I have two great grandparents who emigrated to the United States, one from Scotland and the other from Wales via Canada. The Scottish one’s parents were born in Ireland.

We spent today in the National Records of Scotland (Archives) in Edinburgh, Scotland. Melissa had far more success with her efforts than I did. Who knew there were so many people named Mary Maley!

My great grandmother came to the US from Scotland in 1923. Her name was Mary Maley until she married Leroy Edden in Philadelphia. Her mother was also Mary Maley, nee Haughey. I don’t know “Mr. Maley’s” first name.

The Maleys had two kids – my great grandmother Mary and her brother James. Every second person in my searches seemed to be a James or Mary Maley, living in the right part of the country. I’m no expert on Scotland’s counties, so I had to look them up for a while, too.

Scotland has had mandatory registration of births, deaths, marriages, etc. since 1855. Mary Haughey and “Mr. Maley” were born approximately 1860 and eventually married. You’d think those records would be easy to find. Uh, no. Younger Mary was born in 1887. She should be even easier. Should. James ten years later. Easier Peasier. Not.

Searches showed ages or birthdates. Sometimes they almost matched. Census records showed who lived in the home, but even when the names seemed right there could be five other children there. When I found “Mary Ann” of about the right vintage, I thought I had scored success; my mother was Mary Ann, and it would have made sense.

My goal was to find Mary’s brother James. He emigrated to the US. He shows up in the 1930 US Census with his mother, his sister, and the 15-year old girl who became my grandmother. All nice and neat. Everyone together. If only…

We arrived at the archives about 9:45, ate lunch there, and left just before they closed at 4:30. Interesting day. How did I do?

I thought I found James, but that Mary Maley who was his mother died in Scotland instead of emigrating to the US. None of the other hits on James worked either.

I “think” that “Mr. Maley,” the father of Mary and James and husband of Mary Haughey was also named James, but am not quite sure. I found a census with James Maley age 38 and James Maley age 15 that “mostly fits” what I think I know about their birthdates. It’s even in the right county.

Mary Haughey was born in 1860, making her 11 for the 1871 census. I found an 11-year old Mary Haughey on the 1871 census with parents born in Ireland, living in the right community.

Could it be? I hope so. I was looking for James or my great grandmother, but ended up finding their mother as a pre-teen. Hello great, great grandmother!

Met a super helpful guy named Jimmy at the archives. He really helped us get started!

Also, I’ve learned we still have distant relatives in Wales farming sheep. Next trip!