The surname Hay

[WilmaM]

Well Done

My take on that certificate:

1861 May Thirty First at Abbotshall
Marriage after Banns according to the forms of the United ___ ____ Church

signed John Smith weaver (Bachelor) 32 usual residence: Falkland Fife
signed Margaret Hay Weaver (Spinster) 27 usual residence: Falkland Fife

Parents:
Thomas Smith Weaver and Mary Smith MS Robertson
David Hay Mason / D___and Christina Hay MS Craig

Witnesses
William A Thomson minister of __field Church
James Hay
Charles Paton

I'll be interested to see what others think.

[Isabel H]

I think the church is Bethelfield. See http://www.fifefhs.org/Records/Directory/abbotshall.htm

Isabel

[SarahND]

Just a guess - could the witness be Charles Linten or Lister?

Hi Frances,

The only likely person I can find in the neighbourhood in 1861 is this one:

Daniels Brae, Burntisland, Fife
Margaret Boag, 64, Head, born Burntisland, Fife, Formerly Domestic Serv
Robert Later, 34, Lodger, born Falkland, Fife, Joiner
Charles Later, 26, Visitor, born Falkland, Fife, Labourer

Odd name (remember, this is Ancestry's transcription!) but in 1851 the family (in Falkland) are transcribed as "Lester"... slightly more common! Looking for the rest of the family (besides Robert and Charles above) in 1861 has them down as "Lister"-- I like this even better! They are Linen handloom weavers. In the same town (Falkland) with the same profession, it makes sense Charles Lister would be a friend of John Smith. Sharp eyes, Frances!

Regards,
Sarah