Alinan, ? in Perthshire

[GRANDMA JUDY]

On doing further reasearch for a grgrgrgrgrandmother......in the records it states she is baptised in Aberfoyle, Perth. In the record, it states, "John the father of Alinan".
We have been unable to figure out where that may be? They moved about and children were born in Dunbarton, Lanarkshire and Perthshire. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Judy Billmark

[SarahND]

Hello Judy,
Could you tell us what year we are talking about here? My impression from seeing other OPR records is that Alinan would have been a farm or other place name within the parish of Aberfoyle. If you give us a date, we might have better luck tracking it down.

All the best,
Sarah

[GRANDMA JUDY]

Yes, Christian Swan was baptised March 30, 1793 - her parents John Swan and Christian Buchanan. thanks, Judy

[SarahND]

When I search on ScotlandsPeople for chr* swan born 30 March 1793 in Aberfoyle there are THREE hits. Do you know what that is all about? Is there a chance that one or other of the records would have more information, or at least another instance of the writing (in case it says something else)?

Cheers,
Sarah

[Currie]

Hello Judy,

This book “The Tourist's Companion through Stirling, etc”, 1850, has a description of the valley of Aberfoyle. http://books.google.com.au/books?id=Plc ... 22&f=false

“The best station for seeing the beauties of this vale, is on an eminence above the ford called Alinan; for, westward, a stretch of about two miles in length, and one in breadth, is in full view. The Forth, called here Avendow or Black River, traverses the whole extent of the vale, which has the appearance of an amphitheatre, surrounded by mountains, covered halfway up with luxuriant woods. On the north is a mountain exhibiting a tremendous precipice of at least 1000 feet high, which seems to threaten destruction to the traveller as he passes along the road, under the brow of the rock.
From this precipice, immense rocks tumble down from time to time, with a noise like thunder, tearing up the earth in their progress, or leaving a tract like the channel of a torrent.”

Here’s a paragraph from “Queen Elizabeth Forest Park etc”, 1973, page 10.
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=cNY ... CDwQ6AEwAA

“Flax was grown quite extensively as a cash crop and there were a number of lint mills in the district, including one at the Milton. This industry, which involved steeping the stems in water until the fibres separated, was disliked by the fishing interests. A pond by the road out of Aberfoyle to the east, served this purpose, giving its name to the river ford nearby, Ath-len-an (Alinan), or the linen ford. “

There’s a bridge across the river about a mile and a half south-east of Aberfoyle, maybe it was somewhere around there?

Alan

[SarahND]

Thanks, Alan-- you found it!!

Sarah

[GRANDMA JUDY]

Thank you so much for your research. We just couldn't find it on a map. =D>
Judy and the Swan searchers.

[AndrewP]

Hi Judy,

Alinan Ford can be found on the following map from the 1860s.

http://maps.nls.uk/os/6inch/view/?sid=74428209

Zoom in on the north-west corner, until you can read the village name Aberfoil (as it is spelled on that map). From there go south to the church, then go east until you come the river. You will find Alinan Ford just across the river at that point.

All the best,

AndrewP

[GRANDMA JUDY]

Thank you so much Andrew, helps to put things in perspective. Can't say thank you enough to all of you that help us. =D>