Good evening
Hope someone can advise on the following.
I am visiting Edinburgh for 2 days end of this month and hope to do some further reserch on my families.
I have managed to trace back to James Morrison b 1736 in Gamrie Banff. James m Margeret Brebner in 1760.
My question is this which records will I get the most information from and should I concentrate on finding more about James birth (will this give me his parents names) or will I gain more from the marriage certificate??
I do have some information on Margaret and her parents but just cannot find any thing on James at all. I am unsure if his parents came from Gamrie Banff or elsewhere in Scotland.
Any help would be appreciated.
research help please on OPR .....
Moderator: Global Moderators
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bramwellanne
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 11:22 pm
- Location: Sunderland North East England
research help please on OPR .....
Bramwellanne
searching
Morrison,Brebner,Michie,Heatherwick(Hedderwick). Ambrose,Dalzeil,Kennedy,Richardson
searching
Morrison,Brebner,Michie,Heatherwick(Hedderwick). Ambrose,Dalzeil,Kennedy,Richardson
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Russell
- Posts: 2559
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2005 5:59 pm
- Location: Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire
Hi Bramwellanne
Looking at OPR stuff is a bit like playing the Lottery. You win some but you are more likely to be disappointed. Marriages were not always recorded in the OPR. Only the intention to marry and the posting of Banns.
Some records actually give the date of the marriage but rarely do they give the groom's parents although they might say 'Mary, daughter of Joe Bloggs, mason, both of this parish'. There isn't even consistency within the records of that parish. Some pages give more detail than others. If you are in luck and find the Banns being called for Margaret Brebner it may also give her spouse's home parish!
Births may say 'Alexr lawful son of William, fisherman and Jean' - others will give her maiden name too.
Some may add the names of witnesses. They are not usually family members but can give tantalising clues which may lead to other bits of information.
If James was a prominent member of the community he may be part of the Parish Board and be recorded in the Church records attending meetings - or -if he was guilty of one of the various offences which could get you into trouble with the church there may be lengthy records if he was compeared before the committee and chastised for his misdemeanours.
You will not get a marriage certificate. They only started with Statutory Registration in 1855.
I suggest you look at some of the threads here on which of the pre-1855 records to concentrate on to make the most of your time and not get sidetracked.
I hope her parish had the most conscientious minister in the business.
Russell
Looking at OPR stuff is a bit like playing the Lottery. You win some but you are more likely to be disappointed. Marriages were not always recorded in the OPR. Only the intention to marry and the posting of Banns.
Some records actually give the date of the marriage but rarely do they give the groom's parents although they might say 'Mary, daughter of Joe Bloggs, mason, both of this parish'. There isn't even consistency within the records of that parish. Some pages give more detail than others. If you are in luck and find the Banns being called for Margaret Brebner it may also give her spouse's home parish!
Births may say 'Alexr lawful son of William, fisherman and Jean' - others will give her maiden name too.
Some may add the names of witnesses. They are not usually family members but can give tantalising clues which may lead to other bits of information.
If James was a prominent member of the community he may be part of the Parish Board and be recorded in the Church records attending meetings - or -if he was guilty of one of the various offences which could get you into trouble with the church there may be lengthy records if he was compeared before the committee and chastised for his misdemeanours.
You will not get a marriage certificate. They only started with Statutory Registration in 1855.
I suggest you look at some of the threads here on which of the pre-1855 records to concentrate on to make the most of your time and not get sidetracked.
I hope her parish had the most conscientious minister in the business.
Russell
Working on: Oman, Brock, Miller/Millar, in Caithness.
Roan/Rowan, Hastings, Sharp, Lapraik in Ayr & Kirkcudbrightshire.
Johnston, Reside, Lyle all over the place !
McGilvray(spelt 26 different ways)
Watson, Morton, Anderson, Tawse, in Kilrenny
Roan/Rowan, Hastings, Sharp, Lapraik in Ayr & Kirkcudbrightshire.
Johnston, Reside, Lyle all over the place !
McGilvray(spelt 26 different ways)
Watson, Morton, Anderson, Tawse, in Kilrenny
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bramwellanne
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 11:22 pm
- Location: Sunderland North East England
Hi Russell
Thanks for the speedy reply. I did have some success recently and managed to find a possible birth entry for James Morison b Gamrie Banff but there are 2 possible entries.
1 was recorded babtised october 1st 1736 as natural son of William Morrison (no mothers name)
2 was recorded as baptised July 1st lawful son of William Morison.
Both were born and baptised in Gamrie Banff
The witness at both these baptisms were the same. I am lead to believe that natural could mean parents were unmarried and lawful after marriage therefore these 2 James could be one and the same person if children ever got baptised twice or first James died and second James was given same name. however it is immaterial as it is the father and mother I am interested in.
Someone suggested that if the Old Kirk records for that area still excisted I may have some success that way.
