RootsChat.Com

Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Peeblesshire => Topic started by: Danchaslyn on Monday 23 March 09 16:37 GMT (UK)

Title: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Monday 23 March 09 16:37 GMT (UK)
Hi

I'm searching for family descendants, who could possibly assist with tracing family tree of, Robert, Liz, Thomas, Richard Aitken, born circa 1860-1875, in West Linton, Peeblesshire, Scotland, to John Aitken (sawyer) and Grace, his second wife (seamstress).
I think both Robert and Richard became bankers, Robert in India and Richard, in South Africa.  Thomas, became Rev Tom Aitken of Kingswilliamstown, South Africa, via a stint as Prison Chaplain on the Island of St Helena.
Any info further back to John & Grace Aitken, and anything else much appreciated.
Thanks
Danchaslyn
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Monday 23 March 09 16:53 GMT (UK)
hi pal,

let me first welcome you to rootschat, a wonderful, wonderful website.

for a little starters, here is what i found so far...more to come..

1881 census- west linton

john...age 54...sawyer..born c1827
grace...age 50...draper..born edinburgh c1831
robert...age 17...banker's clerk...born west linton
elizabeth...age 15...draper's assist
thomas...age 9
richard...age 6...born west linton c1875


Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Monday 23 March 09 16:58 GMT (UK)
hi pal,


1891 census- west linton

john...age 65...sawyer..born kirkurd
grace..age 60..draper
elizabeth...age 25...draper's assist
richard...age 16...banker's clerk


Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Monday 23 March 09 17:10 GMT (UK)
hi pal,

1871 census- west linton

john..age 44...sawyer
grace...age 40...draper
william...age 18...joiner's apprentice...born penicuik c1853
john...age 9
robert...age 7
elizabeth...age 5


1861 census- bridgehouse mile, west linton

john...age 35...saw miller
william...age 8
archibald..age 6
jane...mother..age 70
elizabeth...sister...age 43
william ramsay...nephew...age 6


Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Monday 23 March 09 17:21 GMT (UK)
hi pal,

1851 census- scotston gartyhead, newlands

john...lodger...age 26




1841 census- tofts, kirkurd

william...age 55...carpenter
jane...age 45
john...age 15


john aitken was christened on the 30th april 1826 in kirkurd

son of william aitken & jean veitch


Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Monday 23 March 09 17:30 GMT (UK)
JOEKAR

Wow, wow, wow, thank you for the welcome and I'm overwhelmed by your amazingly quick response and for the info......you def have the right folk, thank you so much.
Looks like by 1891 Robert had left, but, for where?  How does he get from humble beginnings in West Linton, to an esteemed position in the Bank of India? Thomas, only we presume, 19,  during this Census, has already left? Maybe for England, prior to St Helena.  I know he married a Edith Mary Short from England, no date, or place, for that.
And, by 1891, Richard was a 16 year old bank clerk.
Do you happen to know where Kirkurd, the place of John Aitken's birth in 1827 is?
About 30 years ago, my mother, (Edith Constance Aitken) on a visit from South Africa, to Scotland, tried to find John Aitken's grave in West Linton, unsuccessfully!

And, we knew of the death of one of the children, now you've helpfully told me, its, I think, John, Age 9, in the 1871 Census.

Thank you, thank you, thank you
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Monday 23 March 09 17:34 GMT (UK)
hi pal,

john aitken married grace tennant in west linton, 19th august 1867

children born

john...13/5/1861
robert...11/5/1863
elizabeth...3/8/1865
thomas...4/4/1871
richard...12/5/1874


still searching


Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Monday 23 March 09 17:43 GMT (UK)
hi pal,


i can tell you that william aitken and jane veitch married in canongate, edinburgh on the 27th november 1816.

you john had another two sisters. ann who was christened on the 23/9/1821 and marion christened 23/3/1824. cannot see anything for his sister elizabeth yet...but i think william ramsay aged 6 in the 1861 census belongs to her..just going to check

Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Monday 23 March 09 17:46 GMT (UK)
hi pal,

was correct, william christened on the 22/7/1855, son of matthew ramsay and elizabeth aitken.


will now search the other censuses for your guys.



Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Monday 23 March 09 17:57 GMT (UK)
hi pal,


i would be only guessing at the robert and thomas on the english census, best i can say is to visit the chatroom...you will find the button at the top of this page..very very experienced people in there just awaiting to help you discover more about your family...just say joe asked you to visit pal...best of luck.


Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Monday 23 March 09 18:09 GMT (UK)
hi pal,

think robert is already in india by 1895 as he has 2 children in scotland on the 1901 census.

