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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Aberdeenshire => Topic started by: Martin Guthrie on Tuesday 29 January 08 18:09 GMT (UK)
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Hi All,
A little bit on an odd question perhaps but I wasn't entirely sure where else to post this...
I've been researching my family tree for a number of years but recently my mother discovered a handwritten hardback book in her attic. This turned out to be a journal written by my Great Great Grandfather, Andrew Brechin, in 1852-3. In it he describes his life and times in Aberdeen from earliest schooldays up to his getting married and describes many places, people, and events in Aberdeen in the mid-1800's. I'm in the process of transcribing his book just now and I'd estimate that it'll come to about 20,000 words in total.
Quite apart from the book being an amazing family history document, it's arguably an important historical document for Aberdeen and might bear some limited publication. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best way to approach this? I've looked at the Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society web site but it's not obvious whether this would be of interest to them.
Many thanks,
Martin
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Hello Martin,
Wow, what a terrific find :) Being from Aberdeen myself, I would definitely be interested in reading the journal if you decide to publish it (which I think you should) and I'm sure that many other people would be too.
As for who else might be interested...I would contact the Local Studies Library in Aberdeen
http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ACCI/web/site/Libraries/NS/Lib_LocalStudies.asp I think that they would be able to advise you on publishing it too.
There is also the Aberdeen City Archives
http://www.rootschat.com/links/02m7/ ...records of individuals can be deposited for permanent preservation.
Elaine
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Hi Martin,
What a wonderful discovery :D.
As I am a Brechin from Aberdeen, it caught my eye obviously, but even without that connection it would have. Please do contact the ANESFHS, I am sure they will give you good advise on what to do about limited publishing. Indeed they have an annual Bruce Henderson award for original genealogy work, and I would think yours would be a wonderful entry for this.
Unfortunately I can find no link to an Andrew Brechin in my family tree, but perhaps their is a distant link further back.
Good luck with your work.
Grothenwell
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Hi Elaine, Hi Grothenwell,
Thanks for the links Elaine - very useful and I'll certainly be following them up in due course. There's really two aspects to his book - the first being the publication of the words themselves (together with transcription notes which I'll add as an overlay once I've finished typing it up - currently 11,000 words and counting - since there are some interesting genealogical aspects to it as well as Aberdeen-related points). The second is the book itself which a local history society might be interested in displaying - but I guess I should deal with the publication first since I'll need the book to prove authenticity perhaps.
I will contact the ANESFHS as well Grothenwell. And in terms of us being related; well, if you can find any relatives in your tree buried in the Spital Burial Ground (now part of St. Peters) then I'd suggest we talk since I'm related to about 2/3 of them! ;) At most I think there were only 2 or 3 distinct families of Brechins in Aberdeen in the 1800's...
Best regards,
Martin
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Hi Martin,
If and when you have the book published, please can you post a message, letting people know about it, as I'm sure you will have many takers.
My interest in Brechins is, as far as I know, from further afield in the county rather than Aberdeen city so would be very interested to know if you have, in your Brechin line, any who hailed from the Methlick area.
Regards
Jen
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Hi Jen,
Not Methlick per se but probable connections in Tarves and New Deer - neither of which are a million miles away. I suspect that there's a common root somewhere in there but finding anything with any certainty pre-1800 is difficult at best!
Martin
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Hi,
All I know is that Mary Brechin married William Crichton, 10th Feb 1798, Methlick and died 15th November, 1826, Methlick. which means, of course, that she could have been born anywhere within striking distance.
If you come across any likely candidates, I should be immensely grateful as she has been a sticking point for ages.
Jen
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Let me look at it and get back to you Jen. I haven't much explored the pre-1800 Brechin connections much because a) I had to re-investigate that section of tree when my G.G.Grandfather's book pointed out an error I'd made previously, and b) because without censii and death records, pre-1800's often becomes educated guesswork at best usually! LOL A Mary does vaguely ring a bell somewhere but I've seen way too many names over the years to be sure of anything any more!
Martin
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Thank you, that would be kind. No hurry, I have waited a long time so a bit longer won't hurt.
Jen
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Hi Martin,
My Brechin tree goes back to Tarves/Boutrie via Old Meldrum, so there might be a link there. If you are interested send me a PM with your email address and we can share what we have, if you want?
Best wishes,
Grothenwell
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Hi Grothenwell,
I've sent you a PM.
