So one more step in the right direction.
Isabelle (mother) and Donald where both born in Edinburgh according to the 1861 and 1871 censuses.
On the 1861 census we have Isabella (mother) age 27, Donald age 7 and Isabella (daughter) age 5.
On the 1871 census we have Isabella (mother) age 36, Donald age 16, Isabella (daughter) age 14,
Over to Jane, I'm going out on a limb here, but:-
On the 1881 census she is Jane G Churchill, but there is a marriage later in 1881 for a Robert Brough and Jane Westwood, on the marriage record is says mother is Isabella Westwood MS Morrison (deceased), Isabella died April 1881, father Robert Westwood, Printer, Compositor. Jane is age 18, which would put her birth to 1863, which would be why she isn't on the 1861 census, but doesn't explain why she is 14 in 1871. Elsewhere in ancestry's records she is Jane Gibson Brough. The name Westwood crops up in more recent generations as a middle name, and if I'm correct and sister Eleanor married Alexander Wylie then at least one of their children had Westwood as a middle name.
So lots to investigate there.
Rob
-
If I have looked at the correct 1871 census (you have), it states Isabella (Snr) was born
England?
Edit, I apologise as it was William Churchill who was born England :-[
Which line do you descend from, of her children as there may be a possibility you have gone off the trail somewhere?
Annie
-
When & where did Isabella (Snr) die?
Do you have her DC & what details are on it?
What details do you have for her on 1911 census, please include all?
Annie
-
"He is on the 1841 Scotland Census as Colin Mcintosh, mother has remarried to an Archibald McIntosh"
Been a long thread & I'd forgot about this!
Depending on the circumstances of his disappearance, have you searched for him with surname McIntosh?
Annie
-
When & where did Isabella (Snr) die?
Do you have her DC & what details are on it?
What details do you have for her on 1911 census, please include all?
Annie
Isabella (snr) died 24-4-1881 as Isabella Churchill "married to Colin Morrison(Baker) 2nd to William Churchill Wireworker" at New Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, witnessed by Donald Morrison (Son)."
This is my wife's side of the family, she is descended through Isabella (jnr) who married Thomas Goodley in 1874. On her marriage certificate it states, father Colin Morrison Seaman! deceased mother Isabella Morrison MS Morrison, witnesses Donald Morrison and Jane Churchill. Hadn't noticed Colin was a Seaman (had been a baker previously) being a seaman might explain his disappearance and death.
Rob
-
This does make a difference, being a Seaman!
Strange change of occ. I have to say.
Do you have any other of the marriages prior to 1874 with Colin deceased?
Does the marriage of Isabella to William Churchill state she's a Widow?
There will be no DC for Colin to be found if he died at sea & his body wasn't found.
Annie
-
"This is my wife's side of the family, she is descended through Isabella (jnr) who married Thomas Goodley in 1874. On her marriage certificate it states, father Colin Morrison Seaman! deceased mother Isabella Morrison MS Morrison"
Did the marriage not give mother Isabella's surname of Churchill, previously Morrison as well as m/s Morrison?
Annie
-
"I had checked Glasgow births but none had the right parents, however I've just spotted an Elizabeth Isabella Morrison born in 1856, in Anderston, Glasgow, parents Colin and Isabelle Morrison"
Sorry for all the questions etc. but I am trying to help as there seems to be a few discrepancies.
Does the BC for E I Morrison state father's name/occ. & mmn?
What were those details?
Annie
-
"This is my wife's side of the family, she is descended through Isabella (jnr) who married Thomas Goodley in 1874. On her marriage certificate it states, father Colin Morrison Seaman! deceased mother Isabella Morrison MS Morrison"
Did the marriage not give mother Isabella's surname of Churchill, previously Morrison as well as m/s Morrison?
Annie
No, just Morrison MS Morrison
"I had checked Glasgow births but none had the right parents, however I've just spotted an Elizabeth Isabella Morrison born in 1856, in Anderston, Glasgow, parents Colin and Isabelle Morrison"
Sorry for all the questions etc. but I am trying to help as there seems to be a few discrepancies.
