Mary Hunter Ross's Family

Mary Hunter Ross's father was James Ross and he was born 28 Nov 1829 in Leslie, Fife. Her her mother was Janet Fowler b 1832 Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire. They married 6 Dec 1853 in Auchterderran. Mary Hunter Ross was the first girl in the family. The following is some history of the Rosses and Fowlers.

The Fowlers are particularly intertwined with the Ramsays because Samuel Fowler who married Mary Hunter 30 Oct 1831 in Clackmannanshire went on to have two sons who married sisters of Euphemia Cowper Ramsay, my great-great grandmother. Her sister, Agnes, married Thomas Fowler 14 Jan 1861 at Auchterderran and her sister, Isabella, married Samuel Fowler 26 Jan 1866 at Auchterderran. This led to a riot of children named in complex ways with middle names referring to various families of the husbands and wives. This was complicated by the fact that Samuel Fowler and Mary Fowler or Hunter's only daughter married a James Ross 6 Dec 1853 at Auchterderran and their first daughter was Mary Hunter Ross who went on to marry Euphemia Couper Ramsay's illegitimate son, Colin Ramsay.

The following describes some of the family history of the Rosses and Fowlers. Because of the intertwining of Ramsays and Fowlers there is more about them than the Rosses.

The Fowlers

A search for Janet's birth in Tillicoutry only produced one result. She was the daughter of Samuel Fowler (Samuel Fowler's parents were Robert Fowler and Margaret Turnbull) and Mary Hunter. I found a marriage for them in Clackmannan. Samuel Fowler married Mary Hunter 30 Oct 1831. A search for births to this couple produced Janet in 1832, Robert in 1834. I also found a further child, David Fowler born 12 Mar 1849 in Auchterderran indicating that a move from Tillicoutry to Auchterderran took place some time between 1834 - 1849. The census returns provide us with more information on their family.

Samuel and Mary Fowler through the Census Returns 1851-1881

1841 Census St Cuthbert's, Midlothian, Scotland

I could not find a free 1841 Census return for them but there is a reference in Scotland's People that is "pay to view" but it is definitely the right family. They were recorded in the St. Cuthbert's division of Midlothian.By querying the index it is clear that Samuel and Mary are there as well as their children, Janet (b 1832), Robert (b 1834) and Thomas (b 1837). Since all the children were born in Tillicoutry, Clackmannanshire until Thomas who was born in Chrichton, Midlothian it is clear that the family moved from Tillicoutry between 1834 - 1837. Presumably this move was for reasons to do with work. Chrichton is about 6 miles from Dalkeith and the whole area is mining territory.

1851 Census Launcherhead, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland

In this census return we find that Samuel Fowler was born in Minto, Roxburghshire and that is is a 46 year old coal grieve - a mine overseer or manager. His daughter, Janet, (who became the mother of Mary Hunter Ross) is an 18 year old Labourer on the pit head. Robert and Thomas are both Coal Miners, 16 and 13 years old respectively. More children have been added in the intervening ten years since the 1841 census. James is aged 8 and Samuel is aged 4; they are both scholars and were both born “Edinburgh, Midlothian”. The household also contais two lodgers, also workers in the pit.

1861 Census The Old Engine House, Auchterderran, Fife, Scotland

At the 1861 Census, the family have moved again and are now in Auchterderran, Fife - a move that must have taken place between 1846 - 1849. Samuel Fowler is said to be a Railway labourer. Janet Fowler is no longer at the family home - she married James Ross, son of George Ross and Elizabeth Callander) 6 Dec 1853 at Auchterderran. Robert has also left to marry; he married Janet Hunter 21 Jun 1858 in Auchterderran. James and Samuel, who were scholars at the previous census in 1851, are now, like their brothers, coal miners. James is 18 and Samuel is 15. Mary Hunter, a niece aged 14 born “Bo'ness, Linlithgowshire (West Lothian)” is also present.

