Kingdom of Fife, Scotland Surnames List - specific enquiries 2003-2004

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Below is the current list of enquiries submitted in 2003 & 2004.  1998 list. 1997 list  1999 list  2000 list  2001 list   2002 list  2005 list  Comments page

These enquiries are listed with latest entered at the top
242 - BROWN - I am seeking information about James Brown who was a merchant in Cupar, Fife. It is believed that he died in 1799, and he was a brother of Rev. John Brown , later of Haddington, (born at Carpow, near Abernethy, Tayside, around 1724 and certainly long before 1733, when his father died) and author of "John Brown's Bible". My family is descended from him on my father's side through James Brown, farmer, and his wife, Catherine Lathangie, married at Cults, Fife, 16 July, 1834. One of their children was Rev. John Brown of Bervie. This James Brown must have been the grandson of James Brown, Cupar merchant. I would also be very interested to learn the location of Damside, where James Brown farmed. - Georgeen Barrass - details - Saanich, BC, Canada - 30 Dec 2004
241- GILLIES FOTHERINGHAM - Archibald Gillies and Janet Fotheringham had a son born in St. Andrews in 1798. Archibald was from Dalavich, Loch Awe, Argyll. (Scots Origins state: St Andrews, Fife Daniel son of Archibald Gilles Serjeant in the 2nd Battalion of Bredalbane Fencibles & Janet Fotheringham his wife, b 4th, bap 5th May 1798 by Dr Hill. Serjeants McCowan & Manson Witnesses.- Slàinte mhath,  Scott Gillis - details - St. John's Newfoundland, Canada -11 Aug 2004
240 - ARTHUR - Our ARTHUR family comes from Auchermuchty. THOMAS ARTHUR (ARTHURE) b at 1722 m Janet ? (b abt 1723) Auchtermuchty, Fife. Died August 1785 in Collessie, Fife, Scotland, 65 years old. Does anyone have any information on Janet? Their Children: Alexander - born June 3, 1744; Thomas - born March 22, 1746 - died March 25, 1747 - 1 year old.Helen - born June 25, 1749 - married Robert Barclay on April 4, 1770. James - born Oct 15, 1752 William - (my gggg grandfather) born January 4, 1756 - Died June 4, 1820 in Collessie, buried June 4, in Luchnisc, Collessie, Fife. Married: Helen Nellie White (Whit, Whyte) on May 12, 1749 in Kilconquhar, Fife. Daughter of Thomas White (Whit, Whyte) and Isabell Dinguall and Thomas - born Apr 2, 1758. Children of William and Helen Nellie: Thomas: born 1780 Andrew: b 1791Janet: b 1796 George: b 1800 all born in Kilconquhar, Fife. Does anyone know who Janet's parents were?  Diana Pollmann - details - Quebec, Canada - 29 Jun 2004
239 - BLYTH MACKIE MERCER WHYTE CHAPLAIN - Re: David Mercer b 28th Dec 1815 md Ann Whyte 30th March 1838 Dunfermline; George Blythe Mercer b 21st May 1874 Aberdour md Ellen Beveridge Chaplain b 10th August 1881 Ballingy md 18th August 1899 Kirkcaldy; Robert Mercer (d. 4th June 1896 Kirkcaldy) md Agnes Cummings 8th Sept 1838 Dunfermline ; David Mercer b 28th Dec 1815 md Ann Whyte 30th March 1838 Dunfermline Parish John Blythe md Catherine Mackie 18th Nov 1837 Dunfermline. I have family trees for these families that I am willing to share - Linda Temple - Rosyth, Fife 10 Apr 2004 - details
238 - DUFF SCOTLAND GAVIN - Re: David Duff b. Kilspindie 1860 Private in 71st Highlanders m. Sarah Eliza Gavin domestic servant 4th June 1886 at Abbot Place Inverkeithing Fife. James Duff b. 1815 Aberdalgie soldier m. Janet Scotland 9th April 1842, Dunfermline Finlay Duff b. 5th July 1778 md Alison Peter or Peters 24th Nov. 1798 Dunfermline. I have family trees for these families that I am willing to share - Linda Temple - Rosyth, Fife 10 Apr 2004 - details
236 - MELVILLE MILLER - Helen Melville was named as one of two nieces of Alexander Melville tenant in Kilmaron, and later of Cupar, in his 1790 will as "relict of John Miller, smith, St Ford". I'd very much like to make contact with descendants of this couple, to exchange information.  Sue Pedersen - Sydney Australia - 30 Mar 2004 - details.
