Thomas Houston was born in Kilbirnie, Ayrshire about 1843 to Mary Haney (or Hanny) (c1820 - 1881) and Cornelius Houston, Coal Miner (c1813 - 1870). Thomas died in 1914. [See Section HN-5-1 for family background.]
Sarah Coogans was born in Ireland about 1848 to Sarah Mellon and Hugh Cuggans, Labourer who was dead by the time of Sarah's marriage in 1870. Sarah died in 1915.
1870 On Friday, June 17, Thomas Houston and Sarah Coogans were married at Eastmuir RC Church. The marriage was registered No.24 at Shettleston on the following day.
Thomas was a Bachelor, gave his age as 25, occupation Coal Miner and usual residence as Provanhall, Shettleston Parish. His parents are recorded as Cornelius Houston, Coalminer (deceased) and Mary Houston m.s. Haney.
Sarah was a Spinster, gave her age as 22, no occupation recorded and usual residence as Shettleston. Her parents are recorded as Hugh Cuggans [sic], Labourer (deceased) and Sarah Cuggans m.s. Mellon.
The celebrant was Fr. P. McLaughlin, Pastor of St. Paul's RC Church and the witnesses were John Kerr and Ann McLaughlin. The bride, groom and both witnesses made their marks rather than signing their names.
The marriage is noted in the Register of Marriages in St. Paul's.
Thomas and Sarah had the following children (that I know of) —
Sarah born in 1870 in Shettleston, married Thomas McLauchlan in 1891, last sighting 1891. Cornelius born in 1872 in Shettleston and died in 1885 aged 13. Elizabeth born in 1874 in Shettleston, married Patrick McArdle in 1897, last sighting 1897. Mary born in 1876 in Shettleston, married John Smith in 1899, last sighting 1899. Thomas born in 1878 in Shettleston, married Ellen Murray in 1900, last sighting 1911. Hugh born in 1881 in Shettleston, married (2) Mary McDowel in 1939, last sighting 1939. John (1) born in 1883 in Shettleston and died in 1885 aged 2. Margaret born in 1885 in Cambuslang, married James Penman in 1906, last sighting 1906. James born in 1890 in Cambuslang, last sighting 1914. Edward born in 1892 in Cambuslang, last sighting 1915. Ellen born in 1894 in Cambuslang, married Dennis McShane in 1912, last sighting 1912. John (2) born in 1897 in Cambuslang, last sighting 1911. which is one short of the 1911 census count.
1870 Sarah Houston was born at 1h30m a.m. on Monday, November 14 at Shettleston to Sarah Houston m.s. Coogans and Thomas Houston, Coal Miner who married on June 17, 1870 at Eastmuir, Shettleston. Her birth was registered No.248 at Shettleston on November 26 by Thomas Houston, "his X mark", Father.
She was baptised on November 27 by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's, Shettleston with sponsors Patrick Houston [Thomas's brother] and Elizabeth Coogans [who married Patrick on December 1, 1871 and was not Sarah's sister].
Sarah married Thomas McLauchlan in 1891.
1871 April 2 The family were living in Gray Street, Shettleston, in a house with one windowed room.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Thomas Houston Head Mar 26 Coal Miner Ayrshire, Kilbirnie Sarah do. Wife Mar 23 Ireland Sarah do. Daur 5 mos Lanark, Shettleston
1872 Cornelius Houston was born at 7h55m p.m. on Monday, November 11 at Gray Street, Shettleston to Sarah Houston m.s. Cuggans and Thomas Houston, Coal Miner who were married on 1870 June 17 at Shettleston Parish. His birth was registered No.254 at Shettleston on November 20 by Thomas Houston, "his X mark", Father.
He was baptised on November 24 by Fr George McBrearty in the parish of St. Paul's, Eastmuir with sponsors Michael McNamara and Ann Coogans.
He died in Cambuslang in 1885, aged 12 years and 8 months.
1874 Elizabeth Houston was born at 10h30m a.m. on September 28 at Green Street, Shettleston to Sarah Houston m.s. Cuggens and Thomas Houston, Coal Miner who married on 1870 June 17 at Shettleston Parish. Her birth was registered No.259 at Shettleston on October 9 by Thomas Houston, "his X mark", Father.
