Martha Stevenson (b. 1893 Glasgow) and Penman connection

[jjmcharg]

I have an interesting branch of the family tree that is proving to be a bit of a challenge. I've been trying to figure out how my "uncle" Sonny Penman was connected to our side of the McHarg family. Today, through a distant relative, I discovered the following:

My Great Aunt Martha Stevenson: b. 1893
(Siblings: My Grandmother Elizabeth, Edward, Mary Ann, Alexander, William and Colin)
All born in Glasgow to Alexander (1865) and Elizabeth Chalmers Stevenson (1868)

She died in the late 30s/early 40s. Her children were put up for adoption:
(Spouse name may be Penman, since her daughter Margaret lived with my grandparents most of her life without changing her name)
• Alexander S. Penman (b.1937) Kept in touch with the family for many years - I last saw him in the late 80s. Given Martha was his mother, he isn't an uncle - he'd be a 2nd cousin - I think.
• Margaret Penman (d, 1977/78)  Lived with my Paternal Grandparents  Lizzie and Jimmy McHarg. I saw her frequently until her death.
• William (Billy) may have become Billy Bremner  - he kept in touch a little. I met him several times.
• Ellen... I have no information whatsoever.

I'm hoping to try and connect the dots - either through the Stevenson, Penman, McHarg or even Bremner family. It's quite a puzzle

[CaroleW]

Hi

She died in the late 30s/early 40s. Her children (no idea of spouse name) were put up for adoption:

Have you not looked on Scotlands People for her marriage to establish her husbands christian name - surname was obviously Penman?    www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

You have not given any details of  what timescale "uncle Sonny" was around

Some questions - what was "Sonny's" real christian name?   Could he be Alexander known as Sonny?   If Alexander b 1937 was a lot older than you - could he have been referred to as uncle rather than cousin?

Where and when was Sonny born?

Where and when did he die?  His death cert will show his parents names

It seems clear from what you say that the link is from Martha's marriage to  ??unknown Penman

[jjmcharg]

Carol - thanks for your input - Sadly, I have nothing more to go on than what I outlined, and all of that came from one distant relative who was quite vague about everything. I've tried a number of avenues and hit dead ends so far. I can't say for sure where anyone is/was other than my great aunt Martha, and all I have is her birthdate and place. I didn't know until yesterday about any adoption or other siblings of Alexander (Sonny), so I'm busily trying to unravel it all. It's been 40 years since I had any contact. In the meantime, I figured it wouldn't hurt to put something on here in case someone with Stevenson/Penman connections might have some insight. Family connections seem so simple when you're young, but they do get quite challenging later in life when you start digging. 

Keep smiling,
Jim

[chempat]

There is a death for a Martha Penman in Glasgow City in 1940, but with a birth year of 1897.

Scotland'speople is free to join and can be used to find out basic information, before you have to pay any money for more exact information.

I could not see a Penman/Martha Stevenson marriage.

When do you think her first child was born, as she would, with a birth year of 1893, have been 44 when Alexander was born?

[chempat]

There is a birth for an Ellen Penman in 1926 in Glasgow City.

[jjmcharg]

Chempat... that's interesting thank you... I have a birthdate of 1897 for Martha's sister Mary... I think the info from my distant relative was even more spurious than I thought With the info you provided, Mary would make more sense than Martha in my opinion. I'll dig some more.

many thanks
Jim