235 - METHVEN SYMERS - Thomas Methven appears to have been the son of John Methven & Giles Allen of St Andrews. His brother George died 1765 in Marylebone, Middlesex, leaving a will naming his brother Thomas & Thomas's wife Mary Symers. Other siblings were Ann, David, Jean, Joseph & John Methven. Thomas & Mary's son Robert Methven b 1742 married Euphan MELDRUM: their son Robert was a writer in Cupar and Procurator Fiscal of Fife d 1844. I'd very much like to make contact with any Methven connections.  Sue Pedersen - Sydney, Australia - 30 Mar 2004. - details.
234 - MELVILLE TOD - Alexander of Peasehills was the eldest son of Alexander Melville of Kilmaron & Elspeth Swan; his eldest son George married Helen JACK and continued farming at Peasehills, Balmerino until he died in 1847 - not known what happened to George's family of 7. Sue Pedersen - Sydney, Australia - 30 Mar 2004 - details.
233 - MELVILLE SWAN - Alexander's dau Mary was bapt 1741 Cupar "by Mr Melville his brother". Church Minister? Records of his daughter Elspeth b 1734 say she was from the family of Andrew Melville of Baldovy, Forfarshire, the Scottish Reformer. Among Alexander's descendants were a number of church ministers, including his grandson Andrew b 1775 Minister of the Free Church Logie & Gauldry, and Andrew's son Alexander b 1807, Minister of Falkirk. Does anyone have earlier records for Alexander Melville of Kilmaron, or of his (assumed) father Alexander Melville, also of Kilmaron, near Cupar?  Sue Pedersen - Sydney, Australia - 30 Mar 2004 - details.
232 - KIRK MELVILLE - Euphan Melville was listed as one of two nieces of Alexander Melville tenant in Kilmaron, and later of Cupar, in his 1790 will, as "relict of David Kirk, smith at March of Carslogie". Any connections? -  Sue Pedersen - Sydney Australia - 30 Mar 2004 - details.
231 - HENDERSON DINGWELL CHRISTIE - Andrew was the son of Alexander Henderson & Isobel DINGWELL / DANYELL married 1684 Scoonie; his sister Margaret b.1695 Kennoway married George CHRISTIE, tenant in Lochtyside. Would like to contact other Scoonie Henderson researchers.  Sue Pedersen - Sydney, Australia - 30 Mar 2004 - details.
230 - GRAHAM CHRISTIE - Dr James Moore Graham came to Cupar from Enniskillen, Ireland, 13 August 1814 ( his birthday! ); became surgeon FifesMilitia, later in private practice in Cupar "the Hunting Doctor... with an immense practice including the principal families, and was also popular with the poor... instead of accepting remuneration he actually gave money to purchase the medicines he prescribed... to his dying day a whole band of pensioners were in the habit of coming to his house for their weekly allowance" [per obit. Fifeshire Journal 1865]. He and Mary Christie had 8 children, several of whom emigrated. Like to contact descendants of their eldest son Maj-General John Moore Graham 1828-1900 who married Eliza PATCH, 3 children. Colonel Thomas Everard HUNGERFORD who later lived in Walmer, Kent, where John Graham died.  Sue Pedersen - Sydney, Australia - 30 Mar 2004 - details.
229 - FLEMING CHRISTIE - John FLEMING, Minister of Flisk, later Professor of Natural History Aberdeen University & New College, Edinburgh, d.1882. Their son Andrew Fleming b 1822 Dep. Surgeon Bengal married Katherine Loftus GARNER, 6 children.  Sue Pedersen - Sydney, Australia - 30 Mar 2004 - details.
