Humble ancestors: North East Scotland
Overview
This page is dedicated to my ancestors who are of humble origins. They mostly earned their living as crofters, farm workers, weavers, mill workers, soldiers, railwaymen, factory workers, hospital workers and other comparable jobs. There is a bank accountant and a customs officer among them, but they are not typical. Further back in time, I descend from aristocrats, royals, English, Welsh, Irish and other Europeans. Those people were from all over Europe, sometimes migrating long distances despite limited transport options. The humble descendants of those illustrious ancestors, the most famous of whom are to be found on the Royal Connections page, are featured in tables 7 and 8. The Forbes, Lyon and Guise families all descend from royalty. Many of their ancestors are available on public websites. Using that information, my ancestry can be traced back in some lines to biblical times. Given some of the surnames that appear among my other humble ancestors listed on this page, it is reasonable to suppose that there are more ancestors of mine who descend from royalty (see tables 2, 18, 23 and 38), but that is an area for future research.
In sharp contrast to the UK-dominated but Europe-wide nature of my royal and aristocratic ancestors, all my known ancestors (except maybe some members of the Guise family) since the early 18th century are humble people who lived in North East Scotland, particularly within the area bounded by Strachan village, Montrose and Stonehaven. Apart from most of Montrose itself, this entire area is covered by Ordnance Survey Landranger map 45 (Stonehaven and Banchory). However, you would need seven other maps in the series to cover all the places in which my ancestors listed on this page (Guise family excepted) lived.
These people rarely moved more than a few miles from where they were born during their entire lives unless they joined the army or navy, or they emigrated, although there were exceptions; a son of two of my ancestors moved to Ayrshire circa 1750 (see table 23), while at around the same time, one of my ancestors moved from St Andrews to Benholm (see table 44). Nobody who emigrated from Britain since 1600 and had a family abroad is a confirmed ancestor of mine; you have to go back much further than that (the 11th or 12th century, perhaps) to find such a person. In the second half of the 19th century, the railways opened up more travel opportunities for people; one of my great-great-grandmothers died in Hamilton (Scotland) in 1908 while on a lengthy visit to a son who had moved there. More recently, my father joined the air force in 1940 and ended up living in England, where I was born and have mostly lived ever since.
The descents here begin with people whose own ancestry is unknown to me, and may be lost to history forever. except for tables 7 and 8, which pick up from the point of descent from earlier ancestors where publicly available information ceases to be available, although even these tables feature spouses whose own ancestry is unknown to me. Other branches of the families listed on this page can be found in Africa, Oceania and North America. Those people are my distant relatives, but they are not my ancestors so are outside the scope of this page.
Except where I clearly indicate a continuation from one table to the next, the first part of these descents all end with one of my great-grandparents marrying or partnering another. The final descents to me from those great-grandparents are combined at the bottom of the page to reduce duplication.
The blue numbers match those generated by the database software that my father uses, and are there for my convenience, but if you find them helpful, great. A father's number is double that of his son or daughter, while a mother's number is one more than the father's number, as illustrated most clearly in the final descents to me. Apart from those final descents, the tables are presented in the order that they would appear as branches in a standard family tree, top to bottom.
Information about some ancestors is readily available in the public domain, whether in books or on the internet. Away from the famous royal lines, such information has to be treated with caution, especially as different sources sometimes contradict each other. I also occasionally see dates that don't make sense. Sometimes, it is possible to work out what the error is. Otherwise, it's a case of making an educated guess or ignoring the information. However, I regard my father's data as presented here as trustworthy as it is possible to be, based on the way he did his research without the internet, long before it became popular. Very few ancestors who I have seen in the public domain are listed on this page, not least because this page (as I said at the top) is dedicated to my ancestors who are of humble origins.
I hope that this page helps some people with their own research, while also hoping that it may lead to somebody offering information that enables me to add to my own knowledge. I have more information about some of these ancestors that I can share with other researchers. NOTE that I won't publish information, or pass on information to other researchers, that is privately supplied without permission.
Every ancestor of mine who featured in my father's data and who is not in the public domain is mentioned here at least once. My father's data also includes brothers, sisters and in-laws of my ancestors where he has found information about them. His data also includes all sorts of other information that I see no need to show here, but which I can share with other researchers on request.
My father's side of the family
Descents to Robert Harris
From a genealogical perspective, the couple who start the first table are more interesting than the people who descend from them. The Heros surname may have evolved from the Norman de Heriz, but in any event, it is clear that my branch of the Harris family is unlikely to be linked by surname alone to any famous people called Harris. If I am related to any of them, it will almost certainly be via other surnames. Rather like Smith (five of whom appear on this page, these being Mary, Barbara, Thomas, Janet and Margaret), Harris is one of those common names that doesn't make research easy. Apart from the line featured here and despite being a common name, I have not found anybody called Harris among my ancestors.
Kath Middleton is very likely related to Helen Middleton, the mother of John Lyon, 4th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, but I have not identified any of Kath's ancestors, though a few of Helen's are in the public domain. In any event, given the geography, they are likely to be more closely related to each other than either is to Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.
On a personal level, the most intriguing mystery is the disappearance of my great-grandfather Robert Harris, which I discuss in Trivia (Robert Harris).
| Table 1 |
|---|
| 256 Robert Heros, b. 1676, d. May 25, 1768 in Glenbervie married 257 Kath Middleton, b. 1679, d. July 28, 1748 in Glenbervie ALSO 258 David Guthrie married 259 Margaret Scott married on Aug 6, 1713 in Marykirk |
| 128 William Harris, b. c1717 in Arbuthnott married 129 Janet Guthrie, b. June 12, 1722 in Marykirk, d. Feb 11, 1801 in Ormiston Farm married on May 30, 1747 in Fordoun |
| 64 John Harris, b. June 2, 1764 in Fordoun, d. Dec 16, 1862 in Luthermuir married 65 Jean Christie, b. June 23, 1771 in Fordoun married on Sep 9, 1797 in Fordoun |
| 32 John Harris, b. Mar 12, 1802 in Fordoun, d. Nov 8, 1880 married 33 Helen Duncan, b. Sep 6, 1805 in Fettercairn, d. 1861 married on Nov 22, 1827 in Marykirk |
| 16 David Harris, b. Oct 24, 1830 in Fordoun, d. Mar 28, 1914 in Laurencekirk married 17 Elizabeth Begg, b. Feb 11, 1830 in Fordoun, d. May 9, 1903 in Midbank Hillside married on June 11, 1853 in Fettercairn |
| 8 Robert Harris, b. Dec 13, 1872 in Laurencekirk married 9 Agnes Strachan, b. June 28, 1868 in Montrose, d. Apr 29, 1952 in Montrose married on June 5, 1896 in Montrose |
Gordon is a surname that appears in the Scottish royal family tree, and I descend from some of those Gordons, but although John and Jean Gordon (and Beatrix Gordon) are very likely related to them, I know nothing of their ancestry.
| Table 2 |
|---|
| 268 Robert Mollison married 269 the woman who became Mrs Mollison ALSO 270 John Gordon married 271 Christian Coutts married on May 16, 1755 in Inverbervie |
| 134 George Mollison, b. Feb 13, 1756 in Glenbervie married 135 Jean Gordon married on Oct 30, 1781 in Marykirk |
| 67 Helen Mollison, b. July 16, 1784 in Fordoun married 66 David Duncan, d. Sep 11, 1834 in Luthermuir married on Oct 27, 1804 in Fordoun |
| 33 Helen Duncan, b. Sep 6, 1805 in Fettercairn, d. 1861 married 32 John Harris, b. Mar 12, 1802 in Fordoun, d. Nov 8, 1880 married on Nov 22, 1827 in Marykirk |
| 16 David Harris, b. Oct 24, 1830 in Fordoun, d. Mar 28, 1914 in Laurencekirk married 17 Elizabeth Begg, b. Feb 11, 1830 in Fordoun, d. May 9, 1903 in Midbank Hillside married on June 11, 1853 in Fettercairn |
| 8 Robert Harris, b. Dec 13, 1872 in Laurencekirk married 9 Agnes Strachan, b. June 28, 1868 in Montrose, d. Apr 29, 1952 in Montrose married on June 5, 1896 in Montrose |
Joseph Begg had two children by a previous marriage to Margaret Carnegie.
| Table 3 |
|---|
| 68 Joseph Begg married 69 Margaret Alexander married on June 12, 1785 in Glenbervie ALSO 70 Alexander McLaren married 71 Catherine Thomson married on May 6, 1797 in Fordoun |
| 34 George Begg, b. May 6, 1798 in Fordoun married 35 Jean McLaren, b. 13.04.1797 in Fordoun, Cairntoun, d. July 1, 1835 in Coullie married on Dec 20, 1821 in Fordoun |
| 17 Elizabeth Begg, b. Feb 11, 1830 in Fordoun, d. May 9, 1903 in Midbank Hillside married 16 David Harris, b. Oct 24, 1830 in Fordoun, d. Mar 28, 1914 in Laurencekirk married on June 11, 1853 in Fettercairn |
| 8 Robert Harris, b. Dec 13, 1872 in Laurencekirk married 9 Agnes Strachan, b. June 28, 1868 in Montrose, d. Apr 29, 1952 in Montrose married on June 5, 1896 in Montrose |
Descents to Agnes Strachan
All my royal and aristocratic ancestors so far identified descend to me via Abraham Guise, a great-grandfather of Agnes Strachan. Before we look at the descents through Abraham, we look at the Strachan male line and two other lines that connect to it.
