rland Aberdeenshire - Jean Jenie (your topic Feb 21, 2007

[lynne smith]

Well, I have something quite interesting to share about researching. If you remember, I was looking for ages for the father of James Smith b. 1774. Finally gave up, joined the N .E. Scotland Family History Society, and had them trace this fellow down. About a month or so later, I received a reply from a very nice lady who does volunteer work there. She indeed did find the Father !!! And the research showed: "The Parish Register indexes for Aberdeenshire show that a male child named James Smith was baptised in Tarland and Migvie Parish on July 12 1774. The fathere's name was John Smith. The mother's name was not recorded. The same Parish Register indexes showed that a couple named John Smith and Janet Davidson were married in the same Parish on May 10, 1774." Ooops - Janet was 7 month pregnant! The Parish Register film for Tarland and Migvie provided an explanation for the short period of time between the two events. Before the marriage, Janet Davidson was already pregnant, John Smith, whom she accused of being the baby's father "cknowledged his guilt" and the couple were married with the Church Session (elders of the Church) as witnesses. Also, I got photocopies of the two event recordings. Now who would have thought? I am so pleased with the society being able to research for me, because I could have gone to my grave still trying to find out who James Smith's parents were because certainly here in Canada where I live there is no way I could have found that information. I have a real profound appreciation for history societies now and thank Jean for the suggestion to join. I have two more ancestors that I am looking for, but I seem to get a tiny piece to the puzzle on both of them every now and then, so shall see if I manage to do this on my own, besides, it keeps me out of mischief, and it is fun!

Lynne Smith

[speleobat2]

Hi Lynne,

That's great! =D>

The volunteers at the ANESFHS are wonderful. I've had them do research for me a couple of times and they have found results both times. I'm in Alabama, USA and like you could never have gotten to the information that I needed to add to my family tree. Well worth the cost of a membership!

Carol

[Jean Jeanie]

Hi Lynne

Fantastic news! You have a further generation back!

Must confess I had given up on finding the mother's name. I had assumed that James's father was John, as the birth date was about correct. Unfortunately the records then only showed the father's name and not the mother's.

ANEFHS are wonderful! They have helped me so much over the years. So glad you joined and hope that you find their journals as interesting as I do.

Merry Xmas and a very Happy New Year

Best wishes
Jean

[Jean Jeanie]

Hi Lynne

Thought I would post this here as it is always interesting for others to see how things are turning out.

To keep the others up to date................... Lynne sent me a copy of the birth certificate of her ancestor, Alfred John Smith born 29/1/1898. Parents John Smith and Isabella Smith previously Morgan, M.S. Ellis. Lynne knows this is her ancestor. For those of us who have been at this game for a long time we know that the parents marriage date should be shown on the certificate and it is. 31/1/1895 in Banchory Ternan. So far so good. However I have never found an Alfred in my Smith family so it got me thinking!

I looked up the marriage on SP and the parents are as follows. John's parents are Robert Smih and Agnes Smith M.S. Smith and Isabella's parents are Charles Ellis and Isabella Stuart/Stewart.

I found Robert Smith and Agnes Smith's marriage on the IGI. 14/1/1859 in Banchory Ternan. So Lynne you can now find this certificate on SP and you will find another generation further back, as their parents will be shown on the certificate.

I also found siblings for John on the IGI. Margaret b 1/4/1861. Agnes b 13/8/1863. Mary b 11/11/1865 and Betsy b 25/2/1874. All in Banchory Ternan.

I found Isabella Ellis's birh on the IGI. 2/3/1854 in Alford. As this is an OPR record the date of her parents marriage will not be shown and so finding another generation back will take a bit of searching, but can be done. By the way the marriage is on the IGI.......27/11/1842 in Tullynessle and Forbes and Kearn.

Also Isabella has at least 8 siblings who can all be found on the IGI.

Charles and Isabella are alive in 1881, aged 60 and 63 living in Alford, so more searching can be done from that information. i.e. their death certs, SHOULD show their parents names, if known to the informant.

Anyway, sad to say that I cannot connect these Smiths to my Smiths from Tarland, unless when Lynne finds the marriage cert for Robert Smith and Agnes Smith in 1859, it reveals parents who are connected to my line. I should mention that I have never found a Robert or Agnes Smith in my main line or branches or twigs.

I suppose we'll have to wait and see!!!

Best wishes
Jean

[Jean Jeanie]

Hi Lynne

Just can't stop digging!

As Charles and Isabella were in Alford in 1881, I looked on the ANEFHS site at their MI's for Alford and lo and behold Charles Ellis and Isabella have a headstone!

Charles died 28/1/1902 and Isabella Stewart died 1/9/1907. There is also a Helen Ellis who died 1/12/1877. You can now find these death certs on SP and find out more information!

Regards
Jean

[Jean Jeanie]

Hi Lynne

Can't stop digging! Even if your family is not mine!

Looked up the marriage of Robert and Agnes in 1859!

Robert's parents are George Smith and Mary Grant. Agnes's parents are John Smith and Agnes Webster. Robert and Agnes are shown as cousins! Therefore George and John (their fathers) are brothers.

Don't worry about this, Lynne. In those days it was very common for cousins to marry. It happened in the best of families. Just take a look at Royalty!!

Regards
Jean