Margaret Nicholson born circa 1817 - Borgue

[loobylooayr]

Hi,

I'm trying to find some information or clues, please, about Margaret Nicolson/Nicholson (my 3xgreat grandmother) who lived for the majority of her life in Ayrshire.
I'm trying to establish her origins and parentage.  I have parents names on her death certificate, however, that is only as accurate as the knowledge of her youngest child who registered her death.

To avoid people researching info I already know - this is what I have.
Margaret's age varies over the years (not unusual, I know) but through 1861-1891 Census she is fairly consistent with her birthplace.

Margaret Nicholson and John Wilson 'both in this parish' married on 28th Nov 1839 in Dundonald Parish, Ayrshire

1841 Census - John Wilson age 25 and 'Mrs' Wilson age 24 and John Wilson 9 months are at Fullarton Halfway in Dundonald Parish (this is part of Irvine)  - I believe this is Margaret, husband and son - Mrs Wilson is recorded as being born in Ayrshire
1851 Census - Mauchline, Ayrshire -  Margaret Wilson age 33 birthplace Kirkcudbrightshire, Galway (Galloway?)
1861 Census - Mauchline - Margaret Wilson age 44 birthplace Galloway, Borgue
1871 Census - Mauchline - Margaret Wilson age 52 birthplace Kirkcudbright, Borgue
1881 Census- Mauchline -  Maggie Wilson    age 60 birthplace Kirkcudbrightshire, Borgue
1891 Census- Mauchline - Margret Wilson    age 70  birthplace Kirkcudbrightshire, Borgue

Death - Margaret Wilson  widow of John Wilson 10th July 1891 aged 71 died at Mauchline
Father- James Nicholson (decd)  farmer  Mother - Elizabeth Hunter (dec'd)

Margaret and John Wilson had 7 children -
John born circa 1840   Elizabeth 1842    Hugh  1844  Mary Ann 1847 (died 1847)
Barbara  1849             Agnes     1851    Mary       1854

Any help/advice/ local knowledge, will be gratefully received.

Thanks for reading,

Looby 

[Forfarian]

Have you discounted Margarat Nicolson, parents William Nicolson and Elizabeth Hunter, baptised 10 March 1816 in Urr?

Though Urr and Borgue aren't especially near to one another.

[loobylooayr]

Have you discounted Margarat Nicolson, parents William Nicolson and Elizabeth Hunter, baptised 10 March 1816 in Urr?

Though Urr and Borgue aren't especially near to one another.

Thank you, Forfarian. Somehow I missed that OPR!
This Margarat could be a possibility - especially with her mother's name being identical to the name on my Margaret's death certificate.
I've just looked on a map and the parish of Urr is a good few miles from Borgue (as you have said) .....but...it is not impossible that she had her birthplace wrong.

I will see if I can find out more about this Margarat/Margaret from Urr.

Thanks again

Looby

[loobylooayr]

I have looked at the OPR which Forfarian kindly drew my attention to.

The entry from 1816  reads - March 10  - Margarat natural daughter to William Nicolson in ****head  and Elizabeth Hunter at Hardgate.
Natural daughter would indicate that this baby was born outside of marriage.

The entry immediately below reads  - March 12 - Mary Kerr daughter of William Nicolson and Elizabeth Heughan in *****head

The placename I'm trying to decipher looks like Lurthhead?

I'm also wondering if this William Nicolson is one and the same man having 2 daughters in the space of 2 days to 2 different women called Elizabeth.

Any thoughts please on what"Lurthhead "might be?

Looby

[Neale1961]

Hi Looby
Re the Illegitimate child born to William Nicolson and Elizabeth Hunter .
This "case" is mentioned a few times in the Urr Kirk session minutes.
Writing is a bit tricky to read. (Let me know how you go, and I’ll try to help if needed)

14 Jan 1816
https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/virtual-volumes/volume-images/volume_data-CH2-1038-2/GAZ01086?image_number=61#image_position

again 14 Feb 1816
https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/virtual-volumes/volume-images/volume_data-CH2-1038-2/GAZ01086?image_number=63&search_token=#image_position
 again 11 Feb 1816 (same page)

25 Feb 1816
https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/virtual-volumes/volume-images/volume_data-CH2-1038-2/GAZ01086?image_number=63#image_position

[Neale1961]

Place name for William Nicolson is indeed very difficult to decipher.
Could be Firthhead (as in Little Firth-Head, or Meikle Firthhead)
http://www.kirkcudbright.co/places.asp?ID=10

Little FirthHead
https://maps.nls.uk/view/74427653#zoom=7.0&lat=6609&lon=2625&layers=BT

Meikle Firthhead
https://maps.nls.uk/view/74427653#zoom=7.0&lat=7442&lon=2545&layers=BT

Hardgate, Urr Parish
https://maps.nls.uk/view/74427645#zoom=7.0&lat=2127&lon=14924&layers=BT

[Neale1961]

The entry immediately below reads  - March 12 - Mary Kerr daughter of William Nicolson and Elizabeth Heughan in *****head

William Nicolson and Elizabeth Hewghan / Heughan had at least 2 children baptised in Urr -
Mary in 1816, and Robert 1817.

[loobylooayr]

Thank you, Neale1961.

I was just about to call it a very late night and head to bed.

I will look up the links you have sent me in the morning.

Firthhead is a good shout - I will check out Little Firth-head tomorrow too.

Looby 

[loobylooayr]

The entry immediately below reads  - March 12 - Mary Kerr daughter of William Nicolson and Elizabeth Heughan in *****head

William Nicolson and Elizabeth Hewghan / Heughan had at least 2 children baptised in Urr -
Mary in 1816, and Robert 1817.

Even more to look into tomorrow! 
Thank you so much,

Looby