1901 census- draper shop/house- 9 deanfoot road, west linton

john..age 74...post messenger
grace...age 69...draper
elizabeth...age 35...draper's assistant
john ellis aitken..grandson...age 5...born india c1896
marjory grace aitken...grand-daughter...age 3...born india c1898


hope all of this info helps pal


Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Monday 23 March 09 18:21 GMT (UK)
JOEKAR

Well, Joe, I have no idea how you do it, but you are a Star!
Few years back I used to work in Clan Tartan Centre, at James Pringle Weavers, Inverness, had access to ancient clan history there, but no time to research Aitkens!  Loved helping others, though!
Yes, I was intrigued as to where the nephew William Ramsay fitted in, so he was an Aitken daughter's son, presume something untoward happended to his dad, Matthew Ramsay!
Strange that both Thomas and Richard ended up in South Africa, as whilst I was still there, I only ever heard familytales of Thomas, no mention of Richard.  Did hear of Robert in banking in India, but not whether he returned to Scotland, or joined some of the family in South Africa?  I'll follow your suggestion and enter the Chat for possible leads on Robert and Thomas.
Cheers
Hi Again Joe
More delightful info from you arrived as I was sending this.........how amazing, do you think the two little kids John and Marjory, born in India, were sent back to live with their Grandparents in West Linton? (Great to have a street address for them all in 1901), or were their births just registered in Scotland?  Looks like poor Elizabeth got to be the spinster looking after the old folks at home!
Cheers
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Monday 23 March 09 19:11 GMT (UK)
Hi JOEKAR

Chatroom guys very helpful, but no one could find record of marriage for Thomas Aitken to Edith Mary Short, in England, or Scotland, I'm flummoxed, as they were definitely married and producing offspring, before they went to St Helena.  One of their dughter's Winifred Grace Aitken, was born St Helena, 22 December, 1903, 4 or 5, and her elder brother, Douglas, was born there, before then.
I don't unfortunatley know when they went to St Helena.
No one could find Robert's marriage, or his brother Richard's.

Will chat to-morrow again...thank you

Danchaslyn
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Tuesday 24 March 09 05:33 GMT (UK)

Have an idea that Edith Mary Short may have been born in King's Lynn, Suffolk, England.

 ???
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Tuesday 24 March 09 14:08 GMT (UK)
hi pal,

can i tell you that john ellis aitken returned to the uk.

on the 29/2/1936 he arrived in liverpool, he was aged 40, a banker and was married to norah and had a child elizabeth.

he was going to hunting, St.ives

noarah was aged 36 and elizabeth was aged 5.




Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Tuesday 24 March 09 14:10 GMT (UK)
hi pal,


visit...http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit_page.jsp?u_id=10216692





Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Tuesday 24 March 09 17:28 GMT (UK)
Hi JOEKAR

How fascinating, thank you for the info re John E Aitken & Fam returning to UK and where they were going to settle, namely Hunting, St Ives.
As you said yesterday, he and his sister Marjory Grace Aitken (b India), were living with their grandparents, John & Grace Aitken, in West Linton, as shown by the 1901 Census.
Wonder when he, and maybe his sister returned to grown up in India?
And, talk about following in his father's footsteps, into banking, like his Uncle Richard also.
I've been in touch with the Curator of the Bank of England, but he states that no branches of the Bank of England operated outside of England, so Robert Aitken must have gone out, as you said before, possibly round about 1895, to maybe work in the Bank of India?
I've been on the Bank of India site, but couldn't find Aitken name there anywhere.
Am about to email XXX in St Helena, (*) whom I found on the newly advertised ancestory site for South Africa, as she's coincidentally seeking descendants of family from St Helena, who went to South Africa!
Last night also emailed family in SA to see if they can assist with when Rev Tom Aitken and his wife, Edith Mary Short, married, and where, and when they arrived to take up his prison chaplain posting on St Helena.  Don't expect them to reply in a hurry!
Harping back, wonder where in India, Robert & family were, I've no idea?

Thanks again, Joe
Cheers

Danchaslyn

(*) Moderator Comment: name and e-mail address of another person  removed in accordance with RootsChat policy, to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.

New members must make at least three postings before being allowed to use the PM facility.
See Help-Page:  http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Tuesday 24 March 09 17:36 GMT (UK)
Hi JOEKAR

Also meant to say, that during other reading this morning, I discovered that Baptists are known, or, were known as 'non-conformists', and baptism, christening etc records, might be kept separately?
Rev Thomas Aitken most certainly was a Baptist, don't know if his siblings, or parents were?
Could this possibly be a reason why its difficult to trace his marriage to Edith Mary Short of King's Lynn, Norfolk?

