Girvan School Admission Records 1871-73

[tonyg87]

I am looking for Mary Earl whom I cannot find in the 1851,61,71, census records. She had 3 children, James b 5-2-1866 Cairnhouse, Elizabeth b 13-12-1870 Dounepark and John b 5-1-1873 Dounepark. The family travelled to New Zealand on the maiden voyage of the SS Invercargill in 1874. James I believe is the key to finding where they were on census night 1871. Hence the need to find if James was at school and where.

[CaroleW]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat

You mention being unable to find her in 1851/61.  Was she married at that time as the first child listed by you is 1866

Was Earl her married name?

Who was her husband?

[CaroleW]

There is a Mary Earl aged 27 with a daughter Elizabeth aged 2 months living in Doune Park in 1871.  Both were b Girvan

[tonyg87]

Hi Carole,
              I was aware of that entry in the 1871 census. her occupation was given as a cotton winder and the fact that James her eldest son was not in the house with her led me to rule her out. In the birth certificates of her children her occupation was given as domestic servant or farm servant.
  Married name- We think so but family in NZ didn't believe she had been. However in her NZ marriage certificate to James Veint on 31/12/1887 it states her family name at birth was 'Çowan' and her age was 29. The shipping records state that she was 30 in 1874. From her NZ death certificate dated 20/01/1900 her age was 55 and her Mothers name was Mary Cowden.
   No father is given in any of the children's birth certificates and her status was given as unmarried. We think all the children had the same father.
    Finally the fare to NZ in 1874 was 33 pounds 15 shillings
a considerable sum.
    Thank you for taking an interest and for your prompt reply.