Hi Beckey,
I've been looking at the family of Peter FAIRBAIRN, M.D. and his wife Mary Ann(e) FORREST, marr. Edinburgh Jun 1826.
In census data Peter states he was born Galashiels, and most of the census years put his age to be the son of William and Margaret (SCOTT) FAIRBAIRN (and one dtr was named Margaret Scott FAIRBAIRN, even if he didn't seem to name his first son William and follw the naming pattern.)
However, on his death cert, informant son David, either shows I've the wrong id, or that David just got the family history all mixed up, as it states Peter's father is Peter FAIRBAIRN, schoolmaster and Margaret m.s. ANDERSON!
I guess 3 (FAIRBAIRN, Schoolmaster, Margaret) out of 5 bits of information is a reasonable hit rate!
At least ANDERSON has a family connection in that it's Peter's grandmother's name.
Why am I looking?
I'm trying to find a male FAIRBAIRN descendant of William, Schoolmaster, and Margaret SCOTT to join the FAIRBAIRN Surname DNA project.
Not having much joy with Peter's family however, as so far I cannot find any of the sons beyond 1881, other than what looks like an unmarried William, aged 55, banker, living with his sisters Anne D(algleish), Catherine F(orrest), and Mary Ann, at 53 George Sq, Edinburgh.
In one census there were three grandchildren with Mary nee FORREST, all born Rio de Janiero, but I've not managed to pick them up anywhere else as yet.
Love to hear from anyone who can help, or any FAIRBAIRNs interested in joining the DNA project to help us sort out how all these families are related, as it is increasingly looking like the Roxburghshire FAIRBAIRNs mostly are connected somehow.
Regards (and Seasons Greetings)
Lorna
Administrator, FAIRBAIRN Surname DNA Project
http://worldfamilies.net/surnames/fairbairn/results