Cheers

Danchaslyn
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Tuesday 24 March 09 18:01 GMT (UK)
hi pal,

1891 census- 53 caledonian road, cambusnethan, wishaw

home of janet steele

boarder...thomas aitken...age 20...joiner



Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Tuesday 24 March 09 18:55 GMT (UK)

Hi JOEKAR

Thanks again, and suppose not so strange, that Thomas started off as a Joiner, when his Dad was a sawyer etc, but how interesting!  Would 20 be quite a young age for someone to leave home then?
Wonder how long he practised his joinery for, before he became a Baptist Minister?
Maybe Wishaw is where he met his future wife, Edith Mary Short?
I've emailed Merle Martin in St Helena and wait with baited breath for her response........during the 1980's  (I need to look out my late mother's diary), my mother b. Edith Constance Aitken, Kingswilliamtown, South Africa, and her elder sister, Dorothy Aitken, and their cousin, Winifred Bateman of the USA, went on a splendid trip to the Island of St Helena and were treated most well, even dining with the Governor.  The three ladies said the small museum featured their Dad.
I wonder whose child Winifred Bateman is?  She may have been a second cousin, not a first cousin.
Thanks again Joe

Danchaslyn        :D
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Wednesday 25 March 09 14:01 GMT (UK)

Hi JOEKAR

Kris of Krisejoint was able to tell me this morning that John Ellis Aitken and wife Norah and daughter, Elizabeth as you so kindly told me, arrived 1936 in Liverpool and were bound for St Ives.
In my ignorance, I thought this was in Cornwall, but it runs out it was St Ives, Doushire, Huntingdonshire  (thanks to Kris).

I's searching now for any info on this family since their arrival and also who Norah was and any details on her. 

I've also had a look (thanks to Barbara) on the Families in British India site, but can find no refs there to either Robert Aitken, nor John Elis Aitken and fam.

Many thanks
Danchaslyn      ::)
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: mrs a on Wednesday 25 March 09 22:02 GMT (UK)
Welcome to rootschat.You've certainly got off to  good start!
You asked about the location of Kirkurd. I stay about a mile from there and about 5 miles from West Linton
Kirkurd is just a wee group of houses which, until about 1985ish had it's own school and church. The school is now a house and the church is used as a store but it's graveyard is still in use..... It's just off the A701 south of Blyth Bridge and about 10 miles west of Peebles.It remains a Parish in Peeblesshire although the school joined up with Newlands school in the early 80's and the the Church with Newlands Parish Church at Romanno Bridge.
I saw an entry in one of your replies referring to John - lodger- aged 26 Gartyhead, Scotson. I think Gartyhead has been misread and should read 'Entryhead' which is the existing lodge cottage to Scotstoun House, Blyth Bridge.
Avril
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Thursday 26 March 09 08:57 GMT (UK)


MRS A

 :D Hi Avril

How heartwarming to hear from someone living so close to the old origins........as you say, what a wonderful start, thanks to the lovely folk of RootsChat.Com.  As I'm a Beginner, not sure how to link chats in other sections, so forgive me if I'm telling you something you know, but there is more infor re this family in the Beginners' Section and also, my mistake, in the Cornwall Section  (the appropirate St Ives is in Huntingdon, not Cornwall!).

Anyway, lovey to hear a bit about Kirkurd, will have to visit the graveyard etc there sometime in the future.    8)

Also, William Aitken (no date of birth?) married Jane Veitch (no DOB?) at Canongate, Edinburgh, 1816.  They lived at Tofts, Kirkurd, would you know this place?
Their daughter Elizabeth was born 1818, would like the rest of her birthday if poss?

Thank you for 'Entryhead', think you must be right, would love to see this gatelodge also.

Jane Aitken, mother of William (Carpenter) was born 1791, Tofts, Kirkurd.  Would love her date of birth and maiden name?  And, if poss, her parents?   ???

Thanks again
 ;D

Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Thursday 26 March 09 13:33 GMT (UK)
hi pal,

still searching.....


