Lestocq Robert Erskine

JosiahS · Post by **JosiahS** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 11:37 am

Hello there!

I am researching for a book about the top Wimbledon players over the history of the tournament and one of them was chap with the cracking name of Lestocq Robert Erskine who competed in the Gentlemen's Singles in 1878.

In the censuses his place of birth is Edinburgh about 1852 but I am struggling to find a date of birth for him

If anyone could help I'd be very grateful.

Cheers

Jos

JustJean · Post by **JustJean** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 2:33 pm

Hmmm....interesting family! It's unfortunate that statutory records do not begin a little sooner in Scotland! I wonder if you have explored baptismal records of the Scottish Episcopal churches in the Edinburgh area? It seems that his birth/christening would have been more likely to occur in 1851 as his elder sister Maitland was chr. 4 July 1850 in Bombay and his younger sister Edith's birth is recorded during the Dec quarter of 1852 in London. His father had been born in Bombay 1 Dec 1821 but his parents William and Maitland had their children all over!! See the blurb on grandad William in the Wiki... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Er ... historian) It's interesting to note that the grandparents of your Lestocq...said William and Maitland had their own children baptised in various locations but also had entries for 4 of them added to the OPR records while they lived in Livingston. I would guess that Lestocq's birth/baptism might be found outwith the Church of Scotland OPR's or perhaps even outwith Scotland if the family happened to be just visiting or there on temporary assignment.

Not much help I'm afraid....

Best wishes
Jean

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 3:10 pm

Not a lot to add except (from Jean's info) his grandparents were living at Leith in 1851. A look at the Hugh Wallis site shows christenings only from 1855-1875. I'm sure somebody will be able to say why.

Some of his father's siblings were born and christened at Livingston (they are still at Edinburgh in 1841) right enough which makes you think they were members of the established church.

Father: William Erskine, Mother: Maitland

1. JANE MADELINE ERSKINE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Christening: 26 MAR 1829 Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland
2. JAMES ERSKINE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Christening: 27 AUG 1827 Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland
3. LOUISA CAROLINE ERSKINE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Female Christening: 05 JUL 1830 Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland
4. HENRY NAPIER BRUCE ERSKINE - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Christening: 12 OCT 1831 Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland
5. MAITLAND ELIZABETH ERSKINE - International Genealogical Index

There are also extracts at the IGI for the children born at India.

Regards,
Annette

JustJean · Post by **JustJean** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:22 pm

Hi Annette

It's those OPR records of William and Maitland's children that are the interesting ones....are they really of the established church? All the ERSKINE entries appear on the same OPR page in Livingston...

James was b. in the city of Pau in Bearn in France on the 11th day of Aug 1827 and bapt on the 27th of the same month by the Rev. J S ???? BC of New College Oxford.

Jane was b. in the Chateau de Berthiers? near Pau in France on the 21st day Dec 1828 and bapt there by the Rev. Francis ??????? rector of Den????? on 26 Mar 1829

Louisa was b. in the same Chateau in France 10 Jun 1830 and bapt by Rev. Samuel Lindsay on 5th July 1830

Henry napier Bruce b. at Blackburn House in Livingston 7th Sep 1831 and bapt by Right Revd Bishop James Walker DD 12 day Oct 1831.

All those ????? marks are where I'm struggling to make out the handwriting!!!!

Am I interpreting what I read that the Right Rev'd Bishop James Walker DD was of the Episcopal Church in Edinburgh????? That's why I'm trying to move in that direction. Perhaps I'm wrong!!

Best wishes
Jean

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 9:52 pm

I think you're on the right track right enough Jean. Just one of a few results of a google for the Bishop.

http://www.edinburgh.anglican.org/index ... t/history/

Best wishes,
Annette

JosiahS · Post by **JosiahS** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 5:25 pm

Many thanks for all of the helpful suggestions - as you say this really is a fascinating family.

By a total coincidence I have just found Lestocq's date of birth in the Civil Service Evidence of Age Registers - 6 Sep 1851 in Edinburgh.

The family certainly moved around a lot and were clearly well off (as everyone who played tennis in those days was!)

Thanks again for all the help - if anyone digs out a baptism I've love to have it!

Cheers

Jos