How do I confirm which person is mine?

[ChristineCK]

I'm looking to confirm the parents of a William Kerr who was born around 1776 in Beith, Ayrshire. He died in 1842 so no useful help on his death record.

Two William Kerrs were born in Beith within a couple of years. Is there any way I can confirm which is mine?

William Kerr 1 born in 1776 to Robert Kerr and Margaret Caldwell
William Kerr 2 born in 1778 to Robert Kerr and Jean Barr

My William had a daughter whose name on her gravestone is "Margaret Caldwell Kerr". This would lead me to the earlier of the two Williams.

Does that count as 'evidence'? Where else could I look for evidence? William was a grocer so there are unlikely to be any other documents about him?

I'm new to tracing this far back so any pointers would be much appreciated.

Thank you

[CaroleW]

I would say it's a far more likely contender than the 1778 William given the daughters middle name of Caldwell

[Biggles50]

I concur with Carole.

There is a way to verify, it is a longshot.

A DNA test may reveal matches who descend from another child of Robert and Margaret.

In cases like this what I tend to do is within Ancestry where my main trees are located I add a Custom Fact to a Profile explaining the possibility of a different parental pair.

[maddys52]

I agree, the middle name certainly seems to link to the KERR/CALDWELL marriage. Can you find any records relating to the parents' deaths that may mention children - wills, gravestones etc?

[wivenhoe]

I would agree that the name Margaret Caldwell KERR would encourage you to see

......William Kerr 1 born in 1776 to Robert Kerr and Margaret Caldwell.....

to be the family you are looking for.

Have you found siblings for Margaret Caldwell KERR, who might also have earlier family names as given names.

[Jebber]

Have you looked to see if the William of the KERR/CALDWELL marriage left a Will?

When you start researching earlier times wills become more important as they often reveal details that help to sort out relationships.

[PrawnCocktail]

Have you looked to see if the William of the KERR/CALDWELL marriage left a Will?

When you start researching earlier times wills become more important as they often reveal details that help to sort out relationships.

And if he didn't leave a Will, try the other William - you can sometimes see as much from the wrong will as from the right one - different names, places etc.

[ThrelfallYorky]

I always try to cross-refer suspects in as many ways as possible, trying to find information that can help to confirm or to rule out a person.
Otherwise it's possible to find yourself quite a long way along a branch on the wrong tree!
Even with a comparatively unusual name, in quite a localised area. Keep accumulating facts, and compare. Good luck.
TY