LAIRD FAMILY OF ABERDEENSHIRE

[John Bird]

Hi

I would like to make contact with anyone who is researching or member of the Laird Family

I would like to find out the birth date Alexander Laird who would have been born 1835-1850, He married Mary Smith and they had one child I am aware of William born/christened 14 May 1867. William married Catherine Nichol on 2 July 1887 at Methlick ABD. They had 7 children Maggie, Thomas, James, Mary, Elsie, Helen and Harry born 28 March 1889 at Keig.

Any information ion this family would be greatly appreciated.

thanks


John Melbourne Australia

[trish1]

Hi John

Looking at the IGI which has civil birth indexes for 1855 to 1875 in Scotland I find the following

William Laird born 14 May 1867 New Deer, Aberdeen, son of Joseph Laird and isabella Whyte. I don't see a William born with the parents Alexander and Mary Smith. I can see this family in 1871 (William with Joseph & Isabella), but no William with parents Alexander and Mary. What parents are given on the 1887 marriage certificate?

I find the only Alexander Laird marrying Mary Smith in Scotland on the IGI is a marriage in Carnwath, Lanark 1831 - do they fit into your tree?

Trish

[nelmit]

Like Trish I couldn't find a William Laird born to the parents stated but there is this birth at Tarves, where William states he was born on 1881 - 1901 census records -

WILLIAM SMITH
Birth:
19 APR 1867 Tarves, Aberdeen, Scotland
Parents:
Mother: MARY SMITH

It might be worth looking at this record for an address of where he was born.

Unfortunately he's being elusive in 1871.

Regards,
Annette

[John Bird]

Hi Annette and Trish

Thank you for your replies. The 1887 Marriage certificate states that William's parents were Alexander Laird (reputed father) and Mary Smith, wife of William Smith.

So I am still not sure who William's parents were given your comments.

Regards


John

[SarahND]

Hi all,
This looks like it could be William in 1871:

1871
Backhill Of Courtstone, Tarves, Aberdeenshire
Adam Smith, 63, Head, born Tarves, Crofter of 6 Acres
Margaret Smith, 64, Wife, born S F Fergus, Aberdeen
Margaret Smith, 20, Daughter, born Tarves, Serv.
Frances L Cattanch, 11, Granddaughter, born Udny, Aberdeen, Scholar
Thomas Mennie, 10, Grandson, born Tarves, Scholar
Jane Kelly, 8, Granddaughter, born Tarves, Scholar
Alex Simpson, 6, Grandson, born Tarves
Mary Kirkton, 5, Granddaughter, born Tarves
William Leard, 3, Grandson, born Tarves
Margaret Smith, 2, Granddaughter, born Tarves
Jane A Third, 7 Mo, Granddaughter, born Tarves
Jane Smith 33, Daughter, born Tarves

What a collection of grandchildren with different surnames!
In 1851 Adam and Margaret Smith had 4 daughters in their household: Ann 22, Elizabeth 16, Jean 13 and Mary 11. All but Elizabeth seem to have had one or more illegitimate children who Adam and Margaret took in. According to the IGI:

Frances is the daughter of sister Anne
Thomas is Mary's
Jane is Jane/Jean's
Alexander is Mary's
Mary is Jane/Jean's
Margaret is Jane/Jean's
Not sure who little Jane age 7 Mo belongs to

So John, I would suppose that William's parents were as given, with Alexander Laird the reputed father. At some time before 1887 Mary married William Smith. It makes it confusing that Smith was both Mary's married name and her maiden surname.

All the best,
Sarah

Later edit: It would be certainly worth your while to have a look at the Tarves Kirk Session minutes around the time of William's birth (according to the NAS online catalogue they do exist). It is very likely that his paternity was discussed.

[John Bird]

Hi Sarah

Thanks for your response. It has helped a lot in filling in the gaps.

I will take on your suggestion and arrange to access to the Tarves Kirk Session minutes.

regards


John

[nelmit]

Hi Annette and Trish

Thank you for your replies. The 1887 Marriage certificate states that William's parents were Alexander Laird (reputed father) and Mary Smith, wife of William Smith.

So I am still not sure who William's parents were given your comments.

Regards


John

Hello again John,

I couldn't resist a look at SP of the 1867 birth at Tarves, I quoted from the IGI, of William Smith to Mary Smith.

He is definitely your ancestor as the address matches the family at Tarves in 1871. There is a paternity RCE attached to the record (which should hopefully show occupation and address details of Alexander Laird) but unfortunately I don't have enough credits left to look at it.

Sarah - well done for finding him in 1871!

Regards,
Annette

[John Bird]

Hi Annette

Thanks for your continuing interest in my Laird research. I went into SP but the only William Laird born in 1867 in Aberdeenshire was Born in New Deer, not Tarves. Am I missing something.

regards


John.r

[AndrewP]

Thanks for your continuing interest in my Laird research. I went into SP but the only William Laird born in 1867 in Aberdeenshire was Born in New Deer, not Tarves. Am I missing something.

Hi John,

He is in Tarves as William Smith, rather than Laird.

• or if you wish to search under both surnames for the price of one search, use the ADVANCED SEARCH and enter the following text in the search criteria box:
  
  • (surname:laird || surname:smith) && forename:william && district:tarves
  then enter the from and to years in the boxes below.
  
  This will find the one result you are seeking.

All the best,

AndrewP

[John Bird]

Hi Andrew

Thank you very much for your response.

regards


John