Kincardineshire Clachnaben, modified & cropped. Click image to view original picture
Great-grandmother – Paternal father’s line of Williamson Family
When Jemima Ritchie was born on 25 October 1858, in Kincardineshire, her father, Andrew, was 35 and her mother, Ann, was 27. She married David James Williamson on 19 September 1879, in Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire. They had 12 children in 22 years. She died on 3 August 1941, in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, at the age of 82.
Jemima Ritchie was born on 25 October 1858, in Kincardineshire to Ann Christie, age 27, and Andrew Ritchie, age 35.
Family Life in Maykirk
In the 1861 Scotland Census, Jemima was living with her mother, father and siblings Isabella, Ann, Elisabeth and Helen, at Dykelands in Maykirk, Kincardineshire.
Seven months later, in 1861, her brother David was born. Her father worked as a Veterinary Surgeon and Blacksmith. In the following decade between 1862 and 1872 another six siblings were born – Andrew Burns 1862; Jessie Leslie 1866; John 1867; Charles 1870; and, Maggie in 1872.
Siblings of Jemima Ritchie
- Isabella Ritchie [b.1852]
- Ann Ritchie [b.1854]
- Elizabeth Ritchie [b.1855]
- Helen Ritchie [b.1857]
- David Christie Ritchie [b.1861]
- Andrew Burns Ritchie [b.1862]
- Jessie Leslie Ritchie [b.1866]
- John Ritchie [b.1867]
- Charles C Ritchie [b.1870]
- Maggie Ritchie [b.1872]
Jemima Ritchie married David James Williamson on 19 September 1879, at Borrowmuirhil in Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire, when he was 21 years old.
Family Life in Kingswells, Newhills
Following her marriage Jemima had twelve children and obviously much of her time involved looking after the children. However she also found time to assist David by accompanying him on the piano during singing lessons at “The Old School”.
The Old Schoolhouse in Midlothian, similar to the house occupied by David Williamson and his family.
Children of David James Williamson and Jemima Ritchie
Twelve children were born to David and Jemima Williamson at the Schoolhouse, Kingswells, Scotland during a period of 22 years from 1881 to 1903:
Our direct ancestor, Reginald George Williamson, was born on 12 October 1890 and passed away on 21 April 1956 at Northmead, New South Wales, Australia – Reginald George Williamson 1890–1956
Her husband David James was Schoolmaster at “The Schoolhouse”, Kingswells, Parish of Newhills, when he suffered from apoplexy and died in April 1921. They had been married 41 years.
Jemima Ritchie died on 3 August 1941, in Aberdeen, Scotland, when she was 82 years old.