Mary McKelvie Kerr (1874-1940)

Mary Buntin McKelvie Kerr , daughter of Matthew McKelvie (1853-1930) and Margaret Whiteford McKelvie (1835-1922) was born on the 30th October 1874 in Renfrew. Mary was described as 'illegitimate' on the birth certificate although both her mother and father signed the document. The life and key relationships of Mary's mother Margaret are described separately in this site and in fact Matthew and Margaret never married. Mary lived with her mother and older step-sister Elizabeth 'Deveno' from her mother's only recorded marriage. Elizabeth was however to die aged just 17 from consumption.

The "Buntin" element within Mary's registered birth name is currently believed to have been derived from her grandmother on her father's side - Mary McKelvie, maiden name Buntin. Mary Buntin's parents are known from her death certificate to have been Samuel Buntin and Mary Black Buntin.

Mary McKelvie married James Kerr (1874-1922) who was born in Ireland, on the 30th November 1896 at 83 High Street in Renfrew. At that time Mary was living at 21 High Street in Renfrew with James living at 21 Croft place, Renfrew. The marriage was witnessed by a James Kilpatrick and Sarah Irvine.

Mary was employed as a bleachfield worker prior to marrying James Kerr. This was a fairly common profession for females in Renfrew at the time. James was noted as a shipyard worker on the 1901 Census by which time the couple were living with their young family and Mary's mother Maggie, at 118 High Street in Renfrew.

Mary and James had 11 children together over a period from 1896 (birth of Sarah Kerr) through to their last child Betty Kerr in 1913 and these offspring are described separately in this site. However, with none of 3 Kerr sons Matthew, Enos and James surviving into adulthood, the Kerr name was destined to disappear for this family branch.

By the 1911 Census, the Kerr household is a crowded place with Mary being recorded as having 8 living children. Also living with the family are Mary's mother as Mary Davanna and cousin Robert Porter who was of course destined to marry Mary's daughter Margaret in 1917.

	Kerr Census Record from 1911

Mary's husband James died aged just 48 on the 2nd July 1922 due to hepatitis cirrhosis of the liver. His 22 year old son Enos had died from TB contracted in the 1st World War trenches just 2 years earlier.

Mary passed away due to myocarditis (an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle) during the 2nd World War on the 8th August 1940 in Renfrew with her death being registered by her nephew Hugh Porter who was living at 2341 Dumbarton Road in Yoker, Glasgow. Mary had lived latterly at 7 Tennant Street in Renfrew.

	Early 20th Century Photo of Tenement in Renfrew

      Family Tree Summary

Forename	Surname	Born	Died	Cause of Death
Mary McKelvie	Kerr	30/10/1874	08/08/1940	Unknown