Wow, that’s absolutely brilliant! I didn’t realise they had had another child, although unfortunately the outcome wasn’t a good one. Thank you so much Aghadowey, for your detective skills, I had searched for so long without finding anything. It’s really much appreciated. Presumably on the birth of Margaret they gave a false marriage date, to appear they were all above board, so to speak.
Thank you Rosie for suggesting the second wife’s marriage to find George’s parents.
Just before I came away I found the 1851 census from Dalry, Ayrshire, which lists a George Wilson aged 16, along with his family, all born in Ireland apart from the last daughter, Rachael. I wasn’t sure if this was him, but now with the Rachael connection, I think maybe it is. His parents are listed as Thomas and Jane Wilson, but I’m not sure which part of Ireland they came from. George is also listed as an ironstone miner - perhaps he went from that to being a steamship stoker, although he is listed as being a hammerman in 1871.
