Hello again,

I would like to ask the group here their opinion on the status of proving Margaret Jane Bridson’s birth. I now know that she is not in her father’s (William) will. Her maiden name is not mentioned in her husband’s will. Also,she is not mentioned in either Samuel Radcliffe or John Bridson’s wills (grandfathers). I haven’t been able to trace a will for her presumed mother (Eleanor Radcliffe). On Margaret Jane’s marriage certificate there is no mention of her maiden name (as advised earlier and now I have a copy of same). However, circumstantial evidence all points to Margaret Jane Bridson being part of William Bridson and Eleanor Radcliffe’s family in the 1841 census (“Balla Crink, Kirk Malew”) and she is at “Ballachrink, Malew” in 1851 with her widower brother William. On the marriage certificate Margaret is at “Ballachrink” and John K. at Moaney Mooar. The two witnesses on the marriage certificate appear to be two of her brothers, again based on the 1841 census information .

I have read through all the helpful notes here and it would seem that she may have been born/baptised in early 1826 at Malew. Unfortunately there is so far no confirmation of this. I assume that this entry was either mistranscribed or possibly just missed from the Parish Records. So, would it be reasonable to assume based on all of the above that she is the daughter of William Bridson and Eleanor Radcliffe? What other records could I consider searching for? I have checked Brian Lawson’s site and don’t see a Will for either Eleanor Bridson/Radcliffe or for Margaret Jane Kennaugh/Bridson. I suppose my only option is to order microfilm from LDS and scour through the Malew births/baptisms.

Are there any other suggestions, please?

Thanks so much!

L.