Blantyre Paternity Cases

paternity

Legal disputes resolving rightful fathers in Blantyre

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Blantyre Paternity Cases (1845 – 1914)

    These days questions about the rightful father of a child can easily be answered by DNA testing. But prior to this, if paternity was contested by either the child’s mother or alleged father, it could be taken to court to be resolved. For Blantyre people, this meant going to Hamilton Sheriff Court for a case to be heard.

    I was surprised to learn there were many cases where this happened and decided to compile them here for reference. Of course, the privacy of modern individuals is respected by omitting all recent cases where a person could still be living. Below is a list of all the Blantyre cases that appear in the Hamilton Sheriff court registers of extracted decrees. There would have been other cases, perhaps many more, where the case was heard and proven but not extracted. 

    ‘Scottish Indexes’ are working to index all ‘paternity’ cases in Scotland. Extracted with permission, the following list is for Blantyre and starts at 1845 up until the time of WW1 in 1914. In alphabetical order of the Pursuer’s (mothers) surname. Blantyre people in pink typeface. I hope this assists those people searching for ancestors.

Sheriff Court Paternity Cases – Registers of Extracted Decrees
case data courtesy with kind permission from Emma at Scottish Indexes
Case data transcribed by Margaret at Scottish Indexes

Page under Construction. Click surnames for Ancestry for each case
or any of the 100 links to Scottish Indexes for the Full Record and NRS References

