David Swanson from Caithness

[Isabel Griggs]

Hello, I am trying to find a birth certificate for my 3x g grandfather, David Swanson. What I know... b: abt 1777 Olrig, Caithness. d: 1856 Saingomore, Durness, Sutherland.

I have looked in Scotlandspeople. But I can't find any record.

Death (Statutory Deaths 048/00 0004)
David Swanson, Widower died on the 18th of March 1856 at 3h.A.M aged 79 yrs. Father Donald Swanson, weaver. Cause of death-general complaint, no medical attendance. Buried in Durness. Informant- son Alex Swanson, present. Registered on the 21st of March 1856 at Durine, Durness, Register William? assistant.

I have his marriage cert to Christian Campbell...
Marriage(O.P.R. 048/ 0010 0137, Durness):
David Swanson grieve in Balnaciell from Caithness and Christian Campbell daughter of Charles Campbell in Durin was married on the 25th of July 1797.

Thanks in advance,
Isabel

[Margow]

ScotlandsPeople index lists 3 OPR birth entries for a David Swanson, father's name Donald, born 1770, 1 in Thurso and 2 in Olrig.

(There are no birth CERTIFICATES before the advent of statutory registration in 1855.)

[Isabel Griggs]

Thank you for your response. Much appreciated. I am sorry, I should have asked for the old parish register entry. I know that I can got get an actual certificate.
I will have a look at SP again. The date I have is 1777 on a census. I guess that could be wrong. I will have a look at the two in Olrig first.
Many thanks again
Isabel

[Forfarian]

The 1851 census (a transcription) gives his age as 76 which implies that he was born in 1774/1775.

The 1841 says 64, which implies 1776/1777.

If he was married in 1797, and his marriage records says he was a grieve, I'd be surprised to find that he was born as late as 1777. It would be exceptionally unusual for a young man to have established himself as a grieve (farm manager) by the age of 19 or 20.

Also, the 1851 census says that he was born in Thurso, so if that is correct he isn't either of the ones born in Olrig.

There is a baptism of a David Swanson, parents Donald Swanson and Katharine Sutherland, in Thurso, on 13 June 1770. Age-wise, he's a much better fit for someone marrying in 1797. And I note that David had a daughter named Katharine. So I think he is worth considering.

[Isabel Griggs]

The 1851 census (a transcription) gives his age as 76 which implies that he was born in 1774/1775.

The 1841 says 64, which implies 1776/1777.

If he was married in 1797, and his marriage records says he was a grieve, I'd be surprised to find that he was born as late as 1777. It would be exceptionally unusual for a young man to have established himself as a grieve (farm manager) by the age of 19 or 20.

Also, the 1851 census says that he was born in Thurso, so if that is correct he isn't either of the ones born in Olrig.

There is a baptism of a David Swanson, parents Donald Swanson and Katharine Sutherland, in Thurso, on 13 June 1770. Age-wise, he's a much better fit for someone marrying in 1797. And I note that David had a daughter named Katharine. So I think he is worth considering.

Thank you for your reply, I will look at the Thurso entry.
Isabel