Lorna's family forest

John Smith^1,2

(25 March 1819 - 30 October 1875)

Father

Alexander Smith^2,3,5,4,6 (cir. Jun 1799 - Jul 1877)

Mother

Helen Manson^1,2,3,4 (cir. Aug 1791 - Sep 1859)

Relationship

1st cousin 4 times removed of Lorna Henderson

BMDB data

John Smith was christened on 25 Mar 1819 Par. of Watten, CAI, SCT

; OPR entry reads: Alexander Smith in Achentoft had a son begotten in fornication betwixt him and Helen Manson in Cogill baptized named John before witnesses James Manson and Donald Manson both in Coggill" (witnesses assumed to be Helen's father and brother.)^2,3
John Smith died on 30 Oct 1875 Catchery, Par. of Watten, CAI, SCT, at age 56; cert reads: John Smith, farmer, single, illegitimate, son of Alexander Smith, retired farmer and reputed father, and Helen Manson, farm tenant dec, died 30 Oct 1875 at Catchery, Watten aged 57, of bronchitis, 2 mths, inf Alexander Mackay, neighbour, of Catchery Watten.^1,4

Census/Where lived/Occupations

John Smith appeared on the census of 7 Jun 1841 Watten, Par. of Watten, CAI, SCT

, in the household of David Manson.⁷
     John appeared on the census of 30 Mar 1851 Catchery, Par. of Watten, CAI, SCT, enumerated as John Smith, 31 head, labourer b Watten; Mother Helen Manson, 59 pauper b Watten; Visitor Christian Manson (actually aunt), 50 b Watten; John Henderson, 5 cousin b Canisbay.^8,9
     John Smith appeared on the census of 1861 Catchery, Par. of Watten, CAI, enumerated as SMITH: John 42 farmer 10 ac b Watten; Aunt Christian Manson, 67 dom servant b Watten; Nephew John Henderson 14 scholar b Canisbay (I make the relationship cousins, both 1st and 2nd.)¹⁰
     John Smith appeared on the census of 1871 Catchery, Par. of Watten, CAI, enumerated as John Smith, head, unm, 53 farmer 10 ac arable, b Watten; "sister" (sic, actually aunt) Christian Manson unm, 77 annuitant b Watten; Visitor: James Christian, mar, 52 beggar b Wick.¹¹

All the other info

     John Smith and Mary Smith were possibly related, as there is a Catchery connection, and a possible Johnston one which may account for the confusion over his grandmother's maiden name. She may also be the informant for John's aunt's death (Christian Manson.¹²)
     John Smith was the informant for the death of his mother Helen Manson on 14 Sep 1859 Catchery, Par. of Watten, CAI, SCT.¹
     John Smith was the informant for the death of his cousin John Henderson on 3 Aug 1862 Watten Loch, CAI, SCT.^13,14

Charts

GEORGESON
MANSON

Last Edited

27 Apr 2007

Citations

GRO, SCT, BDM searches at GRO SCT: Death 1859 Helen MANSON, trans ?Stuart 2002?
Online search: assorted surnames, International Genealogical Index (IGI), SMITH Batch C110422 Feb 2002.
Birth baptism marriage: Watten, CAI Dist 43/2, Bap 1819 John SMITH/MANSON, extracted Oct 1994.
GRO, SCT, BDM searches at GRO SCT: Dth 1875 John SMITH, transcr. Robert McC, rcvd Jul 2004.
Kristine DUNDAS (37807), "EM GEORGESON/SMITH ex Kristine D," e-mail to Lorna Henderson, Kirk Sessions illegitimacy of Alexander & Helen's son John SMITH 1819, p/copy rcvd May 2004.
1851 Census (images for ENG, transcriptions for SCT), UK, via Ancestry.com, Wick, CAI Par. 43 ED 3A Pg 11 Sched 40, hsehold of Alexander & Catherine SMITH, extracted Dec 2006.
1841 Census, CAI, SCT, Watten Dist 1 P14 House #74 (Mellor index), rcvd Sep 1994.
CENSUS: CAI, SCT 1851 HFHS Index Watten & Thurso, Volume 22 Enum Dist 1 p12 extracted Sep 2003.
1851 Census (images for ENG, transcriptions for SCT), UK, via Ancestry.com, Watten, CAI Par. 42 ED 1 Pg 12 Sched 36, hsehold of John SMITH, extracted Jan 2007.
1861 Census (images for ENG, transcriptions for SCT), UK, via Ancestry.com, Watten, CAI Par. 42 ED 4 Pg 8 Sched 38, hsehold of John SMITH, extracted Jan 2007.
Scottish BMDB entries (from 1855), http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/index.php, 1871 Census Catchery, Watten, CAI Dist 42 ED 2 Pg 12 Sched 46, hsehold of John SMITH, copy d/loaded Jan 2007.
Scottish BMDB entries (from 1855), http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/index.php, Dth 1881 Christina MANSON, reg. Watten Dist 42 #4, copy d/loaded Jan 2007.
1861 Census transcripts, Scotland, via Ancestry.com, Watten, CAI Par. 42 ED 4 Pg 8 Sched 38, hsehold of John SMITH, extracted Jan 2007.
Scottish BMDB entries (from 1855), http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/index.php, Dth 1862 John HENDERSON, reg. Watten Dist 042 #16, copy d/loaded Jan 2007.

E. & O. E. Some/most parish records are rather hard to read and names, places hard to interpret, particularly if you are unfamiliar with an area.

BMD data on all rellies

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