Strachan village gave its name to the clan. Some of my ancestors featured on this page lived there, but apparently not those that I know about bearing the Strachan surname.
| Table 4 |
|---|
| 144 Robert Strachan married 145 Ann Towns married on Sep 14, 1723 in Marykirk |
| 72 Robert Strachan, b. Dec 20, 1738 in Montrose, d. Aug 3, 1802 in Montrose married 73 Jean Wilkie, b. July 3, 1755 in Logie Pert, d. Sep 8, 1802 in Montrose married on June 11, 1775 in Montrose |
| 36 George Strachan, b. June 29, 1795 in Montrose, d. Sep 13, 1877 in Montrose married 37 Valentina Guise, b. c1795, d. July 1840 in Montrose married on Aug 20, 1820 in Montrose |
| 18 Alexander Strachan, b. Sep 2, 1828 in Montrose, d. Dec 31, 1899 in Montrose married 19 Margaret Durno, b. Aug 15, 1835 in Montrose, d. Feb 27, 1900 in Montrose married on Jan 29, 1858 in Montrose |
| 9 Agnes Strachan, b. June 28, 1868 in Montrose, d. Apr 29, 1952 in Montrose married 8 Robert Harris, b. Dec 13, 1872 in Laurencekirk married on June 5, 1896 in Montrose |
| Table 5 |
|---|
| 586 James Reid married 587 the woman who became Mrs Reid |
| 293 Isabella Reid, b. Mar 2, 1701 in Dun married 292 John Wilkie married on Jan 23, 1719 in Montrose |
| 146 John Wilkie, b. Aug 18, 1722 in Montrose married 147 Margaret Cloudsley, b. Jan 4, 1736 in Fordoun married on Oct 6, 1753 in Fordoun |
| 73 Jean Wilkie, b. July 3, 1755 in Logie Pert, d. Sep 8, 1802 in Montrose married 72 Robert Strachan, b. Dec 20, 1738 in Montrose, d. Aug 3, 1802 in Montrose married June 11, 1775 in Montrose |
| 36 George Strachan, b. June 29, 1795 in Montrose, d. Sep 13, 1877 in Montrose married 37 Valentina Guise, b. c1795, d. July 1840 in Montrose married on Aug 20, 1820 in Montrose |
| 18 Alexander Strachan, b. Sep 2, 1828 in Montrose, d. Dec 31, 1899 in Montrose married 19 Margaret Durno, b. Aug 15, 1835 in Montrose, d. Feb 27, 1900 in Montrose married on Jan 29, 1858 in Montrose |
| 9 Agnes Strachan, b. June 28, 1868 in Montrose, d. Apr 29, 1952 in Montrose married 8 Robert Harris, b. Dec 13, 1872 in Laurencekirk married on June 5, 1896 in Montrose |
| Table 6 |
|---|
| 590 George Ritchie married 591 Elspet Valentine married on July 8, 1712 in Fordoun |
| 295 Jean Ritchie, b. May 5, 1717 in Fordoun married 294 William Cloudsley married on Hogmanay, 1734 in Fordoun |
| 147 Margaret Cloudsley, b. Jan 4, 1736 in Fordoun married 146 John Wilkie, b. Aug 18, 1722 in Montrose married on Oct 6, 1753 in Fordoun |
| 73 Jean Wilkie, b. July 3, 1755 in Logie Pert, d. Sep 8, 1802 in Montrose married 72 Robert Strachan, b. Dec 20, 1738 in Montrose, d. Aug 3, 1802 in Montrose married June 11, 1775 in Montrose |
| 36 George Strachan, b. June 29, 1795 in Montrose, d. Sep 13, 1877 in Montrose married 37 Valentina Guise, b. c1795, d. July 1840 in Montrose married on Aug 20, 1820 in Montrose |
| 18 Alexander Strachan, b. Sep 2, 1828 in Montrose, d. Dec 31, 1899 in Montrose married 19 Margaret Durno, b. Aug 15, 1835 in Montrose, d. Feb 27, 1900 in Montrose married on Jan 29, 1858 in Montrose |
| 9 Agnes Strachan, b. June 28, 1868 in Montrose, d. Apr 29, 1952 in Montrose married 8 Robert Harris, b. Dec 13, 1872 in Laurencekirk married on June 5, 1896 in Montrose |
148 John Guise and his son 74 Abraham Guise, being born in England, are my most recent English-born ancestors. They were from a military family and both married in North East Scotland. My branch of the Guise family descends from 2368 William Guise (born 1596 in Elmore) and his wife 2369 Cecilia Dennis (born in Pucklechurch). Information about their own ancestors are available in the public domain. The intermediate family were mostly English (and all born before 1700) although one of them married a Swiss woman who I believe was living in London when she met her husband-to-be. I can't find anybody after William and Cecilia in the public domain except through the descent via their son Sir Christopher Guise, so I'll begin with the descent from Christopher's brother 1184 John Guise of Sandford, which starts as an English family but becomes Scottish before or during the 18th century. After that, it's North East Scotland all the way, just like all the other descents on this page.
| Table 7 |
|---|
1184 John Guise of Sandford, d. 1698 married 1185 Hestor Stratford, b. in Framcote |
| 592 William Guise, b. 1653, d. 1684 married 593 Frances Southcote, d. 1723 |
| 296 John Guise, b. 1683, d. 1763 married 297 Maryanne d'Hervart, b. in Switzerland |
| 148 John Guise, b. July 2, 1729 in High Wycombe married 149 Mary Forbes, b. 1729, d. Jan 19, 1803 in Montrose married on Aug 28, 1749 in Aberdeen |
74 Abraham Guise, b. Mar 2, 1753 in Horsham, Sussex married 75 Mary Smith, b. in Montrose married in Montrose |
| 37 Valentina Guise, b. c1795, d. July 1840 in Montrose married 36 George Strachan, b. June 29, 1795 in Montrose, d. Sep 13, 1877 in Montrose married on Aug 20, 1820 in Montrose |
| 18 Alexander Strachan, b. Sep 2, 1828 in Montrose, d. Dec 31, 1899 in Montrose married 19 Margaret Durno, b. Aug 15, 1835 in Montrose, d. Feb 27, 1900 in Montrose married on Jan 29, 1858 in Montrose |
| 9 Agnes Strachan, b. June 28, 1868 in Montrose, d. Apr 29, 1952 in Montrose married 8 Robert Harris, b. Dec 13, 1872 in Laurencekirk married on June 5, 1896 in Montrose |
1192 Thomas Forbes of Waterton is a son of 2385 Janet Ogilvy (born circa 1570) and her husband 2384 William Forbes (9th Laird of Tolquhoun, born circa 1555), while 299 Elizabeth Lyon is a daughter of 598 John Lyon, 4th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne and 599 Lady Elizabeth Stanhope. Information about those couples and their ancestors is readily availably in the public domain, beginning with the Wikipedia links provided. Elizabeth Lyon was therefore not of humble birth, but the branch of the Forbes family into which she married had seemingly already lost its nobility by the time she married, so I think she fits in here.
