Further Details of the Parentage of Margaret Ritchie Please note whereas I try to ensure that what I publish is correct, and to differentiate between what is supported by documentation etc, and what is, in my opinion, a reasonable assumption, everything should be treated with caution. If you have come across information that you believe is relevant to your own research please either verify it independently or drop me a line to confirm its validity. Equally if believe something is incorrect, or if you wish to add any details or discuss please get in touch using the Contact Form. If you have come to this page via a browser, I hope you will find something of interest here or elsewhere in our other Hendry Family History Pages. |
Further Details of the Parentage of Margaret Ritchie.
No details of the marriage a James Ritchie and a Jean Pollok have been found as of yet, nor the birth baptism of a Margaret to the aforementioned James Ritchie and Jean Pollok. However there are the baptisms of six other children of James Ritchie and Jean Pollok recorded in the parish register of Mearns. This in itself is probably sufficient to confirm the parents of Margaret Ritchie being correct as being this James Ritchie and Jean Pollok as recorded on her death certificate. However there is a DNA connection between my wife and a descendant of a William Ritchie and Margaret Craig.with William being a confirmed child of James Ritchie and Jean Pollok. As it is believed that Margaret was born circa 1790 this would suggest that she was potentially one of the older children with a possible other child born between her and the first recorded child of James Ritchie and Jean Pollok, the aforemention William, born on 8 May 1796 in Mearns, Renfrewshire.
There is an entry in the Farm Horse Tax records for 1797-1798 Volume 11 of a "Jas Ritchie of Langton" paying tax on a farm horse which is assumed to be the aforementioned James Ritchie.
Children of James Ritchie and Jean Pollok
Margaret Ritchie born about 1790 in Mearns, Renfrewshire.
Margaret Ritchie was born about 1790 in Mearns, Renfrewshire. Margaret married James Allison, the son of Robert Allison and Agnes Gilmour about 1810. James was born on 9 June 1782 in Mearns, Renfrewshire. Margaret Allison, nee Ritchie, died on 29 October 1857 in Mearns, Renfrewshire. Robert Allison died on 9 January 1865 in Mearns, Renfrewshire. Next Generation in the Allison Family Tree Click here for further details
William Ritchie born on 8 May 1796 in Mearns, Renfrewshire.
William Ritchie was born on 8 May 1796 and baptised on 22 May 1796 in Mearns, Renfrewshire. The actual baptismal entry of William identifies his parents, James Ritchie and Jean Pollok, as being at Longtown (aka Langton, Longton). William married Margaret Craig, the daughter of William Craig and Janet Gilmour on 4 July 1834 in Cowden Moor, Mearns, Renfrewshire. Margaret was born on 17 October 1808 in Neilston, Renfrewshire. She was christened on 13 November 1808 in Neilston, Renfrewshire. William and Margaret had the following children:
For the census of 1841 William and Margaret were recorded as resident at North Walton Farm in the parish of Mearns Renfrewshirealong with their three children; James Richie aged 5, William Richie aged 4 and John Richie aged 2. Also included in the household were John McLaughlan aged 25 an Agricultural Labourer, James Ward aged 15 from Ireland, and two female servants Catherine Niven aged 20 and Anne McLean aged 20.
1841 Census (7th. June) Mearns (571) Book 4 Page 8 & 9
North Walton, Mearns, Renfrewshire
Name | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
Wm Richie | 40 | Farmer | Yes |
Margt Richie | 30 | Yes | |
James Richie | 5 | Yes | |
Wm Richie | 4 | Yes | |
John Richie | 2 | Yes | |
John McLaughlan | 25 | Ag Lab | Yes |
James Ward | 15 | Ireland | |
Catherine Niven | 20 | Female Servant | No |
Anne McLean | 20 | Female Servant | No |
For the census of 1851 William was still recorded as farming in Mearns parish but now at West Walton farm, identified as 100 acres. The houshold consisted of himself aged 51, Margaret aged 41 (identified as born in Neilston), their five children; William Ritchie aged 14, John Ritchie aged 12, Janet Ritchie aged 9, Jane Ritchie aged 6, Margaret Ritchie aged 2, along with William McLachlan aged 19 an Agricultural Labourer, and two "house servants" Mary Lachlan aged 35 and Mary McDonald aged 24.
