Find Ancestors

I’m helping a work friend of mine. Her relative is Robert Watt born 1831 in Dunlop he married a Mary Halbert on 2 of their children’s birth records it states married 24/4/1870 in Beith
we cannot find a marriage so possibly made up.
I can’t find Roberts death his wife Mary died in 1900 in Stevenson it states wife of Robert Watt so he was still alive then. Robert was born 1831 his parents were Alexander Watt born 1799 and Marion Stevenson I have them on all the census up until they died. Alexander Watts parents on his death record are John Watt a mason and Janet Watt nee Wylie. I have found several John Watts marriages but all are to a Margaret Wylie.

Any help greatly appreciated
Thank you in advance

For an idea of where -

Beith is a small town situated in the Garnock Valley, North Ayrshire, Scotland approximately 20 miles (30 kilometres) south-west of Glasgow.


Dunlop is a village and parish in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It lies on the A735, north-east of Stewarton, seven miles from Kilmarnock.

---------------------------------------------
Is this them in 1871? Mary a bit old to be having children

1871 England, Wales & Scotland Census

Main Street, Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotland

Members that resided in the household at the time of the census.
First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
Robert Watt Head Married Male 42 1829 Grocer Dunlop, Ayrshire, Scotland
Mary Watt Wife Married Female 44 1827 - Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotland

Would she be having children in her 40,s ?

Could she have been married before

If correct family 1871

No children by 1881 - not surprising looking at the age, even in 1871 !

1881 England, Wales & Scotland Census

Main Street, Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotland

First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
Robert Watt Head Married Male 52 1829 Grocer (Master Employing 2 Boys Dunlop, Ayrshire, Scotland
Mary Watt Wife Married Female 54 1827 - Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotland

Is this them shows her born 1850

1891 census
Mary Watt
Age: 41
Estimated birth year: abt 1850
Relationship: Wife
Spouse's name : Robert Watt
Gender: Female
Where born: Girvan, Ayrshire
Registration Number: 615
Registration district: Stevenston
Civil Parish: Stevenston
Town: Stevenston
County: Ayrshire
Address: Townhead St
ED: 2
Household schedule number: 152
Line: 18
Roll: CSSCT1891_216
Household Members:
Name Age
Robert Watt 60
Mary Watt 41
Janet Watt 17
Mary Watt 15
Sarah Watt 14
Thomas Watt 8
George Watt 6
John Watt 4
David Watt 11months

1881 census
Mary Watt
Age: 33
Estimated birth year: abt 1848
Relationship: Wife
Spouse's name : Robert Watt
Gender: Female
Where born: Girvan, Ayrshire
Registration Number: 615
Registration district: Stevenston
Civil Parish: Stevenston
Town: Stevenston
County: Ayrshire
Address: 61 Ardeer Square
ED: 5
Household schedule number: 108
Line: 17
Roll: cssct1881_197
Household Members:
Name Age
Robert Watt 50
Mary Watt 33
Janet Watt 7
Mary Watt 5
Sarah Watt 4
Elizabeth Watt 6 Mos

Doesn’t look like they actually married


Janet Watt
Gender: Female
Birth Date: 21 Nov 1873
Birth Place: Ardrossan,Ayr,Scotland
Father: Robert Watt
Mother: Mary Halbert
FHL Film Number: 6035516

The marriage you mention of Alexander and Marion Stevenson, showing both in Neilston and Dunlop

Surname Forename Spouse Name Date Parish Number Ref Parish Image View
WATT ALEXANDER MARION STEVENSON/FR1208 1495 (FR1208)
03/03/1829 572/ 50 76 Neilston

WATT ALEXANDER MARION STEVENSON/FR603 (FR603)
03/03/1829 591/ 30 180 Dunlop

Mary with her parents

1861 census

Mary Halbert
Age: 12
Estimated birth year: abt 1849
Relationship: Daughter
Father's name: George Halbert
Mother's name: Janet Halbert
Gender: Female
Where born: Girvan, Ayrshire
Registration Number: 620
Registration district: West Kilbride
Civil Parish: West Kilbride
County: Ayrshire
Address: Nethermill
Occupation: Field Worker
ED: 3
Household schedule number: 54
Line: 14
Roll: CSSCT1861_90
Household Members:
Name Age
George Halbert 39
Janet Halbert 41
Mary Halbert 12
John Halbert 10
George Halbert 8
Janett Halbert 5
David Halbert 3
Sarah Halbert 6

Thank you soo very much for that
I have Robert with his parents Alexander and Marion and know who Alexander and Marions children are. My main problem is trying to find the wedding for Robert Watt and Mary Halbert if it did happen it states on their sons birth record that they married 24/04/1870 in Beith but can’t find it. The next thing I’m trying to find is Alexander’s parents John Watt and Janet or Margaret Wylie who are Alexander’s parents.