I have no information about the Ramsey family connection beyond what I've posted here, except that the first wife of 298 Thomas Forbes was Katherine Ramsey. Thus, three successive generations of my Forbes ancestors married women from the Ramsey family. Those women were very likely related to each other in some way other than their links via the Forbes family, but how? And who else were they related to? For the time being, it is a mystery to me. Sometimes, the Ramsey name is spelt Ramsay, but I regard these spellings as interchangeable for the period covered. Nowadays, some people get worked up if their surname is spelt wrongly, but if anybody complains to me, I tell them it's their ancestors who couldn't spell :-)
| Table 8 |
|---|
1192 Thomas Forbes of Waterton, d. 1652 married 1193 Jean Ramsey of Balmain |
| 596 James Forbes of Savoch and Thornton, b. c1640, d. 1713 in Thornton married 597 Margaret Ramsey |
298 Thomas Forbes married 299 Elizabeth Lyon, b. June 22, 1701 in Glamis |
| 149 Mary Forbes, b. 1729, d. Jan 19, 1803 in Montrose married 148 John Guise, b. July 2, 1729 in High Wycombe, d. Aug 6, 1786 in Montrose married on Aug 28, 1749 in Aberdeen |
| 74 Abraham Guise, b. Mar 2, 1753 in Horsham, Sussex married 75 Mary Smith, b. in Montrose married in Montrose |
| 37 Valentina Guise, b. c1795, d. July 1840 in Montrose married 36 George Strachan, b. June 29, 1795 in Montrose, d. Sep 13, 1877 in Montrose married on Aug 20, 1820 in Montrose |
| 18 Alexander Strachan, b. Sep 2, 1828 in Montrose, d. Dec 31, 1899 in Montrose married 19 Margaret Durno, b. Aug 15, 1835 in Montrose, d. Feb 27, 1900 in Montrose married on Jan 29, 1858 in Montrose |
| 9 Agnes Strachan, b. June 28, 1868 in Montrose, d. Apr 29, 1952 in Montrose married 8 Robert Harris, b. Dec 13, 1872 in Laurencekirk married on June 5, 1896 in Montrose |
| Table 9 |
|---|
| 78 John Duncan married 79 Ann Watson married on June 13, 1807 in Logie Pert |
| 39 Margaret Duncan, b. May 4, 1810 in Montrose married 38 James Durno |
| 19 Margaret Durno, b. Aug 15, 1835 in Montrose, d. Feb 27, 1900 in Montrose married 18 Alexander Strachan, b. Sep 2, 1828 in Montrose, d. Dec 31, 1899 in Montrose married on Jan 29, 1858 in Montrose |
| 9 Agnes Strachan, b. June 28, 1868 in Montrose, d. Apr 29, 1952 in Montrose married 8 Robert Harris, b. Dec 13, 1872 in Laurencekirk married on June 5, 1896 in Montrose |
Descents to Archibald Gouk
Gouk is not a common name, but my paternal grandmother was a Gouk. This particular segment of my ancestry is the one I know least about. My father was unable to trace any ancestors of Archibald Gouk (born 1864) more than four generations back, and most lines didn't get that far. Not that I'm complaining, especially as I know that others have a much harder time identifying their ancestors than my father did, but I hope to improve my knowledge eventually.
| Table 10 |
|---|
| 160 James Gouk married 161 Margaret Garland married on Aug 9, 1734 in Craig ALSO 162 David Milne married 163 Jannet Falconer married on June 11, 1745 in Fordoun |
| 80 David Gouk, b. Feb 24, 1745 in Lunan married 81 Elizabeth Milne, b. May 17, 1754 in St Cyrus |
| 40 Archibald Gouk, b. Dec 1, 1793, d. Feb 21, 1858 in Rossie Island married 41 Mary Brechin, b. July 18, 1798 in Garvock, d. Sep 13, 1874 in Montrose married on June 8, 1822 in Garvock |
| 20 Archibald Gouk, b. Feb 10, 1825 in Craig, d. Oct 26, 1892 in Montrose married 21 Christina Jamieson, b. Sep 26, 1824 in Fordoun, d. Mar 21, 1876 in Montrose married on July 3, 1852 in Fordoun |
| 10 Archibald Gouk, b. Apr 21, 1864 in Montrose, d. Dec 7, 1943 in Montrose married 11 Catherine Thomson, b. Feb 2, 1871 in Montrose married on Feb 2, 1888 in Craig |
Maybe Jannet Falconer is related to Jane Falconer or Margaret Falconer but I have no information on any of them beyond what is posted on this page.
| Table 11 |
|---|
| 164 Robert Brechin married 165 Elizabeth Burnett married on June 8, 1731 in Marykirk. |
82 Robert Brechin, b. Aug 23, 1737 in Garvock married 83 Jane Falconer married on Sep 7, 1782 in St. Cyrus |
| 41 Mary Brechin, b. July 18, 1798 in Garvock, d. Sep 13, 1874 in Montrose married 40 Archibald Gouk, b. Dec 1, 1793, d. Feb 21, 1858 in Rossie Island married on June 8, 1822 in Garvock |
| 20 Archibald Gouk, b. Feb 10, 1825 in Craig, d. Oct 26, 1892 in Montrose married 21 Christina Jamieson, b. Sep 26, 1824 in Fordoun, d. Mar 21, 1876 in Montrose married on July 3, 1852 in Fordoun |
| 10 Archibald Gouk, b. Apr 21, 1864 in Montrose, d. Dec 7, 1943 in Montrose married 11 Catherine Thomson, b. Feb 2, 1871 in Montrose married on Feb 2, 1888 in Craig |
| Table 12 |
|---|
| 86 Robert Ross married 87 Margaret Barclay married on Jan 31, 1796 in Glenbervie |
| 43 Christina Ross, b. June 28, 1796 in Glenbervie married 42 Alexander Jamieson married on Dec 18, 1823 in Fordoun |
| 21 Christina Jamieson, b. Sep 26, 1824 in Fordoun, d. Mar 21, 1876 in Montrose married 20 Archibald Gouk, b. Feb 10, 1825 in Craig, d. Oct 26, 1892 in Montrose married on July 3, 1852 in Fordoun |
| 10 Archibald Gouk, b. Apr 21, 1864 in Montrose, d. Dec 7, 1943 in Montrose married 11 Catherine Thomson, b. Feb 2, 1871 in Montrose married on Feb 2, 1888 in Craig |
Descents to Catherine Thomson
My father found out much more about Mrs Gouk's ancestors than Mr Gouk's, as the next few tables show.
| Table 13 |
|---|
| 2832 David Air, b. Apr 3, 1632 in Brechin married 2833 Margaret Guthrie |
| 1416 James Air, b. Jan 6, 1642 in Brechin married 1417 Agnes Renny married on July 8, 1668 in Kinnell |
| 708 James Air, b. Apr 1671 in Kinnell married 709 Katherine Rind, b. Feb 1686 in Kinnell married on Nov 7, 1707 in Kinnell |
| Continued in next table near top |
Alexander Thomson was a ship's captain, which explains why he was in Larache, Morocco. My father contacted the British embassy in Morocco, but no details of the circumstances of his death are known.
| Table 14 |
|---|
| 1418 Alexander Rind married 1419 Agnes Traill married on Nov 25, 1680 in Kinnell |
| 709 Katherine Rind, b. Feb 1686 in Kinnell married 708 James Air, b. Apr 1671 in Kinnell married on Nov 7, 1707 in Kinnell |
| 354 William Air, b. June 27, 1713 in Kinnell married 355 Isobel Mill married on Aug 22, 1730 in Craig |
| 177 Mary Air, b. Nov 30, 1735 in Montrose married 176 George Thomson married on Jan 5, 1763 in Montrose |
| 88 William Thomson, b. May 25, 1766 in Montrose married 89 Jean Wishart, b. Oct 14, 1764 in Montrose married on Nov 9, 1788 in Montrose |
| 44 John Thomson, b. Mar 16, 1795 in Montrose, d. Sep 18, 1854 in Rossie Island married 45 Jean Mather, b. Apr 24, 1803 in Craig, d. Sep 15, 1854 in Rossie Island married on July 1, 1821 in Montrose |
| 22 Alexander Thomson, b. Mar 6, 1836 in Dun, d. July 22, 1876 in Larache, Morocco married 23 Elizabeth Rodger, b. Nov 2 1840 in Montrose, d. Dec 16 1885 in Montrose married on May 9, 1862 in Montrose |
| 11 Catherine Thomson, b. Feb 2, 1871 in Montrose married 10 Archibald Gouk, b. Apr 21, 1864 in Montrose, d. Dec 7, 1943 in Montrose married on Feb 2, 1888 in Craig |
| Table 15 |
|---|
| 356 John Wishart married 357 Isabel Lawson married on May 25, 1723 in Montrose |
| 178 Alexander Wishart, b. Aug 29, 1725 in Montrose married 179 Margaret Fettes married on June 19, 1745 in Montrose |
| 89 Jean Wishart, b. Oct 14, 1764 in Montrose married 88 William Thomson, b. May 25, 1766 in Montrose married on Nov 9, 1788 in Montrose |
| 44 John Thomson, b. Mar 16, 1795 in Montrose, d. Sep 18, 1854 in Rossie Island married 45 Jean Mather, b. Apr 24, 1803 in Craig, d. Sep 15, 1854 in Rossie Island married on July 1, 1821 in Montrose |
| 22 Alexander Thomson, b. Mar 6, 1836 in Dun, d. July 22, 1876 in Larache, Morocco married 23 Elizabeth Rodger, b. Nov 2 1840 in Montrose, d. Dec 16 1885 in Montrose married on May 9, 1862 in Montrose |
| 11 Catherine Thomson, b. Feb 2, 1871 in Montrose married 10 Archibald Gouk, b. Apr 21, 1864 in Montrose, d. Dec 7, 1943 in Montrose married on Feb 2, 1888 in Craig |
| Table 16 |
|---|
| 182 James Williamson, b. Oct 11, 1747 in Kinnell married 183 Ann Walker, b. Aug 18, 1749 in Dunnichen married on Aug 6, 1768 in Craig |
| 91 Elizabeth Williamson, b. May 16, 1773 in Craig married 90 David Mather married on Apr 23, 1798 in Craig |
| 45 Jean Mather, b. Apr 24, 1803 in Craig, d. Sep 15, 1854 in Rossie Island married 44 John Thomson, b. Mar 16, 1795 in Montrose, d. Sep 18, 1854 in Rossie Island married on July 1, 1821 in Montrose |
| 22 Alexander Thomson, b. Mar 6, 1836 in Dun, d. July 22, 1876 in Larache, Morocco married 23 Elizabeth Rodger, b. Nov 2 1840 in Montrose, d. Dec 16 1885 in Montrose married on May 9, 1862 in Montrose |
| 11 Catherine Thomson, b. Feb 2, 1871 in Montrose married 10 Archibald Gouk, b. Apr 21, 1864 in Montrose, d. Dec 7, 1943 in Montrose married on Feb 2, 1888 in Craig |
I have found information on the net about the Salmond family in Carmyllie, but no mention of Ann. Whether I am able to find a connection from this branch of the Salmond family to the branch that Alex Salmond comes from remains to be seen.