1851 Census (31st. March) Mearns (454) Book 8 Page 5.
West Walton, Mearns, Renfrewshire.
Name | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
William Ritchie | Head | 51 | Farmer Of 100acs Emp 1 lab | Mearns, Renfrewshire |
Margaret Ritchie | Wife | 41 | Neilston, Renfrewshire | |
William Ritchie | Son | 14 | Scholar | Mearns, Renfrewshire |
John Ritchie | Son | 12 | Scholar | Mearns, Renfrewshire |
Janet Ritchie | Daughter | 9 | Scholar | Mearns, Renfrewshire | Jane Ritchie | Daughter | 6 | Mearns, Renfrewshire |
Margaret Ritchie | Daughter | 2 | Mearns, Renfrewshire | |
William McLachlan | Servant | 19 | Ag Lab | Neilston, Renfrewshire |
Mary Lachlan | Servant | 35 | House Servant | Neilston, Renfrewshire |
Mary McDonald | Servant | 24 | House Servant | Lismore, Argyllshire |
For the census of 1861 William had moved and were resident at Broomward Farm House, Elderslie, Johnstone, Renfrewshire. This farm was identified as 60 acres and although smallet than West Walton, I suspect it might have been a better prospect. William was recorded as aged 65, and included in the household were his wife Margaret aged 52, and five of their children; William Ritchie aged 24, John Ritchie aged 22, Janet Ritchie aged 19, Jane Ritchie aged 16, and Margaret Ritchie aged 12, all it would appear working on the farm but with the youngest, Margaret, also still attending school. Also listed in the household was Marion Craig aged 65 identified as Sister in law i.e. the elder sister of William's wife, Margaret Craig.
1861 Census (8th April) Abbey (Paisley) Johnstone (559/3) Book 10. Page 8.
Broomward Farm House, Johnstone, Renfrewshire.
Name | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
William Ritchie | Head | 65 | Farmer Of 60 Acres Employing Family And 1 Labourer | Mearns, Renfrewshire |
Margaret Ritchie | Wife | 52 | Neilston, Renfrewshire | |
William Ritchie | Son | 24 | Farmer's Son | Mearns, Renfrewshire |
John Ritchie | Son | 22 | Farmer's Son | Mearns, Renfrewshire |
Janet Ritchie | Daughter | 19 | Farmer's Daughter | Mearns, Renfrewshire |
Jane Ritchie | Daughter | 16 | Farmer's Daughter | Mearns, Renfrewshire |
Margt Ritchie | Daughter | 12 | Farmer's Daughter & Scholar | Mearns, Renfrewshire |
Marion Craig | Sister in law | 65 | Former Farmer's Daughter | Neilston, Renfrewshire |
William Ritchie died aged 74 on 22 June 1868 in Broomward, Johnstone, Renfrewshire. He was identified on his death certificate as James William Ritchie, a farmer, married to Margaret Craig, the son of James Ritchie, a farmer, and Margaret Ritchie, maiden surname Pollock, both listed as deceased. The informant was John Ritchie, his son, who was present. Depite the deceased's name being given as James William Ritchie, and his mother being listed as Margaret Ritchie, maiden surname Pollock, I am as confident as I can be that this was William Ritchie and that he was the son of James Ritchie and Jean Pollock.
