While researching my mother’s side of the family I thought I would have a look at my great-grandmother Ethel McGregor. I had already purchased the marriage certificate for Ethel McGregor, but only recently have I decided to look more closely at her family.

The marriage took place in 1912 when she was 24 in the parish of Werburgh, her father was recorded as Duncan Charles McGregor.

A search of the census records from 1891 show Ethel aged 4 living with 4 other siblings and her parents Duncan and Jane McGregor, rather interestingly it shows that her father was born in New Zealand.

Duncan McGregor – Head – Married – 32 (1852) – New Zealand

Jane – Wife – Married – 30 (1861) – Napple Common, Buckingham

Duncan – Son – Single – 8 (1883) – Shoeburyness, Essex

Donald – Son – Single – 7 (1884) – Shoeburyness, Essex

Ethel – Daughter – Single – 4 (1887) – Shoeburyness, Essex

Alice – Daughter – Single – 2 (1889) – Shoeburyness, Essex

Ellen – Daughter – Single – 4M (1891) – Shoeburyness, Essex

New Zealand, now I’m intrigued.

Checking the 1881 census Duncan and Jane are living alone in Rochford, South Shoebury, I assume that they have just married. A search for marriages confirms this with a marriage between Duncan McGregor and a Jane Carr in the first quarter of 1881. I need to go back further.

The 1871 census, Duncan is 12 and living with his mother and 4 other siblings.

Mary A McGregor – Head – Widow – 48 (1823) – Clifford, Surrey

Margaret – Daughter – Single – 48 [Should be 18?] – New Zealand

Marion – Daughter – Single – 14 (1857) – New Zealand

Duncan – Son – Single – 12 (1859) – New Zealand

Ida – Daughter – Single – 8 (1863) – At Sea

Alice – Daughter – Single – 6 (1865) – Shoeburyness, Essex

Based on the birth of the eldest daughter, it seems that the family was living in New Zealand from about 1850. Seeing as Ida was born at sea, I assume they moved back to the UK in 1863.

I need to confirm that I have the right family, and I believe that Alice is the key here as she was born in the UK. I have ordered Ethel McGregor’s birth certificate, this should help me confirm her mother and father and help me find her siblings.