| Table 17 |
|---|
| 187 Ann Salmond, b. Aug 29, 1751 in Carmyllie married 186 John Towns married on June 11, 1785 in Craig |
| 93 Janet Towns, b. Jan 21, 1787 in Craig married 92 James Rodger married on Aug 2, 1807 in Montrose |
| 46 b. William Rodger, b. Sep 2, 1817 in Montrose, d. Nov 11, 1891 in Montrose married 47 Elizabeth Thomson, b. May 8, 1818 in Montrose, d. Apr 2, 1884 in Montrose married on Jan 21, 1838 in Montrose |
| 23 Elizabeth Rodger, b. Nov 2 1840 in Montrose, d. Dec 16 1885 in Montrose married 22 Alexander Thomson, b. Mar 6, 1836 in Dun, d. July 22, 1876 in Morocco married on May 9, 1862 in Montrose |
| 11 Catherine Thomson, b. Feb 2, 1871 in Montrose married 10 Archibald Gouk, b. Apr 21, 1864 in Montrose, d. Dec 7, 1943 in Montrose married on Feb 2, 1888 in Craig |
Margaret Hay and Elisabeth Bruce both have surnames that are part of the Scottish royal family tree, but I have no information about their immediate ancestors.
| Table 18 |
|---|
| 188 Robert Thomson married 189 Margaret Hay married on Sep 6, 1761 ALSO 190 Alexander Clark married 191 Elisabeth Bruce married on Aug 10, 1782 in Careston. |
| 94 William Thomson, b. July 11, 1771 in Montrose, d. June 21, 1858 in Montrose married 95 Isabella Clark, b. May 24, 1790 in Tannadice, d. Nov 26, 1840 in Montrose married on Aug 2, 1807 in Montrose |
| 47 Elizabeth Thomson, b. May 8, 1818 in Montrose, d. Apr 2, 1884 in Montrose married 46 b. William Rodger, b. Sep 2, 1817 in Montrose, d. Nov 11, 1891 in Montrose married on Jan 21, 1838 in Montrose |
| 23 Elizabeth Rodger, b. Nov 2 1840 in Montrose, d. Dec 16 1885 in Montrose married 22 Alexander Thomson, b. Mar 6, 1836 in Dun, d. July 22, 1876 in Morocco married on May 9, 1862 in Montrose |
| 11 Catherine Thomson, b. Feb 2, 1871 in Montrose married 10 Archibald Gouk, b. Apr 21, 1864 in Montrose, d. Dec 7, 1943 in Montrose married on Feb 2, 1888 in Craig |
My mother's side of the family
Descents to Joseph Durward
I'd like to be able to connect the next table all the way back to Alan Durward, but that may not be possible. He is actually part of the royal family tree and because of that, I know that I descend from him on my father's side of the family. The descent via one of his daughters features the Hay, Forbes and Lyon families among others. I understand that his only son was illegitimate, but I have plenty of illegitimate ancestors so one more won't matter.
Kincardine O'Neil and Leochel-Cushnie are north of the main area where so many of my humble ancestors lived, but they are not very far away.
Alexander Durward may have been a smuggler; see Trivia (Alexander Durward). His first marriage produced eight children. He had two children by a second marriage.
| Table 19 |
|---|
| 192 John Durward, b. c1710 married 193 Elspet Emslie, b. Apr 12, 1721 in Leochel-Cushnie married on Dec 2, 1738 in Leochel-Cushnie |
| 96 James Durward, b. Apr 27, 1743 in Kincardine O'Neil, d. Feb 11, 1831 in Dalbreck Farm, Strachan married 97 Jannet Ross, b. July 5, 1742 in Logie-Coldstone married on June 24, 1764 in Logie-Coldstone |
| 48 Alexander Durward, b. Apr 6, 1774 married 49 Ann Ley, b. July 3, 1773 in Fordoun, d. Aug 23, 1811 in Strachan married on July 7, 1800 in Glenbervie and Fordoun |
| 24 James Russell Durward, b. Aug 23, 1811 in Fordoun, d. Aug 6, 1883 in St. Cyrus married 25 Ann Watson, b. July 20, 1820 in Glenbervie, d. June 24, 1899 in St. Cyrus married on June 9, 1838 in Fordoun |
| 12 Joseph Durward, b. Feb 11, 1850 in Fordoun, d. Mar 29, 1931 in Hillside partnered 13 Elizabeth Fentie, b. Dec 21, 1860 in McDuff, d. Dec 29, 1932 in Laurencekirk |
This table begins with two men from the Ross family marrying two women from the Adam family, and one each of their children marrying. However, I have no information about their ancestors and very little about them. Still, it is an intriguing mystery.
| Table 20 |
|---|
| 388 John Ross married 389 Janet Adam ALSO 390 Francis Ross married 391 Margaret Adam married on June 2, 1713 in Kincardine O'Neil |
| 194 Alexander Ross, b. May 18, 1710 in Kincardine O'Neil married 195 Janet Ross, b. Apr 3, 1715 in Kincardine O'Neil married on July 7, 1739 in Leochel-Cushnie |
| 97 Jannet Ross, b. July 5, 1742 in Logie-Coldstone married 96 James Durward, b. Apr 27, 1743 in Kincardine O'Neil, d. Feb 11, 1831 in Dalbreck Farm, Strachan married on June 24, 1764 in Logie-Coldstone |
| 48 Alexander Durward, b. Apr 6, 1774 married 49 Ann Ley, b. July 3, 1773 in Fordoun, d. Aug 23, 1811 in Strachan married on July 7, 1800 in Glenbervie and Fordoun |
| 24 James Russell Durward, b. Aug 23, 1811 in Fordoun, d. Aug 6, 1883 in St. Cyrus married 25 Ann Watson, b. July 20, 1820 in Glenbervie, d. June 24, 1899 in St. Cyrus married on June 9, 1838 in Fordoun |
| 12 Joseph Durward, b. Feb 11, 1850 in Fordoun, d. Mar 29, 1931 in Hillside partnered 13 Elizabeth Fentie, b. Dec 21, 1860 in McDuff, d. Dec 29, 1932 in Laurencekirk |
My father suspects that giving birth to twins, including my ancestor, killed Ann Ley because she died soon after giving birth, but he found no supporting documentation about her death.
| Table 21 |
|---|
| 784 Alexander Ley married 785 the woman who became Mrs Ley |
| 392 Alexander Ley, b. June 6, 1697 in Fordoun married 393 Christian Mowat married on Apr 23, 1717 in Fordoun |
| 196 William Ley, b. June 19, 1718 in Fordoun married 197 Elizabeth Bruce, b. Feb 24, 1717 in Fordoun married on Dec 18, 1742 in Fordoun |
| 98 David Ley, b. Apr 3, 1745 in Fordoun, d. Nov 8, 1824 in West Cairnbeg married 99 Isobel Burns, b. Apr 18, 1748 in Glenbervie married on July 10, 1772 in Fordoun |
| 49 Ann Ley, b. July 3, 1773 in Fordoun, d. Aug, 23 1811 in Strachan married 48 Alexander Durward, b. Apr 6, 1774 married on July 7, 1800 in Glenbervie and Fordoun |
| 24 James Russell Durward, b. Aug 23, 1811 in Fordoun, d. Aug 6, 1883 in St. Cyrus married 25 Ann Watson, b. July 20, 1820 in Glenbervie, d. June 24, 1899 in St. Cyrus married on June 9, 1838 in Fordoun |
| 12 Joseph Durward, b. Feb 11, 1850 in Fordoun, d. Mar 29, 1931 in Hillside partnered 13 Elizabeth Fentie, b. Dec 21, 1860 in McDuff, d. Dec 29, 1932 in Laurencekirk |
It may be that Alexander and Elizabeth Bruce descend from King Robert the Bruce or earlier generations of the de Brus family who descend from European royalty, but I have no details of Alexander's parentage. With a gap of about 400 years to bridge to the king and another 200 years or so further back to Adam de Brus, it may not be possible to prove a link, but who knows?