For the census of 1871 the widowed Margaret, aged 63, was listed as still farming at Broomward Farm House, Elderslie, Johnstone. Included in the household were her two youngest daughters, Jean Ritchie aged 26 and Margaret Ritchie aged 21, and her grandson James Ritchie aged 7. James was the son of Margaret and William's eldest son James who had married a Jane Gordon on 15 December 1859 in 50 Eglinton Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire. James was born on 15 April 1864 with the birth registered in Tradeston, Glasgow, Lanarkshire although this and the subsequent 2 censuses identify him as born in Abbey, Renfrewshire, so I would suspect the birth may have been at his grandparents house i.e. Broomward Farm. There was also one other individual listed in the household, Mary Irvine aged 21, identified as "Servant on the farm".
1871 Census (3rd April) Abbey (Paisley) Johnstone (559/3) Book 10. Page 1.
Broomward Farm House, Johnstone, Renfrewshire.
Name | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
Margaret Ritchie | Widow | 63 | Farmer Of 60 Acres | Neilston, Renfrewshire |
Jean Ritchie | Daughter | 26 | Farmer's Daughter | Mearns, Renfrewshire |
Margaret Ritchie | Daughter | 21 | Farmer's Daughter & Scholar | Mearns, Renfrewshire |
James Ritchie | Grandson | 7 | Scholar | Abbey, Renfrewshire |
Mary Irvine | Servant | 21 | Servant on farm | Lanarkshire |
For the census of 1881 the widowed Margaret had retired from farming and moved to Glasgow, where she was recorded as resident at 84 Allison Street, Govan, on the South side of Glasgow. Included in the household was her grandson James, aged 17 and identified as a Draper's Apprentice, born in Abbey, Renfrewshire, along with a lodger Peter McQueen aged 18 born in Inch, Wigtonshire and a Hugh McQueen aged 20 also born in Inch, Wigtonshire identified as a "Visitor". As both these McQueen's were born in Inch, Wigtonshire it would seem likely they were related in some way and it was Peter that Hugh was visiting.
1881 Census (4th April) Govan (644/12) Book 88. Page 10.
84 Allison Street, Govan, Glasgow, Lanarkshire.
Name | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
Margaret Ritchie | Widow | 71 | Retired farmer's Wife | Neilston, Renfrewshire |
James Ritchie | Grandson | 17 | Draper's Apprentice | Abbey, Renfrewshire |
Peter McQueen | Lodger | 18 | Grocer's Employee | Inch, Wigtonshire |
Hugh McQueen | Visitor | 20 | Unemployed Gardener | Inch, Wigtonshire |
For the census of 1891 Margaret had again moved and was recorded at Wolseley Street, Hutchesontown, Lanarkshire. She was recorded as aged 82, a Retired farmer's Wife, born in Neilston, Renfrewshire. The only other person listed in her household was once again James Ritchie, her Grandson, aged 27, and working as a Printer's Reader. As per previous censuses he was identified as born in Abbey, Renfrewshire.
1891 Census (6th April) Hutchesontown (644/11) Book 93. Page 5.
Wolseley Street, Hutchesontown, Lanarkshire.
Name | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
Margaret Ritchie | Widow | 82 | Retired farmer's Wife | Neilston, Renfrewshire |
James Ritchie | Grandson | 27 | Printer's Reader | Abbey, Renfrewshire |
Margaret Ritchie died aged 83 on 1 November 1891 at 188 Wolsley, Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire. She was identified on her death certificate as the widow of William Ritchie, a Farmer, and the daughter of William Craig, a farmer, and Janet Craig, maiden surname Gilmour, both listed as deceased. The informant was James Ritchie of 28 Nothsdale Road, Pollokshields, Glasgow.
Jean Ritchie born on 16 April 1798 in Mearns, Renfrewshire.
Jean Ritchie was born on 16 April 1798 and baptised on 22 April 1798 in Mearns, Renfrewshire. Nothing further currently known.
Elizabeth Ritchie born on 31 May 1800 in Mearns, Renfrewshire.
Elizabeth Ritchie was born on 31 May 1800 and baptised on 5 June 1800 in Mearns, Renfrewshire. It is assumed died in infancy.
Elizabeth Ritchie born on 18 June 1802 in Mearns, Renfrewshire.