Cheers,
Martin
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Hi All,
Just to follow up on this; I've finally finished transcribing the book and I've added a brief foreword describing it. I've now sent an email to ANESFHS with the first 6 pages for (hopefully) some advice on what could be done with it.
I'll let you know what happens.
Best regards,
Martin
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Well, I sent the email as I said and followed it up a few weeks later. I have received no response from ANESFHS whatsoever!
Has anyone any further suggestions? I'd really like to get this published and I can't help but feel that going through geneologically-inclined organisations would be the way to go - although if ANESFHS is anything to go by then perhaps not!
Thanks,
Martin
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Hi Martin,
I am sorry the ANESFHS has not responded. I don't feel that this would normally be the case and that your email has fallen between the cracks.
Have you considered a local history magazine, for instance "the Leopard". Certainly I would like to hope you would get a response from them.
I certainly can't wait to read what you have transcribed, put me down on the waiting list.
Best wishes,
Grothenwell
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Hi Martin,
Would it be worth giving ANESFHS a call just to make sure your emails have been reaching them? you know how wilful spam killers can be at times - maybe you have fallen foul of theirs.
Cheers.
Jen
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Hi Martin,
I agree with Jen and Grothenwell...I don't think that ANESFHS would ignore you intentionally. It would certainly be worth giving them a call to see if they did receive your emails, at least then you would know.
Elaine
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Hi MartinGuthrie,
I would thoroughly recommend Alastair McIntyre's ELECTRIC SCOTLAND website .... the greatest repository in the world for Scottish social and literary history ... have a look and you will see why your discovery will be welcomed.
at
http://www.electricscotland.com/
Tell Alastair that you were advised by me, John Henderson (one of his main contributors), to alert him to your on-going work.
His e-mail is,
alastairi@electricscotland.com
Slainte
DDJJAKE
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Hi Everyone,
Thanks to Grothenwell's help I'm now in contact with ANESFHS and they're now looking at the journal. I'll let you know what happens next.
Thanks for all the messages of support - much appreciated!
Martin
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Just an update on this... I sent the transcription to ANESFHS and they acknowledged receipt and said they'd look at it. I followed up a few months later. Nothing. That was 2 years ago. I chased them again a couple of months back and they again said they'd look at it. No further response.
I guess I have to assume that they're simply not interested for whatever reason. Can anyone suggest any other bodies worth approaching please?
Many thanks,
Martin
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I feel bad about this Martin, I can't comment on your case as you obviously have a different experience. But in all my dealings with the ANESFHS they have been nothing but helpful; we should remember they are all volunteers working for their love of genealogy and the north east of Scotland. I can only suggest now that you try a more commercial aspect and perhaps try The Leopard: Email
enquiries@leopardmag.co.uk
Leopard
Auld Logie
Pitcaple
Inverurie
Aberdeenshire AB51 5EE
Telephone 01467 681678
I have had the great pleasure of reading your work on Andrew's journal, and it certainly deserves a wide audience not only for it's historical importance but because it is a thoroughly good page turner.
Good luck,
Grothenwell.
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You could always self-publish it. I know that there are perhaps money issues in doing this, but you should get some quotes from publishers. You should be able to find information online which would be able to help in advising you about how to go about it.
Have you thought about what to do with the original journal?
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Great find, but must be very frustrating not to see it in print after more than two years.
It reminds me of The Diary of John Sturrock, Millwright, Dundee 1864-65. He was my 1st cousin, 4x removed. It's described as "unique source material for students of Victorian Britain at all levels." I don't think it's any longer in print, but in the nineties Tuckwell Press were printing it. Perhaps it might be worth contacting Tuckwell Press about the diary you have.
Alternatively, try to contact the head of the department of modern history (or similar) of the Aberdeen universities. They might be able to put you in touch with someone.
Tim
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Hi All,
Many thanks for the replies. I've emailed The Leopard and Tuckwell Press (now part of Birlinn Ltd.) and we'll see what comes back. I've also looked into self-publishing a little... Yes, there are financial implications but it may well be an option worth considering.
As regards the original journal itself, it's currently residing fairly securely in a fireproof safe. However my thinking was - once this is hopefully resolved - that the best place for it would probably be with Aberdeen City Archives. Thoughts?
Best regards,
Martin
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Aberdeen City Archives would be my first call, or perhaps a local museum. It depends on the content, but I suspect that the more that is written about the daily life of Aberdeen, the more interesting they would find it. You probably have something unique, and I think they'll be thrilled to have it.
