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Christopher Wilson (father of Abraham)

Christopher Wilson was the father of Abraham Wilson.

Christopher married Catherine McFall at Daleyard, Ireland.

Christopher and Catherine were later living at Derry-add, when their son Abraham was born.  At this time Christopher’s occupation was listed as a weaver.

Christopher was later working at a Shipyard in Northern Ireland (his occupation listed on son Abraham’s death certificate?).  He died in a Shipyard accident, possibly Jan-Mar 1888 in Belfast (based on a search I did on http://www.familysearch.org)

Christopher was most likely Anglo-Irish, originating from Scotland, based on the following:

1.  Christopher is a Scottish name (patron saint of travel)

2.  Middle name of son Thomas ‘Andrew’ is a Scottish name

3.  His son ‘Robert’ , also a Scottish name.

4.  Abraham’s religion was Methodist, also a Scottish religion.  Normally the son would be baptised in the Father’s Church, so Christopher must also have been Methodist.

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Catherine Wilson – McFall, Bunting, Bunten or Bunton?

Catherine Wilson was married to Christopher Wilson and they were the parents of Abraham Wilson.

When I first viewed Catherine Wilson’s death certificate, I saw that the informant was a Ann Eliza Wilson (Half-sister).  Was this a mistake?  Surely this was a daughter-in-law or sister-in-law – how could Catherine’s sister also be a Wilson?

So after some digging I found the answer.

After checking on the QLD Births, Deaths, Marriages website, in the historical section, I found Ann’s death listed in 1940.  Her father was listed as ‘Bunting’.

I had also looked up the death certificates for Abraham’s two brothers – Thomas and Robert.  Both listed Catherine’s maiden name is listed as ‘Bunten’ or ‘Bunton’.  However, Abraham Wilson’s birth certificate clearly lists Catherine’s maiden name as McFall.  So how did the mix up in names come about?

Piecing the jigsaw pieces together, I released relationships are:

John McFall and Mary Sturger were the parents of Catherine Wilson

John McFall died, and Mary Sturger married a Thomas Bunting.  Bunting and Mary were the parents of Ann Eliza.

Catherine must have adopted the surname of Thomas Bunting in earlier life (possibly to cover not being seen as illegitimate?)

This would explain Thomas and Robert thinking their Mother’s maiden name was Bunten – they may not have been aware of the re-marriage.