Hi there
I am trying to work out if there is any connection between my ggg grandfather, James Stratton, and the Strattons of Lauriston. He was born sometime around 1820, and I think I found him in Dunnottar in the 1841 census. From 1851 onwards he is variously at Turniemiddle or Duffshill, Portlethen, with his wife Jessie Trail, who he married in 1849 in Banchory Devenick/Nigg (recorded at both), along with their children. In the census, it states that he was born in Fetteresso, but I can find no trace in the OPRs. His parents are not named on his death cert (informant was one of his children, though his wife was still alive at that time). I have yet to try the Kirk Session records, but believe they may hold the key... In any case, there was a move by one of the branches of the Strattons of Lauriston from Marykirk to Fetteresso around 1820 when they took on the lease at Farrochie. David Stratton, his wife Susan Taylor, and their children Margaret b1807, Anne b1809, David b1810 and twins James and Helen b1813 (all Marykirk). This James died unmarried in Aberdeen and I have a copy of his death cert, so I know he is not "my" James. The only other piece of information I have that might give a possible clue is that James and Jessie had an illegitimate daughter in Banchory Devenick before they married called Isabel Skinner Stratton - I haven't come across any other Skinners, so this might prove a link to James's family heritage. Incidentally, there was another illegitimate birth in Nigg that same year - John Stratton to a James Stratton and Anne Lindsay - I have often wondered if this might be the same James... I have looked at several volumes in the Angus Archives in Forfar concerning the Strattons of Lauriston and can find no reference there. Any clues or connections to any of the above would be gratefully received.
Thanks,
Louisa