Hello again, I have copied nobody and at the moment I'm open to all possibilities.
Your right though things need to be triple checked.
I do not know who Helen's parents are and our chat is part of me finding part of the proofs to the answer. Helen seems to link to all the Clark in a way.
Why I trust the good reverend in telling us of Elizabeth Clark is he gave us another bit of information that a granddaughter of the said Elizabeth Clark a Elizabeth Simpson married a James Mitchell from Park Home Dufftown 4th March 1820 this is tracible or proven, and therefore possibly makes her mother Jean Turner who is recorded having resided in Crossburn before being buried 30 JAN 1821. Dying of course first. Why parentage is an uncertainty because there is a Margaret Turner marrying a John Simpson 1787 in Keith, but no Jean recorded to my knowledge but like you say digital records are to be questioned, so until I have seen the original.
Also, the reverend tells of a brother of said Elizabeth Simpson a James Simpson having been a banker in Quebec who is also tracible. There is also an Elizabeth Clark as a witness in 1749 Keith proof of existence maybe but not where from so not of who she exactly is.
So, my thoughts are open on the subject and when you look at the burial records for Rathven for the period and see so many Catholic burials you get to understand there are so many unrecorded people not to be found in the OPR other than witnesses or the occassional mixed religion marriage. I believe there is a link to Fordyce as James Clark in Arradoul witnesses a baptism there, a link to Keith or rather Crossburn and Newmill, and a link to William Scrougie therefore Banff and a link to Cullen but how it ties in I don't know. And for us Weir -Gollachie, Slackend and Tannachie are places of origin.
I am also interested in.
14 APRIL 1717 WILLIAM ANDERSON in Carnfield & MARJORY NUCKEL his wife had a Son baptized Called JOHN. Witnesses John Paterson, John Anderson, Janet Weir & Isobel Anderson. [Vol.1 p.5].
If William, John or Isobel Anderson is in any way related to Arradoul. I don't think so but would be interested to know who they are as William and Marjory move to Tarmore Keith and maybe link 3 generations later and if you have come across them in your research.
Did your Anna Clark Born 1720 by chance marry a Bennet?
And have you a place for this Janet Clerk with a witness Anne Gordon,
24 FEBRUARY 1721 JAMES GEDDES at Shoar of Buckie and JANET CLERK his wife hade a child baptized called ANNE. Witnesses Anne Gordon elder & Anne Gordon younger. [Vol.1 p.22].
because there is also regarding Geddes
3 JUNE 1726 GEORGE GEDDES in Belly [Bellie] parish was matrimonially contracted with MARGARET ROTSON [ROBERTSON] in Connage consigned pledges but were not marryed and yis? [this] MARGARET her pledge being forced & marryed to JO. CLARK. [Vol.2 p.16] [See July 8, 1726].
8 JULY 1726 JOHN CLARK in Woodside & MARGARET ROTSON [ROBERTSON] in Connage were matrimonially contracted, consigned pledges & marryed July 26th. [Vol.2 p.16].
and could this be in compensation?
6 AUGUST 1726 JAMES CLARK in Burnside brought a testificat from Deskford of his being contracted wt. ISABEL GEDDES yr [there] & marryed September 20th. [Vol.2 p.17]. [Deskford entry dated September 20th].
And there are always these earlies from Deskford regarding Rathven Clark making for another earlier generation.
13 APRIL 1677 JAMES CLARK in Rathven paroch & HELLEN COOK heir contracted a band of mariage did find caution* according to the order of the kirk. Archibald Huie [Howie] William Rotsone [Robertson]. [Deskford OPR, Vol.2 p.4a].
A possible link to the later Clark Robertson marriage.
27 MARCH 1675 JOHN CLERK in the paroch of Rathven & JANET GRAY in this paroch contracted a band of mariage & did devowe their pledges according to the order of the kirk. [Deskford OPR, Vol.2 p.8a].
Why they couldn't call one child Dereck or something to make it easy I'm surprised the wife isn't called James or John.
I'm interested in your Isobel Ritchie but unsure how you got there and who the extra children are.
Also your thoughts on
15 MAY 1738 JEAN LESLY Relict of the Deceast James Clark in Woodside was buried.
And thanks for your replies