James Gilchrist

James Gilchrist, my husband’s 4th great-grandfather, remains another mystery for me. Despite my efforts, I have been unable to find records documenting his birth or parents. However, I did find records related to his marriage and the births of their five children. 

James married Jean Russell (parents unknown) on January 18, 1801, in the town of Falkirk, situated within the county of Stirlingshire, Scotland. Falkirk lies approximately 23.5 miles northwest of Edinburgh and 20.5 miles northeast of Glasgow.

James and Jean welcomed five children into their family: Margaret Gilchrist, Elisabeth Gilchrist, Jean Gilchrist, Ann Gilchrist, and Helen Gilchrist.

Margaret was born on September 16, 1801, in Falkirk. Her birth occurred approximately nine months after her parents’ marriage, suggesting that Jean likely became pregnant soon after their wedding. The parish records officially document her birth on September 20, 1801. Witnesses listed on the birth registry include William Durham and Daniel Miller. It is through this lineage that my husband traces his roots.

Elisabeth was born on December 22, 1802 in the town of Falkirk. Witnesses listed on the birth registry again include William Durham and Daniel Miller.

Between late 1802 and early January 1805, the Gilchrist family relocated to Airdrie, New Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland, which was approximately 17 miles away. During this period, James and Jean welcomed their third child, Jean, who was born on January 11, 1805. Her baptism took place on January 20, 1805. James pursued work as a weaver.

The Gilchrist family remained in Airdrie when Ann was born on April 1, 1807. Her baptism followed on April 12, 1807, and James continued his weaving profession.

After Ann’s birth in 1807, the Gilchrist family relocated approximately 27 miles to Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland. It was in Kilmarnock that their fifth child, Helen, was born on April 12, 1809. Despite the move, James continued his work as a weaver. As a point of interest, Kilmarnock is the birthplace of Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky.

The paper trail for James ends here, leaving the rest of his life shrouded in mystery. Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate any records of him, or Jean, in the 1841 census, which was the first one recorded for Scotland. This suggests that he likely passed away before that year.

References

• Ann Gilchrist, Old Parish Registers Births 651/Airdrie or New Monkland, National Records of Scotland, 1807.
• Elisabeth Gilchrist, Old Parish Registers Births 479/Falkirk, National Records of Scotland, 1802.
• Helen Gilchrist, Old Parish Registers Births 597/Kilmarnock, National Records of Scotland, 1809.
• Jean Gilchrist, Old Parish Registers Births 651/Airdrie or New Monkland, National Records of Scotland, 1805.
• Jean Russell, Old Parish Registers Marriages 479/Falkirk, National Records of Scotland, 1801.
• Margaret Gilchrist, Old Parish Registers Births 479/Falkirk, National Records of Scotland, 1801.

Margaret Gilchrist

Margaret Gilchrist, daughter of James Gilchrist and Jean (or Jane) Russell was born September 20, 1801 in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland. There were at least five children in this family—Margaret Gilchrist, Elisabeth Gilchrist, Jean Gilchrist, Ann Gilchrist, and Helen Gilchrist. 

Margaret is my husband’s 3rd great grandmother with their nearest common relative being his 2nd great grandmother, Jane Wylie. 

Margaret’s birth record

Margaret’s parents celebrated their first wedding anniversary on January 18, 1802, so she was most likely conceived right after the marriage. The Gilchrist family still lived in Falkirk when Elisabeth was born on December 22, 1802. By the time Margaret’s sister Jean was born on January 11, 1805, the family had moved to Airdrie, New Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland and were still living there when Ann was born on April 12, 1807. They had moved once again to Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland by the time Helen was born on April 12, 1809. I am not able to confirm, but it appears the family stayed in Kilmarnock for the next 17 years.

The next chapter of Margaret’s life began in Kilmarnock on October 13, 1826 when she married James Wylie, son of Moses Wylie and Janet Armour, after proclamation.

Margaret and James' marriage record

Six children were born to this union—James Wylie (1829), Jane Wylie (1831), Moses Wylie (1833), Hugh Wylie (1837), William Wylie (1839), and John Wylie (1840).

In 1841, the Wylie family lived on Back Sneddon Street in the parish of Paisley Middle Church, county Renfrewshire, Scotland. James, who was listed on the census page before the rest of the family, worked as a cabinet maker. Their youngest son, John, was six months old.

1841 Scotland census

In 1851, Margaret, James, and sons Hugh and William lived at 2 Garthland Lane in the civil parish of Paisley Abbey Church, county Renfrewshire, Scotland. James worked as a cabinet maker and Hugh (age 16) worked as a weavers assistant.

1851 Scotland census

In 1861, Margaret, James, and William lived at 51 Muirhead Street in the Hutchesontown district, parish of Gorbals, Glasgow, Scotland. Both James and William worked as cabinet makers.

1861 Scotland census

In 1871, Margaret and James still lived in the Muirhead Street house. Both were enumerated as 60 years old. James still worked as a cabinet maker. Two rooms in the house had one or more windows.

1871 Scotland census

Margaret became a widow on March 24, 1873 when her husband James died of Bright’s disease/dropsy at age 70. He was buried at Eastern Necropolis Cemetery in Glasgow two days later.

In 1881, at age 79, Margaret lived with her son Hugh and his family at 59 Raeberry Street in the civil parish of Barony, Glasgow, Scotland. Hugh worked as a painter (journeyman). His step-son, Robert Peters, worked as a draper, someone who sold cloth to be used for clothing. A 23-year-old female named Annie Aird lived in the home as a lodger.

1881 Scotland census

Margaret died of cerebral disease/general debility on September 13, 1885 at the City Poorhouse in the district of St. Rollox, Glasgow, Scotland. The death register listed her age as 73, but if you do the math, that was wrong. She was also listed as the pauper widow of James Wylie, cabinet maker/journeyman.

Margaret's death record

Margaret was buried on September 15 at Eastern Necropolis Cemetery in Glasgow. The burial register listed her as the mother of James Wylie.

Eastern Necropolis Cemetery burial register, Glasgow, Scotland (1 of 2)

Eastern Necropolis Cemetery burial register, Glasgow, Scotland (2 of 2)

References

• Draper, Dictionary of Old Occupations, Family Research; https://www.familyresearcher.co.uk/glossary/Dictionary-of-Old-Occupations-jobs-beginning-D3.html#Draper. 
• Hugh Wilie, Census 573/32/19, National Records of Scotland, 1841.
• James Wilie, Census 573/32/17, National Records of Scotland, 1841.
• James Wylie, Census 644/10 82/16, National Records of Scotland, 1861.
• James Wylie, Census 644/10 82/16, page 16 of 21, National Records of Scotland, 1861.
• Jas. Wylie, Eastern Necropolis Cemetery, Glasgow, Scotland, Daily interment books, 1861–January 1874, p. 824, www.familysearch.org.
• Margaret Gilchrist, Old Parish Registers Births 479/Falkirk, page 257 of 686, National Records of Scotland, 1801.
• Margaret Gilchrist, Old Parish Registers Marriages 597/Kilmarnock, page 141 of 243, National Records of Scotland, 1826.
• Margaret Wylie, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/6 1101, National Records of Scotland, 1885.
• Margaret Wyllie, Census 644/10 97/24, National Records of Scotland, 1871.
• Margt. Wylie, Eastern Necropolis Cemetery, Glasgow, Scotland, Daily interment books, July 1878–December 1885, p. 922, www.familysearch.org.
• Robert Peters, Census 644/9 66/9, National Records of Scotland, 1881.
• Willm. Wylie, Census 559/11/1, National Records of Scotland, 1851.