James Lafferty was born on July 22, 1859 in Newarthill, Lanarkshire to Ellen Allan (c1838 - 1919) and James Lafferty, Miner (c1817 - 1868). [See Section LY-5-1 for family background.]
Mary Ann Jones was born about 1859 in Wales to Lettice [Letitia?] Phillips and Daniel Jones, Steel Smelter.
I wonder if this family living at Old School, Village of Mossend, Lanarkshire in 1881 is any connection.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace David Jones Head Mar 50 Steel Smelter Wales 3 Lettice do. Wife 50 do. Thos. do. Son Unm 20 Steel Smelter do. Jane do. Daur Unm 17 Washerwoman do. Daniel do. Son 15 Steel Smelter do. Lewis do. do. 13 Scholar do. Joshua H. do. do. 11 do. do. Mary B. do. Daur 8 do. do. John do. Son 8 do. do. Evan do. do. 6 do. Thomas do. Lodger Unm 21 Steel Smelter do. David do. Lodger Unm 23 do., do. do. There are two Welsh-born Mary Joneses in Central Scotland in the 1881 Census but neither looks a possibility, one appears to be married and the other is living with her family.
1883 On Friday, August 17, James Lafferty and Mary Ann Jones were married at Metal Row, Newarthill, District of Holytown after Publication according to the Forms of the Free Church. The marriage was registered No.37 at Holytown on August 20.
James was a Bachelor, gave his age as 23 [he was 24], occupation Coalminer and usual residence Metal Row, Newarthill. His parents are recorded as James Lafferty, Coalminer (deceased) and Helen Nicol previously Lafferty m.s. Allan
Mary Ann was a Spinster, gave her age as 24, occupation Domestic Servant and usual residence Shearer's Land, Holytown. Her parents are recorded as Daniel Jones, Steel Smelter and Lettice Jones, m.s. Phillips.
The officiating minister was Robert McGregor, MA, Free Church, Holytown and the witnesses were James Miller and Agnes Lafferty.
James and Mary Ann made their respective marks, the witnesses signed.
James and Mary Ann had the following children (that I know of), all born in Newarthill, Lanarkshire unless otherwise stated —
Margaret Annie born in 1884, last sighting 1901. James born in 1885, last sighting 1911. Agnes born in 1887, last sighting 1911. Letitia born in 1889 in Rowley Regis, Dudley, Staffs, married Daniel Robertson in 1910,
last sighting 1910.John born in 1893, last sighting 1911. David (1) born in 1895 and died in 1898. David (2) born in 1898, last sighting 1911. Helen born in 1898 and died just 3 weeks later. Daniel born in 1901, last sighting 1911.
1884 Margaret Annie Lafferty was born at 6h30m p.m. on Monday, April 28 at Metal Row, Newarthill, District of Holytown to Mary Ann Lafferty m.s. John [sic] and James Lafferty, Coalminer who married on August 17, 1883 in the District of Holytown. Her birth was registered No.166 at Holytown on May 22 by James Lafferty, "his X mark", Father, Present.
1906 Mary Lafferty (Illegitimate) was born at 1h30m a.m. on Saturday, January 6 at Watson's Square, Newarthill to Margaret Ann Lafferty, Domestic Servant. Her birth was registered No.45 at Holytown on January 26 by Mary Ann Lafferty, "her X mark", Grandmother, Present.
1885 James Lafferdy [sic] was born at 7h20m a.m. on Friday, October 23 at Clelandtownhead, District of Holytown to Mary Ann Lafferdy m.s. John [sic] and James Lafferdy, Coalminer who married on August 17, 1883 in the District of Holytown. His birth was registered No.343 at Holytown on November 13 by James Lafferdy, "his X mark", Father.
1887 Agnes Lafferty was born at 11h30m p.m. on Monday, October 3 at Clelandtownhead, District of Holytown to Mary Ann Lafferty m.s. John [sic] and James Lafferty, Coalminer who married on August 17, 1883. Her birth was registered No.317 at Holytown on October 15 by James Lafferty, "his X mark", Father, Present.