1871 Census Kingseat Colliery Houses, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland

By the 1871 Census, Samuel and Mary Fowler are living at Kingseat Colliery Houses, Dunfermline. Kingseat was a complex of pits on the southern shore of Loch Fitty (more details here) . Samuel Fowler is now a 67 year old labourer and his household consists of just his wife, Mary (63), Mary Hunter, the niece from the previous census, - she is now 24 and unmarried and a boarder who is a Pit sinker.

1881 Census Netherbeath, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland

Finally we get to the 1881 Census and the family are at Netherbeath. Scotland's places has this to say about Netherbeath

“ [Situation] 3/8 mile NW [North West] of Crossgates. A farm house and offices now occupied by Colliers, the farm belonging to the steading is let to Mr Lumsden, farmer of the Mains of Beath. Since the Netherbeath estate came into the hands of Mr Bruce he has added old to this name and has changed the Mains of Beath to that of Netherbeath, but the change is not known in the locality, as they are still recognised by their old names. "

The family is just Samuel Fowler, now a 77 year old unemployed general labourer, his 73 year old wife, Mary Fowler and the niece who has been with the family for at least twenty years, Mary Hunter, still an unmarried coal pithead worker.

Deaths of Samuel Fowler and Mary Fowler or Hunter

Samuel Fowler died 1886 in Dunfermline aged 82. I could not find a death for Mary Fowler or Ross

The Rosses

Mary Hunter Ross's father was James Ross born 28 Nov 1829 in Leslie, Fife. A search on FindMyPast and Scotland's People for his birth only found one birth that matched and that was on 28 Nov 1829 to George Ross and Elizabeth Callander in Leslie, Fife. George Ross and Elizabeth Callander were married 5 Jul 1829 in Leslie, Fife.

This is quite a complicated story and a lot of contradictory results came from searches. One on Scotland's People only produced four children born to George Ross and Elizabeth Callander.

Name	Date	Place of Birth
James Ross	28 Nov 1829	Leslie, Fife
George Ross	16 Apr 1834	Auchterderran, Fife
Alexander Ross	25 May 1839	Auchterderran, Fife
Peter Ross	26 Mar 1846	Auchterderran, Fife

Unfortunately I have only found one census return that was a possibility but too many things about it did not fit and it was an 1841 one so the relationships or exact parishes of birth were not give. I spent a long time on this before I gave up. I show it below because it works so well with James, George and Alexander and fills in otherwise unexplained gaps between the births.

1861 Census - George and Elizabeth Ross at Golquhally, Auchterderran, Fife

Reluctantly, I had to give up on this one - at least for now. Our focus is on James born 1829, anyway, as he married Janet Fowler 6 Dec 1853 in Auchterderran. They were the parents of Mary Hunter Ross who married Colin Ramsay

The James and Janet Ross and Family at the Censuses 1861 - 1901

1861 Census - The Rosses at Halbeath, Fife, Scotland

Here we find James Ross, coal miner aged 30, living with his wife, Janet, aged 29, and they have with them their 1 year old daughter, Mary Hunter Ross, my Great-Grandmother, who was born 19 Jun 1859. I know that the couple, who married in 1853, had a son, George, born 4 Jan 1857 but I have been unable to find any other reference to him, so I assume that he probably died in infancy - were he alive, he would have been aged about four years old. Another question is why it took four years for them to have their first child.

1871 Census - The Rosses at Glen, Dunfermline, Scotland

This census carries more information and confirms that James Ross was born in Leslie, Fife (it was 28 Nov 1829) and his wife, Janet was born in Clackmannanshire (she was born in Tillicoutry, Clackmannanshire 18 Jul 1832)

We see that Mary is an eleven year old scholar now and she has two brothers, Samuel, aged 6, and James, aged 2. Again it is worth noting the larger than usual gap between the births of the children.

