Christina DICKSON married James JOHNSTON(E) on December 4th 1838 in Carstairs, Lanarkshire, Scotland. She can be found on the 1851 census with James living in Carnwath, Lanarkshire, her birth being recorded as 1820 in Drumblade, Peeblesshire. James is working as a Hand Loom Weaver and was born 1816 in Carnwath. By 1861, James is living in Tarbush Row, Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire and working as a Coal Miner. However, he is now married to a woman named Elizabeth who was born about 1821 in West Linton, Peeblesshire. I know that this is the correct family as the children are the same – dobs and pobs. A bit of detective work has established that Elizabeth’s maiden name was STRUTHERS. I cannot find a death for Christina, which would have happened between 1851 and 1861, nor can I find a marriage between James and Elizabeth - which should have happened between these date as well. It does not help that Civil Registration in Scotland did not start until 1st January 1855. If anyone is able to find these two events, I would be most grateful!
Perhaps Elizabeth was previously married to a Mr Reid? If so, this marriage might fit: JOHNSTON, JAMES REID, ELIZABETH 1861 644/6 311 Blythswood
On Scotland's People, there is a burial of Christina Dickson in Carnwath on the 1/12/1852 aged 40 and there is the marriage of a James Johnstone to Eliza Struthers in 1858 also in Carnwath - do you have access? I do have some spare credits......
That has taken me back another generation as James' parents were noted on his marriage to Eliza(beth). This took place in 1858 and civil registration had not started until 1855. Thank you @AnnB !
I've just seen that there are quite a few people chasing the same line and have public trees on Ancestry, Jan
Yes, I have just found those as well. However, I do wish that this family had been a tad more inventive with the first names of the children in each generation...
