Steel family Midsummercairn, Fyvie

[MonicaL]

1851 shows Jessie as born in Penicuik, Midlothian
1861 and Jessie down as born in Ednr, Edinburghshire
1871 has her born in Fyvie, Aberdeenshire

She died in 1876.

Monica

[francestogneri]

Sorry, I can only see John as a Blacksmith and Pensioner.  I can't see any rfeference to the army.

I have been unable to find Janet/Jessie on FreeCen.

Frances

[MonicaL]

No problem Frances, can be confusing all the terminology sometimes. The term 'pensioner' is not used like it is used today. In those times, it was used to indicate that you were an army pensioner, ie, in receipt of some pension following service. A little here www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/510.htm

Monica

[MonicaL]

Regarding Jessie's census entries, 1841 and 1851 are included in reply #21.

1861:

Alexander Robb 60 Rail Labourer, b. Midmar, Aberdeen
Jessie Robb 47 b. Ednr, Edinburghshire
Ann Robb 14
Catharine Robb 11
William Robb 7

Address: Kirkton Street East Side, Mortlach, Banff

And 1871, before Jessie's death in 1876:

Alexander Robb 65 labourer b. Midmar, aberdeensh
Jessie Robb 57 b. Fyvie, aberdeensh
Catherine Robb 21
Elspet Mcconnachie 11 grandchild
John Mcconnachie 9 grandchild
John Stuart 8 grandchild
Alexa Reid 3 grandchild
George Robson 2 grandchild

Address: Church Street, Mortlach Banff

Monica

[francestogneri]

Thanks again Monica
I had a look at the Archives website.  It didn't cross my mind that someone looking after a business and two wives (so far)would have time to be in the army.  I was unaware there were significant wars going on at that time!  Looking at the information I have, I suppose he could have enlisted while he was young and his father was running the business, any time from about 1797 onwards.  How would I go about finding out more, like his regiment for example.  Would the be records at Fyvie Castle or will everything be in Edinburgh?

Frances

[francestogneri]

Hi
I did a bit of searching, knowing there is a barracks in Penicuik itself.  The Royal Highland Fusiliers was in existence at the relevant time.  Lots of wars and minor skirmishes to choose from but they were involved in the Peninsular war in Spain for a few years (1812 - 1814) and there was fighting in Holland which didn't last long.  As Jessie was born in 1814, I think the war in Spain is a possiblitiy.  Elseswhere there was a major war with America but the Penicuik bunch don't appear to have been involved.  Still searching.

Frances

[MonicaL]

Frances, the military records are a science in their own right...of which I have little experience  Some background here www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/britisharmysoldierupto1913.htm

These records are maintained at the National Archives in Kew, not the National Records of Scotland in Edinburgh.

The National Archives have a good online search index which you can check to see firstly if anything may show in respect of individual service papers. See http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/search/advanced-search  It tends to be best for military service records up to the 1860s or so (they have been digitising the indexes and it is an ongoing exercise).

I normally use the 'exact word or phrase' box...but you can use wildcards to pick up on spelling variations (hurray!). I searched for a john st*e*l* and put in a date range. Also, I ticked on the left side 'Refine results: Armed Forces (general)'. Didn't really see much that I think we could connect to your John Steel there unfortunately. You will need someone to guide you through other more specialist sources to try to check if there is anything there on elsewhere on John Steel regarding his military activities.

Monica

[francestogneri]

Thanks for your help so far.  The army connection came as a complete surprise, but I suppose it makes sense.  A young lad all set to learn his trade from his father and spend his life on the premises, another option looms up, he has appropriate skills and it gives him a chance to experience life.  I was unable to trave a Susan Moffat in Aberdeenshire.  I am now wondering whether Susan was from the Edinburgh area and John met her while he was in the army.  There must have been some time when he wasn't fighting abroad! A possible problem here is Marcy/Marey born about 1811.  Could she have been a young third wife?

Frances

[MonicaL]

I think Marey (Mary?) is likely a daughter...unless John married immediately after the death of Helen Gracie c. 18 August 1840 (from the OPR burial date) and before the 1841 census on 6 June that year.

Would really help to find a marriage date for John and Susan Moffat, but sometimes marriages in the OPRs are much harder to find unfortunately. A marriage year would help with just knowing when they started having children really.

Monica