James Ross senior is described as a fireman. On this occupation one website says

Fireman is widely known as an official of the mine in many area's, even today. Historically he had one of the most dangerous jobs. His walked down roads or tunnels with a candle and ignited any accumulated gases he encountered. He held a long stick with a candle at the end. Naturally this exploded any methane present. His only protection was to wear clothing such as wool, or leather, well damped, and his head protected by a hood (sometimes he was referred to as the 'penitent', because his dress resembled certain religious orders in the Roman Catholic Church). Very often the fireman was killed during the operation of igniting the gas. (in some places a fireman became the name of a shot-firer in a colliery).

1881 Census - The Rosses at Little Row, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland

By 1881 the family are living at Little Row, Dunfermline. James Ross is a Coal miner, now 51, and his wife is a “Coal miner’s wife” - a job in itself, of course - and all harder for having miners in the house. She is 48. Samuel is now 16 and a Coal miner - he had probably been one for a few years before the census. James is a scholar still but at 12 it is probably his last year before he is down the mine. New additions in the family are Jane (born 3 Jul 1972) and Robert born 1876. Additionally there is a niece, Helen Fowler, who is aged just 1 year and was born in Lochgelly. Most centrally for us, Mary Hunter Ross is no longer in the household. She married Colin Ramsay a few months before the census was taken; they were married at The Manse, Beath 31 December 1880.

1891 Census - The Rosses at Little Row, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland

At the 1891 Census, Janet Ross is a 57 year old widow. Her husband died in 1886 at Dunfermline aged 57. Oddly, there is another James returned by a search with a mother’s maiden surname of Callander at that is a 61 year old James Ross who died in 1889 at St. Rollox. Samuel, James and Robert are aa still in the household (26, 22 and 15 respectively) and they are all Coal miners. Jane is now 18 and is a Coal Pithead worker.

1901 Census - The Rosses at Little Row, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland

Janet Ross or Fowler is still at Little Row, Dunfermline when the 1901 census comes around - she is a 68 year old widow. Her son, Robert, is the only other person in the house and he is a 25 year old Coal Miner. Samuel, James and Jane have all gone. I will go into their fortunes shortly.

Janet Ross or Fowler died aged 69 in 1901 - so some time between April and December.

The children of James Ross and Janet Fowler

Click on a child to go directly to them

Children of James Ross and Janet Fowler

Name	Date of Birth	Place of Birth
George Ross	4 Jan 1857	Dunfermline
Mary Hunter Ross	19 Jun 1859	Halbeath, Dunfermline
Samuel Fowler Ross	2 Sep 1864	Halbeath, Dunfermline
James Ross	6 Jul 1868	Dunfermline
Jane Ross	3 Jul 1872	Dunfermline
Robert Fowler Ross	1876	Dunfermline

George Ross b4 Jan 1857, Dunfermline.

Apart from his birth, I have been unable to find any other reference to him. I have not found a death record for him either, but I think it is most likely that he died in infancy

Mary Hunter Ross b 19 Jun 1859 Dunfermline.

Mary Hunter Ross is the subject of the main genealogical narrative

Samuel Fowler Ross b 2 Sep 1864, Halbeath.

Samuel Fowler Ross was born 2 Sep 1864 at Halbeath, Dunfermline, Fife

We see him with his family at the 1871 Census when they are living at The Glen, Dunfermline. He is 6 years old and lives with his parents and older sister Mary (Hunter Ross) aged 11 and a scholar and younger brother, James aged 2. Ten years later, at the 1881 Census, he is a sixteen year old Coal miner. He lives with his parents and three younger siblings, all scholars; James (12), Jane (8) and Robert (5). These last two siblings are new to the family since the last census. A niece, Helen Fowler (1) is also in the household. Mary (Hunter Ross) has left the household because she has married Colin Ramsay (31 Dec 1880).

At the 1891 Census the family are still living at Little Row, Dunfermline but his father, Samuel's father, Samuel died 1886 at Dunfermline aged 57. His mother Janet is now the head of household, aged 57 and with Samuel in the house; he is a 26 year old single coal miner as are his 22 year old brother, James and his 15 year old brother, Robert. His sister is 18 and is a coal pithead worker.

