Norries in Huntly

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:26 pm

My now deceased auntie went to visit Jane and William Stevenson in about 1933. They lived in a place called Headrooms farm which is just outside Aberchirder (known locally as Foggyloan). I actually went there last week and spoke to the new occupants which was a thrill for me!
Anyway the first hand info was that she had three children before marrying. William Elizabeth and James. Two were born in Whitehills and my auntie and uncle went there as well at the time they visited the area.

So the bit I'm not understanding is that the Jane Robertson you spoke of, in her marriage in 1889 to William Stevenson (aged fortyeight - sorry, the smileys do funny things with number eight!) a farmer and both were living at Headrooms, states she is a spinster aged 37 - so no previous marriage which would lead to the conclusion that this one's m.s. was Robertson. There is no mention at all of HOWATT. Father is given as William Robertson labourer (deceased) mother is Elsie Norrie, Domestic Servant, deceased.

Best wishes
Lesley

Gloswegian · Post by **Gloswegian** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:32 pm

I'm sure my grandfather James knew that his father was a Howatt as he had spent time with his grandfather George Howatt. He may not have known that his mother never married his father and was never a Howatt. He may indeed have known this and decided to keep it to himself. I don't have a copy of his birth certificate only the extract. He was born on 12 August 1886 in Whitehills. The mother is Jane Robertson.

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:37 pm

I'm sure my grandfather James knew that his father was a Howatt

So what was your grandfather James's surname on his birth cert? Is Whitehills in Banff? What District is mentioned on the birth extract?

He may not have known that his mother never married his father and was never a Howatt.

But he clearly thinks that Howatt was her maiden surname not a married surname at the time of his marriage...?

Best wishes
Lesley

Gloswegian · Post by **Gloswegian** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:40 pm

Definitely Gordon - have you found your grandfather's birth certificate?

If not - what age was he when he married and when?

I don't have the certificate, only the extract. He was born on 12 Aug 1886 in Whitehills, Boyndie. The mother is Jane Robertson. However I am 100% sure his father was James Howatt (son of George and Maggie Howatt) as he and sister Elizabeth are living with them on the 1891 census in Alvah. They are both stated as being born in Whitehills. The ages match and to my knowledge there are no other matches.

My grandfather married Margaret Stirling in Glasgow on 27 October 1911 aged 25.

Does this help?

Gloswegian · Post by **Gloswegian** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:48 pm

So what was your grandfather James's surname on his birth cert? Is Whitehills in Banff? What District is mentioned on the birth extract?

He was James Robertson from birth, and Whitehills is in Banff.

But he clearly thinks that Howatt was her maiden surname not a married surname at the time of his marriage...?

By the time James is married, Jane could have been born Jane Norrie, fathered a child by a Robertson, then a Mitchell and then a Howatt before marrying and becoming a Stevenson. I think I would be confused about what to put down on the register

I think it is likely at least.

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:07 am

fathered a child by a Robertson, then a Mitchell and then a Howatt

Do you have the births of all three of these children?

Best wishes
Lesley

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:24 am

Lesley,

Here is the 1891 census from Ancestry-

George Hewitt 55
Maggie Hewitt 57
James Hewitt 28
Maggie Hewitt 19
James Hewitt 4 b Whitehills grandson
Lizzie Robertson 7 born Whitehills boarder

I'm going to assume (till I'm told otherwise)he is the one born at Portsoy in 1886 as James Robertson.

Is this your grandfather Gordon?

Regards,
Annette

Gloswegian · Post by **Gloswegian** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 10:09 am

Annette,

James Hewitt 4 b Whitehills grandson

I do believe this to be him. The Hewitt thing stayed with him when he got married. See above bit on naming his mother on his marrage cert.

I do have the births of all trhee of them

William Robertson 25 May 1880 Boharm Elgin. Mother Jane Robertson No father
Elizabeth Robertson 7 Dec 1884, Whitehills Banff. Mother Jane Robertson No father
Jamer Robertson 28 Aug 1886, Whitehills Banff. Mother Jane Robertson no father

Gloswegian · Post by **Gloswegian** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 11:44 pm

Susan, and of course others
I have not been able to sleep since this all kicked off!
My head is swimming with theories and counter theories but it seems to be clearing and I think you are really on the ball with your findings on page two around Elspet. I am curious to know why you think she is in Auchterless for the 1861 census though?

In 1861 census the family are yet again at the same place but Elspet is not with them - I think she may be at Auchterless.

Could this be when she meets brick and tile labourer William Robertson? No hang on .....William the brickie is in Huntly in 1861...I'm still no clearer on that one.

I must get some sleep soon...

Gloswegian · Post by **Gloswegian** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:05 pm

Hello again,

I have been following up on the information Susan found on page two regarding the life and times of Elspeth Norrie and have been trying to confirm her death

In 1861 census the family are yet again at the same place but Elspet is not with them - I think she may be at Auchterless. However her child Isabella (Cumming) is there with her grandmother, along with a couple of other granchildren. One of these Mary Haggarty is 5 years old and on checking IGI again we find a Mary Ann Norrie born in 1856 to Elspet Norrie.

I have not found this Elspet yet in 1871 - however in 1881 she is with daughter Mary Ann and a grandson William Forbes. In 1891 and 1901 she is with her grandson William both times.

I would be grateful if you could point me in the right direction to find her death. I searched SP and found what I thought was her death in 1907, only to find on viewing the document, that it was not and more credits go to waste

How do you know where to look? And why do I feel like the SP website is like a slot machine that never pays out?

Gordon