1851 census- number 3, tofts, kirkurd

william...age 56...joiner
jane..age 59
elizabeth...age 33
marion...age 26
jane henderson...grand-daughter...age 9
william grosart...grandson...age 2 months


so with this info i found that ann aitken had married peter henderson

henderson family census

1861 census- upper liberton- liberton

peter...age 42...ploughman
ann...age 38
jane...age 19...domestic servant
harriet...age 17
elizabeth...age 14
peter...age 11
william...age 9 (christened 6/6/1852 penicuik)
ann...age 5 (born 8/7/1856 penicuik)

1871 census- campend cottages- newton

peter...age 52...ploughman
ann...age 51
peter...age 21...ploughman
william...age 19...ploughman
ann...age 15...farm hand
john...age 9 (born 2/7/1861 liberton)
mary...grand-daughter...age 3
william...grandson...age 3

1881 census- newton

ann...age 59
jane...age 39...farm hand
peter...age 30...gardener
ann...age 24
john...age 19...pit labourer
mary...grand-daughter..age 13
william...grandson...age 13
harriet...age 9...grand-daughter


1891 census- craigmiller cottages- liberton

ann..age 70
elizabeth..age 43...domestic servant
peter..age 40...gardener
ann...age 36
john...age 29...brewer's labourer


1901 cenus- moredun house- liberton

peter...age 56...gardener
elizabeth...age 54
mary...age 38
sarah...age 4...niece..potobello c1897


Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Thursday 26 March 09 14:36 GMT (UK)

 :)

JOEKAR

Hi Joe   :)

Definitely think that finding out about one's family is one of the most exciting things to do, and all due thanks to folk such as yourself, who so kindly give of their time and knowledge.   ::)
I am astounded at everything you have found out and so grateful.  At this stage I need to buy a very, very large sheet of paper on which to transcribe all these family branches!

And now into a new family as well.........Hendersons, and a newish district.

Thank you very very much indeed     ;D
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Thursday 26 March 09 14:42 GMT (UK)
following up on oor william ramsay,

i see that he was with his mum on the 1871 census and by 1881 has got married to isabella.

1871 census- rosehall, dalkeith road, newington

james geddes...age 45...servant
elizabeth geddes..age 53...housekeeper
william ramsay...age 16


1881 census- back o' mill, lands street, penicuik

william...age 35...joiner
isabella...age 32
isabella...age 6
john...age 5
william...age 3
margaret...age 1

1891 census- bridgehouse terrace, peebles

william...age 45..joiner
isabella...age 42
isabella...age 16
john..age 15..joiner
william...age 13
margaret...age 11
alexander...age 8

1901 census- 80 montelier park, newtington

william...age 56...builder
isabella...age 53
isabella...age 26
margaret..milliner



Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Thursday 26 March 09 14:49 GMT (UK)
hi pal,

forgot to give you the 1851 census for the henderson's


1851 census- eight mile burn, penicuik

peter...age 30...ploughman
ann...age 22
harriet...age 7
elizabeth...age 4
peter...age 1



Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: runningbear on Thursday 26 March 09 21:10 GMT (UK)
hi pal,

unfortunately i did not have enough credits left for s/p website to confirm details about your Aiken family, but what i can say is...

grace Aiken(ms Tennant) died on the 16th October 1910, aged 80

(gro- 685/06 0753)

i believe that this may be your john..

john Aiken died 1913 newington...gro 685/05 0168


the website i used was

www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk


sorry that i can be of no more help


Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Friday 27 March 09 09:59 GMT (UK)
   :)

Hello Joekar  Joe    :D

From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for all your kindness and wonderful help.

Thanks to you, what an amazing pic I can build of this side of the family!

As I said before,  you are a Start.

Cheers
Danchaslyn

 ;D
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Friday 27 March 09 10:00 GMT (UK)

JOEKAR  Joe


Sorry,    STAR    !

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 :-\
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: mrs a on Sunday 29 March 09 20:30 BST (UK)
hi pal,

1851 census- scotston gartyhead, newlands

john...lodger...age 26




1841 census- tofts, kirkurd

william...age 55...carpenter
jane...age 45
john...age 15


john aitken was christened on the 30th april 1826 in kirkurd

son of william aitken & jean veitch


Joe


Tofts is a house on the A721 at the entrance to Nethererurd Farm. The following map shows the location

Avril
http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.do
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Thursday 02 April 09 15:57 BST (UK)

 :)

Hi Mrs A

Hello Avril

Thank you so much for your info on Netherud Farm and the surroundings, it is heartwarming to imagine an area, where one's family used to live.
One day soon I hope to trek around and see these places for myself, and its thanks to you, for bringing it to life and right up into modern times.    :D

Some of the Aitken family used to live at 9 Deanfoot Rd, West Linton (1901 Census) and I emailed a bookshop I found online in that road, but no response.  Was wondering if No 9 still exists and what it is to-day?   ???