Samuel is not in the household for the 1901 census - only his brother Robert (25) and his widowed mother, Janet (68) remain at Little Row.

Marriage of Samuel Fowler Ross and Margaret Hunter 31 Dec 1891 at Mossgreen Manse, Dalgety

1892 Marriages in the Parish of Dalgety in the County of Fife
Thirty First December 1891 at Mossgreen Manse, Dalgety After Banns According to the Forms of the Established Church Samuel Fowler Ross Coal miner Bachelor [aged] 27 [usual residence] Halbeath, Dunfermline [son of] James Ross, Coal miner deceased [and] Janet Ross M.S. Fowler
[and]
Margaret Hunter Domestic Servant, Widow [aged] 29 [usual residence] Halbeath, Dunfermline [daughter of] James Hunter, Carter [and] Margaret Hunter M.S. Petrie.
Signed John Clerk Minister of Mossgreen Parish. Signed James Ross Witness, Janet Hunter Witness
Registered 2nd January 1892 at Mossgreen, Dalgety.

[source]

1901 Census - Samuel and Margaret Ross at Pleasance, Dunfermline, Fife

Samuel Fowler Ross and Mary Hunter married 31 Dec 1891 so have had a full ten years to build a family. This census return shows that they had childen more or less every two years. At this census Margaret P Ross (9), Janet F Ross (7) and Christina H Ross (5) are all scholars . Two younger children are not yet of school age; James (3) and Samuel (0).

The middle names for the first three children are Margaret Petrie Ross, Janet Fowler Ross and Christina Hunter Ross.

Samuel is a 37 year old coal miner. He married quite late as did his wife who is described at the marriage registraion as a widow so had been married before.

1911 Census - Samuel and Margaret Ross at 14 Main Street, Townhill, Dunfermline, Fife

The 1911 Census confirms that no other children were born to Samuel Fowler Ross and Margaret Ross or Hunter - they seem to have had only five children. The Scotland's People Indexes confirm the children's births as:

Name	Date	Place of Birth
Margaret Petrie Ross	1892	Halbeath, Fife
Janet Fowler Ross	1894	Halbeath, Fife
Christina Hunter Ross	1895	Halbeath, Fife
James Ross	1897	Halbeath, Fife
Samuel Ross	1901	Halbeath, Fife

The 1921 Census is not available yet so I stopped researching this branch of the family here. I believe Samuel Fowler Ross died 5 Oct 1933 at Dunfermline but I have not paid for the image. Margaret Ross or Hunter died 1940 in Dunfermline

James Ross b 6 Jul 1868, Halbeath.

James Ross was born 6 Jul 1868 at Halbeath.

He first appears in the censuses in the 1971 Census for Glen, Dunfermline. He is just 2 years old. His father is a Fireman and he has an 11 year old sister, Mary (Hunter Ross) and 6 year old brother, Samuel.

At the 1881 Census the family are living at Little Row, Dunfermline and his father is now a 51 year old coal miner. He is recorded as being 12 years old. His sister, Mary (Hunter Ross), has left the household because she has married Colin Ramsay (31 Dec 1880). His older brother, Samuel (16) is now a coal miner and he and the other younger children in the house are all scholars - Jane (8) and Robert (5). A niece, Helen Fowler (1) is also in the household His father, James Ross, died 1886 in Dunfermline.

At the 1891 Census his mother, Janet, is now a widow and the four children that remain all work in the colliery. The boys, Samuel (26), James himself (22) and Robert (15) are all unmarried coal miners. His sister, Jane, who is now 18 is a coal pithead worker.

