Shameful secret?

keewik · Post by **keewik** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:45 pm

I have an ancestor, Arthur Cordiner, described as a student at his marriage in Edinburgh in 1798, and as a 'Planter, West Indies' on his son's death entry in 1860. His wife is living alone (I've presumed widowed) and 'Independent' in the 1841 Census, but a 'Pauper' by 1851. I've never found this man's birth or death (presumably before 1855), and I've surmised that perhaps he died in the West Indies, the family returned to Edinburgh and the wife gradually used up any money he left.

I'm not a member of ancestry.co.uk, but today I managed a superfiical trawl and found some Slave Records indicating a plantation owner, Arthur Cordiner, in Tobago, owned something like 124 slaves (all listed) in 1819. His name is not that common and I really need to know if it's the same man. Does anybody know if there's any way of finding info on plantations and their owners? This man has bugged me for a while because my Cordiner trail ends with him - I don't know whether he might have been born over there and just came to Scotland for university.

Post by **paddyscar** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:50 pm

Hi Keewik:

Welcome to TalkingScot

You might consider taking out a 14 day membership to Ancestry, as there is also a record Parish and Probate Records; Midlothian (Edinburgh), Scotland for Cordiner, Arthur / Janet Kerr / John Kerr

A check on ScotlandsPeople entering the surname Cordiner, and only A* in the first name box, born 1770-1780 only produces 5 birth records which may be of some help.

Frances

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:03 am

hi Keewick

I have an ancestor, Arthur Cordiner, described as a student at his marriage in Edinburgh in 1798

Hmm...a student where, I wonder? Edinburgh University perhaps? I wonder if there are student records in University Archives which go back that far?

I had hoped there might have been a testament on SP for your man, but not seeing anything there. A pity as it may have provided the link to Edinburgh if it was stated as his usual residence.

Best wishes
Lesley

keewik · Post by **keewik** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:12 am

What are Parish & Probate records? These names are right - his wife was Janet Kerr and he had a son John (my direct ancestor). I've held off with Ancestry for 2 reasons - firstly I feel I need to have the time to make use of it properly, and, secondly I haven't quite figured out its resources - I don't find the website very explanantory.

Re university - I contacted them some time ago but they don't have a record of him, which isn't surprising as apparently not all students matriculated, or even graduated - they tended to go for the education and not the bit of paper - best records are for medics.

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:18 am

Hello Keewik,

In British Parliamentary Papers:

Tobago.- Personally appeared, Arthur Cordenir (sic), manager of, and residing upon, the Unity estate, who, being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists, maketh oath and saith ……………………………………. (about 500 words) ………………….

The Affidavit was in connection with proceedings against Edward Hoskins, was signed A. Cordiner, and sworn 15th December 1819 before Elphinstone Piggott, Chief Justice of Tobago.

The whole document is about 45 pages (6MB) but I don’t know how much of it is devoted to the Hoskins matter. If you want a copy just send me your email address in a PM. The Cordiner Affidavit is on page 32.

Hope this helps,
Alan

margarita · Post by **margarita** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:55 am

Keewik,

Have you tried Googling "Arthur Cordiner".

It comes up with quite a list of links, some of which may relate to your man.

Regards,

maggie

keewik · Post by **keewik** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:43 am

Thanks everybody for these suggestions. I was half asleep last night when I last replied. Of course, I do know what Parish and Probate Records are (it was the 'probate' that confused me) and the entry probably refers to his marriage entry, which gives his name, his wife's and his father-in-law.

Alan, I've pm'd you my email. Thanks. How do you acquire things like British Parliamentary Papers? My ancestor research has been restricted to Scottish Records. LDS and Freecen, but from this board I realise there are a multitude of other sources, of which I'm totally ignorant.

wini · Post by **wini** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:37 pm

Keewick,
Alan is the font of all knowledge, I am always amazed at the information he comes up with, makes me glad he is on this forum, research would be much more difficult without him.

wini

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:10 pm

Keewick,

The email just left here. Please let me know if it arrives okay. I can access the Parliamentary Papers because my local library subscribes to the service.

and Wini,

Thanks very much for that. It makes me feel wanted.

All the best,
Alan

keewik · Post by **keewik** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:32 pm

Thanks. I've received the email, downloaded the papers and had a quick look (I'll enjoy reading the full Hoskins story in due course). If this is my ancestor, I'm glad to see he seems to be on the right side in this debacle! Wonder who Mr. Sang was - obviously another Scot.