 
Pursuer’s Name, Occupation and Residence Defender’s Name, Occupation and Residence Child Born Decree Year Court
Janet Aitkenhead, Barnhill of Blantyre William Brown, Tenter, Blantyre Mills 1853 1853 Hamilton Full Record
Agnes Alexander, Farm Servant, 19 Old Rows, Greenfield, Hamilton John Hunter, Miner, Oilwork Road, Low Blantyre 1897 1897 Hamilton Full Record
Jessie Alexander, Lintfield Bank, Lesmahgow Andrew Young, Farmer, Barnhill, Blantyre 1883 1883 Hamilton Full Record
Jane Allan, Domestic Servant, Austine Terrace, Govan, Glasgow John Thomson, Dyer, Low Blantyre 1867 1871 Hamilton Full Record
Janet Allan or Downie, 2 Morrison Street, Cambuslang Thomas Robertson, Blacksmith, Stonefield, Blantyre 1883 1884 Hamilton Full Record
Jeannie Allan, daughter of and residing with Alexander Allan, Park Place, Springwells, Blantyre John Craig, Flesher, Meadowhead, Wishaw 1900 1900 Hamilton Full Record
Margaret Babes or Black, wife of Alexander Black, 39 Forest Place, Blantyre George Espie, Miner, Windsor Street, Burnbank, Hamilton 1899 1900 Hamilton Full Record
Charlotte Bayne, Power Loom Weaver, 88 Glasgow Road, Hamilton James Richardson, Coal Miner, c/o William Warnock, 37 Hall Street, Dixon’s Rows, Blantyre 1895 1897 Hamilton Full Record
Mary Berry, Farm Servant, Cocklaw nr Biggar William Gilfillan, Blacksmith, 16 Merry’s Rows, Stonefield, Blantyre 1878 1879 Hamilton Full Record
Mary Blair, daughter of John Blair, 20 Clyde Place, Bothwell Haugh, Bothwell James Cochrane, Burnview Place, Fraser’s Buildings, Springwells, Blantyre 1909 1910 Hamilton Full Record
Annie Bowes, Bowesfield, Auchinraith Road, Blantyre George Stratton, Bricklayer, Mavismill, Newton, Cambuslang 1907 1907 Hamilton Full Record
Helen Boyd or Cummings, wife of Adam Cummings (Defender), 75 Baird’s Rows, Blantyre Adam Cummings, Miner, 11 Douglas Street, Coatbridge 1910 Airdrie Full Record
Mary Munro Boyd, Blantyre Farm, Uddingston John Smith, Broompark, Pollokshaws 1902 1909 Paisley Full Record
Jane Boyle, 50 Lethanhill, Dunaskin by Ayr David Weir, Colliery Fireman, 48 Glasgow Road, Springwells, Blantyre 1906 1908 Hamilton Full Record
Mary Jane Brown, Farm Servant and Housekeeper, 2 Govan Street, Dixon’s Rows, Blantyre John Moore, Miner, 40 Merry’s Rows, Stonefield, Blantyre 1892 1893 Hamilton Full Record
Maggie Buchanan, Domestic Servant, daughter of and residing with James Buchanan (Butcher), 7 John Street, Blantyre Archibald Barrie, Miner, 154 Main Street, High Blantyre 1911 1911 Hamilton Full Record
Sarah Buchanan, residing with Mrs. Fabor, 143 Bernard Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow John Richardson, 42 Low Blantyre Road, Burnbank, Hamilton 1893 1893 Hamilton Full Record
Annie Cameron, Newlands, Low Blantyre Samuel Rodger, Miner, Foundry Buildings, Greenfield, Hamilton 1894 1895 Hamilton Full Record
Jean Cameron, stepdaughter of James Cross (Sawyer), Hamilton William Cowan, Baker, Blantyre Works 1871 1871 Hamilton Full Record
Mary Cameron, daughter of and residing with James Cameron, Newlands, Low Blantyre John Dunsmuir Junior, Miner, New Rows, Greenfield, Hamilton 1901 1901 Hamilton Full Record
Ann Campbell, Bridgeton, Glasgow (formerly at Auchinraith, Blantyre) John Pollock, Surfaceman or Labourer, High Blantyre 1851 1851 Hamilton Full Record
Jane Campbell, 7 Dixon Street, Dixon’s Rows, Blantyre James Irvine, Coalminer, 3 Dixon Street, Dixon’s Rows, Blantyre 1890 1892 Hamilton Full Record
Jane Ingram Campbell, Cotton Factory Weaver, Henry’s Land, High Blantyre Robert Hilston, Miner, c/o James Hilston, 1 Merryton Rows nr Larkhall 1889 1891 Hamilton Full Record
Jane Ingram Campbell, Cotton Factory Weaver, Henry’s Land, High Blantyre Robert Hilston, Miner, c/o James Hilston, 1 Merryton Rows nr Larkhall 1891 1891 Hamilton Full Record
Janet Campbell, Torrance Square, Eask Kilbride John Arthur, Miner, Aitkenhead’s Land, High Blantyre 1884 1884 Hamilton Full Record
