Question about a possible birth in 1854

[Allison]

Good afternoon everyone.
I have not posted in a while because of working on a thesis for a second Masters degree. However, that is completed and I am now trying to get back into the swing of genealogy research again.

Through the kindness of several people on this site, a few brick walls have been knocked down so now I am turning to you people again to provide some suggestions on finding a birth that I cannot seem to find. The ancestor is Mary Gillespie who according to the 1861 census was seven years of age which would have her being born around 1853-1855. Her mother was Jean McKellar (nee McDougall). Jean, from the looks of it, was having a relationship of some kind with Joseph Gillespie in Greenock. I believe I have the proper year as Mary's marriage certificate in 1876 gives her age appropriately for falling in this time-line.

Yes, the names are familiar - it's been a difficult family. I have looked under McDougall, McKellar and Gillespie (using wild cards where possible - that's how I found her sister Elizabeth) but I cannot find Mary anywhwere. I've tried with just Jean's name under mother using all three surnames as well. Is it possible that the birth would not have been registered as it was before the Statutory Registration date?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Allison

[LesleyB]

Hi Alison

The ancestor is Mary Gillespie who according to the 1861 census was seven years of age which would have her being born around 1853-1855. Her mother was Jean McKellar (nee McDougall)

The 1861 should also give a place of birth. Was it Greenock?

As the birth was before 1855, as you mentioned, there is a chance there was no record. Or maybe the family were not Church of Scotland? What about sister Elizabeth who you've found already - when/where was she born or christened?

Best wishes
Lesley

[Allison]

Good morning Lesley.
Mary's sister, Elizabeth, was supposedly born in Greenock (according to the census) but actually was born in Blythewood and the birth was registered both in Blythewood and Greenock. I tried Blythewood for Mary as well, but no go, and the census does say Greenock as well. The family seem to attend whatever church suited their fancy, being married in Anglican, Presbyterian, and Free Methodist churches, depending on the groom's preference. This family certainly makes life interesting.

Allison