As with Margaret's husband, Robert Bigley, initially I discovered Margaret Grinton through her son William's Marriage certificate. The story of discovery that led to William and thence to Margaret is told on William's page. On William's Marriage certificate, his mother's surname looks more like Grunton than Grinton and is also unclear on William's Death Certificate, although definitely Grinton or Grunton.

However, I found a Marriage record for Robert Bigley and Margaret Grinton that took place a couple of years before William's likely year of birth. Furthermore, the marriage took place in Cramond, which is where later Censuses show William's wife to have been born. Admittedly, this is a bit circumstantial, but suggestive, nevertheless. Besides, Grinton is not exactly a common name and to find one married to a Robert Bigley at around the right time, is quite compelling.

Further evidence establishing the credibility of this being my direct ancestor can be found on her husband Robert Bigley's page.

Following all the investigation into Robert Bigley, I was able to establish that Margaret was recorded as being 40 on the day of the 1841 Census. This meant she was born around the beginning of the 19th Century. On searching for a record of her birth, I found a record for a birth in 1799 in Cramond. 1799 is near enough, I believe and the place of birth being Cramond seems to clinch it. So, I although I cannot be 100% certain this is the correct Margaret Grinton, it does seem compelling.

KEY EVENTS AND DATES

Birth - 13th August 1799

Margaret was born in Upper Cramond. Her parents were John Grinton and Christian Low. She was baptised on the 27th August 1799 and this was witnessed by David Low and someone else whose name is missing from the record.

View the record.

Marriage - 19th January 1827

Margaret married Robert Bigley in Cramond. The actual entry was:

Cramond - January 19 1827

This day Rob't Bigley and Marg't Grinton both is this Parish gave in their names

for proclamation in order to marriage & being regularly proclaimed were married.

View the record.

1829

From the ages assigned to William in his Marriage certificate and Censuses, William, Margaret's son, must have been born in this year. According to the Census records he was born in Leith, although they disagree as to whether it was North or South Leith, but given the place of Margaret's marriage and the birth place of her daughter, Margaret, being Cramond, perhaps, William's birth was also there. Either way, I have been unable to find a record of his birth as yet.

24th August 1831

Margaret's daughter, Margaret Bigley, was born in Davidson's Mains, Cramond. Her parents were recorded as being Robert Bigley and Margaret Grinton.

8th February 1836

Margaret's son, Robert was born at "Water of Leith", Parish of St Cuthberts. His parents were recorded as being Robert Bigley, a Labourer and Margaret Grinton. The "Water of Leith" is given as part of Robert Senior's place of death.

8th May 1838

Margaret's son, John, was born at Dean ,Water of Leith. His parents were recorded as being Robert Bigley, a Labourer and Margaret Grinton.

18th December 1839

Sadly, Margaret 's son, John died at Dean Path. His father was recorded as Robert Bigley (no mention of Margaret, although that is in common with the other Death entries in the Register). The cause of his death was given as "Teething" - what an innocuous way to die.

1841 Census

The Census records Margaret, aged 40 , as residing at Dean Village. Also living there were her husband Robert, a Roads Labourer aged 50 and her children William (12), Margaret (9), Peter (7) and Robert (5).

View the record.

Death - 1841 to 1851

As the 1851 Census records Margaret's husband, Robert, as a widower, Margaret must have died in this period, but I cannot find a record of her death.

19th August 1873

Margaret's son, William, finally married Jane Hill at the Free Church College on The Mound in Edinburgh. William was aged 43. His parents were recorded as being Robert Begley, formerly a Labourer but now deceased and Margaret Grinton. Their witnesses included a Robert Begley. Obviously not William's father, so presumably his brother; the one that reported Robert Senior's death in 1857?

6th December 1892

Margaret's son, William, died at 1 South Foulis Close, High Street Edinburgh. His parents were recorded as Robert Begley and Margaret Grinton.