What does it mean?

[woiiftm]

 I think I am confused.
 From a search on Scotlands' People
  I was looking for death of Charlotte Buchanan, nee Bell in 1918, married to         
  William Bain Buchanan, and got this (correct details in all aspects but....}
  "Charlotte Bain
 formerly Buchanan
 Widower of 1st John Reilley, bootmaker
 2nd William Buchanan
 formerly Bain, Private 2nd battalion
 Royal Scots Fusileers"

  Can anyone explain what this this is telling me please
  Did he or she alter their surname with middle?

  (I do get the 1st widower bit)

  Cheers

[Neale1961]

Without knowing anything about the family, it is difficult.
However from what you have posted I would suspect that William Buchanan was previously known as William Bain, because either his mother remarried, or he was an illegitimate child.

[woiiftm]

  Thanks for your thoughts, gives me another angle to pursue. I've been trying to find parents for him with no luck yet but have found hers.

  Cheers

[Gadget]

Marriage 23 July 1875*, Perth  * 1873 -  misread from a poor image!

William Bain Buchanan, 33, Widower, Private, Scots Fusiliers and Charlotte Reilly, 28, domestic servant, widow.

William's parents - William Bain Buchanan, groom and Alice Buchanan MS Bain.


Who was the informant on Charlotte's death cert?  Often informants get muddled with details.

Gadget

[Neale1961]

The census has William Bain Buchanan born in Edinburgh

I wonder if this might be him in 1851 census
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5d95e5a3f4040b5efca2a9a6/william-bain-1851-midlothian-st-cuthbert-s-1843-?locale=en

[BushInn1746]

On my Grandmother's Scottish Death Certificate, it states her name, when and where, cause and their home address:-

Full name of Husband 1, Occupation and deceased [WW 2].
Full name of Husband 2, Occupation and Retired, who also signs as the Informant / Widower

My Grandmother's parents names, his Occupation, with her mother's nee name.

The parents, his Occupation and mother's nee name of Husband 2, the Informant and Widower.

[Gadget]

Matches marriage cert ~

Death
17 Dec 1886  William Bain Buchanan, ( Known as William Bain),Cornwall St, Govan,  Shoemaker 'an Army Pensioner', Aged 44
Married to
1 Emily Strong
2 Charlotte Bell or Reilly
Parents -  William Buchanan, Carpet Weaver, dec.  and Alice Buchanan MS Bain, dec.
Cause - Phithisis Pulmonalis
Informant - Mary McInernay (?), Sister, Kinning Park, (Present)

Maybe look for his sister, Mary

Gadget

[Gadget]

May be~

1881 Census
Cornwall Street,  Govan
William B Buchanan. 41, Shoemaker, b. Edinburgh
Charlotte B Buchanan, 37, b. Ireland
and 5 children  -  under 2 - 11, b. Ireland, England and Glasgow

Gadget

[Neale1961]

1841 census William Buchanan carpet weaver. ?
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a14eb0ef4040b9d6ef24393/willm-buchanan-1841-lanarkshire-barony-1821-?locale=en