Ramsays of Fife

[MonicaL]

Just some background on St Clairtown:

Clairtown, St.

CLAIRTOWN, ST., a village, in the parish of Dysart, county of Fife, ½ a mile (E.) from Kirkcaldy; containing 1511 inhabitants. This village immediately adjoins that of Pathhead, with which it has become incorporated, and of which it forms the more modern portion, being separated only by the great road to Dundee. It is built upon the estate of Sinclair, the property of the Earl of Rosslyn, extending in one continued line for about a mile northwards. The inhabitants are chiefly weavers.—See Pathhead.

www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43427#s1

Monica

[Margow]

Glad to have been able to add to the Ramsay data.

In answer to Sandra's question, James Ramsay (born 1819, died 1878) married Mary Clark (born about 1817, died 1894) in Dysart in 1841.  Their children are as follows:

Margaret b. 1842
Jean b. 1844, d.1855
Mary b. 1845
Jean b. 1848
James b. 1850, d. 1912 (my great-grandfather)
Janet b. 1852, d.1853
Sophia b. 1853
William Clark b. 1855, d.1855
Elizabeth b. 1857
Janet b. 1859
Grace b. 1861

Incidentally, my great-uncles Peter and David Ramsay (sons of James Ramsay 1850-1912) also emigrated to New Zealand in the early 20th century, but I have no info about what happened to them thereafter.
 
All good wishes,
Margow

[lyraea]

Hi Monica

Appreciate the info on St Clairtown.   I have heard of a lot of places in Scotland but have to admit this one is completely new to me.

I will contact Maergow through PM and will definitely let you know how things go.

Thanks for all your help to date as I couldn't really have got this far without you.

Will be in touch
Sandra

[NorrieG]

Hi Lyraea & Ambly

I have searched my headstone index but have nothing on your Ramsays

but then by the late 1800s they had moved out of Fife into Perth

may be you suould try a posting on the Perth List

Norrie G

[NorrieG]

Hi Margow

1881 Census Kirkcaldy,
Dwelling:   5 Glebe Park
   
Mary RAMSAY   W   65    F   Kirkcaldy,
   Rel:   Head
Elizabeth RAMSAY   U   24    F   Kirkcaldy,
   Rel:   Daur
   Occ:   Housekeeper
Janet RAMSAY   U   21    F   Kirkcaldy,
   Rel:   Daur
   Occ:   Linen Weaver
Grace RAMSAY   U   19    F   Kirkcaldy,
   Rel:   Daur
   Occ:   Linen Weaver
William WALLACE   U   18    M   Strathmiglo,
   Rel:   Lodger
   Occ:   Engine Fitter At Works

Headstone Inscription from Bennochy Cemetery Kirkcaldy
Could this be some of yours

1220   William WALLACE died 18.8.1940 age 77
   wife Grace RAMSAY died 1.9.1948 age 87

1212   Janet RAMSAY wife of Alexander R BLAIR died 12.11.1931 age 72
   also the above Alexander R Blair husband of Margaret FINLAYSON
died 25.11.1939 age 79

Photos are available

Norrie G

[Margow]

Dear Norrie G

Yes, those are "our" Ramsays.  I knew about the census, but have not investigated Bennochy, so many thanks for that. 

My grandparents, William Duncan and Robina Ramsay, are also buried in Bennochy and, although I remember my father showing me the family plot many years ago, I have not checked it out recently.  I live in Fife, so have no excuse for not checking out the lair books.  You have spurred me on !

All good wishes,
Margow

[lyraea]

Hi Norrie G

Thanks for your post.   I know you do a lot for people and I appreciate your efforts on our behalf. 

Rgds
Sandra

[Petroushka]

I was very excited to find all your information. I recently pulled out the tree that I have. My Great Great Grandfather is David Skinner Ramsay. His son John Ramsay married  Isabella Westwater. Their son James Ramsay married Betsy Herd Of Strathmiglo.They stayed in Dysart. Their son John Skinner Ramsay is my father. He was born 1910 and died 2001. My dad's sister is still alive at 89. She is Isabella Westwater Ramsay married Rab Leith.( deceased).There were three other brother Tam, James  and Hughie and  another sister Bess.I emigrated to Canada in 1972. I have been going back to Scotland all this time . My family moved from Kirkcaldy in 1954 to Pittenweem, Fife.I am finding other info on other sites. thank you for all yours.

[misseswood50]

Hi there;  I happened to be researching another family that may be related.  There was an Alexander Melvin [Melville] that married and Elspeth [Elizabeth Ramsay] about 1640 - 1650. They were in the Leuchars Parish [Kennoway] area of Fife.  I have no other information about them, however, I do wish to.  They had 4 daughters Elspeth, Isobell, Mary and Agnes along with two sons John and Robert, who were either sent to the colonies as prisoners or freely sought passage to them. [Massachusetts]  There was a tale, which I am not sure is true, that the father was a drunk and the mother sent the two boys to the colonies to avoid having them sent to the military.  The Melvilles/Melvins and Ramsays go way back in the history of Scotland.  You can get further back by searching of the history of the name or the barony of Ramsay in Fife.  Their were Ramsay's who were knighted for service to the King.  You can also look at Clan Ramsay on Scots Web.  Wikipedia is a great source of historical information as is Electric Scotland.

I hope you find what you are looking for.