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Topic: HEPBURNS and connections. (Read 4613 times)
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tommacgregor
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Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hello All,
I have spent most of today searching for the grand-parents of William Hepburn, who married Annie Birse at Leslie in Fife . I have already established from William's Death Certificate dated May, 1883, that his parents were David Hepburn and Margaret Hay. That led to quite an intensive search revealing that David Hepburn was born on the 25th April, 1779 and married Margaret Hay from Rumbling Bridge at the Crook of Devon in Kinross. We also learned that Margaret was the illegitimate daughter of Janet More. Unfortunately, it would appear that David Hepburn died before 1855 meaning that I'm unable
to view a Death Certificate which would, in all probability, show the names of his parents.
As I have said, I have spent several hours trying to piece together the story backwards from that point in time. The first step was to see if I could find some basic details about David Hepburn, when and where was he born, who were his parents, did he have brothers and sisters, and so on. I was also mindful of the fact that David Hepburn married in the town of Leslie.
The closest fit that I can find is that David's parents were Andrew Hepburn and Janet Reekie. I discovered that a marriage had taken place on the 6th July, 1764 at Ballingry, which is not all that far from Leslie.
The birth details of their children have been a cause for concern, but perhaps I was being just too critical. Their first child, John Hepburn, was born 11 months after the marriage. His birth date was 10th June, 1765. However, he wasn't born at Ballingry - he was born at Dysart, which is just outside Kirkcaldy and also close to Abbotshall. I wasn't to know it at the time, but that made perfect sense when I was able to add to my sparse information.
I'm still not happy that I have a gap of about 9 years in the records of the children. but breathed a bit of a sigh of relief to see that they were born/christened at dear old Leslie!
Christian Hepburn born 21st November, 1774 at Leslie in Fife.
James Hepburn born 19th March, 1776 at Leslie in Fife.
David Hepburn born 25th April, 1779 at Leslie in Fife.
Cecilia Hepburn born 7th November, 1781 at Leslie in Fife.
That birth year for David is the same for his wife, Margaret Hay, i.e. 1779, which means that they were both about 35 when they married.
I have struggled for a considerable time in trying to identify who Andrew Hepburn was, but decided to place it on the backburner for the time being, and concentrate on his wife, Janet Reekie. However, the names of their children may give us a clue as to the names of their grand-parents.
I will continue with this on my next posting.
Kind Regards,
Tom.
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hello All,
In my previous posting, I made mention of the fact that John Hepburn was mot born in Leslie - he was born at the coalport of Dysart, Just outside Kirkcaldy, and close to Abbotshall.
In my search for the parents of Janet Reekie, I noted that Janet Reekie was born on 15th January, 1736 at Abbotshall. However, whilst searching for her father, it appeared that he came from a place that I'm very familiar with, and that's Auchterderran in Fife, which isn't very far from Kirkcaldy.
From the birthdates of his children, it is perfectly reasonable for me to assume that Janet's father married about 1728. His wife was Janet COLLIER and yes, you've guessed it, she was born in Dysart, the exact same town as where her son, John Hepburn was born on 10th June, 1765.
Children:
George Reekie born 23rd February, 1729 at Auchterderran in Fife.
William Reekie born 17th January, 1731 at Auchterderran in Fife.
Christian Reekie born 31st December, 1732 at Auchterderran in Fife.
Janet Reekie born 15th January, 1736 at Abbotshall in Fife.
James Reekie born 11th February, 1738 at Abbotshall in Fife.
Andrew Reekie born 14th October, 1739 at Abbotshall.
Researchers will have noted, I'm sure, the switch from Auchterderran to Abbotshall, but, just as important will have taken a long, hard look at the naming pattern. I believe that it is quite significant that Andrew and Janet christened their first child, George, and that name George Reekie became the object of my next search. I will discuss that in my next posting.
Kind Regards,
Tom.
