Malcolm Leitch/Leech

[Snudge21]

I am trying to find a birth record for a Malcolm Leitch/Leech born about 1794. There is a suggestion that his parents are Peter Leitch/Leech and Janet Turnbull. So far I have found 6 children born to Peter and Janet which include:

Margaret b. 1785 in Burntisland, Fife
Elizabeth b. 14/12/1781 in Dunfermline, Fife (same area where parents married 27/01/1781)
Janet b. 26/03/1795 in Burntisland, Fife
Peter b. 31/12/1790 in Burntisland, Fife
Rachel b. 06/08/1797 in Burntisland, Fife
Barbara b. 16/12/1782 in Burntisland, Fife

There is a possibility of another son called William born in 1783 but so far I have not found anything to suggest such a thing. I found some of the children as a result of the mother's maiden name being spelt incorrectly. The father was born in Kinross, Kinross-shire in 1757 and the mother in Inverkeithing, Fife in 1756.

[GR2]

If Malcolm survived until 1855, he will have a statutory death certificate which will give his parents' names. If he survived until 1851, the census should point to his parish of birth.

[dowdstree]

There is a Malcolm Leitch in the 1841 Scotland census in Burntisland, Fife

Malcolm Leitch    age 45  born 1796  -  Journeyman Cooper
Janet     Leitch    age 85  born 1756

Hope this helps

Dorrie

[dowdstree]

Just to add to this -

Cannot find him in the 1851 census.

1861 census - South Leith, Edinburgh -  Sea Gate Lodge

Malcolm Leitch   -   age 68   born 1793   -   Burntisland, Fife.  Gate Keeper

Nancy    Leitch   -   age 64   born 1797   -    South Queensferry   -  Wife

Dorrie

[dowdstree]

Sorry this is in instalments too many interruptions.

1851 census has Malcolm's wife Nancy/Agnes in Burntisland (born South Queensferry) - Railway Watchman's wife (he was probably at work and not recorded).  Interestingly, the other occupant is a Janet Leitch - sister born in Burntisland.
This would fit with the Janet you mentioned.

It looks as if Malcolm and his wife then moved to Leith as per the 1861 census.

There is a death for a Malcolm Leitch in 1877 recorded in Leith. Worth checking this out at Scotlands People as suggested by GR2.

Going back to your original question re his birth record. You may find it has not survived or indeed was never recorded in the Old Parish Registers. This happens often prior to official registration in 1855 in Scotland.

Dorrie