Does the BC for E I Morrison state father's name/occ. & mmn?
What were those details?
Annie
I haven't got the birth certificate yet, need to buy some more credits for scotlandspeople first, I wish you could get a subscription like other websites, it's getting expensive having to pay for every document. Ancestry.co.uk only gives the basic details; names, date and town.
Rob
-
Scotlandspeople is a government site just as the GRO (England) is which don't have a subscription option either.
You have to pay an awful lot more for certs. from GRO as they're not downloadable like SP's are & at a fraction of the price.
SP is the only place to purchase BMDs & Census' for Scotland, the rest are transcriptions which miss out a lot of valid info.
Annie
-
"This is my wife's side of the family, she is descended through Isabella (jnr) who married Thomas Goodley in 1874. On her marriage certificate it states, father Colin Morrison Seaman! deceased mother Isabella Morrison MS Morrison"
Did the marriage not give mother Isabella's surname of Churchill, previously Morrison as well as m/s Morrison?
"No, just Morrison MS Morrison"
This would signify Isabella wasn't married to William Churchill.
Annie
-
How sure are you, you have the correct family?
CHURCHILL WILLIAM & MORRISON ISABELLA 1870
692/2 126 Leith South
Can you tell us what it says regarding Isabella on that marriage & who were the witnesses?
Does it state she's a Widow?
Annie
-
"This is my wife's side of the family, she is descended through Isabella (jnr) who married Thomas Goodley in 1874. On her marriage certificate it states, father Colin Morrison Seaman! deceased mother Isabella Morrison MS Morrison"
Did the marriage not give mother Isabella's surname of Churchill, previously Morrison as well as m/s Morrison?
"No, just Morrison MS Morrison"
This would signify Isabella wasn't married to William Churchill.
Annie
How sure are you, you have the correct family?
CHURCHILL WILLIAM & MORRISON ISABELLA 1870
692/2 126 Leith South
Can you tell us what it says regarding Isabella on that marriage & who were the witnesses?
Does it state she's a Widow?
Annie
Got some more credits, and some more confusion.
The 1856 Anderston birth seems correct, though some things still don't fit:-
father - Colin Morrison (looks like Steward on/in vessel) present at birth
mother - Isabella Morrison maiden name Morrison
Onto the 1870 wedding!!!!
William Churchill wireworker age 31, that fits with the 1871 census and Isabella's death record. Address looks like 19 Coburg Street N Leith
However, Isabella
age 32!!, Spinster!!!!, dressmaker 19 Coburg Street N Leith
father John Morrison (joiner) matches Isabella's 1852 marriage
mother Isabella Fraser Morrison MS Cromarty. Isabella's mother as far as I know MS Fraser, don't know about Cromarty, I'll have to check further.
Witnesses William Sanderson, and what looks like Babllay McKay! I've not come across either of thos names/families so far.
There is only one William Churchill/Isabella in the 1871 Scotland census and that is the one with Isabella's existing children still with the surname Morrison.
Did Isabella pass herself off as single to get married, and get married in Leith so know one would recognise her? She is Churchill for 1871 and 1881 census, and on her death record.
Two steps forward one step back, but I think we're getting there, slowly.
Rob
-
What were Isabellas' parents names on her DC & fathers' occ?
Annie
-
"Got some more credits, and some more confusion.
The 1856 Anderston birth seems correct, though some things still don't fit:-
father - Colin Morrison (looks like Steward on/in vessel) present at birth
mother - Isabella Morrison maiden name Morrison"
Can you please include names with info. when posting as it keeps everything together without having to scroll back to recall who (name) was born when/where on long threads with conflicting info. ;)
Elizabeth Isabella Morrison born in 1856, in Anderston, Glasgow
This one is the most solid for proof so far in terms of her children.
Was there an actual address given on the BC, if so, does the address tie in with any other docs?
Some strange conflicting evidence going on at times.
