Child Under Arm

[Gnlgymd100]

I was searching for birth information for my 7x Great Grandfather when I noticed on one of the possible entries the prase "child under arm"  - is this another way of saying illegitimate?  The person I'm searching for is an Alexander Cowlie who was born around 1660 in Dun, Angus.

The said Mr Cowlie has sent me on a merry chase trying to find his birth.  I think he was born in Dun or the surrounding area as he married Catren Muckart in 1676 at Dun and their 7 children that I've managed to track down so far were all born there, so this is indicative to me of a settled man, who didn't move very far from home. 

However, his date of birth could be up to 20 years before that of my estimate.  I really really hate researching that far back - and especially in Scotland, but here's hoping that someone on this wonderful site can help me track down my 7x great grandad 

Regards and best wishes to everyone

Gnlgymd
 

[GR2]

It's more likely to indicate that the child was an infant. What is the entire sentence/context?

[Forfarian]

The person I'm searching for is an Alexander Cowlie who was born around 1660 in Dun, Angus.
The said Mr Cowlie has sent me on a merry chase trying to find his birth.  I think he was born in Dun or the surrounding area as he married Catren Muckart in 1676 at Dun

If he married in 1676 it's pretty unlikely that he was born as late as 1660. 1645-1655 is a much more likely time frame. Also don't forget that when you get back as far as the 17th century, far more people are missing from the records than are recorded.

I really really hate researching that far back

Why do so then?

[philipsearching]

I really really hate researching that far back

Why do so then?

Because we are addicted!  Sometimes addiction is painful