Sarah Campbell, Dyeworker, Cross Row, Blantyre Works, Blantyre John Dougal, Mineral Borer, Waterloo Rows, Blantyre Works, Blantyre 1871 1875 Hamilton Full Record
Margaret Cartwright, Blantyre Works Daniel Cullen, Quarryman, Carfin, Bothwell 1838 1848 Hamilton Full Record
Elvira Cinabro or Franchetti, wife of and residing with Eliodoro Franchetti (Confectioner), 2 Caledonian Street, Motherwell Pietro Lombardi, Confectioner, Stonefield, Blantyre 1911 1912 Hamilton Full Record
Janet Clarkson, daughter of and residing with Samuel Clarkson, Earnock Cottages, Burnbank, Hamilton William Kennedy, son of and residing with Samuel Kennedy (Spirit Merchant), Craig’s Cottages, High Blantyre 1902 1902 Hamilton Full Record
Mary Ann Cleary, Millworker, Westfield of Rattray Andrew Cunningham, Millworker, c/o Mrs. Traynor, 16 McAlpine Buildings, Stonefield, Blantyre 1894 1896 Hamilton Full Record
Fanny Clemens, Worker (at Blantyre Works), Fore Row, Blantyre Works John McSheron, Collier, Basket, Blantyre 1854 1854 Hamilton Full Record
Elizabeth Cochrane, Udston Rows, Hamilton David Watson, Labourer (Caledonian Railway Company, Engine Sheds, Motherwell), residing with R. Wilson, Parkneuk, Auchintibber, High Blantyre 1897 1897 Hamilton Full Record
Kate Connelly, 4 Turner’s Buildings, Stonefield, Blantyre Joseph Barclay, Mining Contractor, McAlpine’s Buildings, Stonefield 1898 1898 Hamilton Full Record
Catherine Connor, daughter of and residing with Robert Connor, Woodside Walks, Hamilton James Gillon, Miner, 3 Gowanlea Place, High Blantyre 1906 1906 Hamilton Full Record
Mary Connor, Domestic Servant, McCaffrey’s Buildings, Burnbank, Hamilton Samuel Carson, Coalminer, Young’s Buildings, Larkfield, Blantyre 1894 1894 Hamilton Full Record
Margaret Corbett, Factory Worker, Downie’s Buildings, High Blantyre Benjamin Ford, Miner, Adam’s Buildings, High Blantyre 1884 1884 Hamilton Full Record
Margaret Cowan, Farm Worker, Auchintibber, Blantyre Robert Thomson, Farm Servant, Auchintibber, Blantyre 1889 1889 Hamilton Full Record
Catherine Cummings, Dressmaker, 9 Carfin Street, Low Blantyre Francis Berry, Hairdresser, Stonefield Road, Blantyre 1898 1898 Hamilton Full Record
Annie Gilmour Dawson, Middle Rows, Low Blantyre Village Alfred Wilson, Miner, Waterloo Rows, Low Blantyre Village 1903 1903 Hamilton Full Record
Edith Dent, Brass Picker, 60 Merry’s Rows, Blantyre John Newlands, Miner, c/o McCann, 24 Baird’s Rows, Blantyre 1902 1903 Hamilton Full Record
Janet Graham Dewar, Domestic Servant, 7 John Street, Blantyre Daniel Casey, Colliery Oncostman, 2 Central Buildings, Blantyre 1912 1913 Hamilton Full Record
Agnes Dick, Farm Servant, Stonefield, Blantyre Thomas Ramage, Porter, Newton nr Cambuslang 1879 1881 Hamilton Full Record
Agnes Dickson, Domestic Servant, Kirkton, High Blantyre John Robertson, Plumber, Almada Street, Hamilton 1892 1896 Hamilton Full Record
Agnes Downie, Housekeeper, c/o William Downie, 5 Rosendale Place, Blantyre David Greenhorn, Miner, c/o Law, 5 George Street, Burnbank, Hamilton 1916 1917 Hamilton Full Record
Margaret Duncan, Farm Servant, Auchintibber, Blantyre Thomas Hamilton, Steelworker, Deans, Cambuslang 1882 1884 Hamilton Full Record
Jessie Ferguson, Farm Servant, Cragiemuir, High Blantyre James Sandilands, Farm Servant, Gill Farm, Lesmahagow 1895 1896 Lanark Full Record
Euphemia Fulton or McNab, wife of George McNab (Miner), Dixon’s Row, Blantyre James Shearer, Farm Servant (with David Lawrie, Farmer), Townhill, Lesmahagow 1881 1886 Lanark Full Record
Jessie Fulton, Farm Servant, 4 Carfin Street, Blantyre John Giffin, Joiner, 23 Muir Street, Motherwell 1887 1888 Hamilton Full Record
Annie Gilchrist, Bardykes Road, Barrhill, High Blantyre James Calder, 57 Barrhill Road, Barrhill, High Blantyre 1909 1910 Hamilton Full Record
Margaret Gilchrist, Dyeworker. Daughter of and residing with William Gilchrist (Carter), Fore Row, Blantyre James Rodger, Fireman, Blantyre Works, Blantyre 1879 1880 Hamilton Full Record
