Sorry this is a bit long-winded but I wanted to show what I've checked to avoid any duplication of effort.
In particular, I'm trying to find the birth of James Forrest born circa 1824 in West Linton.
I cannot find his death record either but suspect he may have died in USA (Detroit).
I have found James on all but the census, from 1861 to 1901 and possibly in 1841.
On all of them, his birthplace is consistently West Linton, Peebleshire with a date of birth of 1824.
On his son's birth record, he is 32 in Feb 1855, and born in Carlops, West Linton.
No details of age on his first marriage in 1854 but on his second marriage in June 1860, he is 36.
The only document which indicates his parents is the 1860 marriage - they are given as George Forrest and Margaret Tod. (They married 9 Nov 1823, West Linton).
Not only can I not find James' birth, I can find no children at all to this couple on LDS or SP.
This is really odd because on the 1841 census and 1851 census there are numerous children.
I'd love to find the birth of just one of the children to prove or disprove I have the correct family/parents.
1841 census
residence: Carlops, West Linton
George Forrest 40 all born Peebleshire
James Forrest 17
John Forrest 9
George Forrest 1
Margaret Forrest 40
Margaret Forrest 12
Jane Forrest 4
Hugh Forrest 40
1851 census
residence: Marionville Toll St, Leith, Midlothian
George Forrest 53 all born West Linton except wife
Margaret Forrest 53 Carnwath, Lanarkshire
Agnes Forrest 24
Margaret Forrest 19
John Forrest 18
Jean Forrest 14
George Forrest 11
Some discrepancies in ages but I'm fairly certain these are the same family.
There is a Margaret Todd born Carnwath in 1802 on LDS (parents John Todd/Janet Lyon)
Can anyone help, or suggest what else I could check.