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hello All,
Because I believe that the birth date of Andrew Reekie would have been around 1709/1710, I made a search for a George Reekie who would have married around the year 1708. I was successful in that, because I found a George Reekie who married an Anne Westwater at Falkland, (just over the Lomond Hills from Auchterderran and Leslie) on the 30th October, 1708.
Once again, I'm biting my nails because there is a gap of about four years from the date of the marriage and the birth of the first child. It is this period between say 1709/10 that I expected to see the birth of Andrew Reekie!
Children:
Christian Reekie born 12th October, 1712
Jean Reekie born 3oth December, 1716
Anne Reekie born 22nd November, 1718
Isabel Reekie born 27th May, 1722
That was about as far as I could go with the resources available to me, and so I turned to Janet Collier, the wife of Andrew Reekie, who had married about 1728. This was the lady who was born in the coalport of Dysart, just outside Kirkcaldy.
I will continue with that in my next posting.
Kind Regards,
Tom.
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hello All,
My search for the parent of Janet Collier came up with William Collier, who married an Agnes Duncan about 1707. Since both William and Agnes both appear to have been born in Dysart, I felt reasonably happy with that.
Their children:
Margaret Collier born 18th April, 1708 at Dysart in Fife.
Janet Collier born 24th February, 1710 at Dysart in Fife.
David Collier born 14th December, 1711 at Dysart in Fife.
Henry Collier born 1st April, 1716 at Abbotshall in Fife.
William Collier born 23rd March, 1718 at Abbotshall in Fife.
John Collier born 20th February, 1720 at Abbotshall in Fife.
To the best of my knowledge, Agnes Duncan was born on the 10th of February, 1684 at Dysart, and her parents were James Duncan and Christian Smith.
Well, it's approaching my bedtime, so I'm going to have a quick cup of tea and then toddle off to my bed. Now, wouldn't it be just terrific if I wake up in the morning to find some messages from people back in the Auld Country with some of the material required to plug some of the gaps! However, even though I say it myself, it hasn't been a bad old day - and I'm not just talking about the fine Autumn weather that we're experiencing here in Melbourne.
Kind Regards,
Tom.
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hello All,
Just a brief "progress report' on the Andrew Hepburn/Janet Reekie marriage. On a previous posting I stated that there was a marriage ceremony at Ballingry in Fife on the 6th of July, 1764. I'm pleased to report that there is a further Extracted Marriage Report for the 14th of July, 1764 at Dysart in Fife.
That makes perfect sense since their first child, John Hepburn, was born on the 10th of June, 1765 at Dysart. Now, as I have already stated, I'm led to believe that Janet Reekie was born on the 15th of January, 1736 at Abbotshall, to her parents Andrew Reekie and Janet Collier. However, so far, I have been unable to pin down the birth details of Andrew and who his parents were.
I also mentioned in a previous posting that I suspected that the parents of Andrew Reekie were George Reekie and Anne Westwater. Indeed, they named their eldest child, George. An important clue was that George Reekie married on the 30th October, 1708 at FALKLAND in Fife. I have been aware of the fact that the Westwater's were no strangers to Falkland and knew, for example, that a George Westwater had married an Amelia Lang there and that a daughter, Isabel Westwater had been christened there on the 31st of May, 1705. Again, I also know that a William Westwater had married a Margaret Miller. William had been born around 1689 at Falkland and that their two daughters, Jean and Isabel Westwater, had been born in Falkland in May, 1721 and December, 1724.
I then compared the marriage dates of "the alleged" parents of Andrew Reekie and Janet Collier and noted how close they were, i.e. George Reekie married Anne Westwater on the 30th of October, 1708 and William Collier had married Agnes Duncan around 1707/08. One family had married at Falkland while the other had married at Dysart.
I feel that I'm on the right track, but a bit of help from other researchers wouldn't go amiss. I believe that I've done quite a fair bit of work, and hopefully it should provide a reasonable start for others to work from.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards,
Tom.
