Need help with figuring out whats going on in censuses

[Lisaw]

Good morning everyone,

I need help figuring out whats going on with this family in the censuses.

Adam Matthew & Jane Smith married July 6 1839, Fyvie. They had John on Sept 17 1839, Fyvie, christened Jan 17 1840 & an unnamed female Oct 15 1842, Fyvie, christened Nov 4 1842

1841 census (freecen) Fyvie Aberdeenshire, enumeration district 12, civil parish Fyvie, folio 12, page 7, address Mill of Gight

Matthew Adam male 45 ag lab born Aberdeen
Matthew Jean female 25  born Aberdeen
Matthew John male 1 born Aberdeen

The next household is the Sheperd family: Ja, Jean, Christian, James & John. They also have an Elizabeth Smith female 19 born Aberdeen & a Ja Simpson male 4 born Aberdeen living with them. Please remember these 2 names.

1851 census (freecen) Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, enumeration district 12, civil parish Fyvie, ecclesiastical parish, village or island Millbrex, folio 185, page 10, schedule 39, address Mill of Gight.

Smith Jean head, married, female, 34, pauper, born Aberdeenshire-Fyvie
Simpson James, son, unmarried, male, 14, born Aberdeenshire-Fyvie
Matthew John, son, unmarried, male, 11, born Aberdeenshire-Fyvie
Matthew Jean, daughter, unmarried, 8, born Aberdeenshire-Fyvie
Smith Helen, daughter, unmarried, 5, born Aberdeenshire-Fyvie.

These people look like they should be the same people in both the 1841 & 51 censuses, but I'm not "cluing in" on what is happening with all the different surnames.

I've looked for a James Simpson born in that time with a mother named Jean or Jane, the only one I can find that fits is Alexander Simpson & Jean Ironside. I can't find a marriage for them.

Can anyone help me figure out whats going on?

Thank you
Lisa

[sancti]

At first reading it looks like Adam died between censuses and Jean re-married a Smith, who may also have died pre 1851.

If she died after 1855 her DC may give marriage details.

[Lisaw]

Thank you Sancti I'll look for a Jane Smith marrying a Smith & a Jane Matthew marrying a Smith. I still don't know where Simpson is coming from.

Lisa

[grendlsmother]

It could be that Adam was away from home (Jean is described as married - not widowed) and that Ja. Simpson and Helen Smith were illegitimate children of Elizabeth who had died between censuses.   The births of both these children may not have been registered.

Jean and Elizabeth may have been sisters and Jean could have taken in her children.   It was not unusual for a woman to use her maiden name on a census.   Similarly, I have seen relationships mis-transcribed - grandchildren described as son or daughter or other relationships which are impossible to establish, even when you are aware of the extended family.  Sometimes a look at the original document will give different information from that on the transcription.

[Lisaw]

Thank you grendlsmother, I didn't think of that. I think it could be a good possibility. I can find a Jean & Elizabeth Smith as sisters, & I've heard of that type of scenario happening in families before too.

Lisa

[MonicaL]

Hi Lisa

Doesn't necessarily help with the children, but there were two daughters born to a John Smith and Jane Milne (showing on IGI):

1. JANE SMITH Christeningv on 04 FEB 1816 Fyvie
2. ELISABETH SMITH  Christening on 25 OCT 1819 Fyvie

Monica 

[MonicaL]

This looks a good possibility for James Simpson (who looks to have married an Elspeth Cassie) in 1861:

James Simpson 28, ploughman, b. Fyvie
Elspet Simpson  22, b. Fyvie
Jean Simpson 1
James Simpson 6 Mo
Jean H Gerry 11, dom.,serv.

Address: Woodhead, Fyvie

If the correct one, his marriage cert. should hopefully confirm his parents' names.

Monica

[Lisaw]

Hi Monica,
Those are the 2 Smith girls I was looking at. Their mother is a Milne. This family seems to have really liked the Milnes. She would "fit in" so to speak.
Jane Smith & Adam Matthews' son John married Williamina Milne, their daughter Jane had 2 children with James Milne. Whether or not these 3 generations of Milnes are related is something I haven't established.

I've looked at that marriage. I'm not sure what to think of it.

Thanks,
Lisa

[MonicaL]

Lisa  what this the marriage cert. say? We're curious now!

Monica