Margaret Melvile, shown in the 1881 Census as Elizabeth Auld’s 13-year-old granddaughter was actually Janet Auld’s illegitimate daughter. She was born on the 25th April 1868 in Stemster, Wick and her birth was actually registered by her grandmother. Stemster lies just behind the Auld home at Milton.
Sadly, Margaret died on the 31st May 1881, aged 13. Her death certificate shows Peter Melville, a General Labourer, as being her 'Reputed' father. The informant was John Barnetson, a farmer and neighbour at Milton.
There is no further information on her mother, Janet.
Additional Information
Peter Melville
The only Peter MELVILLE that would seem to fit as Margaret's father
was born on 9th August 1847 at Canisbay the son of JAMES Melville and Jane Mowat.
However, there appears to be no marriage recorded for a JAMES Melville and Jane Mowat, but
there is for a GEORGE Melville and Jane Mowat given on the LDS site as 18th April 1845 at Canisbay.
Just to confuse things even more, there is no record for a Peter Melville born to a George Melville and Jane Mowat.
There is a marriage record for a Peter Melville to a Catherine Macfarlane in 1877 at Glasgow, which records his parents as GEORGE Melville, Ship Captain (deceased), and Jane Mowat.
The 1881 census records that this Peter (29) was born in Canisbay, living at 43 Hill Street, Glasgow, and his occupation as a General Labourer. His wife Catherine (24) and daughter Margaret (3) were also recorded living with him.
In 1891 he was living at Strathfillan, Perth aged 37 years, and his occupation was a Carter. His wife Catherine (32), daughters Margaret (13) and Georgina
(8) were also recorded living with him. It would then appear that they all went their own separate ways.
In 1901, he was recorded living at Barrhead, Renfrew, unmarried aged 55 years, born in Wick, and employed as a Railway labourer. His wife Catherine, (married, aged 42 years), was recorded living on her own at Bishopbriggs, Lanark.