James Waddell, Ayrshire *completed*

[MonicaL]

I'm quite open to idea of men taking years off themselves..not just women!

Seriously Eve, there is nothing showing in the 1854-56 range. In the 1861 census, there are 3 entries for James born 1850-53 and then nothing until 1857-8 when there are three more - all with father called William. The entry we have in 1850 is the only one with any connection to Ayrshire, the additional connection to Mauchline is a bonus.

You have the military records also for a James, which fits your with the reference to Mauchline and now the additional information regarding his occupation at marriage which also fits with this James we have found in the censuses.

[mayoevie]

Hi Monica,
It appears he could be the James born in Ireland, but strange that he would want to appear younger than his wife. It will be difficult to find a birth or marriage record in Ireland before 1864.
 Maybe not, Protestant marriages were recorded earlier.
Looks like another trip to Dublin
Eve

[MonicaL]

I don't think people necessarily disguised their age, most often they didn't remember their precise birth year. You can see the variance between his age at marriage and age at death.

Re. marriage in Ireland, do you mean for potential parents of this James? The details will hopefully be included in that 1865 birth cert for Andrew. I think William and Jane, parents showing in the census, may have died between 1871-81. Can't easily see them in 1881 and younger son is in a different household. Likely that William and Jane died in Scotland so you should be able to get their parents' names from their death certs, if known to the informant.

Monica

[MonicaL]

Oops  just realised that the birth of an Andrew in 1865 can't be the same family, parents William and Jane (Tait) only married in 1862. So, no idea what the maiden name of wife Jane was, mother of the James we have in the censuses 1861/71. Can't see a possible birth in Mauchline that Agnes age 6 who shows in 1871 

[mayoevie]

Hi Monica,

Yes, if this James was born in Ireland, and his parents were born in Ireland, I think there is a strong possibility that they were married in Ireland, and moved to Mauchline before the birth of their son William.
Would the birth cert of any of the younger children contain the place of marriage of the parents?
Do you think it would help if I send for it?

Eve

[MonicaL]

Eve

Sorry, I've just typed out a whole post and lost it all  Let me get new info I've found...

[MonicaL]

Take II...

I'm getting confused with mother's names! In 1861, mother's name was Ann, in 1871 mother's name shows as Jane. The daughter Agnes who shows in 1871 age 16 was born in 1855 in Mauchline, parents William W. and Ann McKee (McKie). Her birth cert in 1855 is the magic year for certs in Scotland  The first year of official reg. in Scotland and entries ran over two pages of the register. Her birth cert shows parents as married in 1848 in Grey Abbxy, Co. Down (sorry, I'm useless on Irish place names!). William and Ann show as born there. Their fourth child, 2 boys and 1 girl previously (fitting that 1861 census entry). Ann McKie died in Mauchline in 1861, some days after the 1861 census (parents William McKie and Agnes Harrison).

It would then appear that William Snr. remarried Jane Tait in 1862 in Mauchline, they then go on to have son Andrew in 1865.

So, James's parents (assuming we have the right entry) were William W. and Ann McKie from Co. Down (hopefully you can make out the place name) who married there in 1848. They look to have come over to Scotland (Ayrshire) sometime between 1851-2.

Monica

[MonicaL]

Someone else researching this line  Submitted entry on IGI:

WILLIAM WADDEL and ANN MC KEE    
Marriage: 21 NOV 1846 Grey Abbey, Down, Ireland
Wife Age at Marriage: 18

[mayoevie]

Hi Monica,
Sorry, my head is in a spin, very tired and not able to think properly.
What if our James was one of the 3 you say were born about 1858. Perhaps he lied about his age so that he could join the Scots Guards. The family story is that he was very tall, and if so, he could have got away with adding a few years to his age. Also, maybe he had reason to add a few years to his age when he met Margaret.
The record of James Waddle from the Scots Guards says he joined in Kilmarnock in October 1872 at the age of 18 and was found to belong to the 2nd Lanark Militia for which he was enrolled 29th July 1872.  He served as a private in the Scots Guards until he was transferred to the 1st Class army reserve in November 1878.
It's looking more like this is him. The record states height just over 6ft., trade or calling TURNER. (I was not able to decipher that word in the handwriting until now).
Presbyterian, BORN Mauchline.
A note at the top says he intends to reside at Chelsea.
As far as I know Chelsea is not far from Kensington

Can't concentrate any more at the moment.

Must go to bed now. Early start tomorrow.
Good night and thanks to you and Carole for your very generous help

Eve