Thank you once again

the 1881 posted by Shirley, but this from FMP - shows Robert born in England as does the 1891

1881 England, Wales & Scotland Census

Ardeer Square, 61, Stevenston, Ayrshire, Scotland

First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
Robert Watt Head Married Male 50 1831 Laborer At Iron Work England
Mary Watt Wife Married Female 33 1848 - Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland
Janet Watt Daughter - Female 7 1874 Scholar Ardrossan, Ayrshire, Scotland
Mary Watt Daughter - Female 5 1876 - Saltcoats, Ayrshire, Scotland
Sarah Watt Daughter - Female 4 1877 - Saltcoats, Ayrshire, Scotland
Elizabeth Watt Daughter - Female 0 1881 - Stevenston, Ayrshire, Scotland

Robert in 1901 - still in Stevenson and Still says born England

1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census

Townhead Street, Stevenston, Ayrshire, Scotland

First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
William Barr Head Married Male 36 1865 Genl Labr Dalry, Ayrshire, Scotland
Mary Barr Wife Married Female 36 1865 - Ireland
Margaret Jane Barr Daughter - Female 10 1891 Scholar Stirlingshire, Scotland
Violet Barr Daughter - Female 8 1893 Scholar Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
Andrew Barr Son - Male 6 1895 - Lanarkshire, Scotland
Mary Barr Daughter - Female 4 1897 - Stevenston, Ayrshire, Scotland
William Barr Son - Male 3 1898 - Stevenston, Ayrshire, Scotland
Daniel Barr Son - Male 0 1901 - Stevenston, Ayrshire, Scotland
Robert Watt Boarder Widower Male 70 1831 Genl Labr England
Charles Gallaher Boarder Married Male 61 1840 Stone Breaker Ireland
Alfred Lane Boarder Single Male 22 1879 Genl Labr England
William Hetherington Boarder Married Male 58 1843 Boot & Shoemaker Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland
John Fairweather Boarder Widower Male 56 1845 Genl Labourer Arbroath, Forfarshire (Angus), Scotland

I know you have this, Lindsey - but posting for helpers' reference (well, for mine, at least!):

Robert Watt
in the 1851 Scotland Census
Name: Robert Watt
Age: 19
Estimated birth year: abt 1832
Relationship: Son
Father: Alexr Watt
Mother: Marion Stevenson
Gender: Male
Where born: Dunlop, Ayrshire
Parish Number: 599
Civil Parish: Kilwinning
Phillimore Ecclesiastical Parish Maps:
View related Ecclesiastical Parish
Town: Kilwinning
County: Ayrshire
Address: Corsehill
Occupation: Joiner
ED: 13
Page: 10
Household schedule number: 37
Line: 18
Roll: CSSCT1851_134
Household Members:
Name Age
Alexr Watt 52 - Dunlop
Marion Stevenson 47
John Watt 27
Robert Watt 19
James Watt 9
Dard Watt 7


Alexander Watt
in the 1861 Scotland Census
Name: Alexander Watt
Age: 62
Estimated birth year: abt 1799
Relationship: Head
Spouse's name : Marion Watt
Gender: Male
Where born: Dunlop, Ayrshire
Registration Number: 599
Registration district: Kilwinning
Civil Parish: Kilwinning
Town: Kilwinning
County: Ayrshire
Address: Pathfoot
Occupation: Wright & Kitchen Gardener
ED: 15
Household schedule number: 126
Line: 2
Roll: CSSCT1861_87
Household Members:
Name Age
Alexander Watt 62
Marion Watt 56
James Watt 19
David Watt 17
Elizabeth Hood 13


Birth:

WATT
ALEXANDER
JOHN WATT/MARGARET WYLLIE FR207 (FR207)
M
10/03/1799
591/
10 383
Dunlop


Where do you get the name Janet, Lindsey?
Does it say that on Alexander's birth or marriage cert?

(EDIT: 16 Nov. - ah, I see now that your OP explains that.)





WATT
JOHN
MARGARET WYLLIE/FR455 (FR455)
06/03/1790
591/
20 182
Dunlop

Births which may or may not be siblings of alexander:

WATT
JOHN
JOHN WATT/MARGARET WYLIE FR192 (FR192)
M
28/01/1791
591/
10 353
Dunlop




WATT
WILLIAM
JOHN OR WILLIAM WATT MARGARET WYLIE FR203 (FR203)
M
28/01/1798
591/
10 376
Dunlop


WATT
AGNES
JOHN WATT/MARGARET WYLIE FR221 (FR221)
F
13/04/1806
591/
10 412
Dunlop


WATT
JANET
JOHN WATT/MARGARET WYLIE FR192 (FR192)
F
28/01/1791
591/
10 353
Dunlop


WATT
JOHN
JOHN WATT/MARGARET WYLLIE FR200 (FR200)
M
17/01/1796
591/
10 369
Dunlop


WATT
JAMES
JOHN WATT/MARGARET WYLLIE FR213 (FR213)
M
30/11/1801
591/
10 395
Dunlop

could jane be a 'nickname'