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hello All,
I return to this thread to give you added information about the union of Alexander Hepburn and Agnes Reid. I will always do this kind of exercise since I want other researchers to have the best possible information at their fingertips. Sometimes, it is necessary to insert information into other threads and so one can easily lose track of specific individuals. A good example of this is in my current postings about the REEKIE family. I believe that this updated piece of information will assist you.
Alexander HEPBURN married Agnes REID on the 15th March, 1793 at Edinburgh, Midlothian. Agnes REID had been born on 23rd March, 1775 at Abbotshall in Fife and was the daughter of George REID and Janet ROSS, and these two Christian Names can be picked up in the naming of the children of Alexander HEPBURN and Agnes REID. George REID and Janet ROSS had married about the year 1760. George's parents were Andrew REID and Elspeth BEVERIDGE.
James HEPBURN born 21st August, 1793 at Abbotshall in Fife.
Janet HEPBURN born 10th January, 1795 at Abbotshall in Fife.
Margaret HEPBURN born 22nd April, 1797 at Abbotshall in Fife.
Isabella HEPBURN chr. 5th December, 1798 at Abbotshall in Fife. She went on to marry William THOMSON on the 8th April, 1827 at Abbotshall in Fife.. She died on 20th February, 1863 at Abbotshall in Fife.
George HEPBURN born 1st February, 1801 at Abbotshall in Fife.
Alexander HEPBURN born 11th June, 1803 at Abbotshall in Fife. He died on 9th January, 1874 at Abbotshall in Fife.David HEPBURN born 15th February, 1805 at Abbotshall in Fife. He died on 6th May, 1872 at Abbotshall in Fife.
Betty HEPBURN born 4th August, 1807 at Abbotshall in Fife.
I feel sure that the above information can now be expanded further by other researchers of these families.
Kind Regards,
Tom.
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hello All,
Today, I haven't made many postings for the simple reason that I've been experimenting with a few facts and figures on my computer, using a little program that I developed some time ago. The program is still in its early stages, but I believe that it's becoming quite a useful tool for me. Before my retirement, I was extremely interested in advances in computer technology and have waited patiently for the day when I could work away from the rush and bustle of normal employment.
There are a number of areas on my Family Tree that, quite frankly, are nothing more than "possibilities". The entries that I "pencilled in" are open to question and I simply wanted to reach a situation where I could get the program to look at a number of factors, e.g. Names, Locations, Ages and good old-fashioned Naming Patterns.
What I would like to do is give you details of my work today, and invite you to offer comments about the results.
I am led to believe that David HEPBURN was born on the 6th December, 1796 and that he married Christian (Christina) Currie on the 3rd of October, 1819 at Abbotshall near Kirkcaldy in Fife. There are my starting factors - Names, Locations and a Birth Date.
Children that resulted from the marriage were:
Elizabeth HEPBURN born 21st September, 1820 at Abbotshall in Fife.
William HEPBURN born 18th June, 1822 at Abbotshall in Fife.
Janet HEPBURN born 2nd May, 1824 at Abbotshall in Fife.
Alexander HEPBURN born 5th April, 1827 at Abbotshall in Fife.
David HEPBURN born 13th June, 1829 at Abbotshall in Fife.
James HEPBURN born 23rd August, 1832 at Abbotshall in Fife.
That data is quite acceptable to the program based on the ages of the parties involved, etc., but now, by getting it to examine the built-in naming pattern mechanism, it tells me that the second child born was Male and that the probability is that he was named after William Hepburn, his Grandfather, the next child is FEMALE and that the probability is that she was named after her Grandmother, Janet Young. After some more refinement, I would expect to be given details about the Elizabeth Hepburn, who was the eldest child, i.e. was Christian Currie's mother named Elizabeth?
In my next posting, which will also be my last for today, I will continue with the results of my test run.
Kind regards,
Tom.
