Can anyone help me find my grandma Gertrude Stephen/Ross?

[Hollyhocker]

Hi everyone,
Sorry not been able to reply until now. I've been at work all day. Yes as I mentioned in my original post I already know a lot about the family and have been researching the past 11 years. I didn't want to include too much in my original post. I read the guidelines on the forum and it said to try and keep posts brief and to the point and I was already rambling! 🙈 I'm new on here so please forgive me if I'm getting it wrong and not observing the right forum etiquette for posting etc. I'll try my best to get it right in future if you are able to guide me? Yes I have already posted my request to the Scottish Indexes FB page. I've updated my tree on Ancestry as much as I can. So here's what I know...

GERTRUDE STEPHEN
Born 16 June 1907
75, Spring Garden Aberdeen
Father: John Stephen (engine fitter, journeyman)
Mother: Margaret Jane Stephen (Nee Brown)

Married John Fowler Ross on 25 November, 1925 at 119, Hamilton Place, Aberdeen.
John Fowler Ross (commercial traveller) age 20 Address 16, Carmelite Street, Aberdeen. Mother: Catherine Emslie Ross (housekeeper)
Gertrude Stephen (Glove machinist) age 18. Address 126, Great Western Road, Aberdeen. Father: John Stephen (engine fitter). Mother: Margaret Jane Stephen Nee Brown

DEATH UNKNOWN

Her brother SYDNEY WILLIAM STEPHN:
Born June 12, 1904
54, Urquhart Road, Aberdeen
Father: John Stephen (engine fitter, journeyman)
Mother: Margaret Jane Stephen (Nee Brown)

Married July 9th, 1927 at St Peters in Wallsend in the County of Northumberland.
Sydney William Stephen (air gunner) Age 23 years. Address 11, Bombing Squadron, Fighter Dean Parish, Wiltshire m. Mary Swan (domestic servant) age 19. Address 22, Ford Terrace.

Sydney Died April 1979, Southampton


Her father JOHN STEPHEN:
Born 21st June 1880.
Address: 67, Upper Denburn, Aberdeen.
Mother: Margaret Stephen (Nee Falconer)
Father: William Stephen Grocer (master) married Dec 31st 1858 old Machar.

Her mother MAGGIE JANE BROWN:
Born 16th Nov 1883. 
Address 23, King Street Road, Old Aberdeen.
Mother: Mary Brown (Nee Petrie)
Father: Charles Brown Brick Work Labourer married 1876 Dec 2nd Banchory Devenick

MARRIAGE OF JOHN STEPHEN AND MAGGIE JANE BROWN:

John Stephen and Maggie Jane married 20th April 1904 at the Cafe Royal, Broad Street, Aberdeen
John Stephen (engine fitter journeyman) age 24 at 95, Upper Denburn, Aberdeen, son of William Stephen (grocer) (deceased) and Margaret Stephen Nee Falconer
Margaret Jane Brown (paper mill worker) age 20 at 55 Urquhart Road, Aberdeen. Daughter of Charles Brown, gas works and Mary Brown Nee Petrie.

DIVORCED
DEC 8TH 1917

JOHN STEPHEN 2ND MARRIAGE
John Stephen (mechanical engineer journeyman) age 37. Address 16, North Silver Street, Aberdeen. m Jessie Duffer Birss (domestic servant, spinster) age 40. Address 134, Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

CHILD OF 2ND MARRIAGE
Born 1919, Aberdeen
Died 1st July 1926 at The Sick Children's Hospital Aberdeen.

DEATH JOHN STEPHEN
14th Nov 1953 Royal Infirmary Aberdeen
Address: 331, Great Western Road, Aberdeen
Widower of Jessie Duffer Birss and formerly married to Mary? Marg. Helen Brown
73 years
Mother: Margaret Stephen (Nee Falconer) (deceased)
Father: William Stephen (spirit merchant) (deceased)
Died of: Cholelithiasis acute purulent cholecystitis. Acute heart failure.
Witness: S W Stephen, son, 39, Vendon Avenue, Hamble, Southampton
Registered: Nov 16, Aberdeen

DEATH MAGGIE JANE STEPHEN
UNKNOWN

DEATH JESSIE DUFFER BIRSS
21st January 1937 at City Hospital Aberdeen
Age 59 years
Father John Birss (joiner, deceased) Mother Frances Jane Birss (Nee Aberdein, deceased)
Informant: John Stephen, Widower. 336, Holburn Street, Aberdeen

Will post census info next and Aunties and uncles...