Name: Alexander Watt
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 7 Mar 1799
Baptism Date: 10 Mar 1799
Baptism Place: , Dunlop, Ayr, Scotland
Father: John Watt
Mother: Margaret Wyllie
FHL Film Number: 1041341
Reference ID: 2:16CW29H

Name: Agnes Watt
Gender: Female
Baptism Date: 13 Apr 1806
Baptism Place: , Dunlop, Ayr, Scotland
Father: John Watt
Mother: Margaret Wylie
FHL Film Number: 1041341

Margaret
Last name Wyllie
Marriage year 1790
Marriage date 06 Mar 1790
Marriage place Dunlop,Ayr,Scotland
Spouse's first name(s) John
Spouse's last name Watt
Place Dunlop
County Ayrshire

Have you looked at John & Margaret's marriage record?
I suppose it's too much to hope that it gives any fathers' names??

There are several John Watts born in Dunlop in feasible years.
Also several Margaret Wyl*ies.

Agnes
Last name Watt
Marriage year 1826
Marriage date 16 Feb 1826
Marriage place Dunlop,Ayr,Scotland
Spouse's first name(s) Alexander
Spouse's last name Watt
Place Dunlop
County Ayrshire
Country Scotland

1841
Mid Grange, Dunlop, Ayrshire, Scotlan
Alexander Watt Male 50 1791 Scotland
Agnes Watt Female 30 1811 Ayrshire, Scotland
Robert Watt Male 12 1829 Ayrshire, Scotland
John Watt Male 10 1831 Ayrshire, Scotland
Margaret Watt Female 8 1833 Ayrshire, Scotland
James Watt Male 6 1835 Ayrshire, Scotland
Agnes Dunlop Watt Female 4 1837 Empl At Home Stewarton, Ayrshire, Scotland
William Laughlan Servant Unmarried Male 16 1835 Farm Labourer Stewarton, Ayrshire, Scotland

The 2 Robert Watt births / baptisms from OPR's.

But if the 1881/91/01 in Stevenston are the correct census then that Robert is shown as born England !!

Surname Forename Parents/ Other Details Gender Date Parish Number Ref Parish Image View
WATT
ROBERT ALEXANDER WATT/AGNES WATT FR526 (FR526)
M 25/06/1828 591/30 37 Dunlop

------------------
WATT ROBERT ALEXANDER WATT/MARION STEVENSON FR532 (FR532)
M 24/07/1831 591/30 50 Dunlop

Just asking...................

If you don't have Robert's marriage cert, how did you find out - with absolute certainty - the names of his parents?

daughter mary married william stain
posted the census as it says father born in england
1930
Name: Mary Stain
[Mary Strain]
[Mary Stair]
Birth Year: abt 1876
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: Scotland
Marital status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Homemaker?: Yes
Home in 1930: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Map of Home: View Map
Street address: Marton Street
Ward of City: 23 Pt of Tract 23 G
Block: 79
House Number: 5220
Dwelling Number: 208
Family Number: 218
Age at first Marriage: 22
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's Birthplace: England -----------
Mother's Birthplace: Scotland
Language Spoken: English
Immigration Year: 1927
Naturalization: Alien
Able to Speak English: Yes
Household Members:
Name Age
William Stain 52
Mary Stain 54
David Stain 22
James Stain 19
John Stain 14
William Finnie 26
Helen Finnie 29
Neighbors:

1901
Name: Mary Strain
Age: 25
Estimated birth year: abt 1876
Relationship: Wife
Spouse's name : William Strain
Gender: Female
Where born: Kilmarnock, Ayrshire
Registration Number: 599
Registration district: Kilwinning
Civil Parish: Kilwinning
Town: Kilwinning
County: Ayrshire
Address: 5 Almsidall Rd
ED: 10
Household schedule number: 80
Line: 17
Roll: CSSCT1901_230
Household Members:
Name Age
William Strain 24
Mary Strain 25
Robert Strain 3 mmn - watt
Mary Strain 4
Ellen Strain 6 Mo

Name: William J Strain
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 64
Birth Date: 18 Dec 1901
Birth Place: Scotland
Death Date: 10 Dec 1965
Death Place: Chester, Pennsylvania, USA
Father: William Strain
Mother: Mary Watt
Spouse: Jeanny Strain
Certificate Number: 117503-65
Search for William J Strain in Pennsylvania Wills & Probates collection

Thank you everyone for your help, I need to go and check things off and then sort a reply,????