Seeking please origins of Thomas OLIFER - Jedburgh, Roxburghshire Born c. 1665

[rbell35]

Seeking please baptism of Thomas OLIFER born c. 1655-60 in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire. He married an Isobel MILLER in 1680. I notice one Thomas was baptised on 28th April, 1656 the son of a William whilst another was baptised on 25th August, 1656, the son of a Robert OLIFER. Seeking the more likely entry please? Thanks, Cheers, Rob

[bearkat]

It's going to be tricky especially as there were than one Thomas & William around at the time

See
https://www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/Septs/oliver.htm

Wills can offer the best hope.

Naming patterns can give a clue (but not proof) - did Thomas name any of his children William or Robert?

[rbell35]

Thanks Bearkat, yes I agree with your analysis. Will try a few ideas. How easy is it to access wills from this period? I will need to determine death dates & that also may be difficult. Cheers, Rob

[Forfarian]

How easy is it to access wills from this period?

Very easy, if they exist.

Go to www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk. Select 'Search our records', then 'People search', then 'Legal records'. It's free to search the index, but there is a modest fee to view images of original documents.

The more usual spelling is Oliver. Search for Oli*er to pick up spelling variants.

[rbell35]

Thanks Forfarian. I will have a look at this site for ideas. Hopefully it will be a fruitful search! Rob