Biographical notes

Information from the OPR's and the 1841 and 1851 Census returns give a good outline of Isabell's life.

The earliest record is of her christening in the St Quivox OPR where her parents are recorded as John Kennedy and Ann Wilson. It looks as if she was the twin sister of Agnes Kennedy who's christening is recorded on the same register page.

The next record is that of her marriage to Thomas Balfour on the 25 December 1829 at Coylton, Ayrshire.

In the 1841 Census family are recorded living at Knockshoggle Holm, Coylton; Thomas Balfour M 30 Coal Miner Ayrshire, Isbella Balfour F 30 Ayrshire, Arch[ibal]d Balfour M 11 Ayrshire, John Balfour M 9 Ayrshire, Janet Balfour F 7 Ayrshire, William Balfour M 5 Ayrshire, Ann Balfour F 3 Ayrshire, Margaret Balfour F 9m Ayrshire.

Isabell gave birth to a child christened Thomas Balfour on the 21/01/1844 registered in the Coylton OPR.

However, it looks as if this child must have died soon after birth as another child with the name of Thomas McCrindle Balfour was christened on the 05/06/1846 and registered in Tarbolton. The second name of the child McCrindle is the married surname of Isabell's sister Margaret and the child is apparently registered living with the McCrindle family (as a lodger) in the 1851 Census after Isabell's death. One possibility is that Isabell died in childbirth and the child was christened Thomas McCrindle Balfour as the McCrindle family agreed to 'adopt' him. If not in childbirth, Isabell must have died sometime between 1846 and the Census in March 1851 where Thomas is listed as a widower.

In the 1851 Census, the depleted family have moved to 27 Corsehill Square, Dreghorn; Thomas Balfour Head W M 42 Coal Miner Ayrshire - Sorn, Archibald Balfour Son U M 20 Coal Miner Ayrshire - Coylton, John Balfour Son U M 18 Coal Miner Ayrshire - Coylton, Janet Balfour Dau U F 16 Domestic Duties Ayrshire - Tarbolton, William Balfour Son U M 14 Coal Miner Ayrshire - Tarbolton, Ann Balfour Dau U F 12 Sewer Ayrshire - Coylton, Margaret Balfour Dau U F 10 Sewer Ayrshire - Coylton, Mary Kennedy Visitr U F 35 Sewer Ayrshire - Tarbolton. Note that Mary Kennedy was also sister in law to Thomas (Isabella's sister).

The later Census returns have not been checked for the Balfour family.