Two Janets and a James gone AWOL

[josie7644]

Hello,

In 1851, Edward Merchant was living in Leeds with children William, Janet, Abraham and James. Janet Merchant aged 31 was the lodger and housekeeper.

I am guessing that the elder Janet was Edward’s sister, who was helping her brother after his first wife, Helen Hamilton died.

Class: HO107; Piece: 2320; Folio: 498; Page: 12

In 1861, Edward was in Deansgate, Manchester with new wife Sarah and just two of his children, William and Abraham.

Class: RG9; Piece: 2939; Folio: 12; Page: 18

Despite many searches for marriages/deaths, I have found no further trace of Janet born 1820 in Scotland, Janet born 1844 in Ireland and James born 1849 in Ireland.

Any ideas or suggestions would be most welcome!

Thank you,

Josie

 

[oznannie]

Hi Josie
In 1851 census which you posted Edward is born in Portsea
Perhaps his sister was born there too?
Edwd is 30 and Janet is 31.
A long shot.

oznannie

ps kiddies born in Ireland, any clues please, tks..

 

[josie7644]

Hi Josie
In 1851 census which you posted Edward is born in Portsea
Perhaps his sister was born there too?
Edwd is 30 and Janet is 31.
A long shot.

oznannie

ps kiddies born in Ireland, any clues please, tks..

Hi oznannie,

Thanks for replying!

It actually says Rothsea, which is the enumerator's way of spelling Rothesay, Isle of Bute.

His marriage to Helen Hamilton in Govan, Lanarkshire is here...

https://www.familysearch.org/search...se_givenname:Helen~ +spouse_surname:Hamilton~

In the 1841 Census of Scotland, he is with Helen at 1 Coronation Lane, Gorbals. Piece SCT 1841/644 ED 29 Folio 29 Page 16.

His first son William was born on 28 August 1841 and was baptised on 26 Sept 1841 at Hutcheson Town Relief Church in Glasgow.

At some point after this, Edward, Helen and William must have gone to Ireland where Janet, Abraham and James were born.

On the 1911 Census, Abraham Marchant states his birthplace as Londonderry, County Londonderry, so I guess that was where they were in between the 1841 and 1851 censuses.

Btw, it is useful to note that there are two spellings of the name - Merchant and Marchant. This made my early searches quite difficult!

I have never found records of the births of the three children or the death of Helen.

Thanks again!

Josie

 

[oznannie]

Thank you Josie!!
Such interesting info about Ireland, spellings etc.
I understand your frustration with names, don't we all in this genie lark
Back later
ozn

saw your submitted entry in Anc## regarding 1861 census for Abraham

 

[josie7644]

Thank you Josie!!
Such interesting info about Ireland, spellings etc.
I understand your frustration with names, don't we all in this genie lark
Back later
ozn

saw your submitted entry in Anc## regarding 1861 census for Abraham

Hi ozn,

Yes it can be frustrating. Not only are there variations in spellings, but we have to contend with mistranscriptions too! :2fun:

Recently on a certain site, I've come across Abraham transcribed as Thena; Lois as Soir; William as Nattan and Francis as Frederick - to name but a few!

I'm always sending in corrections and leaving notes on various trees!

Look forward to hearing from you!

I'm hoping another pair of eyes might spot something I've missed!

Best wishes,

Josie

 

[josie7644]

Hello ozn,

Just been rummaging again! :biggrin:

I found an interesting entry in the 1871 Census of Scotland.

James Marchant, aged 21, born Ireland, occupation shoemaker.

He is lodging at 22 Charlotte Street, in the RD of Calton. The Civil Parish is Glasgow, St Andrew in County Lanarkshire.

What do you think?

Just off to have a look in 1881!

Josie

PS Still no sign of the two Janets!