Tim
PS Assuming it is published by someone, I look forward to reading it.
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Hi Martin,
I am the email secretary from anesfhs and have just been shown this site and the emails starting nearly 2 years ago.
It’s certainly unacceptable the time scale since your original email.
There is a committee meeting tomorrow evening when I will bring up this sad tale.
In defence of the volunteer who seems to be dealing? with your diary. They are one of the busiest volunteers who probably try’s to do too much and some things take a back seat. This is no excuse though. Sorry you have had this bad experience and can assure you that any email addressed to the society’s enquiries[at]anesfhs.org.uk are usually replied to within 24 hours.(that's because I deal with the enquiries emails) Can you email me direct at the society's enquiries email address and I will let you know what is happening.
John
Moderator Comment: e-mail edited, to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please replace [-- at --] with @
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Hi John,
Many thanks for getting involved. I've sent you an email as you requested at the address above.
Kind regards,
Martin
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Things are looking up, Martin. Here's hoping for success soon.
Jen :)
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Hi Martin,
I know this is an old thread which is now facing a second resurrection, so I hope it's okay to add to it.
I had been wondering if anything ever became of the publication of this journal. But I've had another idea that you might want to consider.
Like lots of other people last Christmas, I became the proud owner of an Amazon Kindle eBook Reader. It occurred to me, and I've been meaning to post this for some time, that you might want to self-publish your journal in electronic format. As you've already typed it up, I don't think it would take too much effort to convert it into the various eBook formats, and you could do so with no financial outlay at all. Furthermore, if you wanted, you could make yourself a little money for your time by selling it on the various eBook sites popping up (including Amazon).
Anyway, I thought it might be an option that could interest you, and would mean that all the effort you've already put in wouldn't have gone to waste.
Tim
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I have Aberdeen Brechin Ancestry and reached the point where there are many dead ends .. I was interested in the contents of your document. The oldest Brechin ancestor I've traced is Charles Brechin (mar to Ann Able) who is reputed to be a Sergeant in the Royal Artillery and a Mason (Master). Up until recently I knew of 2 children - my ancestor George Brechin who appears to have been born about 1799 in England. He married Jane Simpson 1823 at Milton of Hatton, Aberdeenshire. His brother Henry appear to have been born about 1808 in Ireland and was married to Margaret Melvin in Aberdeen in 1829. Because I cannot find birth, marriage or death records for Charles, I am stuck. I have found a burial of an Ann Able - described as wife of Lieut Chas Brechens in Aberdeen in 1827 but don't know if correct folk.
At some point I noted the death of a Helen Burnett in 1853 widow of James Brechin but only recently took on board that her address in Aberdeen was the same home as Henry Brechin, making me wonder if James and Henry had been brothers or related in some way. In my notes extracted from her will, are Margaret Brechin sister of James but no mention of Henry or George. She also mentions Donald, Philip, Logan family members.
The Brechin name is very difficult to trace with many differing spellings and pronounciations - can anyone help.
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Hi hgs46 and welcome to Rootschat.
I too have Brechin ancestors, but unfortunately none, found so far, named Charles.
It might be better for you to start a separate topic on your own subject as it is more likely to get new views and help on your query specifically.
I see on IGI that there are three possible births for Charles, (but only one of them came up on Scotlandspeople for some reason, and no matching marriage for Charles and Ann that I could find)
Charles Brechin, birth: 18 Jun 1771 — GLASGOW, LANARK, parents: John Brechin, Jean Young
Charles Brechin: christening: 12 Jan 1772 — BAIRNIE-TILLYDESK EPISC, ELLON, ABERDEEN, parents: George Brechin
Charls Brichin, christening: 1772 — TARVES, ABERDEEN, parents: George Brichin
There is nothing to say that Charles was from Aberdeenshire, but given that both the children you know of married in Aberdeen, and likely his wife Ann died in Aberdeen it is a possibility, or perhaps after being stationed in England and then Ireland in the Army his last posting was Aberdeen.
If I were you I'd try and see if there is a way of finding out more on Charles military career perhaps through posting on the military board here, or the National Archives and a distant cousin found out a lot about an ancestor's military career through findmypast.com.
If you start a new topic on this board please tell more on what details you already have on his marriage, and the births of his sons.
