Genealogy Chat

I am trying to find my paternal great grandfather. I ordered a copy of my grandfather's birth certificate and found his name (John McQueen) and birth place (Scotland). From the 1901 I estimate that he was born in 1856. There are at least 8 people of that name born in Scotland in that year - how would I know which was the right one. He was married to Mary Ellen Horan. She doesn't seem to exist anywhere at all - I've searched every data base I can find - census bdm in all countries - nothing !! Can't find a record of their marriage either. Anyone got any ideas ? - I'm truly stuck !!

You need a copy of one of the children's birth certificates to confirm who their mother was. That will show mother's maiden name. Good luck Irene

Lesley, when you say you have found John McQueen and his wife Mary on the 1901 census is this in England or Scotland? Also when & where was your grandfather born? If you say that John McQueen was born c1856 then the earliest he could have got married is around c1876. Just clarifying it for my own understanding I have had this problem with one of my Scottish ancestors so I know what its like. Jennifer

Where did you get Mary Ellen's name? And is she with John in 1901? Reg

The only John McQueen that I see on the 1901 census, born 1856, Scotland has a wife named Margaret. They're in Gateshead, Durham.

I've had a lengthy PM from Lesley........as a result, 1871............(Image looks more like Horan) Name: Edward Hogan Age: 8 Estimated birth year: abt 1863 Relation: Son Father's name: James Mother's name: Mary Gender: Male Where born: Middlesborough, Yorkshire, England Civil parish: Middlesborough County/Island: Durham Country: England Registration district: Stockton Sub-registration district: Yarm Civil Parish, Township or Place ED, institution, or vessel: 6 Neighbors: View others on page Household schedule number: 91 Household Members: Name Age Edward Hogan 8 James Hogan 55 b. Ireland John Hogan 4 Mary Hogan 50 b. Ireland Michael Hogan 10 b. Wales William Hogan 15 b. Wales William's birth reg'n I would imagine.... Name: William Horan Year of Registration: 1854 Quarter of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec District: Abergavenny County: Herefordshire, Monmouthshire Volume: 11a Page: 77 Reg

apologies everyone that I sent a personal reply to - I'm very new at all this sort of stuff ! Thanks Reg - deciphering Hogan from Horan was an inspired piece of detective work ! Just to answer some of the points above :- I got a copy of my grandfather's birth certificate 1900. His parents were James McQueen born in Scotland and Mary Ellen McQueen (nee Horan) On the 1901 census I think I can find James aged 1 living at 34 Heworth Ave, Jarrow. His mother is listed as Mary Ann McQueen but no John McQueen, however I think I've found him living with the Green family at number 24 !! Although James' mother is recorded as Mary Ann on the 1891 and 1901 census but Mary Ellen on the birth certificate, I definitely think they are one of the same. In 1891 a brother-in-law was listed as staying with them and his name was Edward Horan, Mary's maiden name. Could the fact that she didn't appear to be able to read and write be the reason a mistake went uncorrected? She made a cross on the birth certificate which would indicate this. I still cannot find any trace of either a Mary Ann or Mary Ellen Horan. According to both the 1891 and 1901 census she was born in Aberdare, Glamorganshire. Meanwhile, although I've found several John McQueens born in Scotland I've no idea from which part. The 2 of them seem to be very elusive !! Thanks so much to all of you who have been so friendly and helpful. I'll keep looking and hope for some inspiration !

Still drawing a blank !! I was quite excited when Reg found Edward 'Hogan' it makes perfect sense except - where is Mary Ellen she would have been about 13 when Edward was 8. Could she have been working somewhere, staying with relatives but why doesn't she appear on any census? I still can't find her - a major part of the puzzle. She just doesn't seem to exist anywhere.