Websters of Gourock

[lindynz]

My great great grandmother was Isabella Webster, who was born in about 1840 in Inverkip. She married James Wells (1840-1920) in South Africa in 1862 on the way to N.Z. Her parents were Alexander Webster and Jane or Jean Watt (b.1813?) who were married in 1832 in Inverkip. I believe they lived in Gourock. I found something on the internet which sounded like the right family, it said that Alexander's parents were Andrew Webster (1774-1870) and Jane McLintock.

I would like to confirm if this is the right family, and to learn some more details about them. Anything further about Jane Watt would also be appreciated.

[MonicaL]

Hi Lindy

Not sure how much you have on the family of Isabella already. These, for example, look to be the christening entries for Isabella and some siblings, from IGI:

1. ANDREW WEBSTER Christening: 11 NOV 1832 Inverkip, Renfrew
2. THOMAS WEBSTER Christening: 18 MAY 1834 Inverkip, Renfrew
3. ALEXANDER WEBSTER Christening: 08 NOV 1835 Inverkip, Renfrew
4. JAMES WEBSTER  Birth: 09 JUL 1837/ Christening: 30 JUL 1837 Barony, Lanark
5. ISABELLA WEBSTER Christening: 20 OCT 1840 Inverkip, Renfrew

The banns/marriage for parents shows on 23 JUN 1832 in Inverkip, Renfrew.

The family in 1841:

Alex Webster 30, labourer b. Scotland
Jean Webster 30 b. Scotland
Andrew Webster 8
Thomas Webster 7
Alexr Webster 5
James Webster 3 b. Scotland
Isabella Webster 1

Address: Shore Street, Innerkip

Monica

[MonicaL]

A bit more detail on the 1851 census entry, which could help in trying to find the birth/christening entries for parents Alexander and Jane:

Alexr Webster 40, labourer b. Cardross, Dumbarton
Jane Webster 40 b. Mauchline, Ayrshire
Thos Webster 16
Alexr Webster 15
Isabella Webster 11
Margt Webster 9 b. Gourock, Renfrewshire

Address: Shaw St No 6, Gourock

Possible birth entry for Alexander given the birth place on the above entry and the info you have found, from IGI:

ALEXANDER WEBSTER  Birth: 13 APR 1808 Cardross, Dunbarton
Parents: ANDREW WEBSTER and JANE MCLINTOCK

There is this member submitted entry showing as a possibility for Jane Watt on IGI:

JEAN WATT Christening: 15 SEP 1805 Mauchline, Ayr
Parents: THOMAS WATT and ISABEL MURDOCK

Monica

[MonicaL]

The best way of confirming parents' details for Alexander and Jean, given that they married before the start of official registration in 1855, would be through their death certs.

Someone else researching this family shows:

I have Alexander WEBSTER died 1857 0f typhus aged 47yrs, he is buried in Gourock cemetery and I wonder if there are headstone transcriptions available after 1855 where I can check if he has one and if any other family members are buried there. Alexander was the son of Andrew Webster and Jayne McLintock, b c 1809 Cardross, he married Jane/Jean Watt 1832 Inverkip. Children were, Andrew, Thomas Alexander, James, Isabella went to NZ, Margaret

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/SCT-RENFREW/2006-11/1163621773

Likely this is the verified source for Alexander's parents. Would be worth you checking for deaths for wife Jean Watt to see whether she died post 1855 as the certificate should include her parents' names. Can't easily see her in 1861 on the index I am looking at with an Ayrshire birth place. Husband Alexander's 1857 should also indicate whether Jean was still alive.

Monica

[MonicaL]

There is a little on line also for the family of Thomas Watts and Isobel Murdoch, who are possibles as parents to Jean. This link follows one of this couple's sons, a James Watt www.maybole.org/history/archives/kirkbride/james_watt.htm

This all needs to be confirmed though in connection to this being your Jean's family 

Monica

[elaine447]

Inverclyde BMD's
there is a Janet Watt  widow of Alex Webster died Ann Place Gourock
21st November 1882 they formerly lived in Shore Street Gourock
http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/libraries/local-and-family-history/family-history/watt-library-births-marriages-deaths-index/
Elaine

[MonicaL]

That's great Elaine  Hopefully, that will provide details on her parents to be able to link her to this family of Watts from Ayrshire.

Monica

[elaine447]

Lindy and Monica
I remember looking for deaths in Gourock for a friend still have them and
there are four deaths in Gourock for Jane Webster's
Jane Webster other name Mclintock     aged 80......1856.......Gourock
Jane Webster other name Watt           aged 78......1882.......Gourock
Jane Webster other name Honeyman  aged 89......1900.......Gourock
Jane Sloan Webster ............................aged 17.......1868......Gourock
Elaine

[lindynz]

Thank you everybody, it certainly looks like I am on the right track. All of this information seems to fit, and gives some clues to continue with