| Table 22 |
|---|
| 1580 John Clark, b. c1610 in Arbuthnott married 1581 the woman who became Mrs Clark |
| 790 William Clark, b. Nov 25, 1636 in Arbuthnott married 791 Katheren Garvie married on May 29, 1666 in Arbuthnott |
| 395 Margaret Clark, b. Nov 1, 1686 in Arbuthnott married 394 Alexander Bruce married on June 1, 1709 in Fordoun |
| 197 Elizabeth Bruce, b. Feb 24, 1717 in Fordoun married 196 William Ley, b. June 19, 1718 in Fordoun married on Dec 18, 1742 in Fordoun |
| 98 David Ley, b. Apr 3, 1745 in Fordoun, d. Nov 8, 1824 in West Cairnbeg married 99 Isobel Burns, b. Apr 18, 1748 in Glenbervie married on July 10, 1772 in Fordoun |
| 49 Ann Ley, b. July 3, 1773 in Fordoun, d. Aug 23, 1811 in Strachan married 48 Alexander Durward, b. Apr 6, 1774 married on July 7, 1800 in Glenbervie and Fordoun |
| 24 James Russell Durward, b. Aug 23, 1811 in Fordoun, d. Aug 6, 1883 in St. Cyrus married 25 Ann Watson, b. July 20, 1820 in Glenbervie, d. June 24, 1899 in St. Cyrus married on June 9, 1838 in Fordoun |
| 12 Joseph Durward, b. Feb 11, 1850 in Fordoun, d. Mar 29, 1931 in Hillside partnered 13 Elizabeth Fentie, b. Dec 21, 1860 in McDuff, d. Dec 29, 1932 in Laurencekirk |
I am the first cousin six times removed of Robert Burns, which means that I descend from two of his grandparents at eight generations. I was surprised to learn of my poetic connection because Ayrshire wasn't a place where I expected to find a lot of relatives, but it seems that the family originate from north-east Scotland like so many of my ancestors. The poet's father migrated to Ayrshire some years before he started a family. It wouldn't have been an easy move in those days, with horses being the fastest means of land transport and no obvious waterway in the pre-canal age. He might have travelled by sea down the east coast and maybe also up the Forth river, but that wouldn't be easy either, and he would still have travelled overland for part of the journey. With the poet's father in Ayrshire, the rest of the family remained in the north-east and it is from among them that I descend.
However talented some members of the family may have been, spellings of their surnames seem to be inconsistent. Some of them appear as Burnes or Burness (depending on where you look) rather than Burns, but people were obviously less concerned about such things in those days. Apparently, the poet used the name Burnes or Burness originally, but eventually shortened it to Burns. The surname, however spelt, is derived from burn, which has several meanings, but in this case is the Scottish word for stream. Rather like some other common surnames, not all families with the same surname trace back to a common root purely based on the surname.
Isabella Keith, who became Mrs Burnes, apparently has some illustrious ancestors as I had long suspected, but I have not yet confirmed anything about her ancestry except that her father's first name was Alexander.
My father traced the Burnes male line back for a few more generations, included here despite being in the public domain, but I have seen nothing that I can connect to the rest of my ancestral history prior to the link via my parents. Some day, I would like to name an ancestor who is common to both of my parents, but I haven't found proof of one yet despite several surnames appearing on both sides of the family. The Keith family offers a good chance of providing such an ancestor.
| Table 23 |
|---|
| 1584 Walter Burnes, d. Nov, 1670 in Bogjorgan married 1585 Isabel Greig |
792 James Burnes, b. 1656 in Bogjorgan, d. Jan 23, 1743 in Brawliemuir married 793 Margaret Falconer, b. 1659, d. Dec 28, 1749 in Brawliemuir |
396 Robert Burnes, b. c1680 in Brawliemuir, Glenbervie married 397 Isabella Keith, b. Dec 4, 1674 in Dunnottar grandparents of Robert Burns through their son William Burness |
| 198 John Burns married 199 Helen Milne married on Aug 2, 1737 in Fordoun |
| 99 Isobel Burns, b. Apr 18, 1748 in Glenbervie married 98 David Ley, b. Apr 3, 1745 in Fordoun, d. Nov 8, 1824 in West Cairnbeg married on July 10, 1772 in Fordoun |
| 49 Ann Ley, b. July 3, 1773 in Fordoun, d. Aug, 23 1811 in Strachan married 48 Alexander Durward, b. Apr 6, 1774 married on July 7, 1800 in Glenbervie and Fordoun |
| 24 James Russell Durward, b. Aug 23, 1811 in Fordoun, d. Aug 6, 1883 in St. Cyrus married 25 Ann Watson, b. July 20, 1820 in Glenbervie, d. June 24, 1899 in St. Cyrus married on June 9, 1838 in Fordoun |
| 12 Joseph Durward, b. Feb 11, 1850 in Fordoun, d. Mar 29, 1931 in Hillside partnered 13 Elizabeth Fentie, b. Dec 21, 1860 in McDuff, d. Dec 29, 1932 in Laurencekirk |
It appears that James Young and Rebecca Kemlo had four children, but that three died in infancy. The other lived to a ripe old age.
| Table 24 |
|---|
| 206 George Kemlo, d. Dec 21, 1776 in Fetteresso married 207 Rebecca Finlay, d. Feb 29, 1784 in Fetteresso |
| 103 Rebecca Kemlo, b. Aug 24, 1750 in Fetteresso, d. Mar 23, 1813 in Fetteresso married 102 James Young, b. June 1, 1751 in Fetteresso, d. Oct 20, 1838 in Fetteresso |
| 51 Helen Young, b. c1785 in Glenbervie, d. Oct 6, 1876 in St. Cyrus partnered 50 Alexander Watson |
| 25 Ann Watson, b. July 20, 1820 in Glenbervie, d. June 24, 1899 in St. Cyrus married 24 James Durward, b. Aug 23, 1811 in Fordoun, d. Aug 6, 1883 in St. Cyrus married on June 9, 1838 in Fordoun |
| 12 Joseph Durward, b. Feb 11, 1850 in Fordoun, d. Mar 29, 1931 in Hillside partnered 13 Elizabeth Fentie, b. Dec 21, 1860 in McDuff, d. Dec 29, 1932 in Laurencekirk |
Descents to Elizabeth Fentie
The Fentie family and those who married into or partnered them (except Joseph Durward) lived further north than most of my ancestors on this page, in what is now Aberdeenshire; some of these places were in Banffshire at the time these people were alive. I have not seen Fentie in any royal family tree, but it is the surname of one of my great-grandmothers. Unlike my other three great-grandmothers but just like her own mother, Elizabeth Fentie never bothered with marriage.
Yes, there really is a village called Strichen, which must not be confused with Strachan.
| Table 25 |
|---|
| 416 John Fentie married 417 Jean Low married on July 20, 1727 in Pitsligo |
208 Alexander Fentie, b. Aug 21, 1728 in Pitsligo married 209 Beatrix Gordon married on Aug 15, 1745 in Strichen |
104 Alexander Fentie, b. July 12, 1746 in Fraserburgh married 105 Barbara Smith, b. Apr 20, 1759 in Tyrie, Skilmannas married on Christmas Day, 1784 in Tyrie |
| 52 James Fentie, b. Oct 20, 1801 in Tyrie, Cairnmourning, d. Nov 26, 1856 in McDuff married 53 Elizabeth Elder, b. 1802, d. June 21, 1864 in McDuff married on Dec 8, 1827 in Alvah |
| 26 James Fentie, b. Aug 13, 1834 in Alvah, d. Aug 25, 1896 in Aultnapaddock partnered 27 Jane Chapman, b. 1839 in Banff |
| 13 Elizabeth Fentie, b. Dec 21, 1860 in McDuff, d. Dec 29, 1932 in Laurencekirk partnered 12 Joseph Durward, b. Feb 11, 1850 in Fordoun, d. Mar 29, 1931 in Hillside |
| Table 26 |
|---|
| 422 William Fowlie married 421 Margaret Steven |
211 Isobel Fowlie, b. July 15, 1735 in Tyrie married 210 Thomas Smith married on July 13, 1759 in Tyrie |
| 105 Barbara Smith, b. Apr 20, 1759 in Tyrie, Skilmannas married 104 Alexander Fentie, b. July 12, 1746 in Fraserburgh married on Christmas Day, 1784 in Tyrie |
| 52 James Fentie, b. Oct 20, 1801 in Tyrie, Cairnmourning, d. Nov 26, 1856 in McDuff married 53 Elizabeth Elder, b. 1802, d. June 21, 1864 in McDuff married on Dec 8, 1827 in Alvah |
| 26 James Fentie, b. Aug 13, 1834 in Alvah, d. Aug 25, 1896 in Aultnapaddock partnered 27 Jane Chapman, b. 1839 in Banff |
| 13 Elizabeth Fentie, b. Dec 21, 1860 in McDuff, d. Dec 29, 1932 in Laurencekirk partnered 12 Joseph Durward, b. Feb 11, 1850 in Fordoun, d. Mar 29, 1931 in Hillside |
| Table 27 |
|---|
| 106 James Elder married 107 Janet Wilson married on Nov 2, 1789 in Ordiquhill |
| 53 Elizabeth Elder, b. 1802, d. June 21, 1864 in McDuff married 52 James Fentie, b. Oct 20, 1801 in Tyrie, Cairnmourning, d. Nov 26, 1856 in McDuff married on Dec 8, 1827 in Alvah |
| 26 James Fentie, b. Aug 13, 1834 in Alvah, d. Aug 25, 1896 in Aultnapaddock partnered 27 Jane Chapman, b. 1839 in Banff |
| 13 Elizabeth Fentie, b. Dec 21, 1860 in McDuff, d. Dec 29, 1932 in Laurencekirk partnered 12 Joseph Durward, b. Feb 11, 1850 in Fordoun, d. Mar 29, 1931 in Hillside |
I have already identified ancestors of mine from the 16th century who are also ancestors of David Cameron, but I suspect that we have nearer common ancestors via the Cameron clan link. While Cameron is a relatively common name, his father came from Huntly, not far from James Bain Cameron's home in Inveravon.
