John MARCH and Elizabeth DICK

[Carawa]

I have traced one of my lines back to John MARCH and Elizabeth DICK who married 8 July 1764 at St Cuthberts, Midlothian.

I have the following children for them

Barbara bap 9 June 1765 St Cuthberts
James b 9 May 1767
Christian b 27 July 1769
Janet 25 November 1771 - my line
Elizabeth b 10 December 1773
John b 14 December 1779

I have been unable to trace parentage for John March or Elizabeth Dick but am wondering whether John March could have been the son of James March and Margaret Borthwick born 16 Feb 1736 christened 20 Feb 1736 Colinton, Midlothian.

I do not have death details for either john march or Elizabeth Dick.

If anyone could give me pointers on how I could further my research on this line I would be very grateful

[McGroger]

Hi, Carawa

From familysearch.org there’s an Elizabeth Dick christened St Cuthberts 27 September 1734 to James Dick and Barbara Pedden, which fits with the Scottish naming pattern.

The only thing that bothers me with James and Margaret for John’s parents is that Margaret’s name wasn’t honoured in any of John and Elizabeth’s daughters - usually the second daughter is named after the maternal grandmother. But there’s already an anomaly in that Elizabeth was the fourth daughter rather than the third. So, not foolproof, but usually - if it can be found - there’s an explanation for deviating from the pattern.

Did you notice that there was an earlier Barbara christened 9 July 1764? Maybe a transcription error, or did they christen a daughter the day after they married, who then died soon afterwards, being replaced by the 1765 Barbara?

Cheers,
Peter

[Carawa]

Hi Peter

Thanks for this. It definitely looks like a possibility.

Carawa