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hello All,
In my previous posting I mentioned that William HEPBURN was thought to be the son of David HEPBURN and Christian (Christina) CURRIE and was born on the 18th of June, 1822 at Abbotshall in Fife. That data is locked into my program and I now input the fact that he married Helen BLYTH, born 1824 at Leslie in Fife, and that the marriage took place on the 15th January, 1849 at Abbotshall in Fife.
Their children:
David HEPBURN born 16th October, 1850 at Abbotshall in Fife.
Jane (or Janet) HEPBURN born 28th February, 1852 at Abbotshall in Fife.
William HEPBURN born 18th February, 1856 at Kirkcaldy in Fife.
Alexander HEPBURN born 8th June, 1860 at Kirkcaldy in Fife.
Christian (Christina) HEPBURN born 13th July, 1864 at Kirkcaldy in Fife.
Thomas HEPBURN born 23rd September, 1866 at Kirkcaldy in Fife.
The program suggests that the eldest son, David HEPBURN was named after his Grandfather, David HEPBURN, who married Christian (Christina) CURRIE and that Christian (Christina) HEPBURN was named after her Grandmother, Christian (Christina) CURRIE.
Well, I don't think that today has been wasted, and I look forward to working on other problem areas tomorrow. I'm not looking for miracles, and one has to bear in mind that the built-in use of "naming patterns" is far from being foolproof, but it's certainly reassuring to see the computer taking those factors into consideration.
It's getting very close to my bedtime so, a nice cup of tea will go down well, and being Saturday tomorrow, I probably wont be working so hard as I did today.
Kind Regards,
Tom.
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hello All,
We can now step a few years forward in time to 1881 where we find William HEPBURN now aged 58 and his wife, Helen BLYTH, the daughter of William Blyth and Jean Tainsh, residing at School Row in Leslie, nestled at the base of the Lomond Hills in Fife. With them are:
Their unmarried daughter, Jane Hepburn now aged 29.
Their 16 year-old daughter, Christina.
Their son, Thomas now aged 14.
It would appear that the remainder of the family had "flown the coop", as the saying goes.
Kind Regards,
Tom.
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hello All,
As most of you know, my grandmother was Elizabeth Hepburn and she married a William Livingstone. William's father was Samuel Livingstone, the youngest son of "the elusive James Livingstone". You may also recall that Samuel had an elder brother named James and that he married a young lady from Banff.
With the assistance of MonicaL, we tracked James down to where he was living at a place called Heggies Wynd at Abbotshall (Kirkcaldy) where his younger sister, Margaret (or Maggie) Livingstone was either staying with him or merely visiting at the time of the Census.
I have come across an entry where I find a Helen HEPBURN aged about 60, who had been born in Abbotshall, Fife, employed as a servant to a Christine BOUTHRON. One has to wonder whether there was any connection between this HEPBURN and the LIVINGSTONE's living just a couple of doors away.
You now know that James Livingstone never had any children of his own and so adopted a daughter. He moved across the Firth of Forth and lived there for several years.
Kind Regards,
Tom.
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hello All,
I recently had an enquiry by private e-mail about the connection between the HEPBURN's and the ANDERSON's and I must admit, it proved quite a difficult nut to crack However, I did recall that one of the Hepburns born in Kinghorn on the shores of the Firth of Forth, where my parents used to take my brothers and I camping many moons ago, did, in fact marry an ANDERSON. Other researchers out there on RootsChat may find the following of some interest:
In 1881, we find Thomas HEPBURN, who had been born on the 8th of June, 1799 at St Cuthberts, Edinburgh, son of John HEPBURN and Jean Gardiner, living at 66 High Street, Kinghorn. He is now aged 82. With him is his 80 years old wife, Sarah (commonly called Sally) Chrichton. With them, at this time were:
Sarah Anderson, Maiden Surname, HEPBURN, their daughter, aged 57 and their grandson, Thomas Hepburn Anderson, aged 25 who had been born in Leith.