She was baptised (as Eliza) on October 16 by Fr. George McBrearty in the parish of St. Paul's, Eastmuir with sponsors Patrick Gaughan and Helen Lappen.
Elizabeth married Patrick McArdle in 1896.
1875 On March 9, Thomas and Sarah were sponsors at the baptism of Sarah, lawful child of Michael McNamara and Catherine Coogan, both Catholics, by Fr. Laurence Condon in St. Paul's, Shettleston. Sarah's twin Elizabeth was baptised on the same day with sponsors James Coogan and Bridget (O'Laughlin) Coogan. The children's date of birth is recorded only as March.
1876 Mary Houston was born at 0h45m a.m. on Sunday, October 15 at Firpark [now Darleith] Street, Shettleston to Sarah Houston m.s. Coogans and Thomas Houston, Coal Miner who married on June 17, 1870 at Shettleston Parish. Her birth was registered No.317 at Shettleston on October 21 by Thomas Houston, "his X mark", Father.
She was baptised on October 29 by Fr. George McBrearty in the parish of St. Paul's, Eastmuir with sponsors John Adair and Bridget Coogans.
Mary married John Smith in 1899.
1878 Thomas Houston was born at 4h0m a.m. on Wednesday, December 11 at Carntyne Street [now part of Old Shettleston Road], Shettleston to Sarah Houston m.s. Coogans and Thomas Houston, Coal Miner who married on 17 June, 1870 at Shettleston Parish. His birth was registered No.306 at Shettleston on December 20 by Thomas Houston, "his X mark", Father.
He was baptised on December 22 by Fr. George McBrearty in the parish of St. Paul's, Eastmuir with sponsors John Lavery and Mary Loughlin.
Thomas married Ellen Murray in 1900.
1880 On February 10, Thomas and Mrs Thomas Houston were witnesses to the marriage of John Mellon and Ann Coogans in St. Paul's, Eastmuir.
1881 April 3 The family were living at 12 Salisbury Place, Shettleston in a house with two windowed rooms.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Thos Houston Head Mar 35 Coal Miner Ayr, Kilbirnie Sarah do. Wife do. 30 Ireland Sarah do. Daur 10 Scholar Lanark, Shettleston Cornelius do. Son 8 do. do., do. Eliza do. Daur 6 do., do. Mary do. do. 4 do., do. Thos do. Son 2 do., do.
1881 Hugh Houston was born at 3h0m a.m. on Tuesday, April 19 at Salisbury Place, Shettleston to Sarah Houston m.s. Coogans and Thomas Houston, Coal Miner who married on June 17, 1870 at Shettleston. His birth was registered No.95 at Shettleston on May 2 by Thomas Houston, "his X mark", Father.
He was baptised on May 3 by Fr. George McBrearty in the parish of St. Paul's, Shettleston with sponsor Mrs Ann Mellon. This entry has been annotated to record Hugh's marriage to Mary McDowel on June 17, 1939 in St. Agnes, Lambhill.
1883 John Houston was born at 4h0m a.m. on Tuesday, September 18 at 10 John Street, Tollcross to Sarah Houston m.s. Coogans and Thomas Houston, Coal Miner who married on June 15 [sic], 1870 at Shettleston. His birth was registered No.255 at Shettleston on October 3 by Thomas Houston, "his X mark", Father.
He was baptised on October 8 by Fr. George McBrearty in the parish of St. Paul's, Shettleston with sponsor Mrs Sarah Coogans [his grandmother].
He died in Cambuslang in 1885, aged 2 years and 2 months.
1885 Cornelius Houston (Single) died at 11h30m p.m. on Saturday, August 8 at Gilbertfield Place, Cambuslang, age 128/12 years, of Morbus Coxarias or Hip joint disease, as certified by M.B. Turnbull, M.D. His parents are recorded as Thomas Houston, Coal Miner and Sarah Houston m.s. Cougans. His death was registered No.121 at Cambuslang on August 10 by Thomas Houston, "his X mark", Father, Present.
1885 John Houston (Single) died at 3h20m p.m. on Sunday, October 11 at Lilybank Buildings, Cambuslang, age 22/12 years, of Enteritis, 8 days, as certified by M.B. Turnbull, M.D. His parents are recorded as Thomas Houston, Coal Miner and Sarah Houston m.s. Cougans. His death was registered No.161 at Cambuslang on the following day by Thomas Houston, "his X mark", Father, Present.