| Table 28 |
|---|
| 446 Robert Grant married 447 Margaret McDonald |
| 223 Isobel Grant, b. Feb 23, 1748 in Inveravon married 222 James Bain Cameron, b. June 20, 1741 in Inveravon married on July 20, 1769 in Inveravon |
| 111 Jean Cameron, b. Dec 6, 1771 in Inveravon married 110 Peter Mathieson married on Mar 9, 1796 in Alvah |
| 55 Isobel Mathieson, b. Sep 8, 1802 in Alvah married 54 Mr Chapman |
| 27 Jane Chapman, b. 1839 in Banff partnered 26 James Fentie, b. Aug 13, 1834 in Alvah, d. Aug 25, 1896 in Aultnapaddock |
| 13 Elizabeth Fentie, b. Dec 21, 1860 in McDuff, d. Dec 29, 1932 in Laurencekirk partnered 12 Joseph Durward, b. Feb 11, 1850 in Fordoun, d. Mar 29, 1931 in Hillside |
Descents to George Rankin
The Rankin surname originated elsewhere in Scotland, but it is my maternal grandmother's maiden name. A horse called Rankin once finished third in the Epsom Derby, which made my grandmother very happy. This table features the Rankin line as far back as my father was able to trace it.
I suspect the Rtson name is an error, but my father would have copied it from the document that he saw and I guess he would have double-checked before adding the name to his database. I suppose it could be Kitson, as if it were badly handwritten in joined-up writing, the Ki might look like R. It might also be an abbreviation for Robertson, written as R'tson, though I can't really believe that. Maybe the name really is Rtson, but I'd be very surprised if it is. So it's another mystery to add to all the others.
The people in this section lived mostly in the area immediately to the south and west of Stonehaven. George Rankin was born in Echt, which is in southern Aberdeenshire. It seems that his parents moved there after the birth of their first child, and that all their other children were born there. George started his working life as a farm labourer, but within a few years became a railwayman, spending most of his adult life in the Laurencekirk area, a few miles west of his parents' birthplace. Some of George's ancestors also came from further north; we'll come to those later.
| Table 29 |
|---|
| 1792 Andrew Rankin married 1793 the woman who became Mrs Rankin married in January 1658 in Kinneff ALSO 1794 John Richie married 1795 Margaret Rtson married on May 16, 1669 in Kinneff |
| 896 Andrew Rankin, b. Jan 16, 1670 in Kinneff married 897 Cristen Richie, b. July 14, 1676 in Kinneff married in May, 1695 in Kinneff |
| 448 Andrew Rankin, b. Oct 15, 1704 in Kinneff, d. Oct 26, 1782 married 449 Helen Kemlo, b. Oct 11, 1703 in Kinneff, d. Sep 1, 1779. married on July 17, 1729 in Kinneff |
| 224 James Rankin, b. Apr 4, 1740 in Kinneff married 225 Jane Garvie, b. Oct 7, 1741 in Fordoun married on Jan 4, 1765 in Kinneff |
| 112 Robert Rankin, b. May 14, 1770 in Kinneff married 113 Janet Kemlo, b. Dec 14, 1762 in Kinneff married on Dec 7, 1791 in Kinneff |
| 56 Andrew Rankin, b. Jan 19, 1799, d. May 5, 1883 in Blackburn, Rickarton married 57 Jean Hutcheon, b. Feb 25, 1802 in Maryculter, d. Apr 22, 1887 in Blackburn, Rickarton married on June 5, 1823 in Dunnottar |
| 28 William Rankin, b. June 16, 1828 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 23, 1884 in Crathes married 29 Jane Caird, b. Sep 28, 1831 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 12, 1908 in Hamilton married on June 5, 1858 in Fetteresso |
| 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
John Neper is the earliest ancestor identified by my father who I cannot connect to the royal family tree. I know nothing about the family but would like to. There is clearly an error in the date of birth for either Janet Neper or her son Joseph Kemlo, these being less than a year apart.
Kemlo is a surname that is local to north-east Scotland, and which occurs several times in my ancestry of the 18th and 19th century.
| Table 30 |
|---|
| 7186 John Neper married 7187 the woman who became Mrs Neper |
| 3593 Janet Neper, b. Feb 3, 1635 in Arbuthnott married 3592 James Kemlo |
1796 Joseph Kemlo, b. Jan 11, 1636 in Arbuthnott married 1797 Janet Smith, b. Apr 30, 1620 in Fetteresso married on Mar 19, 1657 in Kinneff |
| 898 Joseph Kemlo, b. Nov 20, 1662 in Kinneff married 899 Margaret Caird, b. Mar 17, 1676 in Arbuthnott married on July 27, 1692 in Arbuthnott |
| Continued in next table near top |
This table begins with the Caird family, but Jane Caird can be found further down the table. We look at that branch of the Caird family in Table 35.
| Table 31 |
|---|
| 1798 Andrew Caird married 1799 Isobel Crow married on Oct 26, 1671 in Arbuthnott |
| 899 Margaret Caird, b. Mar 17, 1676 in Arbuthnott married 898 Joseph Kemlo, b. Nov 20, 1662 in Kinneff married on July 27, 1692 in Arbuthnott |
| 449 Helen Kemlo, b. Oct 11, 1703 in Kinneff, d. Sep 1, 1779. married 448 Andrew Rankin, b. Oct 15, 1704 in Kinneff, d. Oct 26, 1782 married on July 17, 1729 in Kinneff |
| 224 James Rankin, b. Apr 4, 1740 in Kinneff married 225 Jane Garvie, b. Oct 7, 1741 in Fordoun married on Jan 4, 1765 in Kinneff |
| 112 Robert Rankin, b. May 14, 1770 in Kinneff married 113 Janet Kemlo, b. Dec 14, 1762 in Kinneff married on Dec 7, 1791 in Kinneff |
| 56 Andrew Rankin, b. Jan 19, 1799, d. May 5, 1883 in Blackburn, Rickarton married 57 Jean Hutcheon, b. Feb 25, 1802 in Maryculter, d. Apr 22, 1887 in Blackburn, Rickarton married on June 5, 1823 in Dunnottar |
| 28 William Rankin, b. June 16, 1828 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 23, 1884 in Crathes married 29 Jane Caird, b. Sep 28, 1831 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 12, 1908 in Hamilton married on June 5, 1858 in Fetteresso |
| 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
| Table 32 |
|---|
| 900 Andrew Garvie married 901 Isobel Hampton married on July 2, 1704 in Fordoun ALSO 902 David Kinnear married 903 Margaret Callum married on Apr 19, 1701 in Fordoun |
| 450 Robert Garvie, b. Apr 2, 1707 in Fordoun married 451 Mary Kinnear, b. Dec 20, 1703 in Fordoun married on June 22, 1736 in Fordoun |
| 225 Jane Garvie, b. Oct 7, 1741 in Fordoun married 224 James Rankin, b. Apr 4, 1740 in Kinneff married on Jan 4, 1765 in Kinneff |
| 112 Robert Rankin, b. May 14, 1770 in Kinneff married 113 Janet Kemlo, b. Dec 14, 1762 in Kinneff married on Dec 7, 1791 in Kinneff |
| 56 Andrew Rankin, b. Jan 19, 1799, d. May 5, 1883 in Blackburn, Rickarton married 57 Jean Hutcheon, b. Feb 25, 1802 in Maryculter, d. Apr 22, 1887 in Blackburn, Rickarton married on June 5, 1823 in Dunnottar |
| 28 William Rankin, b. June 16, 1828 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 23, 1884 in Crathes married 29 Jane Caird, b. Sep 28, 1831 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 12, 1908 in Hamilton married on June 5, 1858 in Fetteresso |
| 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
| Table 33 |
|---|
| 452 John Kemlo married 453 the woman who became Mrs Kemlo ALSO 454 James Edward married 455 Elspet Durward married on June 9, 1717 in Kinneff |
| 226 John Kemlo, b. June 11, 1717 in Arbuthnott married 227 Jane Edward, b. July 31, 1718 in Kinneff married on June 1, 1742 in Kinneff |
| 113 Janet Kemlo, b. Dec 14, 1762 in Kinneff married 112 Robert Rankin, b. May 14, 1770 in Kinneff married on Dec 7, 1791 in Kinneff |
| 56 Andrew Rankin, b. Jan 19, 1799, d. May 5, 1883 in Blackburn, Rickarton married 57 Jean Hutcheon, b. Feb 25, 1802 in Maryculter, d. Apr 22, 1887 in Blackburn, Rickarton married on June 5, 1823 in Dunnottar |
| 28 William Rankin, b. June 16, 1828 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 23, 1884 in Crathes married 29 Jane Caird, b. Sep 28, 1831 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 12, 1908 in Hamilton married on June 5, 1858 in Fetteresso |
| 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
The early part of this descent features people from Maryculter, which is north of Stonehaven and east of Banchory on the banks of the River Dee.