[Rosinish]

A newspaper report in Aberdeen Evening Express 08 Dec 1917 relates to the divorce of Gertrude's parents John & Margaret Jane...

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01rch/

They'd had 2 children who were in his care & they'd lived in Springburn, Glasgow but after a time she 'took to drink'.

Nothing was known of her to John after he heard M J had been in an inebriate home in Edinburgh in 1916.

The above would appear to be the connection with Gertrude to Edinburgh.

It would be worth seeking out the sibling of Gertrude although no sexes are stated of the children.


Annie

[Rosinish]

Going by dates & areas known, this is a possible death for a sibling...

STEPHEN ELIZABETH BROWN 80 - BROWN (mms) - 1987 - 732/ 371 Leith (Edinburgh)

The above has same ref. no. for surname Whitelaw which leads to this marriage which can be downloaded to find out if this is the sibling mentioned?...

STEPHEN ELIZABETH BROWN / WHITELAW GEORGE JAMES 1936 - 685/1 230 Haymarket (Edinburgh)


Annie

Edit - Ignore above as I've just come across a tree which states Gertrude's sibling was Sydney William Stephen 

[Rosinish]

Gertrude was young enough to have one or more children after 1930, have you considered DNA, which always has the potential to throw up matches that could lead you back to her as well as potentially help you discover who your grandfather actually was?

Scots women had a trait of leaving clues to the name of the father of illegitimate children by giving them names related & often surnames as middle names...

Jeffrey Christie Inglis Stephen or Ross

3 of the forenames of Jeffrey could be surnames, have you found any connection with those names?

It's always an idea to expand on family info. to establish name connections.

DNA flags up surnames which may help your quest.


Annie

[hgs46]

In case you haven't located this, Margaret Stephen died 30 May 1926 at 126 Gt Western Road, Aberdeen.

[Hollyhocker]

GERTRUDE'S AUNTIES AND UNCLES...

DAD (JOHN STEPHEN'S SIDE)...

Jane Stephen 11th January, 1860
Address: 84, Skene Street, Aberdeen
Mother: Margaret Stephen  maiden name Falconer
Father: William Stephen Cabinet Maker (journeyman) married Dec 31st Aberdeen 1858
Informant: William Stephen, father. Not present.
Registered: Jan 28

Margaret Stephen 4th April, 1862
Address: 67, Upper Denburn, Aberdeen.
Mother: Margaret Stephen (Nee Falconer)
Father: William Stephen Cabinet Maker (journeyman) married Dec 31st 1858 Aberdeen
Informant: William Stephen, father (Present)
Registered: April 22

Eliza Ann Stephen 28th November, 1863
Address: 65, Upper Denburn, Aberdeen.
Mother: Margaret Stephen (Nee Falconer)
Father: William Stephen Cabinet Maker (journeyman) married Dec 31st Aberdeen 1858
Informant: William Stephen, father (Present)
Registered: Dec 16

William Stephen 13th Nov 1865
Address: 65, Upper Denburn, Aberdeen.
Mother: Margaret Stephen (Nee Falconer)
Father: William Stephen Cabinet Maker married Dec 31st 1858 Aberdeen
Informant: William Stephen (Present)
Registered: Nov 30

Charlotte Stephen b 1872 Died 1873 1 years 8 months and 9 days

Isabella Stephen 21st March, 1874
Address: 67, Upper Denburn, Aberdeen.
Mother: Margaret Stephen (Nee Falconer)
Father: William Stephen Cabinet Maker (journeyman) married Dec 31st Old Machar, Aberdeen 1858
Informant: William Stephen, father (Present)
Registered: April 10

MARRIAGES ON GERTRUDE'S FATHER'S SIDE...

