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He was living at Montgreenan when he married. (I found it eventually). It may be that Margaret died and he remarried to Jane. Perhaps Janet is a child from the first marriage? She would be possibly the right age for her mother to have died in childbirth, which was quite common in those days. The dates given on the census aren't always strictly correct. You would probably need to look at Janet's birth certificate to chase it down further. It can be quite difficult to find living relatives as you have to actually purchase the copie sof documentation for later BMD - you cannot just download them on-line as with the older records and Kerrs are quite numerous even today.
1851 shows James as 5 months old. Living with parents Robert and Elizabeth and siblings Elizabeth 15 and John 11.
1861 shows James as 10. Living at Montgreenan East Gates, Kilwinning with parents Robert and Elizabeth and siblings Robert 19 (farm servant), William 17 (Farm Servant) and Mary 13.
1871 shows James as about 19, a joiner. Living at Bridgend, Stwarton with parents Robert and Elizabeth, No other siblings living at home.
1881 shows James as 29, a joiner living in Craighton, Stewarton with a wife Jane 32 and children Janet 9, James 6 Agnes 3 and William 2
1891 Shows James as 39, a joiner living at Langlands, Dalry with children
Agnes 13, Jane 9 and Robert 3
1901 shows James 50, a joiner living at Holmbyre Bridge Cottage, /Ardrossan with Robert 13 and Agnes 23
I can’t find a marriage for Jane 1871-1873 or a Margaret but they may not have married in Ayrshire and James Kerr is a very common name. I've had a similar problem with my Great great great Grandmother, Christian Kerr. Even with my GGG Grandfather's name I can't find marriage records - maybe they didn't bother with formalities!
Hi Mary
According to Ancestry.com there is a James Kerr born in Kilwinning in every census from 1951 to 1901. 1851 he's 5 months old and has the correct parents. 1861 has been transposed as Herr rather than Kerr but has a correction note. 1871 is transposed as Ken instead of Kerr but once again a correction note. 1881 - 1901 has a James Kerr of Kilwinning, same age but either with a wife Jane or no wife listed, just children. Hope this helps a bit.
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GenealogyWise is the social network for genealogists. This is the place to network with other researchers and make discoveries about your family history.
As you begin to explore and get to know GenealogyWise we would like to provide you with some suggestions on how to use GenealogyWise.
You can join or create surname, locality or topic Groups. You can find Groups under the Group link on the green toolbar on GenealogyWise
Join us in the Chat Room, for a quick question about research, a chat with fellow genealogists or attend one of our educational presentations. You can find the Chat Schedule under the Chat link on the green toolbar. To join us in the Chat Room click on the grey toolbar labeled GenealogyWise Chat at the bottom of GenealogyWise.
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Questions about using GenealogyWise? Feel free to ask questions in the group Member 2 Member Help at www.genealogywise.com/group/genealogywisememberhelp . You can also report problems or ask questions by clicking on the Report an Issue link at the bottom of GenealogyWise.
Once again Welcome to GenealogyWise, I hope you make some great discoveries.
Gena Philibert Ortega, Community Manager
GenealogyWise
1861 shows James as 10. Living at Montgreenan East Gates, Kilwinning with parents Robert and Elizabeth and siblings Robert 19 (farm servant), William 17 (Farm Servant) and Mary 13.
1871 shows James as about 19, a joiner. Living at Bridgend, Stwarton with parents Robert and Elizabeth, No other siblings living at home.
1881 shows James as 29, a joiner living in Craighton, Stewarton with a wife Jane 32 and children Janet 9, James 6 Agnes 3 and William 2
1891 Shows James as 39, a joiner living at Langlands, Dalry with children
Agnes 13, Jane 9 and Robert 3
1901 shows James 50, a joiner living at Holmbyre Bridge Cottage, /Ardrossan with Robert 13 and Agnes 23
I can’t find a marriage for Jane 1871-1873 or a Margaret but they may not have married in Ayrshire and James Kerr is a very common name. I've had a similar problem with my Great great great Grandmother, Christian Kerr. Even with my GGG Grandfather's name I can't find marriage records - maybe they didn't bother with formalities!
According to Ancestry.com there is a James Kerr born in Kilwinning in every census from 1951 to 1901. 1851 he's 5 months old and has the correct parents. 1861 has been transposed as Herr rather than Kerr but has a correction note. 1871 is transposed as Ken instead of Kerr but once again a correction note. 1881 - 1901 has a James Kerr of Kilwinning, same age but either with a wife Jane or no wife listed, just children. Hope this helps a bit.