Not the luck of the Irish.

[rob.mac]

Hi Sarah and Lanarkshire Lassie,
Just to give you an update on what has transpired.
First up still no trace of Henry's BC.
Next the death of his mother Ann Johnston. This turns out to be Mary Ann Johnston died 1900. DC reveals her parents to be Thomas Johnston & Ann Johnston nee Haig (Craig ), this is important as you will see later.
It seems that between 1871 & 1881 census that the relationship between Ann & John has broken down , as on 1881 census Ann is listed as Kirkwood ( wife) of John Kirkwood. Son Henry & daughter Mary are entered as Courtney, all staying under the one address.
Father John Courtney is staying with son Samual and his wife Helen. Only problem is John is not called John but instead is called William.
No record found of Ann marrying John Kirkwood, probably because hubby was still alive.
On the marriage cert. of Samual Courtney to Helen Kerr it has his parents as being William Courtney & Mary Ann Courtney nee Craig.
Another thing this marriage threw up was the names of Helen's parents. Those being John Kerr & Elizabeth Kerr nee Craig. Is this a coincidence or are both females related. There was also a Agnes Craig as a witness. Another relation, maybe ?
In the marriage of daughter Mary Courtney to Gavin Watson one of the witnesses was called Peter Watson, we presume Gavin's brother.
In Henry's marriage to Margaret Ward in 1899 , one of the witnesses was called Walter Watson. Coincidence ?
William Courtney died in 1890, but at this time Ann is no longer with John Kirkwood, did he die or did relationship break up, whio knows ?
Ann's DC is recorded by son John, this being William John Courtney, eldest son of William & Ann.
Who is Henry's father , John Kirkwood or William Courtney ?
Don't think i'll get the answer to that one until i find BC.
Just also to mention that i could not locate BC for Mary Courtney either.
Both her & Henry were entered on Censuses as being born in Holytown.
Well that about wraps this mystery up.
Couldn't find BC or establish who real father was, probably William.
But found a lot more people to track down.
Just like to say THANKS to everyone who helped me with this one.

Rob.

[SarahND]

Hi Rob,
So it sounds like the father was also William John like his son, and sometimes went by one name and sometimes the other?
At least one very good thing came out of the 1881 census with Samuel and William, i.e. it gives their birth places in Ireland, so that is lucky!

What does the family group look like in 1871? How many of the other children (besides Samuel) were born in Ireland?

I'm intrigued by a series of births to an Ann Johnston, no father's name mentioned, that appear (extracted) on the IGI for Barony, Lanark:

Helen Johnston 23 Mar 1869
Jane Johnston 16 Apr 1871
Henry Johnston 9 Jun 1873

Mother: Ann Johnston

None of them show up under the Johnston name in 1881...

Food for thought k

All the best,
Sarah

[rob.mac]

Hi Sarah,

If i recall correctly the only children born in Ireland were William John & Samual, both in Antrim.
I also think along same line as yourself, in that father was also called William John, and as like his son of same name used his middle name. No record found though to say he had a middle name.
On the subject of the Johnston children born to Ann Johnston, i did check out the Henry of 1873 and found in fact that the mother's name was called Isabella Johnston. No mention of the name Ann was seen. Father in this case was Henry Johnston, and have no idea what became of family.
Thanks again,

Rob.