James is not present at the 1901 Census when the family is still at Little Row but it consists of just his mother, a 68 year old widow and his brother, Robert, now 25 and a coal miner. I had to take a bit of a blind shot at finding a marriage for James but I managed to get lucky and found the following:

Marriage of James Ross to Eliza Forsyth 12 July Albany Street, Dunfermline

1893 Marriages in the District if Dunfermline in the County of Fife
Thirteenth July 1893 at Albany Street, Dunfermline after Banns according to the Forms of the Evangelical Union Church James Ross Coal Miner (Bachelor [aged] 25 [usual residence] Halbeath, Dunfermline [son of] James Ross, Coal Miner (Deceased) [and] Janet Ross M.S. Fowler]
[and]
Eliza Forsyth, Weaver Damask Factory (Spinster) [aged] 23 [usual residence] Townhill, Dunfermline [daughter of] William Forsyth, Coal Miner [and] Elizabeth Forsyth M.S. Young.
Signed James Foote E.U. Minister. Signed Alexander Redpath Witness Maggie Beveridge Witness
Registered July 15th at Dunfermline

[source]

James Ross and Eliza Ross at the Censuses

1901 Census Viewmount Place, Main Street, Dunfermline

Here we find that James and Eliza have started their family with two children - James a six year old scholar and Isabella a four year old. James is still a Coal Miner

1911 Census Main Street, Townhill, Dunfemline (Landward)

In addition the census says that their household has 2 rooms with one or more windows. Eliza has been married 17 years and it says she has had 3 children all of whom are alive. So, it seems that the last child was born around nine years ago. This census says that Eliza is from Wallyford rather than Inveresk (not far in distance but miles away in culture?)

James, senior, is now a 41 year old Coal Miner Brusher (a person employed to cut or blast the roof or floor of a roadway and so give more height OR who gets the mineral down by blasting in the working face after it has been "holed.”) and James, junior, is 16 now and, unusually, he is a shoe maker. Isabella is 14 but is still at school and there is a new son, William aged 9.

I did not go any further with this family because the 1821 census is not available yet. An Index search for the children showed that James may have been born 1895 or 1896 but Isabella was born 1897 and William was born 1901.

Their children, as far as I know were:

Name	Date	Place of Birth
James Ross	abt 1895	Dunfermine
Isabella Young Ross	1897	Dunfermine
William Forsyth Ross	1901	Dunfermine

I looked for a death for a James Ross between 1901 - 1950 with a mother's ms of Fowler and an interesting one came up for 1928 in Inveresk and Musselburgh for a James Ross dying aged 60. Perhaps a few Ramsays, Rosses or Fowlers moved across the Firth of Forth at the same time ?

I also looked for a death for Eliza Ross and found an entry for her; she died 1945 aged 75 at Inveresk/ Mussselburgh.

Jane Ross b 3 Jul 1872, Halbeath.

Jane Rumgay Ross was born 3 Jul 1872 at Halbeath, Dunfermline.

She first appears in the 1881 Census when the family are living at Little Row, Dunfermline. She is an 8 year old scholar. Her eldest sister, Mary (Hunter Ross) has already left home and married Colin Ramsay leaving her with two siblings older than her; her brother Samuel is a 16 year old coal miner and her brother, James, is a 12 year old scholar. She also has a younger brother, James aged just 2. A 1 year old niece, Helen Fowler, is also in the household.

Her father died 1886 in Dunfermline so is not at the next census.

At the 1891 Census, the family are living at Little Row, Dunfermline. She is an 18 year old Col pithead worker and all her brothers are coal miners; Samuel (2), James (22) and Robert (15).