1856 - Colin 'Steward' on Isabella's birth
1874 - Colin 'Seaman' deceased on Isabella's marriage
(1864) - 1868 - Colin 'Baker' (AWOL) ;D on Isaac's birth ??? 'furth of Scotland for four years'
Is this the same Colin, changing is occ?
Do you have any other info. on Isaac?
Was there an actual address on Isaac's BC, if so, does it tie in with any other docs?
1865 - Eleanor "illegitimate" on her birth certificate
1868 Isaac his birth certicate has the message about the missing husband
I find it strange there's no mention of Colin on the BC of Eleanor yet 3 yrs later he's mentioned?
What address is on Eleanor's BC? Does it tie in with any other docs?
Just trying to get to the bottom of this (not easy)! ::)
Annie
-
"Got some more credits, and some more confusion.
Elizabeth Isabella Morrison born in 1856, in Anderston, Glasgow
This one is the most solid for proof so far in terms of her children.
Was there an actual address given on the BC, if so, does the address tie in with any other docs?
Do you have any other info. on Isaac?
was there an actual address on Isaac's BC, if so, does it tie in with any other docs?
1865 - Eleanor "illegitimate" on her birth certificate
1868 Isaac his birth certicate has the message about the missing husband
What address is on Eleanor's BC? Does it tie in with any other docs?
Just trying to get to the bottom of this (not easy)! ::)
Annie
Isabella (jnr) info from birth record
Morrison Elizabeth Isabella, 19-4-1856 1? am?, address is almost unreadable - 52 ? ? ? Street, Anderston, Glasgow (attached pic), father Colin Morrison ?Steward In Vessel?, mother Isabella Morrison maiden name Morrison, informant Colin Morrison father present
Isaac info from birth record
Isaac Gibson Morrison (or Morrison)
10-2-1868 5h ?m ?16, Buccleuch Street Edinburgh, ..message about father.., Isabella Morrison mother, Reg. 2-3-1868 at Edinburgh
He is on the 1871 and 1881 censuses, with Isabella (Snr) but nothing after that.
Eleanor info from birth record
Eleanor Morrison (Illegitimate) 13-9-1865 7h 5m ? ? Buccleach Street (father) Isabella Morrison Dressmaker, (mother) Isabella Morrison mother, reg. 23-10-1865 at Edinburgh
She is on the 1871 and 1881 censuses, with Isabella (Snr)
Tenuous possible marriage 1886 Eleanor Westwood to Alexander Wylie mother Isabella Westwood MS Morrison (deceased) if so then she is also in the 1891 and 1901 censuses
Buccleach Street is the address on the 1861 census where Isabella (snr) is living with Donald (7) and Isabella (jnr) (5)
Isabella (snr) is a Dressmaker on Eleanor's birth record, and on the marriage of he spinster Isabella to William Churchill.
Rob
-
Not sure if it helps in the way that is needed, but the address for the birth looks to be 52 Stobcross Street, Andeston.
Monica
-
My head hurts ;)
"Tenuous possible marriage 1886 Eleanor Westwood to Alexander Wylie mother Isabella Westwood MS Morrison (deceased) if so then she is also in the 1891 and 1901 censuses"
I wonder if 'Westwood' is an indication to her father's surname?
Would be good to find a Westwood on a census in same area Isabella was.
I do find it strange for Isabella to marry as a Spinster rather than a Widow.
Isaac has an entry on 'Fancestry' as Isaac Gibson Morrison 10/02/1868 Edinburgh
This is a strange jigsaw, the pieces appear to fit but the pattern doesn't ::)
Annie
Monica, got alert, thanks!
-
"Buccleach Street is the address on the 1861 census where Isabella (snr) is living with Donald (7) and Isabella (jnr) (5)"
I think you really need the original to find out what status was declared for Isabella?
Annie
-
From what has been discussed, not sure if the death cert in Edinburgh for an Isabella Morrison/Churchill in the St Giles district of Edinburgh has been checked? This Isabella showed as aged 46.