Elizabeth Ritchie born on 18 June 1802 and baptised on 20 June 1802 in Mearns, Renfrewshire. Elizabeth married James Currie, the son of Robert Currie and Janet Steven on 3 September 1830 in Mearns, Renfrewshire. James was baptised on 31 March 1806 in Neilston, Renfrewshire. Elizabeth and James had the following children:
For the census of 1841 James and his family were recorded living in Uplawmoor, in the parish of Neilston, Renfrewshire. James was listed as aged 30, an Agricultutal Labourer, "Not born in Renfrewshire", along with Elizabeth, his wife, aged 30, "Born in Renfrewshire". Also included in the household were their children; James Currie aged 8, "Born in Renfrewshire", Robert Currie aged 6, "Not born in Renfrewshire", Elisabeth Currie aged 3, "Not born in Renfrewshire", and John Currie aged 1, "Not born in Renfrewshire", as well as a John McGlee aged 20, an Agricultutal Labourer, born in Ireland.
1841 Census (7th. June) neilston (572) Book 5 Page 11
Uplaymoor, Renfrewshire
Name | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
James Currie | 30 | Ag Lab | No |
Elisabeth Currie | 30 | Yes | |
James Currie | 8 | Yes | |
Robert Currie | 6 | No | |
Elisabeth Currie | 3 | No | |
John Currie | 1 | No | |
John McGlee | 20 | Ag Lab | Ireland |
For the census of 1851 the family were again recorded as resident in Uplawmoor. James Currie was listed as aged 44, working as a Sawmill Labourer and born in Neilston, Renfrewshire. His wife Elizabeth Currie was listed as aged 47, born in Mearns, Renfrewshire, and included in the household were their six children: James Currie aged 18, working as a Sawmill Labourer, born in Stewarton, Ayrshire, Robert Currie aged 15, working as a Sawmill Labourer, born in Stewarton, Ayrshire, Elizabeth Currie aged 13, born in Stewarton, Ayrshire, John Currie aged 11, born in Stewarton, Ayrshire, William Currie aged 8, born in Neilston, Renfrewshire and David Currie aged 5, born in Neilston, Renfrewshire. The three younger children were identified as Scholars.
1851 Census (31st. March) Neilston (572) Book 5 Page 9.
Uplawmoor, Renfrewshire.
Name | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
James Currie | Head | 44 | Sawmill Labourer | Neilston, Renfrewshire |
Elizabeth Currie | Wife | 47 | Mearns, Renfrewshire | |
James Currie | Son | 18 | Sawmill Labourer | Stewarton, Ayrshire |
Robert Currie | Son | 15 | Sawmill Labourer | Stewarton, Ayrshire |
Elizabeth Currie | Daughter | 13 | Stewarton, Ayrshire | John Currie | Son | 11 | Scholar at Home | Stewarton, Ayrshire |
William Currie | Son | 8 | Scholar | Neilston, Renfrewshire |
David Currie | Son | 5 | Scholar at Home | Neilston, Renfrewshire |
For the census of 1861 the family were recorded at "Arkylehill" in Neilston parish, Renfrewshire. I suspect this was actually "Hartleyhill" just outside of Uplawmoor on the other side of the Lugton Water. James Currie was listed as aged 53, now farming 12 Acres, born in Neilston, Renfrewshire, and his wife Elizabeth Currie was listed as aged 56, born in Mearns, Renfrewshire. Five of their children were included in the household: James Currie aged 28, working as a Joiner, Robert Currie aged 25, also working as a Joiner, Elizabeth Currie aged 23, a "Farmer's Daughter", John Currie aged 21, again working as a Joiner, and David Currie aged 15, still listed as a Scholar. All the children were identified as born in Stewarton, Ayrshire, with the exception of the youngest, David, who was identified as born in Neilston, Renfrewshire.
1861 Census (8th April) Neilston (572) Book 1. Page 1.
Arkylehill, Neilston parish, Renfrewshire.
