Kerr/Paterson of Ayrshire to Australia

[85jbk]

Looking to locate the Kerr family from Ayrshire,Scotland to Australia.
Information taken from John's death certificate on 28th October 1907,Ballarat, Australia,aged 75 years.
John Thompson Kerr, bC1832, Ayrshire.
Father:John Thompson Kerr, farmer
Mother: Agnes
Married Jane Paterson born 9th March 1828,Ayrshire,(Old Cumnock)
Died 7 November 1896,Ballarat,Australia,aged 65 years.
Father:James Paterson, a box maker in Old Cumnock
Mother:Margaret Murdock

On the 26 April 1851 John Kerr & Jane Paterson both residing in Row(Rhu)parish, Dunbartonshire proclaimed on 27th April,5th & 12th May 1851.
I can only assume this is them? How can I go about trying to verify this?

From both John's and Janes death certificates, it names two male infants both "Archibald Kerr",the first,dead and suspect him being born and dying in Scotland and the other being born c1852, Scotland or Australia? The rest of the 8 children being born in Ballarat Australia.
Can some one suggest or help out with what avenues I may take to further my research on this line back to Scotland.
Thank You
Jill

[firthview]

I did a search between 1825-1835 for Johns Birth and only found 1 in Ayrshire John Kerr b 25/01/1835 and his parents and siblings were
John Kerr  b 1809  Stewarton,Ayr
Agnes Semple b 1813 Stewarton Ayr

John Kerr  b 25/01/1835  Stewarton Ayr
James Kerr b 29/08/1836  Stewarton Ayr
Gabriel Longmuir Kerr b 12/12/1838  Stewarton Ayr
I am not sure if this is your family but with a bit of luck did the Gabriel name get carried on    regards  Firthview

[85jbk]

Ok the new year has set me searching yet again to knock down this brick wall to allow me to further my research back in Scotland on my Kerr line. i only know the area the family was from was Ayrshire, this is from the death certificate I have and shipping records which show they came to Australia in 1854. So where now?

Please can anyone suggest the next idea to look at.

 I've tried the census records and one would have thought having Thompson as a middle name would be a tad easier but No, he obviously didnt use this name back in Scotland, as all I can find is John Kerr and which one in Ayrshire? I cant seem to find any with parents Agnes And John Thompson Kerr!
Any help to assist would be wonderful
Thanks
Jill

[loobylooayr]

Hi Jill,

Very frustrating having to look for a Kerr (quite a common name in Ayrshire) and having no joy.
I've had a quick look and can't find either John or Jane on 1851 Census (so far ). I would have thought that with the 1851 Census being on 30th March and the couple marrying about a month later I would find them in Dunbartonshire but I've not came across any likely candidates yet. Of course that may not be the John and Jane you are looking for .
I did find this birth which might interest you - maybe you've already seen it- https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XYSH-6ZN

The baby Archibald Kerr born on 21st March 1852 and christened at Glasgow Lanarkshire would fit with the information you have.

I do wonder though about the reliability of the info on John's death cert, bearing in mind that the information would be provided by one of his descendants who may not have known all the facts  .
It could be that John's father was not a John.... I would be inclined to consider other forenames. This could make your search harder unfortunately .   
What info do the shipping records give you? Does it definitely say Ayrshire as John's place of birth?

Looby

[MonicaL]

Hi All 

Just adding link to this older post www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=405915.0 regarding the Patersons as I think Jonn's info on the Paterson is relevant here.

I can't see Jane's entry on https://familysearch.org however a number of possible siblings (if we have the right family for her) show as born in Ochiltree following parents' marriage in 1819 (from Jonn's previous info).

Monica

[loobylooayr]

Hi Monica,

Thanks for that ! I'd just been looking at the Patersons in Ochiltree.

Think this could be the family in 1851 (minus the elusive Jane )

22 Oswald Street Bridgeton Glasgow

James Paterson      Head  Married   62   Hand  Loom Weaver     born Lanarkshire, Glasgow
Margaret Paterson  Wife     M         56    Housekeeper               born Ayrshire Ochiltree
Eliza Paterson        Dau   Married    27   Steam Loom Weaver 
Andrew Paterson    Son  Unmarried 20    Tailor
Izabella Paterson    Dau   U             18   Shawl Fringer
Margaret Paterson  Dau  U              16   Shawl Fringer
Catherine Paterson  Dau  U             14   Servant
Sarah Morton     Granddau     U      10     Winder
Mary Hetherington  Granddau  U     5      Scholar

All spellings as per Freecen transcriptions. All children and grandchildren born in Ayrshire, Ochiltree.
James could easily have been a box maker in Ayrshire but changed occupation when coming to Glasgow. Just wonder where Jane is hiding

Looby

[MonicaL]

Haven't found them so far either, Looby.

Wandering whether there may be errors on registrations for death for John Kerr. The only farmer's son I can see so far is a John Kerr b. 1832 in Beith https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XTVH-N1M however, whilst father and grandfather Johns are both farmers, mother is a Margaret King. They show in the censuses, as does John b. 1832 post 1851...eliminating that one.

Monica

[loobylooayr]

Ah-ha  !

Just found a Jean Paterson on 1851 Census

She's at Row in Dunbartonshire.
Living at Princes Street Helensburgh.

George MacLachlan   age 26    Writer and Procurator  born Paisley Renfrewshire
Elizabeth Maclachlan  age  23     Wife                         born Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Jessy MacLachlan    age 2 months                             Born Helensburgh
Jean Paterson     age 19     House servant                  Born Cumnock  Ayrshire

This surely must be the Jane who marries John Kerr just one month later in Dunbaronshire , Row (Rhu).


Looby 

[loobylooayr]

Hi Jill,
Had another little browse for John Kerr but I'm not having much luck.
I wonder if you could list the full names of all his children to see if that can give us a pointer to to family.
I had been considering the John Kerr born to John Kerr and Agnes Semple in Stewarton but his year of birth is 1835 making him a wee bit too young to be the groom in 1851 at Rhu. He is on the 1851 Census at St Mary's or Tron, Glasgow aged 16 living with an aunt and uncle Elizabeth and Hugh Snodgrass and working as a Flesher. I'm not convinced he's the man you're looking for?! 
 

Looby

BTW- the above John Kerr is the same one firthview found in Reply no.1