Monica
ADDED: Apologies, Rob. See now that you have this 1881 death entry.
-
Yes Monica, it has been confirmed on Reply #16...
"Isabella (snr) died 24-4-1881 as Isabella Churchill "married to Colin Morrison(Baker) 2nd to William Churchill Wireworker" at New Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, witnessed by Donald Morrison (Son)."
There's so many twists & turns! Colin Morrison as Steward to Baker to Seaman i.e. I don't think there will be a DC for him if his body was never recovered.
We don't know if Isabella was in fact a widow by 1861 but if she was, why marry as a spinster?
Annie
-
Isabella is recorded as ‘married’ on the 1861 census. She was a Hat Trimmer, born in Edinburgh. The address is Buccleuch Pend, Buccleuch Street, Edinburgh ( info from Findmypast).
Isobel
-
Thanks Isobel!
Looks like Colin may have died between 1861 & 1868 as he had been out of Scotland for 4 yrs by the time of Isaacs birth 1868 although we don't really know if he was deceased or just didn't come back for some reason?
Annie
-
I wonder if there's any mention in a newspaper of the disappearance of Colin?
Maybe the fact Isabella married as a Spinster, she couldn't afford all the rigmarole of having him being declared dead to enable her to remarry :-\
Annie
-
Not sure if it helps in the way that is needed, but the address for the birth looks to be 52 Stobcross Street, Andeston.
Monica
Thank you Monica, it does look like that once you say it, and that is a real sreet, but I wouldn't have worked that one out.
Isabella is recorded as ‘married’ on the 1861 census. She was a Hat Trimmer, born in Edinburgh. The address is Buccleuch Pend, Buccleuch Street, Edinburgh ( info from Findmypast).
Isobel
Thank you Isobel, she was a "Hate Tormmer" according to Ancestry's transcription :D
"Tenuous possible marriage 1886 Eleanor Westwood to Alexander Wylie mother Isabella Westwood MS Morrison (deceased) if so then she is also in the 1891 and 1901 censuses"
I wonder if 'Westwood' is an indication to her father's surname?
Would be good to find a Westwood on a census in same area Isabella was.
Annie
According to the marriage certificate (1886) her father was Robert Westwood, I haven't looked into him yet, but as I mentioned before Westwood crops up as a middle name in later generations, along with other surnames of previous generations.
"
This is a strange jigsaw, the pieces appear to fit but the pattern doesn't ::)
Annie
;D Too true.
Still don't know where Jane Morrison came from or went to,
I've got two more Scottish families to do after this one, wish me luck.
Rob
Edit:- Just spotted a Jane Gibson Westwood b1863 St Giles but that will have to wait until tomorrow.
-
"Tenuous possible marriage 1886 Eleanor Westwood to Alexander Wylie mother Isabella Westwood MS Morrison (deceased) if so then she is also in the 1891 and 1901 censuses"
I wonder if 'Westwood' is an indication to her father's surname?
Would be good to find a Westwood on a census in same area Isabella was.
Annie
1861 Census
Robert E Westwood
36 Buccleuch St No 2 Back Land
Printer (componter)
:)
-
Great find!
I noted both Isaac & Jane have the name 'Gibson' attached to their names although not sure what to make of this?
GIBSON WALTER
Tenant Occupier
HOUSE 3/A BUCCLEUCH STREET, ST CUTHBERT'S
1865
VR010000061-
This is around the time of Isaac's birth (1868)
"Isaac info from birth record
Isaac Gibson Morrison (or Morrison)
10-2-1868 5h ?m ?16, Buccleuch Street Edinburgh"
Annie
Add, I haven't checked any census' i.e. worth a look for more details on Walter Gibson I think?
-
I noted both Isaac & Jane have the name 'Gibson' attached to their names although not sure what to make of this?