1889 Letitia Lafferty was born on Friday, November 22 at 29 Corngreaves Road, Rowley Regis, to James Lafferty, Labourer in an Iron Works and Mary Ann John [sic]. Her birth was registered No.339 in the Sub-district of Rowley Regis in the District of Dudley in the County of Stafford on January 1, 1890 by Mary Ann Lafferty, "her X mark", Mother residing at the same address.
Rowley Regis is south of Dudley, now part of the Wolverhampton - Birmingham conurbation.
Letitia married Daniel Robertson in 1910.
1891 April 5 The family were still in England, though they appear to have moved along Corngreaves Road to number 89. The house numbers are clear on both documents though Letitia's birth certificate is a modern transcription rather than a copy of the original registration. The census page has the added authentication of a sequence of house numbers.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace James Lafferty Head M 36 Labourer, Iron Work Scotland, Bothwell Mary A do. Wife M 30 Glamorgan, Llangyfelach Margaret do. Daur 6 Scholar Scotland, Lanark James do. Son 5 do. do., do. Agnes do. Daur 3 do., Lanark Letitia do. Do. 1 Stafford, Rowley Regis James's age should be 31 but a small loop at the base of the "1" makes it appear more as a "6". Mary's birthplace is not clear but some further detective work makes me fairly sure that it is Llangyfelach, a village just north of Swansea, and a sub-district of the District of Swansea.
1893 John Lafferty was born at 8h30m p.m. on Monday, May 22 at Gibb's Land, Newarthill, District of Holytown to Mary Ann Lafferty m.s. Jones and James Lafferty, Coalminer who married on August 4 [sic], 1883 at Holytown. His birth was registered No.261 at Holytown on June 10 by James Lafferty, "his X mark", Father.
1895 David Lafferty was born at 7h30m p.m. on Wednesday, November 6 at Thomson's Land, Newarthill, District of Holytown to Mary Ann Lafferty m.s. Jones and James Lafferty, Coalminer who married on August 4 [sic], 1883 at Holytown. His birth was registered No.513 at Holytown on November 26 by James Lafferty, "his X mark", Father, Present.
Sadly, David died just 2 years old.
1898 David Lafferty (Single) died at 0h45m p.m. on Saturday, March 26 at Gibbs Land, Newarthill, District of Holytown, age 2 years, of Bronchitis, Tubercular Meningitis after 1 month, as certified by John Lithgow, M.B.C.M. His parents are recorded as James Lafferty, Coalminer and Mary Ann Lafferty m.s. Jones. His death was registered No.55 at Holytown on the same day by James Lafferty, "his X mark", Father, Present.
1898 Twins David and Helen Lafferty were born at 2h a.m. [the same time was recorded for both] on Wednesday, May 25 at Gibbs Land, Newarthill, District of Holytown to Mary Ann Lafferty m.s. Jones and James Lafferty, Coalminer who married on August 4 [sic], 1883 at Holytown. Their births were registered Nos.277 and 278 respectively at Holytown on June 11 by James Lafferty, "his X mark", Father, Present.
Sadly, Helen did not thrive and –
1898 Helen Lafferty (Single) died at 3h a.m. on Monday, June 20 at Gibbs Land, Newarthill, District of Holytown, age 3 weeks, of Congenital Weakness as certified by Geo. Buchan, M.B.C.M. Her parents are recorded as James Lafferty, Coalminer and Mary Ann Lafferty m.s. Jones. Her death was registered No.139 at Holytown on the same day by James Lafferty, "his X mark", Father, Present.
1901 March 31 The family were living on North Road, Newarthill, not far from Elizabeth and Andrew [Buchanan], in a house with two windowed rooms.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace James Lafferty Head Mar 41 Coal Miner Lanarkshire, Newarthill Maryann do. Wife do. 41 Wales Margaretann do. Daur S 16 Lanarkshire, Newarthill James do. Son 15 Coal Miner do., do. Agnes do. Daur 13 do., do. Lattishia do. do. 10 Scholar England John do. do. 7 do. Lanarkshire, Newarthill David do. do. 2 do., do.
