Ninian Balfour. Ferry Port on Craig

[sidsmith]

I have downloaded from Scotlandspeople .. 3 Pages of BALFOUR NINIAN 27/05/1656 SKIPPER IN THE FERRY-PORT-IN-CRAIG 27 MAY 1656 TESTAMENT DATIVE AND INVENTORY ST ANDREWS COMMISSARY COURT CC20/4/11.
Only problem is I cant read it lol.
Ninian Balfour is my 9th greatgrandfather
Anyone got any sugestions
regards
Sid

[AndrewP]

Hi Sid,

I take it it is in 'Secretary Hand' style handwriting - a challenge to us nowadays. Can you upload it to a free photo site, such as Photobucket, and put a link here so that others can have a look at it and try and make something out from it.

All the best,

AndrewP

[LesleyB]

This may also may be of help... guide to early Scottish handwriting can be found here:
http://www.scottishhandwriting.com/

[sidsmith]

I have loaded the pages to photobucket hope this works

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i32 ... our304.jpg
http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i32 ... our305.jpg
http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i32 ... our306.jpg

It would be great if someone can help me sort this out
regards
Sid

[Currie]

Hello Sid,

I’m not really familiar with these old Scottish Wills. I’m guessing that the relevant bits for you are the last six lines on the first page, the whole of the second page, and the first line of the third page and all of the rest is to do with someone else. In that case you have not much more than a page to worry about.

You may not get a response to your request as sorting these things out is extremely time consuming. You’ll probably have to have a go at it yourself and then ask for help with the left overs.

Here’s a previous thread involving a Scottish Will from 1648. You’ll notice that yours appears to start the same way “Testamentum Datibum.” viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11277

I suggest that you start working on it using the same layout as Fife49er. (see below) You’re sure to find many similarities in the wording and the layout. When you first start every word will be a struggle, as it is for me, but the more you look at it the easier it will become. There are tutorials on the handwriting site that Lesley posted.

From this list of famous Scots pick out the 17th Century deaths and you’ll find links to wills and transcriptions. http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/Conte ... .aspx?1358

There's a collection of 17th Century Scottish Will transcriptions from page 191 onwards in this book that may help. http://books.google.com.au/books?id=Qkg ... J&pg=PA191

You’ll find that they have many expressions in common. Note how paragraphs often start ‘In the first’ as do yours. Many common words are repeated over and over. All those squiggly bits with dots above appear to represent monetary amounts.


PAGE 1

(In margin)

Testamentum Datibum
Balfour man

(Para 1)

1. This testat dative and inven
2. tarie of the guide geir and debts
3. of …….. Ninian Balfour skip

(something like that)

Al the best,
Alan

[grannysrock]

Here's a go at a bit:
When ever it gets to money and roman numerals I get totally lost so I have just skipped.. those ! .

The test(amen)t Dative and inventarie of the guids gear and debts of the deceast Ninian Balfour Skipper in ? ferrie port in craig ? in the paroch in thereof and sherrifdome of Fyffe the tyme of his deceass

Next page
n he deceass in the month of November
jaj vi C fiftie two yeirs . Faithfullie maid and given ? be James Balfour
Secund lawfull Sone be the defunct and ex(ecuto)r dative surrogate be decreat of the
Sherriff of Fyffe of the dait the xj
day of may 1656

In the first the half of ane bark callit the house? boatt the scored out … defunct 1606 skippat and M?
estimat to ? xxx iij ………..
Item ane koe
Item standing in the barne yard of bear two bolls estimat to……….., the boll corns &
fodder gude xiij ………..
Item five? bolls aitts pryce of the boll corn & fodder ………..
Item of lying money in the house Lxxxx iij………..
Item the utensills and domisills of the house ? the abul ʒ aiment of the defunct his bodie estimate ………..

Summa of the inventarie oh more roman numerals again - …..

Debts awand to the dead:


That's all I've time for the noo !

Sally

[LesleyB]

Hi Sally

"ferrie port in craig" - likely what was known as Ferry Port on Craig...now Tayport (NE Fife) on modern maps

Best wishes
Lesley

[Currie]

Nice work Sally,

It was all Greek to me, but now that you mention it ……….

All the best,
Alan

[sidsmith]

Thanks everyone for your help.
Have been away for a few days now back to the will .
Sally dont know how you read it.
I have downloaded Scottish Hand Writing so now slow steam ahead lol

regards
Sid