GIBSON WALTER
Tenant Occupier
HOUSE 3/A BUCCLEUCH STREET, ST CUTHBERT'S
1865
VR010000061-
This is around the time of Isaac's birth (1868)
Annie
He is on both the 1861 and 1871 censuses living in Buccleuch Street, married with children (though that proves nothing)
Robert Westwood is on the 1861 census, living with his mother, can't find him in 1871, however:-
I got Jane (Morrison) birth record:-
Jane Gibson Westwood b 5 Mar 1863 father Robert Westwood printer Compositor, mother Isabella Westwood MS Morrison 1851 December 31st Edinburgh regd by Isabella Morrison mother.
I assume the 1851 December 31st in the parents column is the date the parents married, well guess what no marriage for those names in 1851, but Isabella married Colin Morrison 31 Dec 1852!
Has Isabella registered the birth herself and passed herself off as a married woman? Maybe without Robert Westwood knowing?
But why Gibson as well as Westwood in her name? Was Walter Gibson the real father and Westwood was the fall guy?
You could write a book about this woman, but no one would believe it.
But then we can assume Westwood is Eleanor's father because:-
Eleanor Westwood b 30 Sept 1865 no father on birth certificate but in 1886 an Eleanor Westwood of the same age marries Alexander Wylie, father Robert Westwood mother Isabella Westwood MS Morrison.
Still no further in Isaac Gibson Morrison, he seems to disappear too.
Rob
-
I haven't done the arithmetic yet but could this be him which would answer the 'Gibson' query?
Death
WESTWOOD ROBERT ELLIOT 40
GIBSON (mmn)
1869
685/3 169 Canongate
Annie
-
This 'WESTWOOD ROBERT ELLIOT 40' on death would have been a few yrs younger than Isabella but whether he's the correct person is anyone's guess as there has been no previous mention of the middle name 'Elliot'?
"Jane Gibson Westwood b 5 Mar 1863 father Robert Westwood printer Compositor, mother Isabella Westwood MS Morrison 1851 December 31st Edinburgh regd by Isabella Morrison mother"
How strange, proclaiming to be married as Westwood then signing as Morrison, she must have been nervous with telling lies & forgot herself when signing ;D ::)
Annie
-
"1886 an Eleanor Westwood of the same age marries Alexander Wylie, father Robert Westwood"
Does it say both parents are deceased on the marriage 1886 or just Isabella?
Annie
-
I haven't done the arithmetic yet but could this be him which would answer the 'Gibson' query?
Death
WESTWOOD ROBERT ELLIOT 40
GIBSON (mmn)
1869
685/3 169 Canongate
Annie
Could be, it says age 40 which matched the 1861 census est birth of 1829. He was dead by the time Jane Westwood married Robert Brough in 1881, father Robert Westwood (Printer, compositor) deceased, mother Isabella Westwood MS Morrison deceased.
1969 fits nicely with Isabella next marriage to William Churchill 1870
I think we can let Walter Gibson off the hook :)
Rob
-
This 'WESTWOOD ROBERT ELLIOT 40' on death would have been a few yrs younger than Isabella but whether he's the correct person is anyone's guess as there has been no previous mention of the middle name 'Elliot'?
"Jane Gibson Westwood b 5 Mar 1863 father Robert Westwood printer Compositor, mother Isabella Westwood MS Morrison 1851 December 31st Edinburgh regd by Isabella Morrison mother"
How strange, proclaiming to be married as Westwood then signing as Morrison, she must have been nervous with telling lies & forgot herself when signing ;D ::)
Annie
My mistake when typing, it does says Isabella Westwood.
This 'WESTWOOD ROBERT ELLIOT 40' on death would have been a few yrs younger than Isabella but whether he's the correct person is anyone's guess as there has been no previous mention of the middle name 'Elliot'?
In 1851 census there is Robert Elliot Westwood Printer Overseer b Edinburgh living as a lodger in Gorbals. And in the 1861 census he is Robert E Westwood
Rob
-
"I think we can let Walter Gibson off the hook :)"
Sorry Walter, wrong place at right time/right place at wrong time ;D
Just hope the 1869 death is him & the reason you didn't find him in 1871 & of course the re-marriage of Isabella 1870, didn't take long :D
Annie