14th June 1887
Jane Stephen, aged 27, housekeeper (spinster) m James Davidson, aged 29, (cloth finisher).  14th June 1887.
Jane Stephen address: 95, Upper Denburn, Aberdeen. Father: William Stephen, grocer (master), Margaret Stephen, nee Falconer.
James Davidson: 97 Upper Denburn, Aberdeen. Father: Robert Davidson (domestic Gardener) (deceased). Mother: Georgina Davidson Nee Russel.
Witnesses: Alfred Russell, Duncan Gordon

15th June 1909
At 76, Polmuir Road Aberdeen
Eliza Ann Stephen (spinster) age 44. Address 36, Union Terrace, Aberdeen m. James Tulloch (spirit dealer, bachelor) age 44. Address 80, Salisbury Place, Aberdeen.
Parents James Tulloch: Roderick Tulloch (prison warden, deceased) Eliza Tulloch Nee ??
Parents Eliza Stephen: William Stephen (grocer and spirit merchant, deceased) and Margaret Stephen Nee Falconer (deceased)
Witnesses: Margaret Tulloch and John Stephen

I believe MARGARET STEPHEN and ISABELLA STEPHEN died spinsters. John's other brother William and sister Charlotte died in childhood

DEATHS ON GERTRUDE'S FATHER'S SIDE...
William Stephen 26th October 1870
Address: 67, Upper Denburn, Aberdeen
Age: 5 years, 4 months, 9 days
Mother: Margaret Stephen (Nee Falconer)
Father: William Stephen Cabinet Maker (journeyman)
Died of: Scarlatina. 4 days as certified by Mrs Fraser, surgeon
Witness: William Stephen, Father
Registered: October 28

Charlotte Stephen 24th October 1873
Address: 67, Upper Denburn, Aberdeen
Age: 1 years 8 months and 9 days
Mother: Margaret Stephen (Nee Falconer)
Father: William Stephen (cabinet maker)
Died of: Cnaugh (cough??) 3 dats
Witness: William Stephen, father present

Margaret Stephen 30th May, 1926
Papermill worker, single
Address: 126, Great Western Road, Aberdeen
Age: 64 years
Mother: Margaret Stephen (Nee Falconer) (deceased)
Father: William Stephen grocer (master) (deceased)
Died of: Pernicious anaemia as certified by John Stephen
Witness: John Stephen brother (present) 93, Upper Denburn, Aberdeen
Registered: May 31

Jane Davidson 22nd May, 1928
Widow of James Davidson (insurance agent)
Address: 95, Upper Denburn, Aberdeen
Age: 68 years
Mother: Margaret Stephen (Nee Falconer) (deceased)
Father: William Stephen grocer (master) (deceased)
Died of: Myxoedema chronic myocarditis as certified by John H Stephen
Witness: James D Davidson, son
Registered: May 23

Eliza Ann Tulloch Jan 1st, 1942
Widow of James Tulloch (spirit merchant)
Address: 126, Great Western Road, Aberdeen
Age: 78 years
Mother: Margaret Stephen (Nee Falconer) (deceased)
Father: William Stephen( spirit merchant) (deceased)
Died of: Splenic Anaemia, cirrhosis of liver, chronic myocarditis as certified by John Stephen
Witness: John Stephen brother and inmate (present)
Registered: Jan 2

I CAN NOT FIND A DEATH CERTIFICATE FOR ISABELLA STEPHEN. HOWEVER, SHE IS ON THE FAMILY GRAVESTONE IN ALLENVALE CEMETERY, ABERDEEN WITH A DEATH DATE OF 10 FEB 1947.

I have contacted Aberdeen City Council to try and find out if she is interred there. If not, perhaps she died abroad which might give us a clue as to where Gertrude might be hiding. This is the auntie seemed closest to. She was living with her age 3 in the 1911 census and married from her address in 1925.

EDIT: Just heard back from Aberdeen City Council and Isabella is not interred in the grave at Aberdeen. UPDATE! Just heard back from Aberdeen Council about the Stephen Family grave and Isabella is NOT interred there!...
" Allenvale Cemetery – Section: A Lair no: 441
 I can confirm Isabella is not in this grave. I can only think that she had died outside Scotland therefor you can not find a death certificate for her. The family has simply added her name to the stone which is quite a common thing to do."
 

Census info coming next and I need to try and learn how to post photos! Have been trying and failing miserably so far! 😂😂 Thank you all for your time and patience with me!

