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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Ross & Cromarty => Topic started by: jc33a on Sunday 23 November 25 14:06 GMT (UK)

Title: What name did widows use in Scottish Marriages in 1820s on Lewis
Post by: jc33a on Sunday 23 November 25 14:06 GMT (UK)
Hello, a Mary Macaulay married a Murdo Graham in 1826 in Stornoway. I am not sure whether she was the same Mary Macaulay who married a John Macleod in 1806. Would widows in Scottish records typically marry with their maiden name or their first husband's name? John
Title: Re: What name did widows use in Scottish Marriages in 1820s on Lewis
Post by: Neale1961 on Sunday 23 November 25 14:26 GMT (UK)
……..  Would widows in Scottish records typically marry with their maiden name or their first husband's name? John

Maiden name.
Title: Re: What name did widows use in Scottish Marriages in 1820s on Lewis
Post by: RJ_Paton on Sunday 23 November 25 15:05 GMT (UK)
As neale1961 says Maiden Name.

Scots Law and tradition has a woman retain her maiden name in all legal documents/procedures with any additional names gained by marriage listed as an alternative.
Even in death a married woman would be listed by her maiden name rather than married name.
Title: Re: What name did widows use in Scottish Marriages in 1820s on Lewis
Post by: oldfashionedgirl on Sunday 23 November 25 18:52 GMT (UK)
You very often read on Scottish headstones, even in current times,
Margaret MacLeod wife of Hamish McDougal as an example.

Years ago when looking at the title deeds for our house I naively thought that many of the couples had got divorced  ::) as they stated
Margaret MacLeod or McDougal or whatever if they had had a subsequent marriage.
Title: Re: What name did widows use in Scottish Marriages in 1820s on Lewis
Post by: jc33a on Monday 24 November 25 22:39 GMT (UK)
Thanks for the reply - thats what I thought.