Biographical notes

Sketchy records for this family starting with a marriage registered in the Riccarton and Kilmarnock OPR's on the 12 July 1796.

First child Mary was born in Riccarton (1797), followed by Janet (1802), then the family apparently moved to Tarbolton where Margaret (1805) was born. The next birth suggests a move to St Quivox where Anne (1806), and twins Isabell and Agnes (1810) were born. It seems likely that the first Mary died in infancy and another child of the same name was born about 1816 in Tarbolton. Archibald (1817) was also born in Tarbolton whilst John the last recorded child was born about 1825 in Newton on Ayr. This seems a late birth for Ann who was apparently aged 51.

There is then a gap of 16 years until the 1841 Census when the family are recorded living at Knockshoggle Holme; John Kennedy Male 60 Coal Miner [born in] Ayrshire, Ann Kennedy Female 60 [born in] Ayrshire, Mary Kennedy Female 25 [born in] Ayrshire, Arch[ibal]d Kennedy Male 20 Coal Miner [born in] Ayrshire, John Kennedy Male 16 Coal Miner [born in] Ayrshire. Of the other children Janet (1802) was living with her sister Margaret (1805) and her husband Andrew McCrindle at Crawfordston Colliery, Tarbolton, Agnes (1810) married James Pettigrew (1801) in 1839 and was living in St Quivox, her twin sister Isabell (1810) had married Thomas Balfour (1809) in 1829 and the family were living nearby in Knockshoggle Holm. No records have yet been traced for Anne Kennedy (1806).

In the 1851 Census Ann and John are apparently listed still at the same address in Knockshoggle Holme living on their own, but the entry gives a little more detailed information about them; John Kennedy Head Married Male 75 Pauper (Formerly Coal Miner) [born] Ayrshire - St Quivox, Ann Kennedy Wife Married Female 75 [born] Ayrshire - Kilmarnock.

It is interesting to note the locations of the children in the 1851 census. Agnes (1810) is still living with her husband James Pettigrew (1801). Her twin sister Isabella (1810) has died as her husband Thomas Balfour (1809) is listed as a widower living with the rest of his family in Knockshoggle Holm. Interestingly his sister-in-law Mary Kennedy (1816) was visiting at the time of the Census. Isabell's last child, Thomas McCrindle Balfour, was christened 05/06/1846 (OPR Tarbolton 619/ 0030 0218 FR615), indicating that Isabell died sometime between 1846 and 1851. Margaret McCrindle (nee Kennedy 1805) was living with her husband Andrew (and family) at Burnbrae, Tarbolton and Janet Kennedy (1802) was still living with them (recorded as Jane Kinnedy).

By the time of the 1861 Census John Kennedy had died (must have been before 1855 as no records of his death have been traced in the BMD records for Scotland). Ann is recorded in the 1861 Census as a widow living with her unmarried daughter Mary Kennedy (1816) in Content Street. Mary's age given as 44 whereas actual age was 64. Ann's age correctly given as 87. Ann died in Content Street in December 1861 and Mary died at Corsehill Road, Dreghorn in April 1886.