1901 Daniel Lafferty was born at 4h0m p.m. on Wednesday, July 10 at Watson's Square, Newarthill, District of Holytown to Mary Ann Lafferty m.s. Jones and James Lafferty, Coalminer who married on August 4 [sic], 1883 in the District of Holytown. His birth was registered No.428 at Holytown on July 27 by James Lafferty, "his X mark", Father, Present.
1905 James Lafferty, Coalminer, Married to Mary Ann Jones died at 6h15m p.m. on Friday, June 30 at McIlroy's Land, Newarthill, age 45 years, of Bronchitis, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, 5 days as certified by John Lithgow, M.D. His parents are recorded as James Lafferty (deceased) and Helen Lafferty m.s. Allan. His death was registered No.120 at Holytown on the following day by James Lafferty, Son, Present.
1910 On Saturday, September 3, Daniel Robertson and Lettishia Lafferty were married at 50 Wellington Street, Glasgow by Declaration in the presence of William Robertson, Coal Miner and Agnes Lafferty, Domestic Servant. The marriage was registered No.1034 at Glasgow [Blythswood District] on the same day on the Warrant of the Sheriff-Substitute of Lanarkshire.
Daniel was a Bachelor, gave his age as 29, occupation Coal Miner and usual residence 25 Motherwell Road, Bellshill. His parents are recorded as Daniel Robertson, Coal Miner and Catherine Robertson m.s. Corbett (deceased).
Lettishia was a Spinster, age 20, occupation Farm Servant and usual residence SOMEWHERE House, SOMEWHERE. [My best guess is Shaner House, Lanarkshire, but with very little confidence.] Her parents are recorded as James Lafferty, Coal Miner (deceased) and Mary Lafferty m.s. Jones.
[Marriage by Declaration — a couple could declare themselves married in the presence of two witnesses, then apply to a court official for a warrant allowing them to register the marriage. This form of marriage was replaced by Registry Office marriages in 1939.
50 Wellington Street — otherwise known as Baltic Chambers, built in 1900, was a multiplicity of small offices. I would guess at least one of these was occupied by a firm of solicitors.]
1909 Kate Corbett Robertson (Illegitimate) was born at 2h30m am on Friday, July 30 at McIlroy's Land, Newarthill to Lettisha Lafferty, Domestic Servant and Daniel Robertson, Coal Miner. Her birth was registered No.469 at Holytown on August 19 by Lettisha Lafferty, Mother and Daniel Robertson, Father, 9 Motherwell Road, Bellshill.
1911 April 2 The family were living in McIlroy's Land, Newarthill in a house with two windowed rooms.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Status Birthplace Mary Lafferty Head W 53 Wales 2 James do. Son S 25 Pit Labourer Worker Lanarkshire, Bothwell Agnes do. Daur S 22 do., do. John do. Son S 17 Pit Labourer Worker do., do. David do. do. 13 School do., do. Daniel do. do. 10 do. do., do. May do. Grandaughter 5 do., do. Kate Robertson do. 1 do., do. May is Margaret's daughter and Kate is the daughter of Letitia and Daniel Robertson.
This looks like Margaret in a house with 6 windowed rooms called Westwood in the First Ward of Hamilton.
Rel. Age Mar. Occupation Status Birthplace John McGhie Head 43 Mar Solicitor - County Council Lanark, Hamilton 6 Maggie do. Wife 42 Mar 17 - none - - do., Newmains Margaret Lafferty Serv 26 S General Servant (Domestic) do., Newarthill and I think this is Letitia at Whitagreen Farm, midway between Newarthill and Carfin.
Rel. Age Mar. Occupation Status Birthplace Eliza Gardner Head 52 W Lanark, Hamilton 5 Helen do. Daur 18 S Student do., Bothwell William do. Son 17 S Apprentice House Joiner Worker do., do. James do. Son 15 S Farmer's Son, Assisting
in work of farmdo. do., do. Abigail Kennedy Servant 20 S Dairymaid Ayr, Ayr Lettitia Robertson Servant 21 M 1 - 1 - 1
General Servant DomesticLanark, Bothwell Letitia had been married for 1 year and produced one child (Kate) who was still alive. But where is Daniel (30)?