228 - CHRISTIE GLASS - If anyone can throw any light on Charles Dempster's ancestry, it would be greatly appreciated. He was born c.1742, possibly abroad to an army family. His son Cathcart Dempster b 1764 marr Mary GLASS 1790 St Andrews, and their twins b.1799 served in India: Charles Dempster, a surgeon with HEICS died 5 Aug.1822 in Patna, and Thomas Erskine Dempster, a surgeon with Bengal Horse Artillery married Maria Christiana INNES at Benares India 1825. Their dau Janet b. 1790 St Andrews married St Andrews 1826 Professor George Lillie CRAIK of Queen's College Belfast; dau Mary Ann b 1793 married Revd John FINDLAY of St Paul's Parish, Perth.  Sue Pedersen - Sydney, Australia - 30 Mar 2004 -  details..
227 - CHRISTIE HENDERSON MELVILLE - George, the 2nd son of John Chrysty of Ores Miln obtained the "Tack for 19 years of the town and lands of Lochtyside" in 1712 following the death of his elder brother James, who had signed a similar document in 1705. These deeds, signed as "Leven", by John Chrystie, by each son, and by the witnesses. There are other similar deeds still in private hands. Are Christie descendants are willing to share? I'd especially like to know whether these privately held deeds record the start of the Tack for Ores Miln.Also a John Christie was the youngest son of Andrew Christie, tenant in Pittencreithe, and Elspeth Melville. John Christie & wife Mary Walker had several daughters, and one son Peter b 1804 who farmed in Rhynd and Scotscraig until 1891. One of his descendants was Sheriff John Christie who died in Cupar in 2002 .  Sue Pedersen - Sydney, Australia - 30 Mar 2004 - details.
226 - CHRISTIE BRIDIE - Because pre-1700 Dysart burials are missing, I have been unable to find John's wife or earlier Christie records. There are deeds around 1700 which name John Chrysty of Oars Miln or Mill, Dysart, and his 2 eldest sons James & George, tenants in Lochtyside, Markinch. Eldest son James probably bapt. 1685 Kinglassie, with the younger children probably born during the missing period of Markinch parish registers. In 1709 John Chrysty in Oars Miln was appointed curator with Thomas Chrysty of Tilebreck as next of kin on the mother's side to James & John Chrysty the underage sons of David Chrysty tenant in Gatesmilk / Goatmilk, Kinglassie. There is a possible 1657 bapt for John in Kinglassie registers, with brother Thomas bapt there 1666. John's 3rd son Andrew b abt 1695 became the tenant in Orismill, marr Janet BRIDIE 1721 Dysart; he died there, 1742. Is anyone else researching these families?  Sue Pedersen - Sydney, Australia - 30 Mar 2004 - details.
225 - CHRISTIE BOUSIE - I'd very much like to make contact with descendants of this couple, to exchange information. The 1842 administration of the effects of Mary Christie or BOUSIE, of Abbey Cottage, St Andrews, the widow of farmer Alexander Christie, names her "nearest of kin" as four daughters: Misses Jane, Melville, Christian, and Jessie Christie. There were a number of bapts of children for this couple in Dairsie and Leuchars [Jane wrongly recorded as Janet b.1809 in the IGI], but no Melville, Christian or Jessie. There were also entries for Mary b 1787, Elspeth b 1788, Andrew b 1790, Margaret b 1791, a son b 1809, and John b 1807 (not recorded in the decree).  Sue Pedersen - Sydney Australia - 30 Mar 2004 - details.
224 - MacFARLANE GORDON - Andrew married secondly Ann GORDON a widow; he had 4 children by his first wife, but only Helen b 1806 and Alexander b 1807 later Minister of Falkirk, survived. Alexander married Catherine MacFARLANE and died in "Largs" [Fasti]: Largo? 1839. Were there were descendants other than Andrew b.1839 Falkirk, Minister Free Church Alva? Like to make contact with descendants.  Sue Pedersen - Sydney, Australia - 30 Mar 2004 - details.
