whats going on??? Georgina Hunter

[marineliferescue]

Hi

I found an ancestor, Georgina Hunter who was born illegitimately to Elizabeth
Hunter in Cruden, Aberdeenshire in 1874, I managed to trace Georgina on 1881 census as a "boarder" with Mary Jamieson b 1829 and is a farmer of 4 acres, when I looked at the household there were 5 children living there one of them has the same surname of Georgina but the remaining 3 all have different surnames. Their ages range from 3 months to 11 years. Has anyone suggestions as to how Mary ends up with these 5 children, all listed as "boarders". The prior census 1871 shows Mary living with Peter Jamieson, states that he is her husband but he is twice her age, Peter was a farmer. Any suggestions would be great

 

[stockpot]

Re: whats going on???

Mary is a widow in 1881, looks like she is fostering the children, either privately or for the local parish.
Of the five children the place of birth is given for three but the two Hunter children have N.K. so Mary obviously knows very little about them. Most likely she is fostering them for the parish.

Elaine

 

[stockpot]

Re: whats going on???

In 1881 the other Hunter child is James Hunter aged 10yr.

In 1871 at Dundee Poorhouse & Lunatic Asylum there are inmates :-

Elizabeth Hunter, 32, general servant domestic, b. Cruden
James Hunter, 3 months, b Aberdeen

my guess is that Elizabeth had two illegit. children, James & Georgina who are fostered with Mary Jamieson in 1881.

Elaine

 

[stockpot]

Re: whats going on???

1881, Aberdeen Asylum

Elizabeth Hunter, insane inmate, late domestic servant, age 44, born Cruden.

The age is 2 yrs out from that stated in 1871 but can't be many Elizabeth Hunter born Cruden around that time. I think there is a good chance this is the mother & is the reason Georgina & James are boarded out by the parish.

Elaine

PS Elizabeth in the Daviot branch of Aberdeen asylum in 1891 and 1901, age given as 51 and 61, (possibly died 1909)

The asylum records are held by Grampian Archives. I accessed the archives of Edinburgh Asylum and there was lots of interesting information on my relative.

 

[marineliferescue]

Hi

Many thanks for all your replies, your help is greatly appreciated. It sound really plausible that Elizabeth was in Lunatic Asylum, my only concern is that Georgina Hunter was born in 1874, presumably Elizabeth had left the asylum??
Can anyone find a trace of Elizabeth in 1891?

Thanks again

 

[stockpot]

1871 she is in Dundee Poor House & Asylum and is listed immediately before baby James, 3 months old. It is likely she was just there as a poorhouse inmate as she had just had an illegitimate baby. She would have come out of there when the baby was a bit older and have been able to get pregnant again with Georgina.

In 1881, 91 and 1901 she is in a different place, Aberdeen Asylum for the insane which is near her home town and some distance from Dundee. She must have needed to be detained there some time after the birth of Georgina.

Elaine

 

[marineliferescue]

Hi

thank you for your information. I am going to contact both the Dundee and Aberdeen archives to see if they can help .

Take care

 

[ptjw7]

Look here for information as to unmarried mothers treatment!

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...r-the-history-of-lone-parenthood-7782370.html

Peter