[Hollyhocker]

CENSUS INFO...
MARGARET J BROWN (GERTRUDE’S MUM) CENSUS SEARCH

1881
Address: 23, King Street Road, Old Machar, Aberdeen
Charles Brown (head) (28) General Labourer
Mary Brown (wife) (30) General Labourer’s wife
John Brown (son) (3) did he die?? Check out John Webster Brown 168/2 186
Charles Brown (son) (1)

1891
Address: King Street Road, Old Machar, Aberdeen
Charles Brown (head) (40) Head Gas Stoker
Mary Brown (wife) (40)
Charles Brown (son) (11) scholar
Maggie J Brown (daughter) (7) scholar
Elizabeth G Brown daughter) (3) scholar

1901
Address: 5, Urqhuart Road, St Nicholas, Aberdeen [misprint??? Should be 55??]
Charles Brown (head) (50) Head Gas Stoker b 1851
Mary Brown (wife) (51) b 1850
Charles Brown (son) (21) Monumental Stone Cutter b 1880
Maggie J Brown (daughter) (17) Clerkess b 1884
Elizabeth G Brown daughter) (13) scholar b 1888
Mary H Brown (daughter) ( scholar b 1893

I CAN'T FIND MAGGIE IN A CENSUS AFTER 1901

JOHN STEPHEN  (GERTRUDE’S DAD) CENSUS SEARCH

1881
Address 95, Upper Denburn, Old Machar, Aberdeen
William Stephen (head) (49) Shopman grocer. Birthplace Glasgow.
Margaret Stephen (wife) (45)
Jane Stephen (daughter) (21) Domestic Serv Genl
Margaret Stephen (daughter) (19) Paper millworker
Eliza Ann Stephen (daughter) (17) Milliner
William Stephen (son) (10) scholar
Isabella Stephen (daughter) (7) scholar
John Stephen (son) (0)


1891
Address: Osborne Place, St Machar, Aberdeen NEW ADDRESS
William Stephen (head) (59) grocer. Birthplace Glasgow.
Margaret Stephen (wife) (55)
Margaret Stephen (daughter) (29) Housekeeper
Eliza Ann Stephen (daughter) (37) Milliners showman
Isabella Stephen (daughter) (17) Dressmaker
John Stephen (son) (10) Scholar
Ann J Dey (servant) (29) servant

1901
Address 3, Osborne Place, St Machar, Aberdeen
John Stephen (son) (20) Mechanical engine (appec) [SIC] John now head of the house. Parents must have died??
Margaret Stephen (daughter) (38) Housekeeper
Eliza Ann Stephen (daughter) (37) Grocer
Isabella Stephen (daughter) (27) Assistant Housekeeper
Jessie Birse (Visitor) (20)

1911
Address: 15, Baker Street
John Stephen (Boarder) (30) Licensed grocer.  John now seems to be living on his own

1921
Address:
John Stephen (head) 41 years. Married Birth place Aberdeen. Occupation: Engine fitter. S Craig (out of work). Curlew works, Jarrow.
Jessie Stephen (wife) 43 years 5 months. Married. Birth place Northumberland, Walker on Tyne. Occupation: Home duties.
Sydney W Stephen (son) 17 years Single. Birth place Aberdeen. Occupation: Apprentice riveter. Joseph Eltringham and co Ltd ship builders. Willington Quay on Tyne.
Gertrude Stephen (daughter) 14 years. Single. Birth place Aberdeen. At home.
Jessie Stephen (daughter) 1 year, 1 and a half months. Single.  Birth place Northumberland, Newcastle
Margaret Stephen (sister) 59 years 2 months. Single Birth place Aberdeen


CHARLES AND MARY BROWN (GERTRUDE’S GRANDPARENTS) CENSUS SEARCH
1911
Address: 56, Urquhart Road
Room with one or more windows: 3
Charles Brown (head) (59)
Mary Brown (wife) (59)
Mary Brown (daughter) (17)
Elizabeth Roberson (daughter) (23)
Adrian Roberston (grandson) (1)


GERTRUDE STEPHEN CENSUS SEARCH
1911
Address: 36, Union Terrace, Aberdeen
Isabella Stephen (head) age 37
Gertrude Stephen (niece) age 3

1921
Address:
John Stephen (head) 41 years. Married Birth place Aberdeen. Occupation: Engine fitter. S Craig (out of work). Curlew works, Jarrow.
Jessie Stephen (wife) 43 years 5 months. Married. Birth place Northumberland, Walker on Tyne. Occupation: Home duties.
Sydney W Stephen (son) 17 years Single. Birth place Aberdeen. Occupation: Apprentice riveter. Joseph Eltringham and co Ltd ship builders. Willington Quay on Tyne.
Gertrude Stephen (daughter) 14 years. Single. Birth place Aberdeen. At home.
Jessie Stephen (daughter) 1 year, 1 and a half months. Single.  Birth place Northumberland, Newcastle
Margaret Stephen (sister) 59 years 2 months. Single Birth place Aberdeen