Good luck and please let us know how you get on,
Grothenwell
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Thank you for taking an interest and I'll follow your suggestion of posting a new topic. Thank you also for your welcome. In my dreams I hoped that the discovered Brechin document might be helpful. Like you I found these 3 possible Charles births and I also assumed that he probably came from Aberdeenshire. I noted in the 1851 Census his son George was recorded as born in Methlic. In the 1841, 1861 and 1871 Census it was recorded as England. Perhaps a bit of a clue. The calculated birth years of both George and Henry are from the census returns and the age given in DCs as I haven't found other records. By the way the name alters - Bricken, Brichen, Brechin - for some reason I've found Scotland's People have difficulty with this name. I have tried military records for Charles without any success and even made a short trip to London. Wondered even about Militia but not sure how to search it. Anyway I keep trying .. thanks again.
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Hello Martin
Perhaps you should read 'The Diary of a Canny Man' which is a very interesting book giving diary entries of Adam Mackie who was a Farmer, Merchant, and Innkeeper in Fyvie and covers the period 1818-1828. It may give you a few ideas. If you can not get a copy of the book to read you could read a few of the Reviews available on the internet
Regards
Traprain
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... you might want to self-publish your journal in electronic format. As you've already typed it up, I don't think it would take too much effort to convert it into the various eBook formats, and you could do so with no financial outlay at all. Furthermore, if you wanted, you could make yourself a little money for your time by selling it on the various eBook sites popping up (including Amazon).
Hi Tim,
Yes, it's an option that I've thought about. In actual fact (and for a bunch of other reasons) I'm now looking at possibly self-publishing in paperback anyway. Nothing firm yet but I hope to be a little further down the track within the next couple of months and will try and report anon. And if that happens then an eBook version may be an option also.
Thanks,
Martin
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Perhaps you should read 'The Diary of a Canny Man' which is a very interesting book giving diary entries of Adam Mackie who was a Farmer, Merchant, and Innkeeper in Fyvie and covers the period 1818-1828. It may give you a few ideas. If you can not get a copy of the book to read you could read a few of the Reviews available on the internet
Hi Traprain,
Thanks for the pointer - I'll try and track it down!
Martin
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Well, I sent the email as I said and followed it up a few weeks later. I have received no response from ANESFHS whatsoever!
Has anyone any further suggestions?
I had a similar document - an account written by a man who emigrated from Glasgow to North America in the mid-1800s- and I contacted the Glasgow etc FHS. They looked at it and recommended donating it to the National Library of Scotland, who were delighted to have it. If you don't already have a home for it, try them.
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It's been a while but I'm still wondering if you ever found a repository for your document and if it's available to read. My Brechin/Brichen family of Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire has many loose ends that I would love to tie up.
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Hello Martin I am not a Brechin or even from Scotland but I would love to read your book it sounds absolutely fascinating. Have been so intrigued just reading the posts. I wish you every success and do let us know how you fare,congratulations on such a tremendous find. Kindest regards sue
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It's a long time since there has been a post on this. I'm a writer looking for social documents that detail everyday life in Aberdeen mid 1800s. Did you ever publish Martin?
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I didn't as I couldn't justify the cost. However, I'm now thinking of publishing an eBook version only and am actively looking into that. Will update if this goes further.
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Did you ever try the National Library of Scotland as a possibly repository/custodian of the original book?
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Not yet. Perhaps once it's published I will but until then I might need to refer to it.
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Dear All,
After much time (almost 10 years!), I am please to be able to confirm that his journal is now live on Amazon. Currently as a Kindle eBook only, I'm looking into getting a paperback version made available too - but that may take me a few more weeks...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0711BF17F/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1493750259&sr=1-1&keywords=my+schools+and+schooldays (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0711BF17F/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1493750259&sr=1-1&keywords=my+schools+and+schooldays)
Any questions; please shout.
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Thanks for letting us know Martin. I've spent the afternoon reading it and thoroughly enjoyed it, I'm so glad that you decided to go ahead with it in ebook form. I have ancestors who were living in Aberdeen at roughly the same time and it certainly brings to life what it was like then. It was also really interesting to hear of the streets and places that no longer exist.
Elaine
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Hi Elaine,
Glad you enjoyed it! :)
I'm continuing to work on the paperback version (mostly formatting stuff) and will probably issue an update to the eBook around the same time (I think Amazon offers free updates to people that have already downloaded).
I'm also discussing with Aberdeen Archives about them holding the original journal there. Would allow anyone that wants to view it for research purposes to do so. Again, hope to have news on this in the next week or two.
Martin