Anyway once again thanks for your speedy reply and I will certianly look into the other threads.
Thanks for the speedy reply. I did have some success recently and managed to find a possible birth entry for James Morison b Gamrie Banff but there are 2 possible entries.
1 was recorded babtised october 1st 1736 as natural son of William Morrison (no mothers name)
2 was recorded as baptised July 1st lawful son of William Morison.
Both were born and baptised in Gamrie Banff
The witness at both these baptisms were the same. I am lead to believe that natural could mean parents were unmarried and lawful after marriage therefore these 2 James could be one and the same person if children ever got baptised twice or first James died and second James was given same name. however it is immaterial as it is the father and mother I am interested in.
Someone suggested that if the Old Kirk records for that area still excisted I may have some success that way.
Anyway once again thanks for your speedy reply and I will certianly look into the other threads.
Bramwellanne
searching
Morrison,Brebner,Michie,Heatherwick(Hedderwick). Ambrose,Dalzeil,Kennedy,Richardson
searching
Morrison,Brebner,Michie,Heatherwick(Hedderwick). Ambrose,Dalzeil,Kennedy,Richardson
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Russell
- Posts: 2559
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2005 5:59 pm
- Location: Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire
Hi Bramwellanne
I'm surprised the 'natural' son record didn't give the name of the mother. That was more common, with a finger being pointed at the bloke who had the guts to admit (or had been shamed into it) that he was the natural father.
A trawl through the marriage entries a year or so earlier might pick up the calling of Banns for the parents.
If there is a suggestion that the earlier child had died there may be a Mortcloth entry where the cloth was hired from the church to cover the coffin as it was carried to the graveside. Usually only the father's name is given.
There wouldn't be a second baptismal entry. I found one where the entry was made some years after the actual birth and when it was added to the register it was entered at the foot of a page 10 years too early. It took a sheriff court ruling to have the entry corrected (Register of Corrected Entries) so that my relative could prove who he was, presumably to claim an inheritance. It cost a lot of money to take the matter to the Courts!
Some of the OPR films are terrible to read due to dampness and poor storage causing havoc with the paper & ink before the camera recorded it for posterity. Some records have an index of marriages & Births compiled at the end of each year so you may be in luck there too. It would certainly make it easier than straining your eyes trying to read the unreadable.
Russell
I'm surprised the 'natural' son record didn't give the name of the mother. That was more common, with a finger being pointed at the bloke who had the guts to admit (or had been shamed into it) that he was the natural father.
A trawl through the marriage entries a year or so earlier might pick up the calling of Banns for the parents.
If there is a suggestion that the earlier child had died there may be a Mortcloth entry where the cloth was hired from the church to cover the coffin as it was carried to the graveside. Usually only the father's name is given.
There wouldn't be a second baptismal entry. I found one where the entry was made some years after the actual birth and when it was added to the register it was entered at the foot of a page 10 years too early. It took a sheriff court ruling to have the entry corrected (Register of Corrected Entries) so that my relative could prove who he was, presumably to claim an inheritance. It cost a lot of money to take the matter to the Courts!
Some of the OPR films are terrible to read due to dampness and poor storage causing havoc with the paper & ink before the camera recorded it for posterity. Some records have an index of marriages & Births compiled at the end of each year so you may be in luck there too. It would certainly make it easier than straining your eyes trying to read the unreadable.
Russell
Working on: Oman, Brock, Miller/Millar, in Caithness.
Roan/Rowan, Hastings, Sharp, Lapraik in Ayr & Kirkcudbrightshire.
Johnston, Reside, Lyle all over the place !
McGilvray(spelt 26 different ways)
Watson, Morton, Anderson, Tawse, in Kilrenny
Roan/Rowan, Hastings, Sharp, Lapraik in Ayr & Kirkcudbrightshire.
Johnston, Reside, Lyle all over the place !
McGilvray(spelt 26 different ways)
Watson, Morton, Anderson, Tawse, in Kilrenny
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joette
- Global Moderator
- Posts: 1974
- Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2005 5:13 pm
- Location: Clydebank
But what a joy to read some of them- I especially recommend the Crawfordmuir OPR which gave me no info on my elusive Tait/Veitch rellies but a great insight into the times & the psyche of the people or at least those compiling the records.
Children's Deaths were recorded with their years,months & days of life.
Physical descriptions were given of unidentified bodies with I like to think the possibility that someone would be able to identify a lost loved one-the more cynical part thinks more likely so that they could claim back the cost of the Burial.
With the more unusual names you could chart the Birth,Marriage,Birth of children& Death.Throw in the odd chastiment for whatever misdeed & I thought it the best £2.40 I'd spent-the cost of "renting " the film at my FHC.
Good luck & may you find lots about your rellies.
Children's Deaths were recorded with their years,months & days of life.
Physical descriptions were given of unidentified bodies with I like to think the possibility that someone would be able to identify a lost loved one-the more cynical part thinks more likely so that they could claim back the cost of the Burial.
