ELIZABETH TAYLOR KIRBY was born about 1891. She was one of nine known children born to John Kirby and Elizabeth Taylor of Troon. Her mother died on the 11th of December 1901. Her father, a seaman/fisherman by the nature of his occupation would have been absent at sea on a regular basis. This would mean that someone would have to look after the surviving children. It is understood that an auntie Christina Taylor looked after at least some of them. Her father John Kirby, a lay preacher and member of the Brethern, and friend of her father's Peter Miller, wasted little time an remarried Jean Miller on the 31st of July 1903 at Duke Street in Ayr. Jean was 16 years younger than John. It is understood and believed, but hard to understand,  that Jean Miller  was not aware that John Kirby had other children either as young, or as close by.

It is not clear why Elizabeth ended up in Ayr, or what unfortunate events befell the children. Elizabeth may have been the oldest surviving child although there is evidence that Lucy Elizabeth Kirby, one of her older sisters, was still alive in 1901 but there appears to be  no marriage or death records of her in Scotland despite searches.

By 1911 Elizabeth would have been 20, and one of her younger sisters Christina would be 18. They both had illegitimate children in the Kyle Union, Poorhouse, Ayr. Perhaps this suggests that their upbringing from 1901 had not been so easy.

Her son Henry James Kirby was born on the 10th of  January 1911, at the Kyle Union, Poorhouse. What happened to Henry in his early life is not clear but it is thought he was brought up also by an Aunt probably Jessie or Christina. On the 25th February 1911 she was living at 30 King Street Ayr. In the 1910/1911 valuation Roll 30 King Street was occupied by Frank McNally and these were large workmans dwellings.In the previous year, 1909/1910 30 King Street was occupied by James Mcgregor Carpet Weaver. James is not a name that crops up in the Kirby family, perhaps James Mcgregor gives a clue who the father may have been.

Elizabeth moved to 74 York Street Lane, and area around the Harbour on the north side of the river. It is understood that Christina and Jessie Wilson lived there too.

Elizabeth married James Stevenson on the 29th of  April 1918 in 90½ Great Hamilton Street, Glasgow by Declaration (Ref 1918 644/3 338). At that time Elizabeth was residing in 74 York Street Lane, Ayr. Her occupation in 1918 was as a laundress.

James Stevenson was the son of Robert Stevenson and Mary Campbell. He was born about 1880.

They moved and were living at High Road, Whittletts, Ayr

However their marriage did not last long as Elizabeth died  on the 23rd of  December 1918 in Ayr County Hospital at 00.40pm. The cause of Death: was Pneumonia over 5 Days, and  reported J. Stephenson her husband.