Higgins'Camerons of Greenock Scotland

[wiggo53]

 Hi confusion reigns on my research of my Nana's family. Her mother was Matilda Kelso & father David Higgins who married in Scotland in 1893. The couple & 3 children Alexander, Ellen & baby Marymoved down to Cheadle Chesire for the 1901 census. They then have another five children in Chesire. However, the father's name is now Alexander (I suspect his brother). Also in 1901 family had a boarder - a William Cameron born Greenock Scotland.
Now, Matilda gives birth to another 2 girls  in 1912 & 1915 but under the name of Kelso/Cameron.
My nan wed an Aussie soldier in Jan 1918 & listed her address as being Chesire. He was killed and had the funeral party from 16 Margaret St Widnes. Both Alexander & Ellen appeared in the Widnes Weekly news in 1918 titled Brother and Sister go to war. Nan's name on her wedding certificate 2 years later in Australia was Priestly. Why cant I find any trace of David & Alexander Higgins? Marriage certificate for Matilda & William?  BIGGEST TRICK is Nana said her father's name was David Cameron!!  The kids all worked at Musratts, ICI and very well known in the neighborhood. Any one help me sort this out please?

[Barbara.H]

Hi wiggo,

I'm a bit confused as to which child is your nan!
Can you give the details of the 1901 census listing, so we can see who's who?

A quick check of the 1911 free (advanced) search suggests that a Matilda Higgins was in the same house as William Cameron in Stockport, so if she did remarry William, it was likely after 1911.

  Barbara

[wiggo53]

Hi Barbara. Yes, the whole thing is very confusing. I did have a few posts and replies on another part of Rootschat but I dont know how to put that link with all of the info on to this part.
My elusive Nana was Ellen (1898)
 1901 Census shows   David Higgins (30)
                                    Matilda Higgins (26)
                                    Alexander Higgins (5)
                                     Ellen Higgins (2)
                                     Mary Higgins (3 mths)
Their address was Cheadle Chesire

1911 Census  shows   Alexander Higgins (41)
                                    Matilda Higgins (35)
                                    Alexander Higgins (15)
                                    Ellen Higgins (13)
                                    Agnus Higgins (12)
                                    Mary H (10)
                                    Frances H (8 )
                                    Matilda H  (6)
                                    Catherine (4)
                                    Marget (5 mths)
AND                              WILLIAM CAMERON (34)
        THEIR ADDRESS WAS NOW Stockport, Chesire                   

[wiggo53]

Barbara, the tricky bit is this.... Nan had been known on both wedding certificates as being born in Leith, Scotland and her maiden name as Cameron.
She also had noted that her Dad's name was David Cameron, an inn keeper.
I found the Higgins link when looking for her Mum: Matilda Kelso.  So many things add up, but there are almost as many that dont!!
GOOD LUCK WITH IT ALL!

[Barbara.H]

Well to start with, a search on Scotlands People shows no births for Ellen Higgins in Leith between 1897 and 1899.
So I would agree with findings in your previous posts, that the birth registered in Chorlton district 1898 is most likely. That covers Didsbury which is the birthplace you have on the 1901 census. I've no idea why your nan has given Leith as her birthplace, but I would guess that she has used the surname Cameron to avoid awkward questions about her parentage on her own wedding day.

My guess would be that David Higgins and Matilda separate (or David dies) and Matilda becomes Alexander Higgins's partner around 1902-1904. Then she becomes Wiliam Cameron's partner around 1912.

What I would do next is get some credits for Scotland's People, and find out about the birth of Ellen's sister Agnes Higgins. It looks very much as if she is not Matilda Kelso's daughter, as she was born in Scotland when Matilda is in Stockport. If she is Alexander Higgins' daughter by a previous marriage it will give you a bit more info, and you might be able to work out from that if David and Alexander were in fact brothers.

I did a search on Scotlands People and found an Agnes Higgins birth registered at Paisley, Renfrewshire in 1902. Would probably be worth checking out both the statutory and the Catholic registers, as it looks as if your family were RC.

Hope that helps
  Barbara