Alexander Robertson and Jane Spence (Aberlour, Grange Banff)

[jimrob3]

Hello all! 

I'm new here, and am hoping to find some people. I understand somewhere on this board there was mention of Alexander Robertson and Jane Spence. Can someone confirm if there are children showing as born to them in Grange or Aberlour, Banff from 1802 up to 1829? And if anyone can help me find Alexander Robertson's parents, that would be great too. Thanks.

[genechaser]

Hi

Try using this site, it covers most of the UK.

http://www.archersoftware.co.uk/igi/

[GR2]

Family Search shows the following:

Mary, bp. Grange18-12-1802
Frances, bp. Grange 18-12-1813
Fife Duff, b. Aberlour 7-9-1821, bp. 10-11-1821
Twins, Helen Tod and Thomas Geddes bp. Aberlour 23-8-1823
Arthur, bp. Aberdlour 26-10-1825
George, bp. Aberlour 17-4-1829

[GR2]

The free website Libindx which gives details of Moray folk, gives the following:

Alexander Robertson, farmer, died Drumfurrich, Aberlour 31-12-1847, aged 74

Jane Spence, died Drumfurrich, Aberlour 3-11-1857, aged 76.

The above comes from their gravestone. His death was mentioned in the Elgin Courier on 14-1-1848, hers on 20-11-1857.

[GR2]

The 1841 census for Drumfurrich shows:

Alexander Robertson, 65, farmer
Jane Spence or Robertson, 55
William R, 25
Jane R, 22,
John R, 20
Grace R, 18
Fife Duff R, 15
Arthur R, 9
Charles McConnachie, 28, mason
James Rott (probably a mistranscription), 25, journeyman mason
Paul Grant, 10, male servant

All born Banffshire

N.B. Ages are often rounded in 1841.

The 1851 census shows:

John Robertson, 34, unmarried, farmer of 50 acres employing 2 men 1 boy, b. Grange
Jane R, 69, widow, b. Rothiemay
Jane R, 35, unmarried, b. Grange
Helen R, 25, unmarried, b. Aberlour
Arthur R, 23, unmarried, b. Aberlour
George R, 21, b. Aberlour
James Innes, servant

[GR2]

The notice on 20-11-1857 in the Elgin Courier for Jane Spence's death reads:

At Drumfurrich, Aberlour, on the 2d inst., Jane Spence,
relict of the late Mr Alexander Robertson, farmer, there,
aged 76.

The date is 2nd, while the gravestone says 3rd. The death certificate will decide it.

[GR2]

On 16-3-1846, Alexander Robertson chaired a dinner in the Fife Arms Hotel, Craigellachie, held by the tenants of the Fife Estates in the Daugh of Drumfurrich to celebrate the marriage of James Duff M.P. to Lady Agnes Hay.

In November 1849 Arthur Robertson, Drumfurrich, was fined 7/6d with 3/6d costs for contravening the Turnpike Act.

[jimrob3]

Wow! Thanks for all the help! I went to the site you suggested gene chaser, and it's very helpful. And GR2, you found a lot in such a short period of time. Thank you!

I did discover that my great great grandfather is very likely Thomas Geddes Robertson, who was named in your first post GR2. The other family seems to be a different one as there is no mention of Thomas and his twin sister Helen. Although I did enjoy the history you found about them...kinda wished that was my family as they seem more colourful.

At any rate, I'm hung up at locating the first Alexander's parents. I know it's a long shot, but did you happen to see anything else with respect to that family?

Thanks again for all your help!

[GR2]

I think you first need to clarify whether your ancestor is the Thomas Geddes Robertson. The posts that I made are all for the same family. The fact that Thomas and Helen aren't at home in the 1841 and 1851 censuses either mean they have died young (in which case Thomas Geddes would not be your ancestor) or are working and living away from home. Helen might even be married by 1851.

Why do you think this Thomas is your ancestor? Do you have a marriage or death certificate for your Thomas which gives his parents names? Do you have him in a census which gives his birthplace?