1885 Margaret Houston was born at 3h0m a.m. on Thursday, October 22 at 6 Lilybank Buildings, Cambuslang to Sarah Houston m.s. Coogans and Thomas Houston, Coal Miner who married on June 11 [sic], 1870 at Shettleston. Her birth was registered No.351 at Cambuslang on November 6 by Thomas Houston, "his X mark", Father (Present).
Margaret married James Penman in 1906.
1890 James Houston was born at 8h20m p.m. on Thursday, January 23 at Howieshill, Cambuslang to Sarah Houston m.s. Coogans and Thomas Houston, Coal Miner who married on June 17, 1870 at Shettleston. His birth was registered No.82 at Cambuslang on February 14 by Thomas Houston, "his X mark", Father.
1891 April 5 The family were living at Howieshill, Cambuslang.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Thomas Houston Head Mar 45 Coal Miner Ayrshire, Kilbirnie Sarah do. Wife Mar 40 Ireland Sarah do. Daur 20 Dye Worker Lanarkshire, Shettleston Elizabeth do. Daur 16 Dye Worker do., do. Mary do. Daur 14 do., do. Thomas do. Son 12 Scholar do., do. Hugh do. Son 10 Scholar do., do. Margaret do. Daur 5 do., Cambuslang James do. Son 1 do., do.
1891 Sarah Houston and Thomas McLauchlan were married on Friday, October 30 at St. Bride's Chapel, Cambuslang after Banns according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The marriage was registered No.105 at Cambuslang on the following day.
Thomas was a Bachelor, gave his age as 20, occupation Coal Miner and usual residence Sauchiebog, Cambuslang. His parents are recorded as Edward McLauchlan, Engine Keeper and Maggie McLauchlan m.s. Cairns.
Sarah was a Spinster, age 20, occupation Dyefield Worker and usual residence Howieshill, Cambuslang. Her parents are recorded as Thomas Houston, Coal Miner and Sarah Houston m.s. Cougans.
The celebrant was James F. Morrisson, R.C.C. and the witnesses were Edward Hughes and Annie McCowie.
This is probably Thomas and a brother in the 1891 census, at Victoria Buildings, Hamlet of Bushyhill, Cambuslang, in a house with 2 windowed rooms -
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Status Birthplace James McLauchlin Head Mar 29 Colliery Engine Keeper Emp'd Lanarkshire, Glasgow 2 Mary do. Wife do. 24 Midlothian, Edinburgh James do. Son 1 Lanarkshire, Cambuslang Thomas McLauchlin Brother Unm 21 Coal Miner Emp'd Lanarkshire, Newarthill Jane Dunlop Serv do. 14 Domestic Serv. do., Provanhall
1892 Edward Houston was born at 4h0m a.m. on Wednesday, January 20 at Howieshill, Cambuslang to Sarah Houston m.s. Cougans and Thomas Houston, Coal Miner who married on June 17, 1870 at Shettleston. His birth was registered No.44 at Cambuslang on January 28 by Thomas Houston, "his X mark", Father.
1894 Helen Houston was born at 4h30m p.m. on Wednesday, March 14 at Howieshill, Cambuslang to Sarah Houston m.s. Coogans and Thomas Houston, Coal Miner who married on June 17, 1870 at Shettleston. Her birth was registered No.150 at Cambuslang on March 31 by Thomas Houston, "his X mark", Father.
Ellen married Dennis McShane in 1912.
1896 On Thursday, December 31, Patrick McArdle and Lizzie Houston were married at Saint Bride's Chapel, Cambuslang after Publication according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The marriage was registered No.18 at Cambuslang on January 2, 1897.
Patrick was a Bachelor, gave his age as 24, occupation Nailworker and usual address 6 Morriston Buildings, Cambuslang. His parents are recorded as Michael McArdle, Steelwork Labourer and Mary McArdle m.s. Blake.
Lizzie was a Spinster, age 22, occupation Dyeworker and usual address Howieshill, Cambuslang. Her parents are recorded as Thomas Houston, Coal Miner and Sarah Houston m.s. Coogans.
The celebrant was John F. Morrison, R.C.C. and the witnesses were Thomas Houston and Elizabeth Houston.