Margaret Gillon, Poweloom Weaver, Middle Row, Low Blantyre James Friock, Tenter, Waterloo Row, Low Blantyre 1878 1879 Hamilton Full Record
Susan Gilmour, Farm Servant, 10 McAlpine Street, Stonefield, Blantyre James Ferguson, Lorryman, 18 Hamilton Street, Cathcart 1911 1911 Paisley Full Record
Helen Gormley, 106 Baird’s Rows, Blantyre William Payne, Miner, 5 Baird’s Rows, Blantyre 1915 1917 Hamilton Full Record
Rachael Grant, Domestic Servant, Aitkenhead’s Land, High Blantyre Samuel Ward, Miner, son of and residing with R. Ward., 6 Caledonian Terrace, Cambuslang 1905 1906 Hamilton Full Record
Jeanie Gray, Laundry Worker, Bertram Street, Greenfield Robert Copland, Miner, Springwell Terrace, Blantyre 1901 1901 Hamilton Full Record
Mary Gray, daughter of and residing with John Gray, 93 Glasgow Road, Blantyre James Smith, Miner, 5 Jackson Street, Blantyre 1917 1918 Hamilton Full Record
Margaret Greig, 21 Charles Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow (formerly at High Blantyre) Thomas Scouller Mann alias Gavin Stobie, Carter, Blantyre 1858 1858 Hamilton Full Record
Margaret Greig, 21 Charles Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow (formerly at High Blantyre) Thomas Mann alias Gavin Stobie, Carter, Blantyre 1858 1858 Hamilton Full Record
Margaret Greig, Kirkton, High Blantyre Gavin Stobo, formerly Carter (at Nerston), High Blantyre (formerly at Nerstom, East Kilbride) 1863 1865 Hamilton Full Record
Isabella Haggerty, Warnock’s Land, Springfield Place, Blantyre James Hunter or Buntine, Miner, 6 Hall Street, Blantyre 1902 1902 Hamilton Full Record
Agnes Hamilton or Brown, Widow, Sheephouse Hill, Crofthead by Fauldhouse, West Lothian Thomas Turner, Shoemaker, High Blantyre 1873 1876 Hamilton Full Record
Margaret Hamilton, daughter of and residing with William Hamilton, Coalburn Rows, Lesmahagow Richard Colquhoun, Miner, Crescent Land, High Blantyre 1879 1883 Hamilton Full Record
Mary Jane Hannah, Springwell, Blantyre John Houston, 11 Purdie Street, Burnbank, Hamilton 1912 1913 Hamilton Full Record
Mary Hart, Domestic Servant, employed by and residing with Alexander Anderson (Nurseryman), Wheatlandhead, Blantyre James Strachan, Miner, Morrison’s Land, Springfield, High Blantyre 1880 1880 Hamilton Full Record
Janet Hawkins, 23 Victoria Street, High Blantyre James Chapman, Miner, c/o Mrs. Hughes, Bairds Rows, Blantyre 1908 1910 Hamilton Full Record
Mary Ann Hemphill, daughter of and residing with Charles Hemphill, Middle Row, Blantyre James Finlay, Joiner, Middle Row, Blantyre 1880 1881 Hamilton Full Record
Margaret Hill, Allison Place, Springwell, Blantyre George Gardiner, Collier, Merry’s Rows, Stonefield, Blantyre 1880 1880 Hamilton Full Record
Margaret Horsley, Winder, Blantyre Works Robert Currie or Smith, Collier, Bellshill 1871 1873 Hamilton Full Record
Mary Ann Lindsay Howat, 487 Baltic Street, Glasgow Archibald McLachlan, Collier, 12 Cross Row, Low Blantyre 1913 1913 Hamilton Full Record
Jane Howie, 20 New Lands, Blantyre James Rodger, Miner, 39 Whitehall Terrace, Burnbank, Hamilton 1908 1908 Hamilton Full Record
Janet Hunter, daughter of and residing with David Hunter (Joiner), Blantyre Works William Cross, Tailor & Clothier, Hamilton 1865 1865 Hamilton Full Record
Jeanie Hutchison, Brickworker, 10 School Lane, High Blantyre Edward Cassidy, Coalminer, 6 Church Street, Hamilton 1914 1919 Hamilton Full Record
Annie Johnstone, Domestic Servant, 51 Mann’s Buildings, High Blantyre Peter Tonner, Miner, 14 Beckford Street, Hamilton 1911 1912 Hamilton Full Record
Jane Kay, daughter of and residing with Archibald Kay (Miner), Blacklands by Falkirk Adam Nodwell, Miner, Dixon’s Rows, Blantyre 1890 1891 Hamilton Full Record
Mary Ann Kelly, 2 Bertram Street, Burnbank, Hamilton Michael Boyle, Miner, residing with John Boyle (Miner), Oilwork Road, Stonefield, Blantyre 1901 1902 Hamilton Full Record