She is not at the next census

Marriage of Jane Ross to William Smith 20 Dec 1893

1894 Marriages in the Parish of Dalgety in the County of Fife
29th December 1893 at Mossgreen Manse Dalgety After Publication According to the Forms of the Established Church of Scotland
[were married]
William Smith Coalminer Bachelor [aged] 21 [usual residence] Halbeath, Dunfermline [son of] Adam Smith Coal miner [and] Susan Smith M.S. Higgen deceased
and
Jane Ross Pithead Worker Spinster [aged] 21 [usual residence] Halbeath, Dunfermline [daughter of] James Ross Coalminer deceased [and] Janet Ross M.S. Fowler
Signed John Clerk Minister of Mossgreen Parish. Signed William Fowler Wintess. Janet Ramsay Witness.
Recorded January 1st 1894

[source]

I found a birth for William Smith to Adam Smith and Susan Heggins in 1872 in Dalserf, Lanark, Scotland. I also went on to find his parents at the 1871 census before they have children; they are living at Dalserf, Larkhall, Lanarkshire, Scotland,. I also found them in the 1881 Census where they have five children including William. I found William at the 1891 Census when he is living at Main Street, Dunfermline (which may be Main Street, Crossgates - see below)

William and Jane Smith in the Census Returns 1901 -1911

William and Jane Smith 1901 Census Main Street, Crossgates, Dunfermline

We find William, who is 28 years old and a coal miner, and his wife, Jane. They have had two children and we also see William's sister, Mary, who was at the 1881 census for the household of their parents Adam Smith and Susan Heggens / Higgins etc. at Dalserf, Larkhall, Lanarkshire.

Their second child, Adam, was born in 1897 but I do not know if any other children were born to Jane before her death in 1902.

Death of Jane Smith or Ross 1 Dec 1902 Crossgates, Dunfermline

1902 Deaths in the District of Dunfermline in the County of Fife
Jane Smith [died] Widow to WIlliam Smith Coal Miner. December First 1902 8h 30m P.M. Cottage Hospital us res Crossgates, Dunfermline. [aged] 30 years [daughter of] James Ross Coal Miner (Decsd) [and] Janet Ross M.S. Fowler (descd).
Septic Thrombosis as cert by Alan Luke M.B. [informant] William Smith Widower. Registered December 2nd 1902 at Dunfermline.

[source]

Robert Fowler Ross b abt 1876, Halbeath.

Robert Ross was born about 1876 in Halbeath, Dunfermline. We first see him at the 1881 Census when the family are living at Little Row, Dunfermline. He is living with his parents and all his siblings except Mary (Hunter Ross who is already married to Colin Ramsay). He is a 5 year old scholar and lives with his brothers Samuel (16) and James (12) James is a scholar as well but Samuel is a coal miner. He has an older sister, Jane, aged 8, who is also a scholar. His father died 1886 in Dunfermline so is not at the next census.

At the 1891 Census, the family are living at Little Row, Dunfermline. His mother is a 57 year old widow but the all the children from the previous census are still at home Samuel (26) and James 22) and himself (15) are all Coal miners. His sister, Jane (18) is a Coal pithead worker.

A lot changes before the next census in 1901. His brother, Samuel, married Margaret Hunter 31 Dec 1891. His brother, James, married Eliza Forsyth 13 Jul 1893. His sister, Jane, married William Smith 29 Dec 1893. At the 1901 Census, still at Little Row, there is only his widowed mother now aged 68 and himself. He is a 25 year old coal miner.

His mother died 1 Dec 1902 of a septic thrombosis at “Cottage Hospital” her usual residence was Crossgates, Dunfermline

Marriage of Robert Fowler Ross and Maggie Sharp 5 Jun 1903

1903 Marriages in the District of Falkirk in the County of Stirling
Fifth June 1903 at George Street, Falkirk After Banns according to the Forms of the Church of Scotland
Robert Ross, Coal hewer (Bachelor) [aged] 27 [usual residence] Stove Row (?) Townhill, Dunfermline [son of] James Ross Pit Engineman (deceased) [and] Janet Ross M.S. Fowler (deceased)
and
Maggie Sharp, Domestic Servant (Spinster) [aged] 20 [usual residence] Grahams Road, Falkirk [daughter of] Malcolm Sharp Ironmoulder [and] Mary Sharp MS Clark
[The signatures are nor legible but do not look particularly like relations]

[source]

So it seems that it did not take long for Robert to marry after his mother's death but it is not clear why he would be in Falkirk. It clearly is the right Robert, though. It did take me long way round to find it because is wasn't in Fife. Here we find that he has married Maggie Sharp, a 20 year old domestic servant. Maggie's parents were Malcolm Sharp, an ironmoulder, and Mary Sharp ms Clarke. They married 1863 in Falkirk.

