Mary Kelso

[tomy]

Hi, I have been trying for the past year to trace my GGgrandmother Mary Kelso.All i can find is that she was married to Alexander Kerr born1837 and they had their family in Dromara which included Emma Kerr my Ggranny.In the past the forum has been a great help to me so i am asking for your help one more time cheers.

[aghadowey]

What information are you looking for?

Marriage certificate will list place of residence and hopefully father's name and occupation which would help if you'd like to trace her family.

If she was born before the start of civil birth registration in 1864 then you'll need to search for baptismal records. Most marriages take place in bride's church so marriage record will also help narrow down where her family went to church.

"All i can find is that she was married to Alexander Kerr born1837 and they had their family in Dromara"
Are you sure Alexander Kerr was born c1837? LDS list a son born 1844 (not sure if he was eldest)-
James Anderson Kerr bapt. 8 Mar 1844 "Presbyterian, Dromara", Co.Down, parents Alexander Kerr & Mary Kelso
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F5TR-HTG
Baptisms for quite a few other children listed.

[tomy]

Thanks for replying Aghadowey,what i have on the family is the birth,death and wedding certificates for Emma Kerr my GGranny.An Alexander Kerr was born in Presbyterian Dromara Down in 1837 where Emma was born in 1858,i was thinking he may be my GGrandfather but i cannot trace Mary Kelso anywhere.

[aghadowey]

Baptism for Alexander Kerr 1837 lists parents as William Kerr and Jane Hynds- is this the record you found?
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F5TR-X7C

You need to take things one step at a time. So, here's the baptism for Emma Kerr- parents listed as Alexander Kerr and Mary Kelso:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F5T5-2MZ

Children of Alexander Kerr & Mary Kelso:
1842 Jane Craig https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F5T5-YFD
1844 James Anderson https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F5TR-X7C
1852 Eliza https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F5T5-PXF
1853 Mary https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F5T5-VZH
1855 Isabella https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F5T5-V97
1858 Emma
1865 William John https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F5TR-WB4
(birth registration: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FRQY-HJR)
1867 Sarah https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F5T5-RH6
(birth registration: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F512-9L7)

The lack of baptisms 1844-1852, etc. may be explained by gaps in the church records.

What's listed as Emma residence on her marriage certificate? father's name and occupation? names of both witnesses? place of marriage?

[tomy]

I have all the records you have listed so this means that the Alexander Kerr born 1837  cannot be my GGGrandfather.What are the chances that another Alexander Kerr would marry a Mary Kelso.Back to basics right enough.cheers.

[aghadowey]

I have all the records you have listed so this means that the Alexander Kerr born 1837  cannot be my GGGrandfather.What are the chances that another Alexander Kerr would marry a Mary Kelso.Back to basics right enough.cheers.

Not sure I understand what you mean. Do you have a marriage for Alexander Kerr (born 1837) to a Mary Kelso? If so, what are the details?

[aghadowey]

You still haven't posted the answers which may help find more records-

What's listed as Emma residence on her marriage certificate? father's name and occupation? names of both witnesses? place of marriage?

[tomy]

Emma was living in Airdrie, New Monkland, Lanarks in the 1891 census.She married in Airdrie in 1889 and she died in Airdrie in 1895.Her father was Alexander Kerr who was a labourer and her mother was Mary Kelso.I cannot make out the witness names.

[eddiekelso]

Hi Tomy,

Mary Kelso was the daughter of William Kelso and Susanna McDowell - my Gt-Gt-Grandparents!

From the records of Dromara Presbyterian Church

"On 25 Septr
Alexr Kerr, servant to Revd. Wm. Craig to Mary Kelso, daughter of widow Wm. Kelso Kinallen.
Present -------- Mrs Craig Marybrook
                        Miss Corby, Annahilt"

Marybrook was the name of the Presbyterian Manse.

I have been unable to find a Baptism for Alexander, so his parents are unknown.

If you pm me I can give you details about William and Susanna, who lived in the townland of Kinallen, Dromore Parish.

Best wishes,

Eddie