I am hoping someone may be able to help me, I am looking for the Scottish roots of my GG/grandmother who married John Roberts in Australia in 1864. The only information I have of her origins are the following details from her marriage certificate.

Age: 21
Birth Place: Grivan, Ayrshire Scotland
Parents: John Clarke and Ellen Borlen(?)

A witness on the certificate was a Margaret Clarke who could have been her sister. To date I haven't found any record of Mary Clarke or her family coming to Australia and so far IGI records haven't revealed anything of the family. Any help with this would greatly appreciated. Many thanks and good luck to other family researchers. Sue in Australia

Hi Susanne,

I think I found your family in the 1851 census for Girvan, perhaps someone could check to see if they are in the 1861 index?

GIRVAN 1851 CENSUS ED: 12-26

JOHN CLARK 35Y
HELEN 36Y
JANE 11Y
JANET 9Y
MARY 7Y
MARGARET 3Y
HELEN 10M

The first thing you should do is obtain the data from the actual census record, you can order the film from your LDS FHC, ask the local historian librarian or hire a researcher.

The census record should name the birth locations for all the family, your next step would be to check the Ayrshire OPR Birth Index.

Ayrshire How To Guide
http://www.rootsweb.com/~sctayr/howto.html

Ayrshire GenWebPage
http://www.rootsweb.com/~sctayr/index.html

Ayrshire Page
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~ayrshire/

Ayrshire-Roots & Chat Room, Penpal Page, Herald Intimations, Poor Relief Surname Indexes
http://www.ayrshire-roots.com/

Search the Ayrshire Mailing List Archives
http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl?list=AYRS...

Read the Ayrshire List Archives
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/AYRSHIRE

tata

Alex

I can't find any of the family on the 1861 Census, possibly missed them but have found a marriage of John Clarke and
Helen Borland in Girvan 1854. Two entries, one transcribed from the original record and the other a patron LDS submission. Two dates given June 4, 1854 LDS
June 14 1854 submission 7315813 which lists 50 Clarke's marriage or births in Girvan.
Worthwhile to look through those entries for clues.

So whether the 1854 marriage is just prior to leaving Scotland, or may be a miscopy. The possibilities are many, even that John was married previously.

Good luck with your search Sue,
Linda..

Hi there,

Looks like they had left Ayrshire before the 1861 Census.

Duncan