SYDNEY STEPHEN  (GERTRUDE’S BROTHER) CENSUS SEARCH

1911
Address: 91, Upper Denburn, St Nicholas, Aberdeen
Jane Davidson (head) (widow) (51)
William S Davidson (son) (20)
James D Davidson (son) (16)
Harold Davidson (son) (14)
John S Davidson (son) (11)
Sydney W Davidson (nephew) (6)

1921
Address:
John Stephen (head) 41 years. Married Birth place Aberdeen. Occupation: Engine fitter. S Craig (out of work). Curlew works, Jarrow.
Jessie Stephen (wife) 43 years 5 months. Married. Birth place Northumberland, Walker on Tyne. Occupation: Home duties.
Sydney W Stephen (son) 17 years Single. Birth place Aberdeen. Occupation: Apprentice riveter. Joseph Eltringham and co Ltd ship builders. Willington Quay on Tyne.
Gertrude Stephen (daughter) 14 years. Single. Birth place Aberdeen. At home.
Jessie Stephen (daughter) 1 year, 1 and a half months. Single.  Birth place Northumberland, Newcastle
Margaret Stephen (sister) 59 years 2 months. Single Birth place Aberdeen

[Ladyhawk]

Hello Hollyhocker

Have been looking but not found a death for your Gertrude Ross nee Stephen

Can I ask do you know if Gertrude’s husband John Fowler Ross remarried? If so, when and where did he marry maybe obtaining this marriage certificate might be of help if it states he’s widowed 

brought forward (reply 8 ) -  is this the same Gertrude?

I don’t know if this might relate a snippet from the newspaper

26 June 1946 - The Scotsman - Edinburgh

A notice in the paper to Sheriffs Court against  Mrs Gertrude Ross last known address
19 M’Donald Road , Edinburgh, current address unknown to sell an Alvis Motor car to recoup the garage dues that are unpaid…………….

Hmm, quite possibly, was this a relation of her husband?...

ROSS GORDON Tenant HOUSE 19 MCDONALD ROAD EDINBURGH 1940

Do you know if he is related to John?

[Hollyhocker]

ELECTORAL ROLLS FOR ABERDEEN...

John Stephen (dad)
1925-1935: 93, Upper Denburn
1936-1938: 336, Holburn Street
1946: 331 Great Western Road
1950-1953: 331 Great Western Road

Maggie Jane Stephen Nee Brown (mum)
Can't be found!!

Jessie Stephen (step mum)
1925-1935: 93, Upper Denburn
1936-1938: 336, Holburn Street

Margaret Stephen (Auntie)
1906: 134 Great Western Road
1907: 134 Great Western Road
1909-1914: 134 Great Western Road

Isabella Stephen (Auntie)
1920-37: 126 Great Western Road
1946: 331 Great Western Road

Jane Davidson (Auntie)
1926-27: 95, Upper Denburn
(Jane dies in 1928 and her son James D Davidson goes next door to 93, Upper Denburn to live with his Uncle John)

Eliza Tulloch (Auntie)
1923-1936: 93, Upper Denburn
1923-1926: 331, Great Western Road
1928-39: 331, Great Western Road
NOTE SHE SEEMS TO BE REGISTERED AT TWO DIFFERENT ADDRESSES AT SAME TIME.

Sydney Stephen (brother)
1927-29: 93, Upper Denburn

Gertrude Ross appears in the electoral rolls once in 1929! Address: 126, Great Western Road. So she is living with her Auntie Isabella again.
This would be the year she conceived my dad! I can't find her before this. Interestingly there are entries for "Gertrude Ross" at the address 147, Hardgate from 1929-33. I googled the address and 147, Hardgate was the address of the Bethany Orphanage run by nuns. I wonder if this is the Gertrude I am looking for in this entry and the nuns took her in as she had become pregnant.Maybe they arranged for her to have my dad in Edinburgh and then gave her work for a few years when she returned?? Just a theory! It doesn't explain why she also appeared why she appeared living with her Auntie Isabella in 1929. I've asked around for documentation relating to Bethany House (Aberdeen City Archives, Aberdeen University, Local Studies Library etc) but drawing a blank. Waiting to hear back from the CoE archives. Apparently they hold records relating to the Scottish Episcopal Church. 🤞