A girl called Fortable!

[Callywoods]

I wonder if anyone has come across the girl's name of Fortable.

David Meikle McKenna b. 1876 Ballantrae, Ayrshire married in Glasgow Fortable Campbell Simers b.abt 1876.
Her parents were, according to their marriage lines, James Simers,butcher and Fortable Campbell, Lochgilphead, Argyll.
I have been unable to find births for mother or daughter and wondered if for some reason they changed their names.

Any ideas?

[CaroleW]

Hi

According to the 1901 census she was b Lochgilphead, Argylleshire

[Cember]

Hi
I have an ancester named "Comfort" I wonder if "Fortable" could be an insider family joke/alternative?   

[CaroleW]

Same thought went through my mind as well but still can't find an 1881 entry under either

[Callywoods]

It was obviously a family name as Fortable McKenna  had a daughter called Fortable b.1903.

[Piglet01]

I see that the IGI has one pedigree resource file for your lady and that Rootsweb has 2 trees - neither of which shines any more light.  Got to go.  Shall look back tomorrow.  Regards,   Steve :O)

[JAP]

This question was posed earlier at:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,364312.0.html

A RootsChatter mentioned that Pedigree Resource File in response.
Also, Callywoods mentioned an Isabella Campbell SIMERS born 1878 and wondered whether that might be her.

Callywoods, have you downloaded that birth certificate from ScotlandsPeople in order to find out the names of her parents?

Though, from the 1881 census, Isabella's family looks to be the following SUMMERS family in South Knapdale, Lochgilphead - James 36 Head, Gardener, b Ireland; Eliza 29 Wife b Ireland; Patrick R 10 b Renfrewshire; Margaret 8, James 6, Mary 4, Gabella (sic) C 2, William 6 mths - all b South Knapdale.  The 1871 Renfrewshire birth of Patrick Robert SOMERS,mother's name MURPHY is in the IGI.  As are the 1872 and 1874 births of Margaret and James SIMERS in South Knapdale, mother's name MORPHEY(S).  The 1870 Renfrewshire marriage (SOMERS) is also in the IGI.
In 1891 there are two further children, Eliza and Catherine, and father James is not around.

JAP
PS: The death of Fortable MCKENNA other name SIMERS in 1958, birth year 1876, is on SP.

[Callywoods]

Thank you Jap.  I have researched the Fortable Campbell/Simers/McKenna family thoroughly so have all the information you found. My main interest is in the actual name of Fortable and where it suddenly sprang from! 
The earliest record I can find is the marriage of Fortable Campbell Simers to David McKenna in 1899 where her parents are recorded as James Simers (butcher) and Fortable Campbell (deceased). I can find no record of the mother's death. I wondered whether they perhaps joined some religious sect and changed their names.
Mary

[Piglet01]

In all of Scotland - 1855 to 1900

On SP, only the following 5 female children born with a Simers surname.  A bit of a mystery.  As you know an unusual female christian name usually derives from a surname on the female side.  OPRs and IGI tried - as I'm sure you have  (IGI not having them means nothing....  Google booked it... nothing.  Can't even get a dictionary definition.  As JAP indicates, James 'Simers' married Elizabeth Murphy on June 16th  Mid Parish in Greenock.  I went and downloaded the bc's for Mary and Catherine - 


1 1886 SIMERS CATHERINE F LOCHGILPHEAD /ARGYLL 526/00 0046
2 1883 SIMERS ELIZA F LOCHGILPHEAD /ARGYLL 526/00 0044
3 1878 SIMERS ISABELLA CAMPBE F SOUTH KNAPDALE /ARGYLL 533/00 0003
4 1872 SIMERS MARGARET F SOUTH KNAPDALE /ARGYLL 533/00 0004
5 1876 SIMERS MARY F SOUTH KNAPDALE /ARGYLL 533/00 0005
 
I'll admit defeat for the moment.  Good luck. 
Regards,  Steve   :O)