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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Topic started by: Jang on Friday 21 July 17 07:27 BST (UK)

Title: Need help in deciphering witnesses to marriage 1803
Post by: Jang on Friday 21 July 17 07:27 BST (UK)

I need help (again!) with deciphering a marriage entry. Thanks to Rootschatters I now know that the groom's occupation is soldier in the Edinburgh Militia but I'm having trouble with the witnesses names:

Can??? James Milne for the man
and James Co??? for the woman

Jan

Title: Re: Need help in deciphering witnesses to marriage 1803
Post by: goldie61 on Friday 21 July 17 07:36 BST (UK)

I believe the word before James Milne's name is an abbreviation of 'cautioners'.
http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/cautioner

Title: Re: Need help in deciphering witnesses to marriage 1803
Post by: Jang on Friday 21 July 17 07:40 BST (UK)

Thanks, I've never come across that term before. Makes sense if he was in the Militia.

Title: Re: Need help in deciphering witnesses to marriage 1803
Post by: Skoosh on Friday 21 July 17 09:00 BST (UK)

Cautioners (kayshoners) put up a sum of money which would be forfeit if the marriage never took place. To prevent frivolous calling of the banns etc!

Skoosh.

Title: Re: Need help in deciphering witnesses to marriage 1803
Post by: buckhyne on Friday 21 July 17 09:21 BST (UK)

Is it James Milne for the man and James Cowan for the woman?

Title: Re: Need help in deciphering witnesses to marriage 1803
Post by: Jang on Saturday 22 July 17 01:30 BST (UK)

Thanks for the explanation, Skoosh.

Buckhyne, I thought it was Cowan at first, but the end of the word looks like "sin". Perhaps Cowsin?? Or maybe Crosin?

Title: Re: Need help in deciphering witnesses to marriage 1803
Post by: crowsfeet on Saturday 22 July 17 05:37 BST (UK)

Agree with Milne

Suggest perhaps Cousin for second surname

Regards Crowsfeet

Title: Re: Need help in deciphering witnesses to marriage 1803
Post by: Jang on Saturday 22 July 17 07:03 BST (UK)

Thanks, that sounds more likely :-)

Title: Re: Need help in deciphering witnesses to marriage 1803
Post by: buckhyne on Saturday 22 July 17 09:31 BST (UK)

Quote from: Jang on Saturday 22 July 17 07:03 BST (UK)

Thanks, that sounds more likely :-)

I agree  :)

Title: Re: Need help in deciphering witnesses to marriage 1803
Post by: J11 on Saturday 22 July 17 20:28 BST (UK)

Looking at the "W" in the word woman, I'd go with Cowan.

Title: Re: Need help in deciphering witnesses to marriage 1803
Post by: buckhyne on Saturday 22 July 17 22:47 BST (UK)

Quote from: buckhyne on Friday 21 July 17 09:21 BST (UK)

Is it James Milne for the man and James Cowan for the woman?

Quote from: crowsfeet on Saturday 22 July 17 05:37 BST (UK)

Agree with Milne

Suggest perhaps Cousin for second surname

Regards Crowsfeet

Quote from: Jang on Saturday 22 July 17 07:03 BST (UK)

Thanks, that sounds more likely :-)

Quote from: buckhyne on Saturday 22 July 17 09:31 BST (UK)

I agree  :)

Quote from: J11 on Saturday 22 July 17 20:28 BST (UK)

Looking at the "W" in the word woman, I'd go with Cowan.

Now I'm agreeing with you  :D

Title: Re: Need help in deciphering witnesses to marriage 1803
Post by: Jang on Monday 24 July 17 00:45 BST (UK)

Cowan was my first impression too :-)