Ferguson/Scott Family Research

Some time around 1812 a man was born who would be the beginning of a puzzle that will endure generations and may never fully be solved. In 1839 this man, John Ferguson, married Ann Shields in Fenwick, Ayrshire, Scotland. They had six children: James, Agnes, John, Thomas, Robert, and Margaret. All^* of these children were christened, or registered as Fergusons. They remained Fergusons until about 1859 when they moved to Glasgow and began calling themselves Scotts.

Not a one of them ever explained this sudden name change to their progeny. Few of their children were actually aware there was a name change. Now comes the fun and confusion as grand children begin the task of family history. Here is what we have so far:

• John Ferguson lists Jan 12, 1812 as his brithdate on several documents and most of them list Duddingtston as his place of birth. However, to this date no birth record has been found that matches the information.
• John Ferguson was a parishoner at Newton-upon-Ayr prior to his wedding
• John Ferguson married Ann Shields 23 Nov 1839
• James Ferguson b. 29 Mar 1840
• 1841 Census family living at Nether Raith Farm
• Agnes Ferguson b. 27 Jun 1843
• John Ferguson b. 29 Jul 1846
• Thomas Ferguson b. 2 Mar 1849
• 1850 - James dies^*, John and Ann join LDS church in Kilmarnock.
• 1851 Census family still at Nether Raith Farm
• Robert Logan (Ferguson/Scott) b. 18 Apr 1853^*
• Margaret Ferguson b. 24 Feb 1858
• Family moves to Glasgow and gets lost in haystack
• 1866 Son John marries Jessie Nivens
• 1868 Daughter Agnes leaves for America.
• 1874 Wife Ann and daughter Margaret leave for America
• 1875 Son Robert L. leaves for America
• 1878 John Scott dies in Barnhill poorhouse (the age doesn't quite match the given birthdate, but the profession is the same).

* Records between 1850 and 1855 are difficult to find because family joined LDS church in 1850 before statutory registration was enacted.

Some other interesting documents from the family:

• Birth Record of Margaret Anderson Ferguson
• Death Record of Elizabeth Nivens, Jessie's sister
• Marriage Record of John Scott (III?), son of John and Jessie Scott
• Personal History of Robert Logan Scott (Page 1,Page 2)
• Afidavit of Robert Logan Scott concerning the name change of his father.
• Afidavit of Jessie Scott Wilmer, daughter of John Scott, concerning the name change of her grandfather.

If you have any questions about the information contained in these pages, or have information you would like to add, please feel free to contact me.