illegitimacy

[bozzwell]

Elizabeth Dobie Maxwell was born illegitemate. (17-9-1858 in Fountain Bridge, Edinburgh.)
 Her mother was Martha Maxwell and her Grandmother Margaret Maxwell.

I was wondering if perhaps the  surname of the father of Elizabeth was "Dobie" as it's part of her name! How Can I find more info on this?

Thanks

Betty

[andycand]

Hi
You could try her marriage certificate, particularly if she married in Scotland. I have a couple of cases where the "reputed" father was named.

Another possibility could be the Kirk Session records for the particular parish. I'm not sure about 1858 but certainly in earlier times they where a good source. Someone more familiar may be able to advise you better re Kirk Sessions.

Andy

[Lady Macbeth]

Hi Betty
I also have some of these and have had mixed success with the Kirk Session records.  On one occasion from 1797 I had no luck but with one in 1825 I found a record of the father and mother being hauled up in front of the church and chastised for 'ante-nuptual fornication'.  They had married however it was apparent that the first child was conceived before the marriage, hence the reprimand.   It is worth a try but you will have to do this in person at the archives in Edinburgh as this is not on-line.

Good luck
Lesley
 
PS I am stuck on the 1797 one myself.

[bozzwell]

Thankyou Lesley and Andy for your advice,

In the 1861 census Elizabeth Maxwell is shown as Elizabeth Dobie, so that puts paid to my theory that Dobie might have been her fathers name. Her mother Martha is not on the census but her Grandmother is, and she is "head".

I live in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire so it wouldn't be easy for me to get to Edinburgh to look at the Kirk Session Records.  It looks loke I'll have to get her Marriage certificate although she did take the name of McLure from her stepfather.

Thanks again, I really appreciate your help.

Betty

[andycand]

Hi Betty

In the 1861 census Elizabeth Maxwell is shown as Elizabeth Dobie, so that puts paid to my theory that Dobie might have been her fathers name.

Using the surname "Dobie" in the 1861 census is a very good clue that Dobie is her fathers surname (but not conclusive). I came across a grandaughter at her grandparents in 2 consecutive censuses with the surname Adams. It was only when I obtained her birth certificate that I found that Adams was in fact her middle name and her marriage certificate confirmed that her fathers surname was Adams.

Andy

[bozzwell]

Hi Andy,
It seems I will have to get her birth certificate.
Thanks for your help again

Betty

[andycand]

Hi Betty
You can download Elizabeth's birth and marriage certificates from
http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/
PM me if you are not familiar with it and I'll help you
Andy

[Ann Baker]

Betty

Also you can download her death cert if she died anytime up to 1956 from Scotland's People. This too will give parents names. You can search under both her maiden name and her married name (if she married) or both

Ann

[tidybooks]

Hi,

I can see the extracted record of Martha Maxwell marrying James McLure on 19 Jul 1866 in Edinburgh Parish. However I have checked on SP and cannot see a marriage for Elizabeth under Elizabeth McLure although there are some for Elizabeth Maxwell, the favourite is to a Geroge Brown in 1874. There are 2 Elizabeth Dobie's in that time frame as well, however I don't think she would have used that.

Tom