223 - AITKEN CHRISTIE DEMPSTER - I'd very much like to make contact with descendants of this couple, to exchange information, and to update my records. Jean (or Jane) Christie was the eldest daughter (7th child) of Andrew Christie and Margaret Dempster of Cupar. John Aitken was the son of Col. George Aitken and Janet PUNTON of Cupar. Jean & John Aitken had ten children - spread around the world: John Christie Aitken b.1821 lived in Thornton, Vic. Australia, and in Christchurch, New Zealand, married Fanny MACNAMARA dau of Dr Daniel Macnamara R.N. They had 8 children - lived in Calcutta, St Andrews, Fife and Kent, as well as NZ. Another son of Jean & John was Robert Hope Moncreiff Aitken b.1828 who was awarded a VC in India; their dau Margaret Jane b.1826 marr William HORSBRUGH, Cupar, Clerk of the Peace for Fife; dau Janet Ponton b.1830 marr David JOHNSTONE of Croy, Dumbartonshire; their youngest son James Home Rigg Aitken b.1832 of New Zealand marr Jessie BOUCHIER dau of Col. Bouchier of Dublin, Ireland.  Sue Pedersen - Sydney Australia - 30 Mar 2004 - details.
220 - SHIELS BURRELL - William Shiels born 7 March 1815 in Markinch, Fife; he married Elizabeth (Betsy) Burrell in about 1837/38 in Scotland. They came to Australia - Assisted Shipping - to Sydney and Newcastle on the Agenoria  in 1849 with their children David, Isabella - and Fanny, born at sea. Children born in Australia - Elizabeth and Henrietta. Wiliam died in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 27 Nov 1868.  Sally Douglas - Australia - 16 March 2004 - details
219 - RAMSAY WISHART WILLIAM RAMSAY was born Abt. 1787 in Largo, Fife, and died abt. 1850 in Fife. He married JANET WILSON WISHART Dec 02, 1815 in Kilconquhar, dau of DAVID WISHART & HANAH MITCHEL. Children of WILLIAM RAMSAY, blacksmith and JANET WISHART are: . Hanah , b. Oct 17, 1816 ii. Mary b. Aug 16, 1818, . iii. John , b. July 20, 1820, d. March 05, 1883, iv. David, b. June 02, 1822, v.vi twins , William, b. Oct 18, 1825 (male sibling died near birth) , vii. Thomas, b. November 24, 1828, viii. Henry, b. November 15, 1831, ix. Janet, b. August 08, 1834, x. twins Agnes, xi. Margaret, b. Sept 24, 1836, - all Kilconquhar, Fife - Jude Ramsay - 27 Feb 2004 - California USA - details
218 - MALCOLM - The direct descendants of David Malcolm are: MALCOLM, David, b:1659, Cupar, Fife, d: 1706. spouse: MELVILLE, Elizabeth, m: 1682, Scotland. MALCOLM, Anne, b:1642, Cupar, d: 1698. MALCOLM, John, b: Sept 1649, Cupar, , d: 24 Nov 1709. MALCOLM, Henry, b:165?, Cupar, d: (infant). MALCOLM, Elizabeth, b:165?, Cupar, d: (infant). MALCOLM, William, b:1654, Cupar, Captain of Dragoon Guards. I am particularly interested in tracing descendants of this younger William. - Chris Malcolm - 01 March 2004 - New Zealand- details
217 - SKINNER SMITH - Isabella Davidson Skinner (b 11 May 1822) md John Fullerton Smith (b 31 Dec 1818) 24 Jul 1855 son of Capt John Smith. I have more information on these families. Would like to connect with other descendants. I have more information on these families. Thank you - Peggy Coxon - USA - 18 Feb 2004- details
216 - BOGIE SKINNER DAVIDSON WATT - Christian Bogie, b 24 Apr 1745 (twin of Janet) md William Skinner 12 Aug 1768 (b 1739) baker in Kircaldy; his family may have some from Balbirnie or Markinch. William Skinner, jr, (b 9 Jun 1775 Kirkcaldy) married Isabell Davidson (b 6 Apr 1786) . Isabell was the dau of Robert Davidson and Jean Watt of Cullolo, Aberdour, Fife. I have more information on these families. Would like to connect with other descendants. Thank you - Peggy Coxon - USA - 18 Feb 2004 - details
