Illegitimate Children (Edinburgh 1860s)

[stewart_r]

There is a death in 1862 (no age or details)
STEVENSON   RICHARD
Canongate
1862
685/3 1188

Thanks - got it. That's definitely him. Anyone able to make out the cause of death? I think I am seeing "Imperfect A_____ _____ia" but no real idea?

[MonicaL]

stewart_r, what was the address given on William's Dec 1867 birth cert?

What happened with William in later years? Have you found him in censuses to help you further?

Neale1961, that must be son Richard's death reg. Easy enough to cofirm by checking the death reg, stewart_r.

Monica

[Neale1961]

It is difficult to see what became of the family after 1871 census.
Yes, I agree, we really need to hear back from stewart-r.

I wonder if this is William in 1881 census Gilmour street, Edinburgh, St Cuthberts
William Stewart   34   Head, Tailor, born Edinburgh
Catherine Dall Or Stewart   28   Wife, former servant,  born Glasgow
William Stewart   2   Son, born Edinburgh
William Stevenson   12   Nephew, born Edinburgh
Robt Stewart Stevenson   9   Nephew, born Edinburgh

It does not seem right with the other nephew, and age not quite correct.

[Neale1961]

Posting a couple of possible? early census records for Mary Gillespie.

1851 census Canongate
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5903db07e9379091b102d897/mary-gillespi-1851-midlothian-canongate-1828-?locale=en

1841 census Canongate
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a15220df4040b9d6e2e9c29/mary-gillespie-1841-midlothian-canongate-1827-?locale=en

[stewart_r]

It is difficult to see what became of the family after 1871 census.
Yes, I agree, we really need to hear back from stewart-r.

sorry for the delay - i'm new to the forum so my replies are stuck in "awaiting moderation".

It is difficult to see what became of the family after 1871 census.
Yes, I agree, we really need to hear back from stewart-r.

I wonder if this is William in 1881 census Gilmour street, Edinburgh, St Cuthberts
William Stewart   34   Head, Tailor, born Edinburgh
Catherine Dall Or Stewart   28   Wife, former servant,  born Glasgow
William Stewart   2   Son, born Edinburgh
William Stevenson   12   Nephew, born Edinburgh
Robt Stewart Stevenson   9   Nephew, born Edinburgh

It does not seem right with the other nephew, and age not quite correct.

Yeah - I agree. I wonder about this record from 1881 instead:

47 Commercial St, Leith North

Alexander Stevenson 48 Head
Elizabeth Stevenson 47 Wife
William Stevenson 18 Son
James Stevenson 14 Son
Alexander Stevenson 11 Son
Mary Stevenson 7 Daughter
Janet Stevenson 3 Daughter
William Stevenson 13 Nephew

This does list William's place of birth as Tranent though, which wouldn't be right.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Millmoor]

Following on from Neale1961's post it is possible that the Gillespies were RC. I note the following RC baptisms in St Mary's RC Cathedral, Edinburgh.

Mary Gillespie birth 8 June 1826 bap 2 July 1826 Parents Dick Gillespie and Catherine McBride

James Gillespie birth 20 Feb 1830 bap 2 May 1830 Parents Richard Gillespie and Chaterine McBride (As transcribed)

I cannot see an entry for the William Gillespie identified by Neale in the 1861 census but note there is a possible in the 1871 census.

Walker's Place, 26 Canongate

William Gillespie Mar 51 Combmaker b Ireland
Margaret Gillespie Wife 58 b Cockpen
John Hutton Grandson 12 b Edinburgh
Margaret Ruthven Niece 9 b Edinburgh

There is a possible death for William Gillespie  age 51 in 1873 in Canongate RD - Note the mother's maiden name is McBryde.

William

[Millmoor]

Re the cause of death on Richard Stevenson's death certificate it may be "imperfect nutrition convulsions".

William

[stewart_r]

... I wonder about this record from 1881 instead:

47 Commercial St, Leith North

Alexander Stevenson 48 Head
Elizabeth Stevenson 47 Wife
William Stevenson 18 Son
James Stevenson 14 Son
Alexander Stevenson 11 Son
Mary Stevenson 7 Daughter
Janet Stevenson 3 Daughter
William Stevenson 13 Nephew

This does list William's place of birth as Tranent though, which wouldn't be right.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I no longer think this is him. I did a little digging on Alexander & Elizabeth Stevenson and it seems that, whilst Alexander did have a brother named James, this James' age is a long way out (born c.1840) so I don't think he can be my ancestor's Uncle. 

[stewart_r]

Found Mary's death certificate. They moved to Linlithgow.

Not managed to pin them down on the 1881 census yet but got her parents names now so really feel like its progressing. Thanks again to everyone for your help.