With the more unusual names you could chart the Birth,Marriage,Birth of children& Death.Throw in the odd chastiment for whatever misdeed & I thought it the best £2.40 I'd spent-the cost of "renting " the film at my FHC.
Good luck & may you find lots about your rellies.
Researching:SCOTT,Taylor,Young,VEITCH LINLEY,MIDLOTHIAN
WADDELL,ROSS,TORRANCE,GOVAN/DALMUIR/Clackmanannshire
CARR/LEITCH-Scotland,Ireland(County Donegal)
LINLEY/VEITCH-SASK.Canada
ALSO BROWN,MCKIMMIE,MCDOWALL,FRASER.
Greer/Grier,Jenkins/Jankins
WADDELL,ROSS,TORRANCE,GOVAN/DALMUIR/Clackmanannshire
CARR/LEITCH-Scotland,Ireland(County Donegal)
LINLEY/VEITCH-SASK.Canada
ALSO BROWN,MCKIMMIE,MCDOWALL,FRASER.
Greer/Grier,Jenkins/Jankins
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bramwellanne
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 11:22 pm
- Location: Sunderland North East England
Thanks both Russell and Joette
You both have given me food for thought.
Shame I only have a couple of days for Edinburgh but thats all the time I can spend this month as we also have time allready booked for a break in both Inverness and Thurso end of this month beginning of next as well as a couple of days at my inlaws in Cumbernauld in the middle of all this.
Should we find a few hours to spare we may even drop into the Isle of Whithorn (which is husbands birth place) on our way back home
Phweeee but it will be worth it.
You both have given me food for thought.
Shame I only have a couple of days for Edinburgh but thats all the time I can spend this month as we also have time allready booked for a break in both Inverness and Thurso end of this month beginning of next as well as a couple of days at my inlaws in Cumbernauld in the middle of all this.
Should we find a few hours to spare we may even drop into the Isle of Whithorn (which is husbands birth place) on our way back home
Phweeee but it will be worth it.
Bramwellanne
searching
Morrison,Brebner,Michie,Heatherwick(Hedderwick). Ambrose,Dalzeil,Kennedy,Richardson
searching
Morrison,Brebner,Michie,Heatherwick(Hedderwick). Ambrose,Dalzeil,Kennedy,Richardson
-
Russell
- Posts: 2559
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2005 5:59 pm
- Location: Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire
Hey
If you are going to Thurso and have folks to find up there Wick is just 17 miles or so down the road and the Archive centre in the Library is super. Very helpful staff and usually very well informed locals.
They have the films and fiches for the area and enjoy helping out.
You don't have to do all your searching in Edinburgh!
Russell
If you are going to Thurso and have folks to find up there Wick is just 17 miles or so down the road and the Archive centre in the Library is super. Very helpful staff and usually very well informed locals.
They have the films and fiches for the area and enjoy helping out.
You don't have to do all your searching in Edinburgh!
Russell
Working on: Oman, Brock, Miller/Millar, in Caithness.
Roan/Rowan, Hastings, Sharp, Lapraik in Ayr & Kirkcudbrightshire.
Johnston, Reside, Lyle all over the place !
McGilvray(spelt 26 different ways)
Watson, Morton, Anderson, Tawse, in Kilrenny
Roan/Rowan, Hastings, Sharp, Lapraik in Ayr & Kirkcudbrightshire.
Johnston, Reside, Lyle all over the place !
McGilvray(spelt 26 different ways)
Watson, Morton, Anderson, Tawse, in Kilrenny
-
bramwellanne
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 11:22 pm
- Location: Sunderland North East England
Once again Russell you have hit the mark for me.
As a matter of fact I have visted the Wick area in the past (not the library) as I am led to believe that my Morrison family might of come from Black Isle prior to Thomas being born in Gamrie.
I have visited Banff and Macduff many times in the past doing cemetary searches (as well as visiting the library and regestrars office) at some of the beautiful churches around that area and once stayed in a lovly fishermans cottage in Gardenstown.
I will certainly visit Wick this time round and check out the library as you never know.
Thanks
As a matter of fact I have visted the Wick area in the past (not the library) as I am led to believe that my Morrison family might of come from Black Isle prior to Thomas being born in Gamrie.
I have visited Banff and Macduff many times in the past doing cemetary searches (as well as visiting the library and regestrars office) at some of the beautiful churches around that area and once stayed in a lovly fishermans cottage in Gardenstown.
I will certainly visit Wick this time round and check out the library as you never know.
Thanks
Bramwellanne
searching
Morrison,Brebner,Michie,Heatherwick(Hedderwick). Ambrose,Dalzeil,Kennedy,Richardson
searching
Morrison,Brebner,Michie,Heatherwick(Hedderwick). Ambrose,Dalzeil,Kennedy,Richardson