Many thanks again

Danchaslyn

 :)
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: margmo1 on Saturday 04 April 09 19:51 BST (UK)
hi danchaslyn

in the 1950's / early 60's - there was a drapers shop in deanfoot road owned by Polly McPherson.  when she died it became a grocery shop and then a book shop.
i have some very old post cards of deanfoot road. please pm me if you would like copies.

regards
margaret
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Monday 06 April 09 19:40 BST (UK)
hi danchaslyn

in the 1950's / early 60's - there was a drapers shop in deanfoot road owned by Polly McPherson. when she died it became a grocery shop and then a book shop.
i have some very old post cards of deanfoot road. please pm me if you would like copies.

regards
margaret

 ;D

Hello margmo1     Margaret

Thank you  SO much, what a lovely offer, how amazing that there was a drapers shop at 9 Deansfoot Road, West Linton, right up until the 1960's!  Grace Aitken, b.1831 was a Draper and her daughter, Elizabeth, b. 1865 was a Draper's Asst.

I wonder in which year Polly McPherson acquired the shop, of if she perhaps was a relative?   ???

They and their husband/father are on 1901 Census living at 9 Deansfoot Rd, so I presume this was the shop as well?    ???

Thanks again and  I will PM you    ;D

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 :)

Cheers

Danchaslyn
 :)
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Monday 06 April 09 20:10 BST (UK)
Hi mrs a     

Avril

hi pal,

1851 census- scotston gartyhead, newlands

john...lodger...age 26




1841 census- tofts, kirkurd

william...age 55...carpenter
jane...age 45
john...age 15


john aitken was christened on the 30th april 1826 in kirkurd

son of william aitken & jean veitch


Joe


Tofts is a house on the A721 at the entrance to Nethererurd Farm. The following map shows the location

Avril
http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.do

Wonder if you perhaps would know how close Kirkurd, and West Linton are to Torphichen, which I believe is on the B792?    ???

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 :)
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: mrs a on Monday 06 April 09 20:50 BST (UK)
it's about 35 miles to West Linton which would take just under an hour. Kirkurd is approx 5 miles further.
If youlook up one of the travel guides such as www.theaa.com you'll get accurate travel details

Avril
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Friday 10 April 09 16:09 BST (UK)

 :)

Hello Mrs A  Avril

Thanks so much for telling me the distances, much appreciated.  Also, how far would Falkirk be from Torphichen?    ???

I'm sorry to be a pain, but my 'dial up' internet doesn't allow me to down loadmaps!  Live far to remotely and in the wilderness, and also, sorry not to reply sooner, been busy, heartachingly, searching for one of our small dogs, lost in the forest.     :'(

Thanks again, Avril    :D

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 :)
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: mrs a on Friday 10 April 09 18:33 BST (UK)
have sent you a personal message with directions to both places. Hope youfind your wee dog.
Avril
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Monday 13 April 09 10:20 BST (UK)
:)

Joekar

Hi Joe

hi pal,

can i tell you that john ellis aitken returned to the uk.

on the 29/2/1936 he arrived in liverpool, he was aged 40, a banker and was married to norah and had a child elizabeth.

he was going to hunting, St.ives

noarah was aged 36 and elizabeth was aged 5.

Can you perhaps tell me please, if on this trip, John Ellis and Norah Jean Aitken had their son, Robert Tennant Aitken, possibly five years older than their daughter, Elizabeth Aitken (5), with them?    :o

Also, might this trip have been their final return from India, to live in the UK?   ???

Or, Joe, do you perhaps know, which trip it is, that they were going on, after arrival in the UK, to settle in Scotland, and where in Scotland?   ???

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 :)




Joe
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Monday 13 April 09 10:23 BST (UK)

 :)

Joekar    ................Hi Joe

Sorry, I got my posting to you muddled up in the quote.........................!    >:(

Please search near the end of the last posting's quote, for what I wrote to you.    ::)

Many thanks

Danchaslyn

 :)
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Tuesday 19 May 09 12:24 BST (UK)
Hi JOEKAR

Also meant to say, that during other reading this morning, I discovered that Baptists are known, or, were known as 'non-conformists', and baptism, christening etc records, might be kept separately?
Rev Thomas Aitken most certainly was a Baptist, don't know if his siblings, or parents were?
Could this possibly be a reason why its difficult to trace his marriage to Edith Mary Short of King's Lynn, Norfolk?