Name | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
James Currie | Head | 53 | Farmer Of 12 Acres | Neilston, Renfrewshire |
Elizabeth Currie | Wife | 56 | Mearns, Renfrewshire | |
James Currie | Son | 28 | Joiner | Stewarton, Ayrshire |
Robert Currie | Son | 25 | Joiner | Stewarton, Ayrshire |
Elizabeth Currie | Farmer's Daughter | 23 | Farmer's Daughter | Stewarton, Ayrshire |
John Currie | Son | 21 | Joiner | Stewarton, Ayrshire |
David Currie | Son | 15 | Scholar | Neilston, Renfrewshire |
For the census of 1871 James and Elizabeth were still resident at what I believe to have been Hartleyhill but this time listed as "Harkleyhill". James Currie was listed as aged 64, a Retired Farmer, born in Neilston, Renfrewshire and his wife Elizabeth Currie was listed as aged 66, born in Mearns, Renfrewshire. Their youngest daughter Elizabeth Currie was the only one of their children included in the household, listed as aged 30, born in Stewarton, Ayrshire. (She was actually aged 33!)
1871 Census (3rd April) Neilston (572) Book 1. Page 1.
Harkleyhill, Neilston parish, Renfrewshire.
Name | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
James Currie | Head | 64 | Retired Farmer | Neilston, Renfrewshire |
Elizabeth Currie | Wife | 66 | Mearns, Renfrewshire | |
Elizabeth Currie | Daughter | 30 | Stewarton, Ayrshire |
For the census of 1881 James and Elizabeth had moved to Tennock, back across the Lugton Water and to the south of Uplawmoor. Although no further than a few miles from both Uplawmoor and Hartleyhill, this residence was in Dunlop parish, Ayrshire. James Currie was listed as aged 73, an Agricultural Labourer, born in Neilston, Renfrewshire and his wife Elizabeth R. Currie, was listed as aged 77 an Agricultural Labourer's Wife, born in Mearns, Renfrewshire. There was only one other individual included in the household, a granddaughter, Mary Currie aged 9, a Scholar, born in Neilston, Renfrewshire. Mary was actually Mary Hamilton Currie born on 19 December 1871 in Neilston, Renfrewshire, the daughter of James and Elizabeth's eldest son, James Currie, and his first wife Isabella Hamilton Raeside.
1881 Census (4th April) Dunlop (591) Book 5. Page 2.
Tennock, Dunlop, Ayrshire.
Name | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
James Currie | Head | 73 | Ag Labourer | Neilston, Renfrewshire |
Elizabeth R. Currie | Wife | 77 | Ag Labourer's Wife | Mearns, Renfrewshire |
Mary Currie | Granddaughter | 9 | Scholar | Neilston, Renfrewshire |
James Currie died aged 80 on 25 September 1885 in Tennoch, Dunlop, Renfrewshire. He was identified on his death certificate as an Agricultural Labourer, married to Elizabeth Ritchie, and the son of Robert Craig, a Farmer, and Janet Craig, maiden surname Steven, both listed as deceased. The informant was James Currie, his son. Elizabeth Currie died aged 87 on 8 November 1890 at 16 Cumberland Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire. she was identified on her death certificate as the widow of James Currie, a farmer, and the daughter of James Ritchie, a farmer, and Jane Ritchie, maiden surname Pollock, both listed as deceased. The informant was Elizabeth MacKinnon, her married daughter, in house house it would appear the deathhad occurred.
Mary Ritchie born on 31 January 1805 in Mearns, Renfrewshire.
Mary Ritchie was born on 31 January 1805 and baptised on 10 Feb 1805 in Mearns, Renfrewshire. Nothing further currently known.
John Ritchie born on 10 July 1807 in Mearns, Renfrewshire.
John Ritchie was born on 10 July 1807 and baptised on 2 August 1807 in Mearns, Renfrewshire. Nothing further currently known.