Where are my Cochranes?.....

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:50 pm

Hi Kathie
I had a look today at the OPR for Cupar for the period in question (OPR 420/4 b. 1820-54)and I'm sorry to have to report back that I did not see any of your Cochranes. The only mention of the surname Cochrane I came across was a bit later than yours - a Rev. James Cochrane and Jane Church his spouse who had two children: Janet Margaret Church in 1844 and Catherine Mary in 1846.

The dates were a bit inconsistent in places but it was easy to read. They may still be hiding in there, just not in the place where expected. Where did you find Charles's birth in 1831 in Cupar? The IGI seems to have him born in Kirkcaldy:

CHARLES COCHRAN
Birth: 24 JUL 1831
Christening: 24 SEP 1831 Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland

Parents:
Father: CHARLES COCHRAN
Mother: CHRISTIAN WILLIAMS

Batch No.: C114428 Dates: 1820 - 1854

Best wishes
Lesley

AutumnsRose · Post by **AutumnsRose** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:17 pm

Hi Lesley!
You are right about Charles Cochrane Jr. being born in Kirkcaldy.
I don't know for sure if the other Cochrane children really were born in Cupar.

I've just been going by what was said for the family in the 1861 census.

Kathie

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:04 pm

Hi Kathie
Well, at least that explains why he wasn't turning up in Cupar! Its not just my bad eyesight

Kicking myself now - why on earth didn't I check the IGI before going to the library? Doh! I'd even, on a hunch, checked Cults too, knowing that Cochrane is a name associated with that neighbouring parish. (there were none that I could see there either) If I should find myself back in the library I'll try to remember to look at Kirkcaldy just to see if there is any sign. I don't know anything about Kirkcaldy OPRs as I've not had a reson to look at them so far, so have no idea about how carefully they were kept etc. but at least they seem to exist: 442/5 births 1820-54 so there may be hope!

Best wishes
Lesley

AutumnsRose · Post by **AutumnsRose** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 10:25 pm

I'm sorry about that Lesley!

But thank you for checking!

Kathie

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:36 am

Hi Kathie
Finally made it back for a look at the OPRs - Kirkcaldy this time!
They are very neat and tidy the Kirkcaldy ones, clear writing & easy to read. Found your Charles no problem. But none of the rest of the children I'm afraid.... all I can suggest is that they moved to another parish maybe?

Anyway, here's Charles' entry:

OPR 442/5 (births 1820-1854) p.254
July 24th 1831 Charles, son of Charles Cochrane waiter and Christian Williams his spouse baptised 24th September following witnesses Mrs Martin and family at the Manse.

Best wishes
Lesley

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:16 am

Note that "waiter" can mean very different things from today's meaning, as in "tide-waiter" and "land-waiter" ...............

If there is a Customs & Excise connection then there might be records at NAS in Edinburgh or TNA in Kew.

David

AutumnsRose · Post by **AutumnsRose** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:33 pm

Hi Lesley!
Thank you so much for checking that birth record for me!

Kathie

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:48 pm

Hi Kathie
No problem - I was just disappointed not to find any trace of the others though. As noted, the Kirkcaldy records were very neat and orderly. It looked unlikley that someone so organised would have missed items out...but who knows? I just begin to wonder if they were born elsewhere..somewhere were the record keeper was not quite so diligent or maybe they moved to somewhere were records were just not kept.

Can't remember now what year you said about census material - I wonder what place of birth was given in other census years and the place of birth was other than Cupar? The West Weymss one might be worth chasing up too.

Best wishes
Lesley

AutumnsRose · Post by **AutumnsRose** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:53 pm

Lesley,
I have checked every parish in Fife for my Cochranes and have found nothing!
Yes, it was the 1861 census that stated the Cochrane children were born in Cupar, except for Andrew.
The Cochranes that survived past the 1861 census, Edward, Margaret, and Jemima, all stated they were born in Cupar.
I have not found Charles Jr. in any census records, and I've only found Andrew in the 1861 census.

Kathie

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:01 pm

Hi Kathie

I have checked every parish in Fife for my Cochranes and have found nothing!

On film, or on SP?

Ah well, not to worry...a couple of weeks and you should be able to find them in the 1851 census and see where they say they were born that time around! It may shed some interesting light on them (or not....

!) here's hoping...

Best wishes
Lesley