1897 A second John Houston was born at 0h30m p.m. on Wednesday, August 18 at Howieshill, Cambuslang to Sarah Houston m.s. Coogans and Thomas Houston, Coal Miner who married on June 17, 1870 at Shettleston. His birth was registered No.475 at Cambuslang on August 27 by Thomas Houston, "his X mark", Father.
1899 On Sunday, April 6, John Smith and Mary Houston were married at Saint Bride's Chapel, Cambuslang after Publication according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The marriage was registered No.39 at Cambuslang on April 8, 1899.
John was a Bachelor, gave his age as 30, occupation Coal Miner and usual address 110 Flemington Rows, Cambuslang. His parents are recorded as Patrick Smith, Coal Miner and Catherine Smith m.s. O'Rielly, deceased.
Mary was a Spinster, gave her age as 23 [she was 22½], no occupation recorded and usual address Howieshill, Cambuslang. Her parents are recorded as Thomas Houston, Coal Miner and Sarah Houston m.s. Coogans.
The celebrant was John F. Morrison, R.C.C. and the witnesses were James Smith and Sarah Mellon.
[Mary's maternal grandmother was Sarah Mellon, Mary's parents were the witnesses at the marriage of John Mellon and Ann Coogans in St. Paul's in 1880 and Mrs Ann Mellon was sponsor at the baptism of Mary's brother Hugh in 1881. Methinks there may be a connection here.]
1900 On Friday, August 31, Thomas Houston and Ellen Murray were married at The Catholic Chapel, Rutherglen [St. Columbkille's] after Publication according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The marriage was registered No.113 at Rutherglen on the same day.
Thomas was a Bachelor, age 21, occupation Coal-Miner and usual address Howieshill, Cambuslang. His parents are recorded as Thomas Houston, Coal-Miner and Sarah Houston m.s. Coogans.
Ellen was a Spinster, gave her age as 20, occupation French Polisher and usual address Kerrs Land, Eastfield, Rutherglen. Her parents are recorded as Daniel Murray, Coal-Miner and Mary Murray m.s. McManus.
The celebrant was A. MacFarlane, Roman Catholic Clergyman, Rutherglen and the witnesses were David Donaldson and Emily Murray [Ellen's sister].
1901 March 31 The family were still at Howieshill, Cambuslang in a house with two windowed rooms. There are six families sharing this address.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Thomas Houston Head Mar 58 Coal Miner - Hewer Ayrshire 2 Sarah [Coogans] Wife Mar 55 Ireland Hugh do. Son S 19 do. Lanarkshire, Shettleston Margaret do. Daur S 16 Dyework, Yarn-Picker do., Cambuslang James do. Son 11 Scholar do., do. Edward do. do. 9 do. do., do. Ellen do. Daur 7 do. do., do. John do. Son 3 do., do. Thomas and Ellen (Murray) were also living in Cambuslang at 9 Morriston Gardens in a house with 2 windowed rooms. There are 13 families sharing this address.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Status Birthplace Thomas Houston Head Mar 22 Coal Miner Worker Lanarkshire, Shettleston 2 Helen [Murray] Wife Mar 20 Glasgow, Lanarkshire
1906 On Monday, January 1, James Penman and Maggie Houston were married at Saint Bride's Chapel, Cambuslang after Publication according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The marriage was registered No.18 at Cambuslang on January 4, 1906.
James was a Bachelor, gave his age as 27, occupation Coal Miner and usual address Westermuir, Cambuslang. His parents are recorded as William Penman, Coal Miner, deceased and Catherine Penman m.s. Higgins.
Maggie was a Spinster, age 20, occupation Dyeworker and usual address Howieshill, Cambuslang. Her parents are recorded as Thomas Houston, Coal Miner and Sarah Houston m.s. Coogans.
The celebrant was Gerald Stark, R.C.C. and the witnesses were William Penman and Mary Irvine.
