| Notes |
- Family records indicate that Catharine never married; that she moved from Kincardine to Raploch, Stirling, Scotland to take up employment as a domestic servant; that she was mother of two illegitimate children, namely Isabella and Duncan; and that she died on 4 JUN 1910, age 73, at #9 St. Mary's Wynd, Stirling, Stirling.
Public census records reveal some interesting additional information which apparently and understandably was not shared in family tradition.
In 1841 we find Catharine's father, Duncan Stewart, residing with his brother James on the family farm, but without his wife and two daughters -- it is believed his wife and second daughter had died. Meanwhile, Catharine, age 5, is found in the care of her bachelor maternal uncle, Duncan McLachlan, age 25, residing in Thornhill, Kincardine by Doune, Perthshire, Scotland. They are living in the household of William Black, a 40 year old baker and his 30 year old wife, Margaret. Also living with them is a 10 year old Margaret Malcolm. Residing next-door is an 18 year old Isabella Stewart -- presently no known relation, but worth pursuing in the future. This census record would appear to indicated that Catharine was abandoned by her father. It would be understandable to find a semi-orphaned young girl in the care of relatives other than her father if there was a woman as care-giver. However, we must presume that Duncan Stewart was just as capable as his bachelor brother-in-law, Duncan McLachlan, at looking after a 5 year old girl. This would make it appear that Duncan Stewart abandoned his daughter after his wife died.
In 1851 Catharine's father Duncan along with Duncan's brother's family are not found at all and are presumed to have emigrated, although Duncan may have died. Catharine, meanwhile, is found living in Raploch, Stirling, age given as 18 and place of birth as Kilmadock (sic), recorded as a "border" and a "pauper" and residing with the following family:
Alexander Simpson, head, tailor, 48, b in Stirling, Strlingshire
Ann (McCowan) Simpson, wife, 41, b ditto (m. 30 NOV 1828 in Stirling, Stirling)
Janet Simpson, dtr, 17, b ditto
Peter Simpson, son, 4, b ditto (17 DEC 1846 in Stirling, Stirling)
Isabella Simpson, dtr, 4 b ditto
John Simpson, son, 1, b ditto
Catherine Simpson, dtr, 1, b ditto
Catharine is not found in 1861 or 1871. However, in 1881 Catharine is found in the town of Stirling, Stirlingshire, Scotland. Her residence is given as "35 Broad Street, Burgh Police Cells" and her occupation is given as "prostitute". This would explain the illegitimate births of her children and her absense from the 1861 and 1871 census records. If Catharine worked as a prostitute then it's likely she was easily missed by the enumerators.
In 1891, Catharine is found residing at 24 Lower Castlehill, Stirling, Stirlingshire, Scotland and her employment is recorded as "outdoor worker", which would appear to be euphamistic. She is residing with 40 year old James Malcolm, a stone mason's labourer. This same James Malcolm is found in 1871 residing with Catharine's daughter, Isabella (see notes on Isabella for more information). And note the 10 year old Margaret Malcolm above who lived with Catharine as a young girl. At present no relationship has been shown between the Malcolm family and Catharine.
Catharine's two children are found in 1871, 1881, and 1891 living with various people who are no known relation to Catharine, and recorded in 1871 as "pauper's children". None of this family has been found in the 1901 census.
Catharine's death certificate in 1910 lists her occupation again euphamistically as "outdoor worker". Her age is given as 73 years. Her parents are given as Duncan Stewart, a flesher, (deceased), and Margaret (sic) McLachlan (deceased). The informant is her daughter Isabella Rae. The discrepancy over Catharine's mother's first name is understandable given that Janet McLachlan died very young and would have been almost unknown to her own daughter and certainly completely unknown to her granddaughter. This was likely compounded by the fact that census records imply that Catharine had little contact with her own children.
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1834 - 1910 (76 years)
