Semple

[cameo]

I am wondering if this is the same Jane/Jean Caldwell in my line. She doesn’t appear to have ever married. I have a copy of her death registration from 1878 and she is listed as single, age 68. That would put her birth at 1810. I also have her birth record from 1810 with the same parents listed. I believe this Jane/Jean Caldwell had two “natural” children. William and Helen. I have a copy of an old parish birth record for Helen from 1837. However, on the same page there are references to multiple dates some well before 1837 and some well after. They are not necessarily in chronological order. It is very confusing as if someone was coping the information from another source. It lists Helen, natural daughter to Jean (Caldwell) July 1837 Kilmacolm. Right below that is William, natural son to Jean August 1849. Further down the page it jumps to a child born in 1859 then to one born in 1821. Obviously something isn’t right here. The information has to have been copied at some point. This is the first time I’ve come across a record like this. I’m not sure what to make of it.

There was a good 12 year gap between this Jean/Jane’s children. If this Helen is the same one you have with the last name Semple she and her brother may not have had the same father. I can find no real information on William’s paternity. His marriage record shows only a mother Jane Caldwell. His death record lists his parents as William Caldwell and Jane Caldwell with Jane’s maiden name also Caldwell. There is no records I can find on that William Caldwell. Jean’s father and grandfather were also named William Caldwell.

I am soooo confused my brain hurts.