Mirren/Marion McCallum - Genealogists' Forum

Shona · #1 11-04-13, 15:03

Mirren/Marrion McCallum was born in the parish of Killean, Argyll, Scotland.

Her son, John McLean, married Catherine Carnegie in 1855. The record states that John McLean's parents were John McLean, coachman, and Mirren McLean, maiden name McCallum, Neither are recorded as deceased. Another entry on the same page records whether people are deceased.

John McLean died in 1873. The record names his parents as John McLean, country workman (deceased) and Marion McLean nee McCallum (deceased).

This implies that they died between 1855 and 1873, but I can't find them in the records. This makes me wonder if the marriage record is correct.

Marion appears on the 1841 census living with her daughter-in-law, Isabella McLean (nee McIntyre - John McLean's first wife) and grandchildren. John was in prison.

Bolgam Street, Campbeltown

Isabella MacLean, 30
Neil MacLean, 13
Janet MacLean, 12
John MacLean, 8
Alexander MacLean, 6
Malcolm MacLean, 4
Mirren McLean, 65
David Loynachan, 6 months

I think this is her in 1851. Living with her grandson Neil and his family.

Bolgam Street, Campbeltown

Neil McLean, head, 23, fisherman, born Killean parish
Elizabeth Morrison, wife, 25, born Kilchenzie parish
Isabella McLean, daughter, 3, born Campbeltown
Neil McLean, son, 2, born Campbeltown
Marrion McCallum, visitor, unmarried, 85, fit for nothing, born Killean

However, the 20-year age difference from 1841 to 1851 worries me. If it's her, why not state she is Neil's grandmother? And why is she unmarried?

Can anyone help me when and where Mirren/Marion died, please.

kiterunner · #2 11-04-13, 15:23

There's a Mary McCallum baptised at Killean and Kilchenzie, Argyll, 23 Jun 1768, father Niel McCallum (on FamilySearch.) She would be about 72-3 at the time of the 1841 census and 82 at the time of the 1851, and since 65 on the 1841 means 65-69, not too far out on either one.

I've seen lots of census entries that don't give the relationship even though there is one, but say "visitor" instead. I think it's because they put visitor to show the person didn't actually live there and then they couldn't also put the relationship in. Unmarried could be a mistake or maybe they weren't legally married?

Olde Crone · #3 11-04-13, 15:30

I have several instances of Scottish censuses not showing the relationship of visitors or boarders. In one such case, a grandmother described her two orphaned grandchildren as "boarders" and because there had been several surname changes through the years by marriage, it took me ages to work out the relationship.

Incidentally, poor soul - fit for nothing! I know how she felt.

OC

kiterunner · #4 11-04-13, 15:48

Not had any luck looking for her death yet.

Shona · #5 11-04-13, 15:50

I had her parents as Gilbert McCallum and Cathrine McFatter - but I can't now find out where I got this info! Grrrr. There is a Jealy McCallum born on 24 January 1787 in Killean and Kilchenzie parish to Gilbert and Catherine.

Shona · #6 11-04-13, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiterunner

Not had any luck looking for her death yet.

*furrows brow*

There is a death of a Mary McCallum, travelling merchant, single, 5 September 1857, 86 years old. Residence: Wide Close, Campbeltown. Father is named as Hugh McCallum, smith, deceased. Mother is listed as .............. McCallum............maiden name. She was buried in Kilkerran Cemetery. The informant was James McCallum, relative.

Some of this fits. At the 1832 trial of my great-great grandfather, John McLean, his first wife Isabella McIntyre, stated that her mother-in-law 'dealt in tea and sugar, tobacco and snuff which she hawks around the country'.

But if she popped her travelling clogs in 1857, who is the 'fit for nothing' Marion McCallum on the 1861 census? Wouldn't put it past them keeping her 'alive' to squeeze more out of the parish.

If this family were around today, they'd be featured on '16 kids and counting'. John McLean was in and out of prison for various offences and had 17 children (identified - there could easily be more).

Even when I was young, my great-grandmother's people were referred to as 'a thoroughly bad lot - in with the Irish and the tinkers' (apols for un-pc language from the upright kirk-going branch of the family).