Minnie Kilpatrick, daughter of and residing with William Kilpatrick (Miner), Broompark Place, Blantyre Alexander Patrick, Plumber, Castle Place, Uddingston 1899 1901 Hamilton Full Record
Elizabeth Laird, Housekeeper, 17 Addies Square nr Bellshill John King, Miner, Downie’s Buildings, High Blantyre 1873 1874 Hamilton Full Record
Janet Lawson, Housekeeper, 30 Alison Place, Springwell, Blantyre Robert Murdoch, Miner, Auchintibber, Blantyre 1897 1897 Hamilton Full Record
Lily Lawson, Farm Servant, Semple’s Buildings, Springwells, Blantyre Robert Wilson, Farm Servant, Muirmain’s Farm by Hamilton 1907 1907 Hamilton Full Record
Rose Ann Lynch, Millworker, 27 John Street, Greenfield Thomas McBryde, Miner, 27 Baird’s Rows, Stonefield, Blantyre 1886 1888 Hamilton Full Record
Mary Madden, Forrest street, Stonefield, Blantyre William Bowes, c/o Mrs. Williamson, Belziehill Farm, Bellshill 1897 1898 Airdrie Full Record
Christina Marshall, Auchentibber, High Blantyre William Crichton, Ironstone Miner, Auchentibber, High Blantyre 1876 1881 Hamilton Full Record
Christina Marshall, Auchentibber, High Blantyre William Crichton, Ironstone Miner, Auchentibber, High Blantyre 1877 1881 Hamilton Full Record
Jane Martin, Domestic Servant, Hamilton William Shanks, Flesher, son of and residing with John Shanks , High Blantyre 1906 1908 Hamilton Full Record
Catherine McAusland, Auchinraith, Blantyre John Allan, Farm Servant or Labourer, Bothwell (formerly at Auchinraith) 1850 1850 Hamilton Full Record
Mary McDonald, Farm Servant, Kinning Street, Paisley Road, Glasgow John Forsyth, Farm Servant, Blantyre Farm, Blantyre 1876 1877 Hamilton Full Record
Isabella McDougall, Brickworker, Murray’s Rows, Blantyre John Turnbull, Drawer, 70 Glasgow Road, Burnland, Hamilton 1883 1886 Hamilton Full Record
Maggie McDougall, 11 Calder Street, Dixon’s Rows, Blantyre John Downie Junior, Miner, 55 Hall Street, Dixon’s Rows, Blantyre 1906 1906 Hamilton Full Record
Mary McEachern, Holm Street, Glasgow Donald McDonald, Labourer, High Blantyre 1858 1860 Hamilton Full Record
Agnes McEwan, Blantyre Works, Blantyre (formerly at Kirklee nr Jerviston) Robert Dougharty, Collier, Jerviston 1864 1865 Hamilton Full Record
Margaret McFarlane, Bleachfield Worker, 24 Campbell Street, Dunfermline William Simpson, Miner, 12 Dixon Street, Stonefield, Blantyre 1911 1911 Hamilton Full Record
Maggie McGhie, daughter of and residing with John McGhie, 6 Graham Buildings, Halfway, Cambuslang Bruce Thomson, Springwells Place, Blantyre 1908 1908 Hamilton Full Record
Catherine McKendrick, 4 Turner’s Buildings, Stonefield, Blantyre Daniel Feenie, Miner, Church Street, Hamilton 1909 1909 Hamilton Full Record
Maggie McKenna, Greenside Place, Stonefield, Blantyre Frank Kenney, 14 Hall Street, Dixon’s Rows, Blantyre 1901 1901 Hamilton Full Record
Grace McLachlan, Cotton Weaver, daughter of and residing with David McLachlan (Miner), 9 Glenlee Street, Burnbank, Hamilton Douglas Park, Miner, Henderson’s Buildings, Stonefield, Blantyre 1903 1903 Hamilton Full Record
Catherine McLean, Hamilton Thomas Morrison, Carter, High Blantyre 1868 1869 Hamilton Full Record
Elizabeth McLean, daughter of and residing with William McLean (Miner), 132 Main Street, High Blantyre Alexander Symington, Miner, Maryville Cottage, Auchenraith Road, High Blantyre 1916 1916 Hamilton Full Record
Jean McLean, Blantyre Works nr Hamilton John Bogle, Calico Printer (with Buchanan & Co.), Abbey Parish, Paisley 1836 1837 Paisley Full Record
Rachael McMillan, 40 Dixon Street, Dixon’s Rows, Blantyre David Brown Junior, Miner, 12 Netherfield Place, Stonefield 1903 1904 Hamilton Full Record
Catherine McNair, Munition Worker, c/o McKerrel, 2 Woodlands Place, Cambuslang Abraham Johnstone, Private No. 31760, Ayr & Lanark Yeomanry, Royal Scots Fusiliers, c/o Semple, 1 Semple’s Buildings, Springwell, Blantyre 1917 1919 Hamilton Full Record