Parents of Maggie Sharp in the Censuses 1891 - 1901

1891 Census Simpsons Lane, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Here we find that Malcolm Sharp (and both of his sons) is an iron moulder from Stirlingshire. Maggie is 7 years old and a scholar. There is quite a big gap between the birth of her brothers Malcolm and Richard - 6 years - so we might imagine that there were other children born in this gap.

1891 Census Simpsons Lane, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland

In this census we find that the family have moved from Simpsons Lane to 252 Grahams Road in Flakirk. Maggie's brother, Malcolm, has moved out and probably married - he would have been aged 30 at this census. Richard is still in the household and is a 23 year old moulder. There is also a Mary Sharp who is a 9 year old greand-daughter who is a scholar. There is no Jane or Maggie, however.

When I looked for Maggie in the 1901 Census, I came across a likely candidate in a Margaret Sharp, aged 17, a boarder in the household of William McInnes at 42 Watson Street, Falkirk. He lived at this address with his wife and seven children and Margaret. Curiously, Margaret is described as “Formerly domestic serv”.

What we know, for sure, is that Maggie married Robert Fowler Roass a couple of years after the 1901 Census on 5 Jun 1903 so at the next census they are seen with their own family and I return to that now.

Robert Fowler Ross and Margaret Ross in the Census

At the time of writing there is no later Scottish census available for general consultation than the 1911 Census. So this is the only one that is of help in following this family. By the time of the 1911 Census Robert and Margaret or Maggie have several children. Main Street, Townhill, Dunfermline

1911 Census Robert Fowler Ross and Maggie Ross or Sharpe Main Street, Townhill, Dunfermline

Additionally the census records that the family live in a household with 2 rooms with one or more windows. Margaret says she has been married for 7 years and has had five children, all alive. Robert is a coal miner hewer and Mary (7), Janet (6), and James (5) are all at school. It looks like Margaret must have been constantly pregnant for the first three years of her marriage and only then does the child bearing slow down a little.

I have not delved too deeply into these children but in the course of trying to find the couple in the census return, I discovered the birth of the last child on this census list, Malcolm Sharp Ross and this gives us a little more detail.

He was born at 9 am at Moodie Place, Townhill, Dunfermline. He was the son of Robert Ross, Coal miner and Margaret Ross ms Sharp who was married 1903 June 5th Falkirk) It was signed by Robert Ross Father and registered April 8th 1910 at Dunfermline

Summary of Children of Robert Fowler Ross and Maggie Ross or Sharp

Name	Date	Place of Birth
Mary Clarke Ross	1904	Dunfermine
Janet Fowler Ross	1905	Dunfermine
James Ross	1906	Dunfermine
Margaret Ross	1907	Dunfermine
Malcolm Sharp Ross	27-Mar-1910	Dunfermine

There is also a possibility that the couple had a child considerably later. A Jeanie Ross was born 1917 with a mother's maiden surname of Sharp.

Unfortunately I will have to wait for the 1921 Scottish Census is available to the public. At the time of writing the English 1921 Census has been available for the best part of a year and the Scottish version remains closed although it was promised for this year (2022). This level of research is, howeve, merely background as far as our main lines of research go.

Death of Robert Fowler Ross and Margaret Sharp or Ross

Whilst searching on FindMyPast.com, I came across a photograph of a gravestone for Robert and his wife and son Malcolm that is in Bowhill Cemetery, Cardenden, Lochgelly . It reads

In Memory of Robert F Ross Died 10th March 1963 aged 86.
Also his wife Margaret Sharp Died 12th March 1960 aged 75
And their son Malcolm Died 4th Nov 1914 Aged 4