Biographical notes

Records for Ann include the 1841, 1851 and 1861 census returns and her death certificate where her parents are recorded as John Wilson, Woolen Weaver and Margaret Gray. Baptismal record not found in Kilmarnock OPR registers. But a marriage of John Wilson and Margaret Gray is recorded in the Cramond (Midlothian) Parish registers for 26 OCT 1755 (LDS M116795). Cramond is a small village on the coast north west of Edinburgh. Four children were born in the parish; Robert Wilson christened 18/03/1759 (OPR 679/ 0020 0337 FR654), John Wilson christened 31/08/1760 (OPR 679/ 0020 0351 FR661), George Wilson christened 11/04/1762 (OPR 679/ 0020 0364 FR667), and Thomas Wilson christened 12/05/1765 (OPR 679/ 0020 0389 FR680). It is possible that sometime after the birth of Thomas in 1765 the family may have moved to Kilmarnock where Ann was born in 1774, but no evidence to support that has yet been traced. There is apparently no record of her birth in the Kilmarnock OPR's, but citations of her birth in Kilmarnock are recorded in the 1851 and 1861 Census records.

Marriage of Ann to John Kennedy on the 12.7.1796 apparently recorded in the Riccarton and Kilmarnock Old Parish Registers. Thereafter seven children born in varying locations probably reflecting John's employment as a coal miner; Mary Kennedy (1797) born at Riccarton, Ann Kennedy (1806) born at St Quivox, Isabel (1810) born at St Quivox, Agnes (1810) twin of Isabel born at St Quivox, Mary (1816) born at Tarbolton, Archibald (1817) born at Tarbolton and John (1825) born at Newton on Ayr. The last child was born when Ann was 51 which is an unusually late age for childbirth.

The family is recorded in the 1841 Census living in the hamlet of Knockshoggle Holme; Ann Kennedy F 60 [born] Ayrshire

In the 1851 census they appear to be living at the same address and Ann has the entry; Ann Kennedy Wife M F 75 [born] Ayrshire - Kilmarnock

Recorded in 1861 Census as a widow living in Content Street, St Quivox with her daughter Mary. Her other daughter Agnes Pettigrew (nee Kennedy) is also living with her husband and family at the same address. Birthplace of Ann given as Kilmarnock.

Ann died on 16.12.1861 at Content Street, St Quivox with a given age of 87. Husband named as John Kennedy Coalminer on death certificate.