215 - SPOWART FERGUSON - Ann Spowart m James Ferguson in Dunfermline on 3 June 1850. They had 8 children - 4 born on Scotland & 4 born in Brisbane. Ann, (b 1860 & one of the 4 born in Scotland) is my gg grandmother on my father's side. - Keith Jennings - Brisbane, Australia 08 Feb 2004 - details
214 - BROWNLEE - I have found Andrew Brownlee's father Alexander married in 1848, in Antrim, Ireland; he then travelled to Scotland (Old Monkland) where his wife died; in his second marriage he produced my g-grandfather Andrew Brownlee. Alexander came from Antrim - I have his death cert, 1869, saying his parents were Alexander Brownlee and Agnes Boyd. Can anyone give me a lead? - Caroline Day - 06 Feb 2004 - Surrey, England - details
213 - LAING BRUCE COVENTRY WHITE - Alexander Scott b - 1799 Markinch married a Binny Millar b 1803 Markinch and were married in Beath 1818. Parents unknown.Henry Robertson b - 1807 Portmoak The son of Andrew Robertson and Christian Coventry married 1804 Portmoak. Christians parents were David Coventry b - Orwell 1751 The son of Robert Coventry & Elizabeth Whtye married Portmoak in 1749. David Coventry married Isabel Laing who I think was the daughter of John Laing & Jannet Bruce married 1754 Portmoak. Henry Robertson married Janet Low b 1811 Flisk Fife - to an Alexander Low and a Margaret Seath. Henry & Janet were married in 1832 in Portmoak and their daughter Margaret b 1833 Drumain, Leslie married David Scott b 1826. son of Alex and Binny Scott (above). David & Margaret left Liverpool with their young son Alexander Scott on the Childe Harold arriving in Australia in 1853.  Daniel Pianto - details - Australia - 6 Sep 2003
212 - MORRISON MORIES MORICE RITCHIE - David Morrison b1762 Strathmiglo?, coachman and Janet Steedman of Portmoak b1765, marriage not found in either Kinross or Fife. David died after the 1841 census and Janet between 1841 and 1855. Their 8 children, all born in Strathmiglo, were Rachel 1790, David 1792, Robert 1795, William 1798, Isobel 1799, John 1802, Helen 1804 and Janet 1808. It is possible that Isobel married James Wills in 1825, John married Margaret Stewart 1824 and Helen married David Ritchie 1829. Can anyone help? - Bonnie Curry - Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia - details - 17 Feb 2004, 20 Feb 2006
211 - STORER STORRER - James STORER, storekeeper, married Ann Moncrieff Ritchie in Newburn 1857; I have found 3 children: Helen 1858, John 1859 in Strathmiglo and Ann Moncrieff 1862 died 1863 in Dysart, after that . . .nothing. No even a sign in the 1881 UK census, so I believe they possibly emigrated. I even tried US and Canadian censuses. - Bonnie Curry - Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia - details - 17 Feb 2004
210 - MITCHELL - Lawrence Mitchell b1835 Pathead, Dysart d 1918 Dunfermline and wife Janet Ritchie b1834 Strathmiglo, d1901 Dunfermline, to my knowledge had 3 children Helen Morrison Mitchell d1929 Dunfermline who married James Meiklejohn b1862 Saline, Mary Anderson Mitchell whom I have not been able to find and Andrew Mitchell who married an Agnes Muir. The two girls are believed to have remained in Fife. I have been unable to find descendants. - Bonnie Curry - Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia - details - 17 Feb 2004
209 - GIBSON - WATSON - Looking for parents or brothers/sisters of both Peter Gibson and Jean Watson married 20 June 1806 in Dunfermline Fife. Children of the marriage Ann b 2 Mar 1808, John b 28 Jan 1810, James b 23 Dec 1811, Jean b 30 May 1822. - Tony Gibson - details - 25 Nov 2003