| Table 34 |
|---|
| 462 William Bell married 463 Margaret Williamson |
| 231 Margaret Bell, b. Mar 21, 1751 in Maryculter married 230 James Gallow |
| 115 Isobel Gallow, b. June 10, 1780 in Maryculter married 114 William Hutcheon |
| 57 Jean Hutcheon, b. Feb 25, 1802 in Maryculter, d. Apr 22, 1887 in Blackburn, Rickarton married 56 Andrew Rankin, b. Jan 19, 1799, d. May 5, 1883 in Blackburn, Rickarton married on June 5, 1823 in Dunnottar |
| 28 William Rankin, b. June 16, 1828 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 23, 1884 in Crathes married 29 Jane Caird, b. Sep 28, 1831 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 12, 1908 in Hamilton married on June 5, 1858 in Fetteresso |
| 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
Durris is another Deeside location, situated between Banchory and Maryculter.
| Table 35 |
|---|
| 116 James Caird married 117 Ann Duncan |
| 58 John Caird, b. Jan 2, 1789 in Fetteresso, d. 14.03.1872 in Rickarton married 59 Ann Davidson, b. Aug 1, 1792 in Durris, d. Sep 6, 1878 in Rickarton |
| 29 Jane Caird, b. Sep 28, 1831 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 12, 1908 in Hamilton married 28 William Rankin, b. June 16, 1828 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 23, 1884 in Crathes married on June 5, 1858 in Fetteresso |
| 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
Banchory Ternan is the parish that includes Banchory, but I'm not sure that it includes anything else. Banchory itself is not far from Strachan village, and might be a good base from which to investigate the area, should I decide to do so.
| Table 36 |
|---|
| 472 Alexander Davidson married 473 the woman who became Mrs Davidson |
| 236 Alexander Davidson, b. Sep 1699 in Banchory Ternan married 473 the woman who became the next Mrs Davidson |
| 118 Alexander Davidson, b. Sep 29, 1737 in Fetteresso married 119 Isabella Collie, b. Mar 20, 1742 in Fetteresso married on Sep 25, 1772 in Durris |
| 59 Ann Davidson, b. Aug 1, 1792 in Durris, d. Sep 6, 1878 in Rickarton married 58 John Caird, b. Jan 2, 1789 in Fetteresso, d. 14.03.1872 in Rickarton |
| 29 Jane Caird, b. Sep 28, 1831 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 12, 1908 in Hamilton married 28 William Rankin, b. June 16, 1828 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 23, 1884 in Crathes married on June 5, 1858 in Fetteresso |
| 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
| Table 37 |
|---|
| 476 John Collie married 477 Isobel Cooper |
| 238 William Collie, b. May 19, 1717 in Durris married 239 the woman who became Mrs Collie |
| 119 Isabella Collie, b. Mar 20, 1742 in Fetteresso married 118 Alexander Davidson, b. Sep 29, 1737 in Fetteresso married on Sep 25, 1772 in Durris |
| 59 Ann Davidson, b. Aug 1, 1792 in Durris, d. Sep 6, 1878 in Rickarton married 58 John Caird, b. Jan 2, 1789 in Fetteresso, d. 14.03.1872 in Rickarton |
| 29 Jane Caird, b. Sep 28, 1831 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 12, 1908 in Hamilton married 28 William Rankin, b. June 16, 1828 in Fetteresso, d. Apr 23, 1884 in Crathes married on June 5, 1858 in Fetteresso |
| 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
Descents to Mary Petrie
Helen Campbell has a surname that is part of the Scottish royal family tree, but I have no information about her immediate ancestors.
| Table 38 |
|---|
| 480 Andrew Petrie married 481 Helen Campbell |
| 240 Alexander Petrie, b. May 31, 1744 in Maryton married 241 Magdalen Garden, b. Mar 27, 1743 in Craig married on Aug 19, 1774 in Maryton |
| 120 John Petrie, b. Aug 17, 1784 in Maryton married 121 Elizabeth Reid, b. Sep 30, 1789 in Inverkeilor married on May 2, 1806 in St. Vigeans |
| 60 David Petrie, b. Dec 7, 1817 in Inverkeilor married 61 Mary Duthie, b. Nov 10, 1805 in St. Cyrus married on Oct 26, 1845 in St Cyrus |
| 30 William Petrie, b. June 18, 1846 in St. Cyrus, d. Feb 8, 1923 in Laurencekirk married 31 Elizabeth Watson, b. Dec 31, 1850 in Benholm, d. Dec 4, 1907 married on June 1, 1870 in Laurencekirk |
| 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
| Table 39 |
|---|
| 242 John Reid married 243 Mary Lyall married on July 19, 1788 in Inverkeilor |
| 121 Elizabeth Reid, b. Sep 30, 1789 in Inverkeilor married 120 John Petrie, b. Aug 17, 1784 in Maryton married on May 2, 1806 in St. Vigeans |
| 60 David Petrie, b. Dec 7, 1817 in Inverkeilor married 61 Mary Duthie, b. Nov 10, 1805 in St. Cyrus married on Oct 26, 1845 in St Cyrus |
| 30 William Petrie, b. June 18, 1846 in St. Cyrus, d. Feb 8, 1923 in Laurencekirk married 31 Elizabeth Watson, b. Dec 31, 1850 in Benholm, d. Dec 4, 1907 married on June 1, 1870 in Laurencekirk |
| 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
| Table 40 |
|---|
| 966 Henry Ross married 967 Emely Davidson |
| 483 Margaret Ross, b. Oct 2, 1717 in Brechin married 482 Andrew Garden married on Apr 21, 1738 in Lunan |
| 241 Magdalen Garden, b. Mar 27, 1743 in Craig married 240 Alexander Petrie, b. May 31, 1744 in Maryton married on Aug 19, 1774 in Maryton |
| 120 John Petrie, b. Aug 17, 1784 in Maryton married 121 Elizabeth Reid, b. Sep 30, 1789 in Inverkeilor married on May 2, 1806 in St. Vigeans |
| 60 David Petrie, b. Dec 7, 1817 in Inverkeilor married 61 Mary Duthie, b. Nov 10, 1805 in St. Cyrus married on Oct 26, 1845 in St Cyrus |
| 30 William Petrie, b. June 18, 1846 in St. Cyrus, d. Feb 8, 1923 in Laurencekirk married 31 Elizabeth Watson, b. Dec 31, 1850 in Benholm, d. Dec 4, 1907 married on June 1, 1870 in Laurencekirk |
| 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
| Table 41 |
|---|
488 Alexander Duthie married 489 Margaret Smith married on Nov 18, 1735 in Laurencekirk |
| 244 Alexander Duthie, b. Mar 23, 1741 in Fetteresso married 245 Mary Moir married on Oct 27, 1864 in Laurencekirk |
| 122 Robert Duthie, b. Aug 14, 1769 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 13, 1845 married 123 Isobel Jarvis, b. Apr 15, 1759 in Benholm, d. Apr 10, 1855 in St Cyrus married on Apr 17, 1789 in Laurencekirk |
| 61 Mary Duthie, b. Nov 10, 1805 in St. Cyrus married 60 David Petrie, b. Dec 7, 1817 in Inverkeilor married on Oct 26, 1845 in St Cyrus |
| 30 William Petrie, b. June 18, 1846 in St. Cyrus, d. Feb 8, 1923 in Laurencekirk married 31 Elizabeth Watson, b. Dec 31, 1850 in Benholm, d. Dec 4, 1907 married on June 1, 1870 in Laurencekirk |
| 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
Raitt is a name of Scottish origin, but it is not common, therefore I assume that Isobel Raitt is somehow related to Bonnie Raitt, but I have not made the connection yet.
