Help reading entry.....

[paddyscar]

Hi Tracey:

It looks to me that the registrar stroked out the word following 'widow of'.

George Innes was a 'friendly neighbour' who was able to give only the surnames of the deceased parents. Just speculation here - is it possible that the registrar started to write Donaldson McPherson?

There is also a notation on the right hand column, which might give some clarification, but I think you might have to request a clearer copy of the document, or enhance what is there.

Frances

[LesleyB]

Just noticed this in quote the above:

Dame Schools was a common tern used to describe small private schools

Isn't that a sea bird? Oh dear, oh, dear. I really must get out more....
and that's from an educational web site!!!

[Tracey]

Hello Frances

George Innes was a 'friendly neighbour' who was able to give only the surnames of the deceased parents.

I wondered how a 41 year old friendly neighbour would know her parents names and especially her mothers maiden name ! as Jane was 86 at the time of death. Her mother would have been about 62 when the neighbour was born and havnt so far found a death for her so i assume it was pre 1855..

There is also a notation on the right hand column

Yes and no matter what i do to enhance it still looks like Rolf Harris !

Just speculation here - is it possible that the registrar started to write Donaldson McPherson?

Pinkshoes suggested that earlier and it is possible and certainly looks like it. I have done searches on SP for a marriage OPR or otherwise and found nothing.

Will see what can become of the notation

Thanks also for taking the time to look for me

Tracey

[Tracey]

Just noticed this in quote the above:
Quote:
Dame Schools was a common tern used to describe small private schools
Isn't that a sea bird?

She did live by the sea

[AndrewP]

There is also a notation on the right hand column

Yes and no matter what i do to enhance it still looks like Rolf Harris !

I think the "Rolf Harris" in the right margin is the Registrar's comment that an correction was applied to the certificate at the time of writing, and his signature. It may say something like "One clerical error col. 1", followed by his signature and title.

I agree that it looks like the wrong surname, Donaldson, had been started there, and was then scored through and replaced with McPherson.

All the best,

Andrew Paterson

[Tracey]

Hello Andrew

I too see Donald....... written and wonder why he wouldnt have corrected it with her husbands first name. Because i have been told by someone her husbands name was David i find it hard to see past that. As mentioned before though i still dont have proof of husband so taking it with a pinch of salt till i do.
Have sent a mail to SP anyway.

Thanks

Tracey

[AndrewP]

My suggestion is that the friendly neighbour knew the old lady, but had not known her late husband (could have been deceased for some time, so not known to the informant). Therefore, all he could say was that she was the widow of Mr McPherson (first name not known to him). Saying that he gave her parents' surnames. including the mother's maiden name, which would imply some reasonable knowledge of her background.

Puzzling...

Andrew Paterson

[Tracey]

Exactly !! I am wondering if he was distantly related somehow as i cant see any reason for him to know her mothers maiden name.
One day i may find out ! and her marriage

Thanks
Tracey

[DavidWW]

The first time that I viewed the image I read it as "Formerly taught in a private school" but when I look again there's no "in" and I'm not convinced about either "private" or "school".

And yes, that RH side annotation is to do with the clerical error in column 1, where "Donal" has been scored out. As long as such an error was picked up before the registrar had signed the entry, clerical errors could be so corrected.

David

Later, yes there is "School" but too few letters before that to be "Private", and looking elsewhere and seeing how the registrar doesn't always close his "a"s, it could well be "Dame" !!
dww