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Archiver > SCT-EDINBURGH > 2002-08 > 1028390205


From: Greenwood <>
Subject: Re: [EDB] JESSIE DOWNIE / JOHN MCGROUTHER
Date: Sat, 03 Aug 2002 10:57:31 -0500
References: <000c01c23a17$e2492b20$14bc0150@pamelajgroves>
In-Reply-To: <000c01c23a17$e2492b20$14bc0150@pamelajgroves>


Pamela - this one was a puzzler to me, too. I checked the Births Index for 1866 - 71 and found no other Jessie DOWNIES
that might be of interest. Also checked DOWNEY. A few ideas though - Jessie is a name that could be MALE. Did you
check for any male Jessie DOWNIEs in your search ? Mistakes happen more than we realize in these databases.

1869 did note a Jessie born Monquhitter #67 [Aberdeenshire]
1866 found a Jessie Buchan DOWNIE, Pitsligo #31. [Aberdeenshire]
Other searched years had no Jessies at all.

I had originally checked only for Jessies, but when the first few years didn't produce any of interest, I began checking
for ANY J-letters, meaning Jean, Jane, Jenny, etc. I didn't get the films out again for 1868, or 69 to re-check those
names. Did you have any luck searching for them ? Where did you do your searching - Scots Origins or the Birth Index
microfilms ?

If the parents were deceased at the marriage, their names 'should' have the word 'deceased' written nearby. Do you have
this marriage document ? Of course, if she thought they were her parents, THEIR names would be on the marriage document
as her parents. It would be a very good place to begin. Sounds like you do have that document though. Scots Origins
would be a good place to search for the deaths of the birth parents if you suspect that. Also search DOWNEY, DOURNEY,
DAWNIE, and any other invented surnames derived from scribbling the word DOWNIE in your worst handwriting. Try using
the alternate hand than your usual one. The 1881 census was entered by many folks who sometimes had few clues of the
correct regional surnames they were reading and entering, so get creative with DOWNIE and try again. Best of luck
with this family !

Meg Greenwood / OKlahoma USA

Snipped original message :
>Hello list, My name is Pamela, I am researching my great grandmother Jessie Downie, Born about 1869. The only Jessie Downie I found for that year and place was Jessie Wilson Downie, Born to Thomas Downie and Mary Walker Drummond Dawson on the 3rd January 1869 in Edinburgh Parish, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. But on Jessie's marriage certificate to John McGrouther she put her parents were James Downie and Lillias Dick. Also I have found a Jessie McMurray living with James & Lillias Downie in the 1881 Census, but not a Jessie Downie, and as far as I know no sign of Thomas & Mary Downie living with their children in 1881 census. Thank you in advance for any help I might receive. Kind Regards Pamela J Groves


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