Sanquhar missing marriage about 1785 and info on mining records

[SonjaSarantis]

Hi, I'm new and this is my first post - so hope I'm in the right place.

I am trying to track a marriage between a Robert Sandilands and a Marrion Weir around 1785.  They had 5 children baptised in Sanquhar parish (Isabel 1785, Janet 1786, William 1788, Hugh 1789, Mary 1791, "unknown" 1795 and another child, Robert baptised in nearby Stonehouse in 1800.  I have located a mort cloth record for Mrs Sandilands in Stonehouse in 1803.

Marrion could be from Tynron, born 1765 daughter of Hugh Weir and Isobel Stewart - I have found 3 possible siblings for her born in Sanquhar, Kirkconnel and Knowhead.

Reason I'm searching is that I have no information on Robert Sandilands other than a reference on electricscotland and a census that says he may have been a coal pit owner/proprietor of the pit on the Muir in Sanquhar in 1790, residing in Knowhead at that time.

I have looked on ancestry, FindMyPast, NRS, myheritage, tried local family history societies in Dumfries and Stonehouse and Lanark, google etc., local mining museums etc... just cant find

1. a marriage of a Robert Sandilands and Marion Weir around 1785 in Sanquhar or surrounding areas; or
2. any record of a Robert Sandilands tying him to this spouse, born in surrounding areas within a genealogical reasonable time frame;
3. any records regarding the possible mining pit on the Muir that was owned by a Robert Sandilands around 1790 in Sanquhar.

I'd be most grateful for any tips/advice.  Thanks
Sonja

[Forfarian]

Hi, I'm new and this is my first post - so hope I'm in the right place.

Hello Sonja, and welcome to RootsChat.

I have looked on ancestry, FindMyPast, NRS, myheritage, tried local family history societies in Dumfries and Stonehouse and Lanark, google etc., local mining museums etc... just cant find

See https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=714261.0

Basically, if there is no record of the marriage at Scotland's People, the likelihood is that the record, if it ever existed, has not survived.

[doolittle72]

Hi Sonja

There is a baptism of a Robert Sandilands in Lesmahagow 11.10.1772 father William mother Lilias Brown.  The date of his baptism would suggest he wasn't quite 14 (old enough for marriage). This is the closest I can see and there are quite a few Sandilands in Lesmahagow which is closer to Sanquhar than Stonehouse where Marion died.  I agree about the Tynron baptism for Marion as the parents names are reflected in the choice of names for the children.
Regarding the mine - there were quite a few lead mines in Leadhills and surrounding areas at that time, more so than pits which tended to be coal mines.  I have had a few Weirs in the Sanquhar, Leadhills, Lesmahagow areas at that time and they were lead miners or ag labs.
There used to be a good website for mining but it appears to have been taken down now.

Doolittle72

[Forfarian]

If he actually owned the mine/pit, rather than just leasing it from the landowner, there should be a record in the Registers of Sasines.

See https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=26232.0

Looking up anything in the Registers of Sasines involves going, or getting someone to go on your behalf, to the National Records of Scotland. There is a rather imperfect system for looking up post-1780 Abridgments of Sasines, and this should lead you the originals.

At the moment, of course, the NRS is closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

[MonicaL]

Hello from me too 

The unnamed child born 1795...could be a Joseph Sandilands. See www.wikitree.com/wiki/Sandilands-153 Some original documents included including that 1795 OPR birth entry.

Monica

[SonjaSarantis]

Many thanks all.  Yes I believe the unknown child born 1795 is my GGGP Joesph Sandilands.  I have placed a local genealogist on hold for when the archives re-open to look into Sasines. I also have the names of some landowners who could have rented out the cottage at Knowehead - looks like the postmaster lived there later in 1800s. https://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/ordnance-survey-name-books/dumfriesshire-os-name-books-1848-1858/dumfriesshire-volume-44/141

I had William and Lilas as the parents initially but don’t think that is correct given the age.

Appreciate everyone’s help.