Cowie, Peterhead 1841/1851

[Andrew C.]

I am at a bit of an impasse with my tree and just going over some things.

So I know my 3x great grandparents were William Cowie and Margaret Martin (taken from their son’s marriage certificate)
 
In 1841 they are at Queen Street, Peterhead William(30), Margaret (30) also sons George (4) and William (1). My 2x great grandfather, Alexander, was born in either 1842, 1843 or perhaps 1846.

I was trying to find William’s birth in 1810 and the only OPR I could find was a William born to Andrew Cowie and Isabel Brown in Old Deer in 1810. Which is a distinct possibility, however.

I am fairly confident that by 1851 William and Margaret had died. So in the 1851 census I find a George (14) and William Cowie (12) both born in Peterhead living with their Grandmother Isabel Brown in Fetterangus. The only other George and William the same age in 1841 are still alive and living with their Mother in Kirk Street, Peterhead. So looking good apart from where is Alexander?

Well it looks like he is in Ugie Street poor relief hostel with William (10).

From all this can I take it that the William, son of Andrew and Isabel is not mine? Out of curiosity then who are the parents of George and William in Fetterenangus and is it a coincidence or are they all related?

[CaroleW]

Have you found the parents deaths on Scotlands People

[Andrew C.]

I believe William died in 1850 but no sign of Margaret.

[Forfarian]

For the avoidance of duplication of effort, this looks like a duplicate or rehashing of an old thread https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=714002.0

[Forfarian]

The Peterhead baptism records do leave a bit to be desired - at the time you are interested in they didn't include the mother's name at all.

There are ten baptisms of children to William Cowie in Peterhead between 1820 and 1854 - see screenshot. If I were you I would want to see if any of the baptisms contains any clues that would allow you to sort them into families.

Also, how can you be sure that the William Cowie and Margaret in the 1841 census are your William C and Margaret Martin rather than someone else?

Is your Alexander the one who died in 1890 in Aberdeen aged 45? And is George C who died in Peterhead in 1913 his brother?

[Neale1961]

I agree that William’s death seems to have been in 1850. What does it say on the burial record? Does it call him a widower? If Margaret was still alive she may have gone on to another marriage.


Isabella Brown born abt 1790 in Old Deer,  living in North St, Fetterangus, Old Deer.
She is “unmarried” in the census records. If she is the grandmother, then her child (William or Margaret?) may have been illegitimate.
Isobel died in 1865 - Old Deer age 74
Her death certificate may give you useful information about the name and relation of the informant.


Who married first? George, William, or Alexander? What information do you get on the marriage record about their mother? Deceased? Remarried?


Have you looked in the Peterhead parish accounts / minutes for mention of poor relief payments, etc?

[Andrew C.]

Sorry this is a sort of rehash but still confused.

Not positive William and Margaret are mine, all I know for sure is Alexander’s parents are William and Margaret Martin and that couple are the only candidates I can see.

Yes my Alexander died in Aberdeen in 1890. I was working on the belief my Alexander was the one at Ugie Street along with William not Fetterangus and their brother George died before 1850 I think.

With George, William and Alexander being recurring names it isn’t obvious. 

[Forfarian]

Hmmm.

If Alexander was 21 on his wedding day, 1 January 1857, he must have been born in 1835, not in the 1840s.

Even if he had been born in the 1840s, the minimum legal age for a man to marry was 14, so even in the extremely unlikely event that he really was getting married at such a young age, he has to have been born before 1 January 1843.

[Neale1961]

If Alexander was 21 on his wedding day, 1 January 1857, he must have been born in 1835, not in the 1840s.

I read the marriage year as 1867.
Date - January tenth.