1911 April 2 The family were living at 43 Park Street, Cambuslang in a house with 3 windowed rooms.
Rel. Age Mar. Occupation Status Birthplace Thomas Houston Head 68 Mar Green Grocer Own a/c Ayrshire, Kilbirnie 3 Sarah [Coogans] Wife 63 40 - 13 - 4 Lanarkshire, Cambuslang James do. Son 21 Single Coal Miner Hewer
(Coal)Worker do., do. Edward do. Son 19 Single do. do. Brusher Worker do., do. Nellie do. Daughter 17 Single do., do. John do. Son 13 at school do., do. Cornelius McLaughlin Grandson 18 Single Coal Miner Hewer
(Coal)do., do. Hugh do. do. 11 at school do., do. John do. do. 10 at school do., do. Sarah do. Granddaur 7 at school do., do. James do. Grandson 3 do., do. Sarah and Thomas have been married for 40 years and produced 13 children of whom only 4 were still alive, allegedly. However, there are 4 children listed above and I know that Thomas and Hugh were still alive so I suspect that the "4" refers to the children still living at home. I've only found 12 children so far so there is room for further investigation.
Not far away, Thomas and Ellen (Murray) were living at 5 Morriston Street in a house with 2 windowed rooms.
Rel. Age Mar. Occupation Status Birthplace Thomas Houston Head 32 Mar Coal Miner Hewer Worker Lanarkshire, Shettleston 2 Ellen [Murray] Wife 30 Mar 11 - 4 - 4 do., Glasgow Thomas do. Son 10 School do., Cambuslang James do. Son 7 School do., do. Sarah do. Daur 5 do. do., do. Joseph do. Son 2 do., do. Thomas Murray Brother 21 S Coal Miner Drawer Worker do., do. Emily do. Sister 27 S French Polisher Worker do., do. Ellen and Thomas had been married for 11 years and produced 4 children, all of whom were still alive.
Thomas and Emily Murray must be the brother and sister of Ellen rather than of Thomas.
1912 On Friday, July 12, Dennis McShane and Helen Houston were married at St. Bride's Chapel, Cambuslang after Publication according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The marriage was registered No.96 at Cambuslang on August 9.
[An unusual gap between marriage and registration but those are the recorded dates.]
Dennis was a Bachelor, gave his age as 20, occupation Coal Miner and usual residence 17 Morriston Street, Cambuslang. His parents are recorded as William McShane, Coal Miner and Ann McShane m.s. Devlin.
Helen was a Spinster, age 18, no occupation recorded and usual residence 43 Park Street, Cambuslang. Her parents are recorded as Thomas Houston, Coal Miner and Sarah Houston m.s. Cougans [sic].
The celebrant was George Galbraith, St. Bride's, Cambuslang and the witnesses were Considine McLauchlin and Catherine Boyle.
1914 Thomas Houston, Coal Miner (Retired), Married to Sarah Cougans, died at 5h00m a.m. on Sunday, November 1 at 3 Morriston Street, Cambuslang, aged 56 [allegedly - I reckon he was nearer 70], of Chronic Bronchitis and Cardiac Muscle degeneration as certified by F.H. Wilson, MBChB. His parents are recorded as Cornelius Houston, Coal Miner and Mary Houston m.s. Hainey, both deceased. His death was registered No.278 at Cambuslang the following day by James Houston, Son.
1915 Sarah Houston, Widow of Thomas Houston, Coal Miner, died at 11h50m p.m. on Thursday, September 30 at 3 Morriston Street, Cambuslang, aged 62 [allegedly - if she was 22 when she married, she was 67 now], of Broncho pneumonia and Cardiac failure as certified by James Allison, M.D. Her parents as recorded as Hugh Cougans, Coal Miner and Sarah Cougans m.s. Mellenly [sic], both deceased. Her death was registered No.238 at Cambuslang the following day by Edward Houston, Son, Present.
1939 Hugh Houston and Mary Cairney Dowdells or McDowell were married on Saturday, June 17 at St. Agnes' Church, [Lambhill,] Glasgow after Publication according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The marriage was registered No.125 at Glasgow (District of Possilpark) on June 20.
Hugh was a Widower, gave his age as 55 [he was 58], occupation Contractor's Labourer and usual address 36 Cromer Street, [Ruchill,] Glasgow. His parents are recorded as Thomas Houston, Coal-Miner and Sarah Houston m.s. Coogans, both deceased.
Mary was a Widow, gave her age as 45, no occupation recorded and usual address 36 Cromer Street, Glasgow. Her parents are recorded as Patrick Dowdells, Coal-Miner and Susan Dowdells m.s. Cairney, both deceased.
The celebrant was George Stuart, Catholic Priest, St. Agnes', Glasgow and the witnesses were John McAteer, 1243 Argyle Street, Glasgow and Jean Maurns, 36 Cromer Street, Glasgow.