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 :)

Hello All

Have now discovered that the Rev Thomas Aitken, only met and married Edith Mary Short, on the Island of St Helena!    ;)

Her parents and family, the Short Family, living on the Island of St Helena, where Edith Mary Short was born  prob 1875-1890?  Can anyone please tell me a birth date for Edith Mary Short?   ???

Can anyone please tell me more about the Short Family, all I know is that they were 'ex-Yorkshire'  ?   ???

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 :)
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Thursday 21 May 09 21:34 BST (UK)


 :)

As per kind information of weech...........

From passenger lists, Lady Caroline Aitken (as a widow) returned to England aboard the "City of Shimla", 1936 and her place of abode, was given as Arden House, West Byflet, Surrey, England.    8)

Mamakaz in particular, you searched long and hard, for which I'm so grateful for details as to where Lady Aitken returned to, in England to live, and here, at last, is the answer!    ;D

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 :)
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Monday 25 May 09 20:18 BST (UK)


 :)

As per kind info from "weech"..........

Cutting from the Times of India, undated:

FASHIONABLE BOMBAY WEDDING

The wedding of the week in Bombay has been at  Malabar Hill, of Marjorie Grace Aitken, daughter of Lady Aitken and the late Sir Robert Aitken, to Lieutenant Charles Elliot Bleck, of the 2nd Sherwood Forresters.

Her wedding dress is then described and mention made of the wedding taking place at the All Saints Church.

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 :)
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Saturday 06 June 09 17:47 BST (UK)



 :)

Have traced Thomas Aitken, b.4/4/1871, third son of John & Grace Aitken of Kirkurd, to the Island of St Vincent, Cape Verde Islands, as from Sept, 1896 - March, 1897.

Here, he was a single man, and a missionary for the Baptist Union Church.

The last trace I have of him in Scotland, UK, is as a Boarder, working as a Joiner, during the 1891 Census, in the home of Janet Steele, Cambusmethan, Wishaw, Lanarkshire.

I have tried repeatedly, without success to find out from several different 'branches' of the Baptist Union Church, where, exactly in Scotland, or anywhere else in the UK, for that matter, Thomas, might have been a member of a Baptist Church congregation, and where it was that he would have trained/recruited to be a missionary.    8)

Any info on Thomas would be greatly appreciated, as would contact details possibly for the Baptist Church in Wishaw to-day?    ???

Also, any info on Janet Steele?  I've searched IGI for her, without success??   ???

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 :)
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Thursday 02 July 09 13:24 BST (UK)


 :)

Hello

Also searching for Richard Aitken, b 12/5/1874, Kirkurd, Peebles-Shire, youngest son of John and Grace Aitken.

Last known trace of him, was working with his eldest brother, Robert Aitken, at Royal Bank of Scotland, as a Bankers Clerk, in 1891, whilst living at home still.

Robert left for India in 1895, and Thomas Aitken, for St.Vincent, Cape Verde Islands in 1897.

As Richard Aitken, their middle brother is no longer at the family address in the Scottish Census of 1901, we don't know what happened to him?

Any help and info would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 :)
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Sunday 05 July 09 16:24 BST (UK)


 :)

Hello Margmo1

What an amazing, very sweet, kind and generous gift you have sent to me, of the book entitled "Old West Linton", by T. C. Atkinson.

It is packed full of wonderful, old photographs of West Linton, Kirkurd, Carlops, Lamancha, Romanno Bridge, Mountain Cross, Blyth Bridge and Dolphinton.

A fascinating insight into how life was there in over a hundred years ago!

Thank you so very much.  I shall be sending pic copies of some of the old "Aitken haunts" to both "weech" and "baitken".

Margmo1 you are a star!   ;D   ;D   ;D

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 :)
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Sunday 05 July 09 16:28 BST (UK)


 :)

Hello baitken

You posted in RC, Mid-Lothian, Grace Aitken, nee Tennant, that her grandson, John Ellis Aitken, b. India, 1896, to Robert & Caroline Aitken, in Bombay, was, as I thought, sent as a small child, to live with his paternal grandparents, in West Linton, later Edinburgh.

Can you tell me please how young he was, when he was sent, or taken to Scotland, from India, to live?  I know he is on the 1901 Census with his grandparents in West Linton, but don't know how long before this, he left India?   ???

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 :)
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Friday 17 July 09 01:13 BST (UK)


 :)
Per kind courtesy of baitken:

ELIZABETH AITKEN, daughter of John & Grace Aitken, b. 3 August, 1865, left West Linton, and the drapers shop, after the death of her mother, Grace, and she and her father, John, went to live in Edinburgh.

