I have just gotten Margaret Orkney Bell's birth record, born 4 Oct 1855 ...It does indeed show John , a grocer ,26 years old, born in Hoddom, Dumfrieshire. Married 04 Oct 1853 at Rothesay.
It also says he has 1 boy and 1 girl living ???????
Further the record states Janet Maiden name Orkney, is 26 years old from Rothesay and her second child.....I have Margaret Orkney Bell as the first child of John and Janet......guess thats a BIG oops !!!
Back to hunting again....
Thank you so much for the census information a great addition.
So far I have marriage records on 3 of John and Janet's children:
Mary Jane Orkney Bell married John Pollock
Janet Jardine Bell married Hugh Anderson
Margaret Orkney BELL married John Scott Miller
and I know that the first Margaret Orkney Bell (1855) died before the second Margaret Orkney Bell was born 27 Feb 1859
Grace Paterson Bell b. 15 Feb 1866 died 1866
Still trying to get info on the rest of the children and what happened to them...so its back to more digging..
Thanks again..much appreciated
All the best
Wendy