This is what I know about John Leishman (1856 - 1947). I'll work backwards, starting with his mother's death registration which is where the mystery begins.
1909: Marjory McEwan widow of William McEwan dies aged 83 at the family home in Jamestown, Dunbartonshire.
Parents: Robert Douglas (dec.), Marjory Douglas (maiden name Inglis) (dec.)
Informant: John Leishman (son)
John Leishman married at the same address in 1890 and he's there in 1891 and 1901.
In 1881, John Leishman (25) and his mother Marjory McEwen (54) (born Galston Ayrshire) are at St. Ninians, Stirling (Ancestry transcription)
In 1871, William McEwen (35), Marjorie McEwen (44) and John Leishman (15), Son (Step- inserted) are at St. Ninians, Stirling (ScotlandsPeople image).
In 1868 William McEwen (45, widower) married Marjorie Douglas (40, spinster) at St Ninians, Stirling. Marjory's parents (both deceased) are the same as on her death certificate. Both made their mark.
In 1861, Marjory Douglas (Head, unmarried, aged 34) is at St Ninians with her sister Elizabeeth (24) and her son John Leishman aged 5. (SP image)
In 1851, Marjorie Douglas (Head aged 24) is with her sisters Jean, Janet and Elizabeth (Ancestry transcription).
And in 1841 she is with her parents and siblings, still in the same location (SP image).
Looking for John Leishman's birth around 1856, there are no births between 1855 and 1860 with the correct mother. The correct birth in 1856 is for James Inglis Douglas, illegitimate son of Marjory Douglas (who made her mark).
No father is named.
So somehow, James Inglis Douglas became John Leishman.
Not a pressing problem for me, but if anyone can find a likely father I'd be very grateful.
1909: Marjory McEwan widow of William McEwan dies aged 83 at the family home in Jamestown, Dunbartonshire.
Parents: Robert Douglas (dec.), Marjory Douglas (maiden name Inglis) (dec.)
Informant: John Leishman (son)
John Leishman married at the same address in 1890 and he's there in 1891 and 1901.
In 1881, John Leishman (25) and his mother Marjory McEwen (54) (born Galston Ayrshire) are at St. Ninians, Stirling (Ancestry transcription)
In 1871, William McEwen (35), Marjorie McEwen (44) and John Leishman (15), Son (Step- inserted) are at St. Ninians, Stirling (ScotlandsPeople image).
In 1868 William McEwen (45, widower) married Marjorie Douglas (40, spinster) at St Ninians, Stirling. Marjory's parents (both deceased) are the same as on her death certificate. Both made their mark.
In 1861, Marjory Douglas (Head, unmarried, aged 34) is at St Ninians with her sister Elizabeeth (24) and her son John Leishman aged 5. (SP image)
In 1851, Marjorie Douglas (Head aged 24) is with her sisters Jean, Janet and Elizabeth (Ancestry transcription).
And in 1841 she is with her parents and siblings, still in the same location (SP image).
Looking for John Leishman's birth around 1856, there are no births between 1855 and 1860 with the correct mother. The correct birth in 1856 is for James Inglis Douglas, illegitimate son of Marjory Douglas (who made her mark).
No father is named.
So somehow, James Inglis Douglas became John Leishman.
Not a pressing problem for me, but if anyone can find a likely father I'd be very grateful.
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