Margmo1 recalls, as a child, shopping in the same shop, with her mother, which was now run by Mrs Polly MacPherson, her husband, son and sister-in-law.

9 Deansfoot Road, still stands to-day and is a bookshop.

Cheers

Danchaslyn
 :)
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Friday 24 July 09 13:30 BST (UK)


 :)

Very kindly from baitken:

The third child of Robert and Caroline Aitken, (of Bombay, India), after John Ellis and Margery Grace, was born in West Linton (not India!), on 9 August, 1899.

Robert Gordon Aitken, another grandson for John & Grace Aitken of West Linton.

Robert G. Aitken m. (1) Margaret Carfrae  19 April, 1923

                               (2) Irmintraude Adelheide Deutscher  2 July 1937

                               (3) Margaret Turnbull Kyle Stoddart  23 October, 1948


                               All Edinburgh

                               No children

Robert Gordon Aitken took his own life 14 September, 1953, Edinburgh.

Cheers

Danchaslyn
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Wednesday 18 August 10 14:43 BST (UK)


John Aitken, b 1827, died 1913, Newington, age 86 and his wife, Grace Aitken, nee Tennant, d. 16 October, 1910, age 80 years.

Their third and youngest surviving son, Thomas Aitken, b. 4 April, 1871, West Linton, after leaving West Linton, presumably aged about 19, after working with his father as a Joiner, boards with Janet Steele, in Wishaw, near Glasgow.

He's on the 1891 Census as a Boarder at 53 Caledonia Road, Cambusnethan, Wishaw, the home of Janet Steele.  I'm still seeking any possible details of Thomas' life in Wishaw?

Later, Thomas attends Spurgeon's College, in London and I'm seeking details of where it was that he stayed, whilst training to be a missionary?

He leaves the UK, (no details as yet of how and exactly when?), sent as a Baptist Missionary, to where?  I've details that he was a missionary on St Vincent, Cape Verde Islands for about six months.  Thomas may have landed up on St Vincent, as a shipwreck survivor, being originally bound for another destination, possibly the Island of St Helena, or South Africa?  Both localities later on,  he did minister in, for years.

Any help to fill in the jigsaw will be much appreciated.
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Kimberley02 on Wednesday 15 September 10 10:05 BST (UK)
Dear Aitken family, baitken, Danchaslyn, etc.,
I have been searching in vain for a photo of Robert Gordon Aitken (1895-1953) for a long time. I researched his life and wrote an article about this interesting but strangely flawed man.
He did indeed marry Margaret (1923), Irmintraude (1937) and Margaret (1948), in Edinburgh - but had in fact two children by his first and second marriages: *daughter (1928), and *daughter (1937).
Can anyone help me with a photograph of Robert Gordon Aitken?
Kindest regards,
Kimberley02



 :)

Very kindly from baitken:

The third child of Robert and Caroline Aitken, (of Bombay, India), after John Ellis and Margery Grace, was born in West Linton (not India!), on 9 August, 1899.

Robert Gordon Aitken, another grandson for John & Grace Aitken of West Linton.

Robert G. Aitken m. (1) Margaret Carfrae  19 April, 1923

                               (2) Irmintraude Adelheide Deutscher  2 July 1937

                               (3) Margaret Turnbull Kyle Stoddart  23 October, 1948


                               All Edinburgh

                               No children

Robert Gordon Aitken took his own life 14 September, 1953, Edinburgh.

Cheers

Danchaslyn
Quote

Moderator's Comment: names of possible living people removed in accordance with Rootschat policy.
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Wednesday 15 September 10 12:54 BST (UK)


Hello Kimberley02

Welcome to Roots Chat, and , What a surprise! and how interesting to know that you have researched the life of Robert Gordon Aitken and have written an article about him.

Would you be able please to post a link to the article?  or perhaps after you have posted the required minimum 3x on this site, we will be able to exchange private email addresses, via the Roots Chat Personal Message Service?

Thank you so much for details of RGA's children!

Kindest regards

Danchaslyn     P.S.  -  pics will follow from one of us soon...
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Kimberley02 on Wednesday 15 September 10 16:16 BST (UK)
Dear Danchaslyn,
How tantalizing this all is! I had long since seen the R.G.Aitken note, but only now my son has managed to click his way into the Chat. (I am hopeless with computers, being 66, and a retired Australian graphic designer living in Germany. My father (Major J.G.Lindsay, 2AIF) had the MC,psc, Despatches, and my grandfather (Capt W.F.Lindsay, AIF; Lt-Col, CMF) had the MC,ED. )
Yes, the R.G.Aitken article is in the Sep 2010 Journal of the Orders & Medals Research Society, and is complete in almost every way - bar a photo of R.Gordon Aitken (as he signed himself). I spent years working on it and tried all sorts of avenues (Merchiston Castle Scholl, Sandhurst, etc) to find a photo! One could go on and on...
Kindest regards,
Kim aka Kimberley02

Hello Kimberley02

Welcome to Roots Chat, and , What a surprise! and how interesting to know that you have researched the life of Robert Gordon Aitken and have written an article about him.

