The birth of Christian Ritchie was recorded in the Cardross (Dunbartonshire) Parish Register:

Christian daughter to Duncan Ritchie and Ann Campbell in Renton was born 9th October 1791

‘Christian McAuslane Widow of James McAuslane Grocer’ died on 13^th January 1875 at 4^h 30^m am, at Alexandria, Parish of Bonhill. She was 83 years of age. The cause of death was hydrocephalus, from which she had been suffering for 16 days. The death was recorded on the following day by Daniel Ritchie, acquaintance (present).

During her lifetime, the forenames ‘Christina’ and ‘Christian’ were used more or less interchangeably. She was entered as ‘Christina’, 45, born in the county, i.e. Dunbartonshire, in the 1841 census, as ‘Christina’, 59, in 1851 and again as ‘Christina’, 69, in 1861. However, in 1871 she was ‘Christian’ (as was her daughter), 79. This ambiguity is fully reflected in the terms of her husband’s Trust Deed and Settlement, executed on 29^th November 1848, with her ‘advice and consent and approbation’ and in which she is styled ‘Christina or Christian Ritchie or McAslan’.

For the final two years of her life, following the death of her husband, Christina inherited the yearly proceeds of his estate.

As ‘Christina’ she was recalled as deceased on the 1896 death certificate of her daughter, also Christina, but as ‘Christian’ on the 1904 death certificate of her daughter, Janet.

Forebears

The marriage of Christian Ritchie’s parents, Duncan Ritchie and Ann Campbell, was recorded in the Cardross Parish Register on 3^rd December 1775:

Duncan Ritchie & Ann Campbell both in this P. procld & Married

Duncan and Ann were both recalled as deceased on Christian’s 1875 death certificate; the informant failed to specify Duncan’s occupation.