208 - TROTTER - GUTHRIE - Walter Trotter, b 27 Sept 1802; married 4 Feb. 1833; wife - Margaret Guthrie, b. 1807-1811; Margaret possibly of Orwell parish in Kinross county; children - John, Jeanette, Ann, James Guthrie, Margaret, Patrick MacGregor Grant, Alexander, and two other children - names unknown. Walter and Margaret and four children died at sea 1847 while immigrating to America. - Rea Trotter - USA - details - 27 Oct 2003
207 - IZATT - George Izatt (born 1843 in Townhill, Dunfermline) and Janet Rennie (born 1842) married 16 May 1862. They had 10 children named as follows: Robert, Grace, David, George, Sebastian, Janet, Sarah, Alexander, John and William all born between 1863 and 1880.- John Izatt - Helensburgh, Clydeside, Scotland - details - 22 Aug 2003
206 - SPEIRS SPEARS - Henry Speirs Spears, b 7 Feb 1824, chr 6.4.1824; brother probably Burridge Purvis, b 27 May 1826, chr. 26.6.1826, both Kinghorn, Fife. Possibly sons of Alexander Speirs who married Mary Purvis. Could have other child, Alexander, listed under Spears, b 21.12.1828, chr. 16.2.1829, Kinghorn, Fife. First child, Henry, married Margaret McDonald and came to Australia on HMS Victory  in 1849. - Robyn Shaw - Australia - details - 03 Aug 2003
205 - ROBB LAWRIE - David Robb's death certificate says he was born in Scotland, his fathers name was also David Robb. On an IGI search I found David Robb and Christian Lawrie marriage in Dysart Fife, 1826. David died 1887 Geelong Victoria Australia and Christian died 1879 in nearby Essendon Victoria Australia. Seek info on parents. Susan Lowe - Melbourne Australia - details - 26 Apr 2003
204 - HOWDEN PATERSON - Looking for forbears of Jean Howden, spouse of David Paterson parents of Catherine Paterson d 1843 m Alexander Pearson (b1770, d1853) of Northcliff, Fife. I know that David Paterson was 'of Costerton' and ran a bank in Edinburgh from 1803 to 1813 when it failed. He trained in the KINNEAR's office at some point and became an insurance broker in the Old Assembly Close, Edinburgh. Worked in Milne Square in 1785. Lived at 5 St Andrew Street in 1796. - James Ingram - Clydeside Scotland - details - 21 Apr 2003
203 - PINK SPINKS - Charles Spinks married, Sophia Cameron in Dundee, 1809; I cannot find a death record of him. The surname was changed sometime after 1850 to Spinks. Charles was in the 25th Regiment of Foot in 1809; he lived in St Monance Fife, had two children born 1809 and 1811. He was probably not born in Scotland and ended up in Hampshire England. Enquiries (1980s) to my parents in Kirkcaldy Fife, produced no result. - Linda Spink.- Montana USA - details - 28 Mar, 4,5 May 2003
202 - DUNCAN HOOD BISSET - James Duncan (born, Nov., 1843, in Abdie, Fife). Believe parents were John Duncan and Margaret Walker Bisset, possibly married Dec., 1842, Monimail, Fife. James Duncan later marries Mary MacNeill Hood, emigrated to New Jersey, USA, and had 6 sons and 6 daughters. I have the family tree in US for branch of my grandmother Jamia (Mina Duncan). My grandmother Jamia (born in US), was the daughter of James Bryce Duncan and Mary MacNeill Hood (born Scotland, Nov.& Oct.1843); their first son Peter Duncan b in Scotland abt 1878. James and Mary emigrated to New Jersey, USA around 1879. Sarah Hamilton - USA. - details -17 Feb 2003
201 - GRAINGER GALL A marriage between John Grainger and Christina Gall occurred sometime 1800 and 1825. They are the parents of John GRAINGER born 30 Jul 1826 in Cupar, Fife, Scotland. The birth is shown on the IGI without any parents.  Ian Butterworth - Melbourne, Australia - details - 11 Feb 2003
Comments, submissions and suggestions welcome - Hugh Reekie h.reekie@ieee.org