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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Lanarkshire => Topic started by: wee mammy on Friday 23 December 22 00:47 GMT (UK)

Title: Help please.
Post by: wee mammy on Friday 23 December 22 00:47 GMT (UK)
I have a James Gillan on the 1881 census age 17 years born Greenock, Renfrew making him born 1864. My problem is I can't find a James with the mother Jane Black, I have found a William born 1864 with the correct parents.  James was the only one born Greenock, according to the 1911 census he was one of 10 siblings. My question is are they the same person or is William the 10th child I'm missing. Thanks in advance for any help.

Wee mammy

Title: Re: Help please.
Post by: CaroleW on Friday 23 December 22 01:07 GMT (UK)
The 1881 entry also shows a 3yr old son William so James born 1864 cannot also be William

By 1891 James is still James & is married to Catherine
Title: Re: Help please.
Post by: Neale1961 on Friday 23 December 22 01:19 GMT (UK)
On the 1871 census, He is William James GILLAN born 1864 Greenock.
Title: Re: Help please.
Post by: wee mammy on Friday 23 December 22 01:39 GMT (UK)
Thank you Neale1961 and CaroleW for your quick reply.   I lost a lot of my copies when I bought a new laptop so I have been going through everything to see what was missing.  Thank you Neale1961 for the info on the 1871 census confirming his name was William James. I have went onto SP and purchased a copy of the Census.

Wee mammy
Title: Re: Help please.
Post by: CaroleW on Friday 23 December 22 01:47 GMT (UK)
I wonder why they would give 2 sons born 14yrs apart the same Christian name? 


Title: Re: Help please.
Post by: Blairvadach on Friday 23 December 22 07:17 GMT (UK)
I wonder why they would give 2 sons born 14yrs apart the same Christian name?
I started a thread about this topic recently as I had two Catherine’s who we’re only 5 years apart!!
Title: Re: Help please.
Post by: CaroleW on Friday 23 December 22 12:35 GMT (UK)
I know it was quite common to name a later child after a deceased one but it must be confusing to have 2 living children with the same christian name in the same household 🤔🤔
Title: Re: Help please.
Post by: Forfarian on Friday 23 December 22 15:00 GMT (UK)
I know it was quite common to name a later child after a deceased one but it must be confusing to have 2 living children with the same christian name in the same household 🤔🤔
You'd think so, wouldn't you?

But I suppose that's when nicknames come in handy. You could call one of the Williams Bill and the other one Willie, and Catherines could be Kate or Cathy or Kitty and Rena, and Alexanders could be Alec and Sandy. Even John can be Jack or Johnny, and Jameses Jim and Hamish. Isabella could be Isa or Tibbie or Bell and Margaret Maggie or Greta or Peggy or Pearl. And so on.
Title: Re: Help please.
Post by: CaroleW on Friday 23 December 22 22:59 GMT (UK)
When you put it like that - yes.  It would certainly counteract any confusion