A Real Head Scratcher …
My well-researched & documented family tree includes my 3x great-grandparents, Duncan Campbell (1797-1841) & Catherine Campbell (1814-1843). I have multiple written records handed down to me as well as documents obtained from on-line research. These include:
I was never able to find an official marriage cert for these two. Nor have I found death certs for either, although I have a Find-A-Grave record for Duncan providing a DoD that is in agreement with the info I have from the family records.
Now for the mysterious part: I have recently discovered a parish record on ScotlandsPeople recording the marriage on 24 May 1831 of Duncan McKellar & Cathrine Campbell at Dalavich by W. McKellar. There were no other marriages on the Register of Marriages Dalavich in May of that year.
I’ve been struggling to find an explanation. The only one I’ve been able to come up with is that Duncan adopted Catherine’s surname after their marriage. Although this sounds highly unlikely, I think I have heard of it before. I have no other ideas or explanations. I’m wondering if any of you have any suggestions.
All of these docs are on Ancestry should anyone wish to review them. No, no DNA in this instance.
My well-researched & documented family tree includes my 3x great-grandparents, Duncan Campbell (1797-1841) & Catherine Campbell (1814-1843). I have multiple written records handed down to me as well as documents obtained from on-line research. These include:
- Catherine was a Campbell before her marriage to Duncan according to family sources, including a letter from her son.
- Duncan’s mother was a McKellar, a common family in the area.
- The birth & death dates of both, including reference to their immigration from Argyll, Scotland to Keene, Otonabee, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada shortly after their marriage.
- A copy, dated, June 15, 1831, of the Banns of Marriage between Duncan Campbell & Catherine Campbell stating they were proclaimed on the 23rd day of May 1831 at Dalavich & were married on the 24th day of May 1831 at Dalavich by John McKellar (?), Minister.
- Two letters of reference dated June 15th & 18th, 1831. One is certifying Duncan Campbell to have lived the better part of his life in the Parish of Dalavich, & that he & his wife conducted themselves with propriety, signed by William Fraser, Minister of the United Parishes of Kilchrenan & Dalavich, and two other elders. The other stating the bearer Duncan Campbell & his wife Catherine of this place (Kil?????, Argyllshire, Scotland) to be a young couple of excellent character.
- Various birth, death, & marriage certs of their offspring indicating Duncan & Catherine to be their parents/my ancestors.
- Letters & other docs, including from their son Archi Campbell, confirming their dates of birth, death & marriage.
I was never able to find an official marriage cert for these two. Nor have I found death certs for either, although I have a Find-A-Grave record for Duncan providing a DoD that is in agreement with the info I have from the family records.
Now for the mysterious part: I have recently discovered a parish record on ScotlandsPeople recording the marriage on 24 May 1831 of Duncan McKellar & Cathrine Campbell at Dalavich by W. McKellar. There were no other marriages on the Register of Marriages Dalavich in May of that year.
I’ve been struggling to find an explanation. The only one I’ve been able to come up with is that Duncan adopted Catherine’s surname after their marriage. Although this sounds highly unlikely, I think I have heard of it before. I have no other ideas or explanations. I’m wondering if any of you have any suggestions.
All of these docs are on Ancestry should anyone wish to review them. No, no DNA in this instance.
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