Would you be able please to post a link to the article?  or perhaps after you have posted the required minimum 3x on this site, we will be able to exchange private email addresses, via the Roots Chat Personal Message Service?

Thank you so much for details of RGA's children!

Kindest regards

Danchaslyn     P.S.  -  pics will follow from one of us soon...
Quote
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Wednesday 15 September 10 17:41 BST (UK)


Hello Kimberley02

At last Robert Gordon Aitken has received recognition.  Congratulations! Haven't yet read your article,  but shall try to find it online, failing which I'll try to obtain a copy of the Journal of the Orders & Medals Research Society.

Please can you post here as soon as possible which military awards RGA received?  I've been fascinated about his rescue of the women from the bazaar fire in India as kindly posted by WG.

After your next post we will be able to communicate per Roots Chat personal Message....please have your son to hand to help you, ha ha!

Cheers
Danchaslyn
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Kimberley02 on Wednesday 15 September 10 18:14 BST (UK)
Dear Danchaslyn,
Yes, my son (31, Dipl.-Ing.) will have to hold my hand, as I am very unsure about Chat etiquette. However, it has all been well worth it, thanks to the 5th Cavy photo of Lieut R.G.Aitken with ribbons up (although I fear the middle - Victory Medal - is incorrect: typical!). You asked about the Basra area fire incident. Now THAT would have fitted well into my article! He was in command of the Basra Fire Brigade with the title of Fire Expert, Mesopotamia, so his action is not surprising, indeed, was expected of him. No decoration or mention (such things are few and far between) and indeed his medals were British War Medal 1914-18, India General Service clasps Afghanistan NWF 1919, and General Service Medal clasp Iraq. His Second War medal entitlement was Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45, but these were forfeited by the War Office after his being cashiered. The comment in the Chat that he spent money like water and was always running up bills, fits the picture, as you will see when you read my article. How can I send you photocopies?)
Kindest regards,
Kim aka Kimberley02 

Hello Kimberley02

At last Robert Gordon Aitken has received recognition.  Congratulations! Haven't yet read your article,  but shall try to find it online, failing which I'll try to obtain a copy of the Journal of the Orders & Medals Research Society.

Please can you post here as soon as possible which military awards RGA received?  I've been fascinated about his rescue of the women from the bazaar fire in India as kindly posted by WG.

After your next post we will be able to communicate per Roots Chat personal Message....please have your son to hand to help you, ha ha!

Cheers
Danchaslyn
Quote
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Wednesday 15 September 10 18:19 BST (UK)


Hello Kimberley02

What a wealth of information you have, thank you SO much!

I'm still trying to take it all in.

Will send you a Personal Message in RC now.....

Best wishes
Danchaslyn
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: casman69 on Friday 20 January 12 08:07 GMT (UK)
hope this helps
http://baptistunionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com/2011/12/rev-thomas-aitken.html
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: Danchaslyn on Sunday 17 March 13 16:57 GMT (UK)
Thank you, casman69!
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: bedfordshire boy on Friday 27 May 16 13:58 BST (UK)


I wonder whose child Winifred Bateman is?  She may have been a second cousin, not a first cousin.

Danchaslyn        :D

Your mother's mother was née Edith Mary Short. Winifred Mary Bateman's mother was née Amy Elizabeth Short, Edith's sister. So your mother and Winifred really were first cousins.

Winifred appears to have been born in England per the 1900 census, and Amy and her four children sailed from New York to England in May 1899 arriving in Liverpool on 27 May when Amy would have been seven months pregnant.I don't know where Amy Short, who was born on St Helena, married Francis Richard Bateman, who was born in Aston Warwickshire. He too was a clergyman in 1900.
Title: Re: AITKEN family, West Linton, Peeblesshire
Post by: cagawama on Tuesday 22 May 18 22:01 BST (UK)
Hi Danchaslyn

I am a descendant of John Aitken's son, John Aitken ( born 1861 from his first marriage). I found this forum accidentally. I hope this thread is still active.  Carol