Stewart-Tocher

[Aeife]

Hello, folks.....
I am at a complete standstill with the grandparents of my grandmother.....have searched Scotlands People, Family Search, Ancestry.com, etc. to no avail, but that certainly isn't conclusive, as I am not particularly savvy with a computer, or with research.

Grandmother:

Mary Stewart, b. 15 January 1885, Aberdeen
Father: James Stewart, b. 2 March 1837, Newhills, Aberdeenshire
Mother: Mary McArthur, b. 1840, Islay House Farm, Kilarrow, Islay, Argyll

James Stewart's parents were James Stewart & Isobel Tocher, about whom, I can find nothing, no place of birth, no parents, and now don't know in what direction I should look. ANY information would be greatly appreciated, or any suggestions as to how I may proceed.

Thanking you in anticipation......
Aeife

[loobylooayr]

Hi Aeife.
Have you tried Census returns?
The 1851 Census on www.freecen.org.uk has a 14 year old James Stewart staying with his Uncle and Aunt - John and Elspet Edward at Chapel Bray, Newhills, Aberdeenshire.
Elspet place of birth is  Culsalmond Aberdeenshire and her age is recorded as 34.

I found the birth of an Elspet Tocher christened 27th Feb 1816 at Culsalmond on Family search-
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XYXQ-ZNT

Looby

[Aeife]

Hello, Looby.....
Thank you for your reply. Yes, I had the information about John Edward and wife, Elspet, which had made me think that perhaps James' parents were older when he was born, and were deceased when he was living with the Edwards. When searching, had seen the Elspet Tocher from Culsamond, but different first name, so had discounted it. As I couldn't find anything on James Stewart & Isobel Tocher, have no idea whether James had siblings, either. Major mystery to me!
Appreciate your effort on my behalf.

Aeife

[loobylooayr]

Isabel Tocher was born 1820 at Culsamond also. Her birth is on Familysearch.
James is with the Edwards in 1841 Census , so perhaps both parents are desceased very young?
But another suggestion...could James be illegitmate and perhaps just known by his father's name Stewart....and therefore being raised by his married aunt.
Have you found Isabel and Elspet's parents? They are also on Census at Newhills
Good luck with your research.
Looby

[GR2]

Have you seen the actual entry for James's baptism? If not, you should, as it will make it clear whether or not he was legitimate. As you have an exact date, it will be easy and inexpensive to find the entry on ScotlandsPeople. If he is illegitimate, you could then find out further details in the minutes of the kirk session, if they survive.

[Aeife]

After reading the replies, I went to Scotlands People to have a look at what I had, and on James' birth document. While other entries on the page were worded; "born of his wife", the entry for James said what looks like; "born in unclean-ness of Isobel Tocher", so am assuming that means "illegitimate". Is this correct? I had never noticed that (capable researcher that I am!), and the witnesses were William Tocher & John Edward. How interesting......
Also, this points to Elspet being sister to Isobel Tocher, and married to John Edward. Wondered where the Edwards came into the mix. My grandmother Stewart had an older sister named Elspet, so explains where she got the name. Will try to follow up on the Tochers (William & Elizabeth Brown) now, but am still clueless as to parentage of James Stewart, the elder.

Thank you both very much for your help in this query...I can now add 2 more names to tree.

[loobylooayr]

" Born in unclean-ness" - what a lovely turns of phrase the Church had back in those days
But yes I would say that means Isobel Tocher was unmarried. And John Edward was a witness as well as Isobel's father. Hmmmm...maybe that's because he intended from the word go to bring James up with Elspet. Was there no mention of a James Stewart? Family search website has the Fathers name recorded as James Stewart, is that where you had found the information?
 I wonder if Isobel died or just gave up her child. The Kirk Session minutes prior to James's birth might provide more clues but I don't think they can be viewed online yet. They are only available I believe at one of Scotlands Peoples centres.
Looby

[GR2]

On FreeCEN, in 1841, at Eastside of Craibstone, Newhills, is William Tocher, farmer, with children Jean, John, Catherine, Peter and George. Elizabeth Brown is listed under her own name at the end of the Tochers. The 1851 census shows them still at Eastside, with Elizabeth now called Tocher.

[flst]

James may have been brought up by his uncle & aunt due to the fact his mother was unmarried, & had to go out & work for a living.He might not have been orphaned.Although James is down as a scholar in the 1851 census most children of that age would have been out working by then.Perhaps he lived with his relatives in order to get a job at the quarry where his uncle worked.I note he did become a mason. It's strange that we cannot find either James nor his mother in 1841 though.Correction, James is with his aunt & uncle in 1841:)Isobel may have married any time after 1837 & that would make it more difficult to find her.What does James's marriage certificate state regarding the status of his parents?
flst