The father of246 John Jarvis was 492 James Jarvis, born in Benholm. I have no other information about him or 493 the woman who became Mrs Jarvis.
| Table 42 |
|---|
| 988 Robert Gibson, b. 1661, d. June 3, 1761 in Tillegreen married 989 Jean Nepar |
| 494 William Gibson, b. May 2, 1689 in Benholm, d. 1761 in Bervie married 495 Isobel Raitt, b. Apr 1, 1705 in Bervie, d. 1786 in Bervie married on Sep 21, 1727 in Bervie |
| 247 Janet Gibson, b. Apr 11, 1735 in Arbuthnott married 246 John Jarvis, b. Dec 18, 1723 in Benholm married on Jun 26, 1756 in Benholm |
| 123 Isobel Jarvis, b. Apr 15, 1759 in Benholm, d. Apr 10, 1855 in St Cyrus married 122 Robert Duthie, b. Aug 14, 1769 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 13, 1845 married on Apr 17, 1789 in Laurencekirk |
| 61 Mary Duthie, b. Nov 10, 1805 in St. Cyrus married 60 David Petrie, b. Dec 7, 1817 in Inverkeilor married on Oct 26, 1845 in St Cyrus |
| 30 William Petrie, b. June 18, 1846 in St. Cyrus, d. Feb 8, 1923 in Laurencekirk married 31 Elizabeth Watson, b. Dec 31, 1850 in Benholm, d. Dec 4, 1907 married on June 1, 1870 in Laurencekirk |
| 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
248 John Watson married 249 Mary Croll and had seven children including 124 David Watson.
| Table 43 |
|---|
| 502 Robert Watt married 503 Agnes Blebar married on July 23, 1749 in Kinneff |
| 251 Christian Watt, b. June 19, 1750 in Kinneff married 250 Andrew Watt married on Nov 19, 1768 in Kinneff |
| 125 Ann Watt, b. July 1, 1788 in Kinneff married 124 David Watson, b. Sep 4, 1785 in Benholm married on May 29, 1808 in Kinneff |
| 62 Robert Watson, b. Dec 24, 1820 in Kinneff married 63 Elizabeth Young, b. Dec 6, 1820 in Benholm married on Nov 12, 1843 in Benholm and Bervie |
| 31 Elizabeth Watson, b. Dec 31, 1850 in Benholm, d. Dec 4, 1907 married 30 William Petrie, b. June 18, 1846 in St. Cyrus, d. Feb 8, 1923 in Laurencekirk married on June 1, 1870 in Laurencekirk |
| 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
The early part of the next table features ancestors from in and around St Andrews. The connection arises because John Young became minister for the parish of Inverarity and Methie, while his younger brother, 504 Robert Young, went further north to become minister of Benholm, where plenty of my ancestors come from. The parents of the brother ministers were 1008 John Young, d. Dec 1734 in Inverarity and Methie, and 1009 Elizabeth Anderson. They married on Sep 23, 1711 in Inverarity and Methie.
Campbell is a name that appears among my ancestors in the royal family tree. I also have more recent ancestors from the Campbell clan, but have not been able to connect these to the royal family tree.
Anderson is another fairly common name in Scotland, but while I have seen several clan members in my ancestry including in the royal family tree, all of them are women who married into other families, but whose own parentage is unknown to me.
Eadie is not a common name, and I haven't seen it in the royal family tree, but I still hope to find more information about the Eadie family.
| Table 44 |
|---|
| 4042 Andro Eadie, b. Mar 6, 1631 in Torryburn, Fife married 4043 Margaret Anderson married on June 3, 1657 in St Andrews |
| 2021 Margaret Eadie, b. Feb 16, 1658 in St Andrews married 2020 Donald Campbell married 1678 in St Andrews |
| 1010 Colin Campbell, b. Sep 19, 1678 in St Andrews married 1011 Christian Nairn married on July 27, 1705 in St Andrews |
| 505 Christina Campbell, b. July 6, 1714 in St Andrews, d. May 2, 1766 in Benholm married 504 Robert Young, b. Jan 14, 1716 in St. Andrews and St. Leonards, d. Sep 27, 1788 in Benholm married on Mar 6, 1750 in Inverarity and Methie |
| 252 John Young, b. July 21, 1756 in Benholm married 253 Mary Waldie, b. Dec 1764 in Garvock married on Oct 13, 1780 in Garvock |
| 126 Richard Young, b. Mar 15, 1789 in Benholm married 127 Molly Davidson, b. Mar 3, 1793 in Benholm married on Jan 18, 1817 in Benholm |
| 63 Elizabeth Young, b. Dec 6, 1820 in Benholm married 62 Robert Watson, b. Dec 24, 1820 in Kinneff married on Nov 12, 1843 in Benholm and Bervie |
| 31 Elizabeth Watson, b. Dec 31, 1850 in Benholm, d. Dec 4, 1907 married 30 William Petrie, b. June 18, 1846 in St. Cyrus, d. Feb 8, 1923 in Laurencekirk married on June 1, 1870 in Laurencekirk |
| 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
| Table 45 |
|---|
| 1012 John Waldie, b. 1689, d. Mar 19, 1767 in Benholm married 1013 Helen Dorrat married on June 30, 1713 in St Cyrus |
| 506 James Waldie, b. Apr 24, 1726 in Garvock married 507 Mary Angus, b. May 5, 1726 in Garvock married on Sep 9, 1753 in Garvock |
| 253 Mary Waldie, b. Dec 1764 in Garvock married 252 John Young, b. July 21, 1756 in Benholm married on Oct 13, 1780 in Garvock |
| 126 Richard Young, b. Mar 15, 1789 in Benholm married 127 Molly Davidson, b. Mar 3, 1793 in Benholm married on Jan 18, 1817 in Benholm |
| 63 Elizabeth Young, b. Dec 6, 1820 in Benholm married 62 Robert Watson, b. Dec 24, 1820 in Kinneff married on Nov 12, 1843 in Benholm and Bervie |
| 31 Elizabeth Watson, b. Dec 31, 1850 in Benholm, d. Dec 4, 1907 married 30 William Petrie, b. June 18, 1846 in St. Cyrus, d. Feb 8, 1923 in Laurencekirk married on June 1, 1870 in Laurencekirk |
| 15 Mary Petrie, b. Sep 9, 1872 in Laurencekirk, d. Jan 12, 1941 in Laurencekirk married 14 George Rankin, b. Dec 11, 1861 in Echt, d. May 23, 1953 in Laurencekirk married on July 10, 1891 in Laurencekirk |
The final descents
To avoid excessive repetition, the most recent generations are presented together, rather than having everybody descend to me seperately.
- 8 Robert Harris, b. 1872 in Laurencekirk
- 4 Joseph Harris, b. 1898 in Montrose
- 9 Agnes Strachan, b. 1868 in Montrose
- 2 Harry Harris, b. 1923 in Montrose
- 10 Archibald Gouk, b. 1864 in Montrose
- 5 Jane Gouk, b. 1899 in Montrose
- 11 Catherine Thomson, b. 1871 in Montrose
- 1 Peter Durward Harris, b. 1951 in Malmesbury
- 12 Joseph Durward, b. 1850 in Fordoun
- 6 George Durward, b. 1894 in Stonehaven
- 13 Elizabeth Fentie, b. 1860 in McDuff
- 3 Mary Durward, b. 1924 in Arbroath
- 14 George Rankin, b. 1861 in Echt
- 7 Jane Rankin, b. 1893 in Laurencekirk
- 15 Mary Petrie, b. 1872 in Laurencekirk
Delighted to find your tree. I have been investigating Agnes Booth Strachan and Robert Harris as well as her parents and grandparents.
ReplyDeleteDo get in touch if you see this message
janeandmark@live.co.uk
RE Harris family- mystery maker of Robert Burns plaque in Broughty Ferry was made by the son of Agnes Harris nee Strachan, Joseph. He also has a curious middle names , from my family.
there are still Gouks in this area and I come across them in my research - which is mainly in to the Barclays and I see you have Margaret Barclay in Glenbervie in the 1790s
ReplyDeleteembla.0064@gmail.com
Good Day, glad to have found your pages which I will bring to the attention of my niece who is researching out Petrie family tree. Mary Petrie who married George (Geordie) Rankin in Laurencekirk was a sister of my maternal grandfather. Good Luck!
ReplyDelete