Henry Abercrombie & Margaret/Janet Burke/Burtt

[portybelle]

I have a puzzle regarding my great great great grandparents.

I know that my great great grandmother Margaret Powell was born round about 1843 and her birthplace on the 1881 census is given as Pathhead in Fife. On her marriage record her parents are listed as Margaret Abercromby(ms Burke) and Henry Abercromby. On her death record however, her mother's name is given as Janet Abercromby (ms Burke). She was married to James Powell in South Leith in October 1861.

The only marriage record I can find for a Henry Abercrombie is an OPR from Dysart in 1847 which has his surname spelled with an -ie not a -y although that's not unusual. His wife is listed as Margaret Burtt daughter of John Burtt.


I don't think this can be the same couple as they would have been married four years after their daughter's birth and there is the discrepancy with the mother's surname. It is a bit of a soundalike name though so again could be a mistake on the record.

Any ideas as to who my great great great grandmother was: Janet Burke, Margaret Burke or Margaret Burtt? And how can I find out?

[MonicaL]

Just adding the link to the Midlothian post to avoid duplication of searches www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,525468.0.html

Monica 

[Grannypoppy]

I was interested to read your post because I have a similar name in my tree that I cannot figure out where it came from.

One of my Ggrandfather's sisters and also his aunt, were called Davina ABERCROMBY BURT Marshall. There is no family name associated with either of these two middle names. No local landowners or ministers, as far as I can see. Obviously the younger girl was named after her aunt, but where did the name come from?

A mystery

[portybelle]

Does seem a bit of a coincidence Grannypoppy! Where are those two ladies from and when were they born? Haven't come across the name Marshall in my research so far. What was your grandfather's aunt's parents called? (Your gt gt grandparents I think but may be losing track!)

[Grannypoppy]

Hello Portybelle,

The first Davina Abercrombie Burt Marshall was born 27 May 1869 in Aberdour, Fife. Her parents were Andrew Marshall (born 1829 in Inverkeithing, Fife) and Janet Mitchell (born 1824 in Dalgety, Fife).

The second Davina Abercrombie Burt Marshall was born 11 Apr 1888 in Ladhope, Galashiels. Her parents, Andrew Marshall (born 1862 in Aberdour) and Mary McLean (born c. 1862 in Bathgate, West Lothian)

I don't see any of my family names on your list of interests, so I imagine the similar name is just a coincidence.

Interesting, though!