Matilda Stevenson born about 1881 - is father James or Isaac

[shanreagh]

I approach these sort of problems by having a "theory of the case". It may be incorrect, and as more information comes in I can change or abandon the current theory for another one.

In this particular case, my own present best guess (theory) is that Matilda was illegitimate, and the varying father's names and occupations reflects her way of dealing with that. When asked who your father was, or what was his occupation, are you going to say I don't know? In that situation, many just gave names.  Again, this guess of mine may be completely wrong.

So, I would say OP should turn to DNA testing, and look for matches.

Yes Wexflyer that is good advice about about having a 'theory of the case'.  Several genealogy courses I have been on have suggested this then reflecting on and noting how the theory could be proved/ disproved. 

I must admit having seen the marriage certificate  with the father James as policeman certainly made me think.  What better way really to forestall discussion about parentage than by claiming a policeman as a parent?  Also the lack of perhaps such a person day to day can be explained by the requirement that policemen did not usually live in the communities they served in.

Of course Matilda may be repeating what her mother had told her about her father and this may be correct.   

I find this family fascinating, if elusive, and wonder there is more we can do with registers, logic and leaps of logic before OP goes the DNA way.

Perhaps the OP could generate some theories of the case  and we could have a last crack at them.....? Perhaps summarising the new situation.....?

Also making me think is the Aghadowey saw on a facebook post.

So two theories:

1 James the policeman as father

2 the parents as set out in the FB post Aghadowey saw "Posted on a Facebook forum also where someone has replied "Matilda is interred in Derry City Cemetery, it states she was born Burt, Co. Donegal."
In the cemetery records parents listed as Robert and Jane Stephenson. She died 15 Feb.1940 and age is given as 55 (c1885)."

ETA 3 Matilda Black/Cadden looking at Matilda Black nee Daly

[Wexflyer]

I wonder if she could be the illegitimate daughter of a somewhat important person like Helen Halliday Little who married Robert Augustus Bingham, gentleman, and after he died in 1884, remarried (1889) James Stevenson who was a member of the constabulary.

https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Ormeau/Ravenhill_Road/1212540/

https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/details/GB12-CC4

Or James's daughter with someone else?

"Obituary

Mr. James Verdier Stevenson, a former R.I.C. officer, and later Chief Constable of Glasgow, died at his residence, Herne Bay, to which place he went after retirement from his last position in public life. Deceased joined the R.I.C. in 1884 as cadet officer, and on promotion to District Inspector's rank, was stationed at Donegal and Cork. (...)"

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Stevenson-4182

I think that James can be eliminated.

RIC cadet officers trained at the depot in Dublin for a minimum of 6 weeks, and maximum of 6 months.  So if James joined in 1884, and was then appointed to Donegal, then the earliest that an (illegitimate) daughter could have been born there is 1885.  That would make such a daughter a maximum of 15 years old on 1/1/1901, when Matilda was married.  I don't think that is realistic.

[PatLac]

So the Facebook info, death 1940 aged 55, is also wrong.

[Wexflyer]

So the Facebook info, death 1940 aged 55, is also wrong.

If really 55. Ages often off. But her suggested father is different again anyway.

[aghadowey]

So the Facebook info, death 1940 aged 55, is also wrong.

The age 55 years taken from cemetery records which would have been provided by a family member or person arranging the burial. As with death registrations the informant might not know the persons true age- indeed many people born in that period didn't know their own ages or birthdates.

[PatLac]

What about her age at the time of her marriage? Full age on 1 January 1901. So she was probably born in 1879.

[Wexflyer]

What about her age at the time of her marriage? Full age on 1 January 1901. So she was probably born in 1879.

Seems to me that we can't trust anything she said at the time of her marriage. She could have been 21 or much older. Or indeed under 21, and misstating that too.

[PatLac]

Even her name?

[Wexflyer]

Even her name?

The thing about her surname is that it might be that of her father. Or mother. And if it were that of her father, then she may have been registered and/or baptized with that of her mother. Who is to say!