Can anyone help please?

[cranstone]

I am trying to find my ancestors in 1891.

I believe they may be in either Scotland, Ireland or at sea.

My g.grandmother was born in Greenock in 1885 and this also tallies with the 1901 census when she was living in Greenock with her family.

Her name was Emily Courtney (aka McCourtney)

She had a sister called Annie (aka Jessie) who was born around 1890.

According to family legend, she was born at sea but according to the 1901 census she was born in Greenock, but I can't find a birth for her at the LDS.

In 1901  Emily was 15 and Aniie was either 11 or 14 - I can't make it out.

They lived with their parents Francis and Jane Courtney.

Again according to family legend they were adopted by the McKenzie family, so they might be with them in either Scotland or Ireland.

Would anyone be able to look for them in the 1891 census please?

Hope I've given enough information.

They lived in Inchgreen Street in 1901.

I wonder if they were here in 1891?

Emily was baptised at St mary's Church in Port Glasgow in 1885.  But I don't know if or where Annie was, although I do know later in life she attended the Church of Scotland.

Many thanks

[Kathyh]

Is it possible that the following entry on the 1891 census is your Emily.

Emily Coughtrey
Age:    23 Months
Estimated birth year:    abt 1889
Relationship:    Orphan
Gender:    Female
Where born:    Glasgow, Lanark
Registration Number:    569
Registration district:    Kilmalcolm
Civil parish:    Kilmalcolm
County:    Renfrewshire
Address:    Two Miles from Bridge of Weir, and two and a half from Kilmalcolm
ED:    Orphan Homes of Scotland Bridge of Weir
Page:    5 .
Household schedule number:    1
Line:    10
Roll:    CSSCT1891_185

[TikTokToo]

Hello 'cranstone',

Birth info on scotlandspeople which may be yours -

Emily Courtney - b. Greenock, Renfrewshire 1885 (which you seem to already have)

Ann McCourt - b. Gourock, Renfrewshire 1886
Ann McCourt - b. Gourock, Renfrewshire 1892
Take your tentative pick !

[angela 58]

hello my grandmother was a mccourt, in gourock. there have been mccourts here since 1790s as far as i can tell. i have a lot of info on them . get in touch and we'll see if its the same family . Angela

[cranstone]

Hi Kathyh, Tik Tak Too and Angela

Thank you for your messages.

Angela - Thank you, I think mine maybe started out as McCourtney and then through the years it changed to Courtney, I haven't come across them being called McCourt.  What do you think? 
TikTokToo - Thank you for those, yes the first one is mine but not sure of the other two, but have jotted them down.
Kathyh - Thank you, that's interesting.  Was there a mention of an Annie with her in the Home?  I wonder if there is any way of finding out about records on her.  I do know they were "adopted" but I was told they were adopted together and taken to Ireland by a friend of theirs onboard ship.  I wonder if there is any sign of her in 1901 which might clear up if she is mine or not.

I know the 1911 census isn't available to the public yet but can it be looked at the Archives, does anyone know?

Many thanks to all of you for trying to help.
Kind regards

[Kathyh]

Emily Jane Courtney born 5 June 1885 12 Inchgreen Street Greenock -- GROS 564/02 0384

Parents:
Francis Courtney (fireman) & Jane Alexander - married 29 Dec 1882 Belfast.

There is nothing on 1891 census for Emily Courtney or Emily McKenzie

Kathy

[cranstone]

Hi Kathy

Yes that's her thank you.  I had to pay for a certificate many years ago to get that info.  It was a birthday treat! 
The story I had for Annie, her sister, was that she was born at sea while her parents were on board, he was said to be a ship's captain, but I haven't come across him in that shape or form as yet.  When Annie died in 1973 something had to be done in order to bury her, even though she lived all her life in Scotland because she was born at sea she didn't "belong" to a country.  I think the family had to go to court or something in order to be able to bury her.  I have tried to get in touch with the family over the years but to no avail.  I believe they are still in Scotland.
So, I wonder if her birth record would be in the "Births at sea" records or perhaps she didn't get one.  Why would they say she was born in Greenock I wonder on the 1901 census and not at sea!  Maybe the 1911 census will reveal where!
If it is possible would you mind seeing if you can find a marriage for me please?  If this is okay it is between a William Alexander and a Jane Morrison c. 1853+-.  He was at one time a farmer (if that helps!) or the birth of a Maggie (Margaret Alexander) with the same parents please, no idea of birth though but she had a sister Jane Alexander born around 1853 (said to be in Ireland but I can't finda birth there either).  Are you ableto look for children born to parents?  Would Francis and Jane Courtney (McCourtney) have had others?
Thank you again for your help.

[Kathyh]

The information came from SP website, it is a pay to view site, but well worth the money.

www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

Had a quick look on the above website re your Alexander’s, nothing fits for a marriage between William & Jane in Greenock.

There are two Margaret Alexander, one 1856 the other 1860 Greenock,

I have some recollection of reading about births/deaths at sea, from memory, if the ship is British registered, the birth/death would be registered in the ships home port, perhaps Annie was registered in Ireland.

Kathy

[elaine447]

sorry if I am completley wrong
but there is a Jane Courtney born 1885 in Greenock
and the one you have, Emily Courtney born 1885
is it possible that they were twins
as Jane and Jessie are interchangeable names
it may be worthwhile looking at the cert to see
have you had a look on the Inverclyde BMD's site for
William Alexander
there are quite a few of them on there
one in particular is a farmer living in Bogston
which is very close to Inchgreen street
Elaine
added
I done a general search
1901 census on sp
Courtney........Frank........second person.......Emily.........Renfrewshire Greenock
1 result
also checked with second person Jane
1 result
http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/libraries/local-and-family-history/family-history/watt-library-births-marriages-deaths-index/

apologies I should have read the post right Emily had middle name Jane
that is probably the same birth