Their son, John HEPBURN, aged 54, who had been born in Kinghorn c. 1827.
Their son, Andrew HEPBURN, aged 51, who had been born at Kinghorn c. 1830.
Sarah (Sally) Hepburn, Jnr. had married David ANDERSON.
Now, that's quite a bit of information, and will assist quite a few people, I would hope.
Kind Regards,
Tom.
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hello All,
Many researchers arrive at a situation where they are faced with a number of bewildering options whereby it's just not possible to insert an individual into their Family Tree. I've been placed in that situation time and time again, and it meant that I simply had to place the matter "on the backburner". However, sometimes it's possible to get round the problem by gathering evidence that is hard to dispute. I wont get into the subject of evidence too much, because the last time that I did, I was dragged into an unfortunate exchange with a lady on RootsChat who, unfortunately appeared to know very little about what is acceptable as evidence in a court of law, and what is not.
I will give you some details that you can judge for yourselves, but, I wont be dragged into any heated arguments!
I have long believed that there is quite a strong connection between the HEPBURN family and the CUNNINGHAM family but, I wanted to be "reasonably certain" that I was correct before posting it on RootsChat. Here goes!
David HEPBURN married an Isabella MACKIE at Kilrenny in Fife, back on 28th July, 1840 at Kilrenny in Fife. Isabella's parents were John MACKIE and Isabella TOD and she was born on the 29th December, 1817. That is an EXTRACTED BIRTH/CHRISTENING RECORD, and would surely be accepted by any reasonable person.
Isabella Tod HEPBURN was born/christened to David and Isabella on the 12th of March, 1845 at Kinnaird, Kemback in Fife. She married Thomas D. CUNNINGHAM on the 26th of June, 1866 at Kemback in Fife. I believe that the Middle Name of TOD plays a very important role in this scenario, and I have mentioned the importantance of Middle Names elsewhere on RootsChat.
I don't know about you, but I think that it would be well worth it if other researchers checked my work to ensure that I haven't made an unfortunate slip. It shouldn't be too difficult since most of the hard slog has been done for you. If you can find nothing wrong, then we most certainly have a connection between the HEPBURN's and the CUNNINGHAM's.
Kind Regards,
Tom.
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tommacgregor
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 1248
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Thanks for that Vicky, and yes, you have communicated with me before. My Grandmother was a Hepburn who married a Livingstone, and so, naturally, I have a great interest in those two families.
It would appear that my Hepburn lot came from around the Leslie and Abbotshall area of Fife and I do have a lot of material about them - some of it on the Fife Board.
Just give me a gentle reminder if I don't answer any of your messages in a reasonable time, I can be forgetful due to medication.
Very best wishes,
Tom.
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trish251
RootsChat Marquessate
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Posts: 8618
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Hi Tom and others,
I think in the past we have talked before but not sure. As I think I have the David Hepburn and Hay connection.
Will have to check my notes. But I think in the past I have told you this before. I just wanted to add my name to the list incase anyone else is interested.
My mother's grandfather was Scottish and I have found out alot of other scottish surnames connected as well. Garvie, Imrie, Hay, Hepburn, Robertson, Mulherron (all Fife) and maybe a few other's I can't remember right now.
cheers
vicky
Hi Vicky
If you are wanting to contact other folks researching your families, rootschat has a surname interest table, set up by Berlin Bob, specifically for this purpose.
http://surname.rootschat.com/
Most roots chatters don't provide page after page of information on the county boards about their own families, rather they post about the specific people and times where they are having research problems, or where they have found unusual items and events. Detailed lists and descriptions of IGI and census data of family members are usually posted on their own websites, or public sites specifically set up for this purpose. Consequently you may find many other folks with common interests on rootschat by posting your own queries or checking and/or adding your information to the surname interest table.
If you have any queries in relation to your families in Fife, do please add a new thread to the Fife board. Lots of folks (who may/maynot be related) would be most happy to help
Trish
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