Simpson-King Edward, Nairn, Banff, ca 1800 (Also Coull,Duff)

[RSimpson]

Hello, new here -
Thought I'd start with my Simpson line. My current generation of focus is my Simpson family, who around 1800 resided in Nairn.

The family group, as I best know it, is:

John Simpson b. ? (est. 1775)
m. 26 Feb 1798, Rathven, Banff or 7 Feb, King Edward, Aberdeen (OPR sources, there are two records)
C(K)atherine Coull (Coul) b. 27 Nov 1779 Fordyce, Banff (OPR source)

Children:
William Simpson, b. 30 Aug 1799. King Edward, Aberdeen (OPR Source)

Ludovick Grant Simpson, B. 9 Oct 1803, Nairn, Nairn (OPR source), d. 1 Oct 1880 (OPR source) m. Christina Duncan of Knockorth, 22 Aug 1829 (OPR Source)

Alexander Simpson, b. 22 Jun 1806, Auchterless, Aberdeen (IGI Source)

John Simpson's father, from one of the marriage OPR records, is James Simpson. I cannot find a birth or death for him. It is a common name, which makes things difficult, and they moved around often, it seems.

My direct ancestor, perhaps obvious from the extra information, is Ludovick. I cannot source the 'Grant' in his name to any ancestor (perhaps his mother's surname?).

Catherine's parents are on a marriage OPR, and from there, I know them to be James Coull and Helen Duff, Married 17 Jan 1779 Fordyce, Banff (OPR).

Catherine was the oldest child, her siblings, from IGI searches are:
William Coull, Jul 1782
Alexander Coull, 11 Oct 1786
Ann Coull, 27 Dec 1789

My goal is to identify John Simpson's birthdate and place, death and place, and name of mother. I've been through the OPR, but without more points of information, this have proven impossible. I've looked in the OPR, Ancestry, ScotlandsPeople, but nothing has risen to pass any serious scrutiny, mostly because I lack enough facts. The two other sons are seemingly dead ends, because there's no handy way to identify them, there seems to be a lack of parent names in marriage records which could narrow down my search.

I'd appreciate any suggestions on where else to look, if anyone can provide it.

[SarahND]

Hello RSimpson and a warm
I wanted to welcome you, although I don't have any wonderful ideas to further your research It can be very difficult to find information that far back and especially to prove relationships in the days before censuses and statutory registration. You are very lucky to have gone as far back as you already have!

All the best,
Sarah

[speleobat2]

Hello,

These people are very good and if they can't help you, they can probably point you in the direction of others who might be able to:

http://www.anesfhs.org.uk

Carol

[LesleyB]

Hi RSimpson
And welcome to Talking Scot

Just a few queries:

m. 26 Feb 1798, Rathven, Banff or 7 Feb, King Edward, Aberdeen (OPR sources, there are two records)

Have you read the origial wording of these OPR entries? It is likely that one of the couple would be from one parish and one from the other. Any witnesses mentioned?

Also, have you looked for any wills or any monumental inscriptions for this family?

Best wishes
Lesley

[Currie]

Hello RSimpson,

It’s always a good idea to check the state of completeness of OPR records, especially deaths, and especially if you’re expecting to find these events in particular parishes or regions. http://www.scotlandspeoplehub.gov.uk/re ... -oprs.html

For example: King Edward has deaths only from 1852 to 1854. Rathven has no deaths after 1790. Fordyce has no deaths between 1807 and 1837. Nairn has no OPR deaths. Auchterless has deaths only from 1838 to 1854.

For the five parishes you’ve mentioned there’s not a single death record, of any variety, between 1807 and 1837.

See also http://books.google.com.au/books?id=aCE ... &q&f=false

All the best,
Alan

[RSimpson]

Thanks to all for the welcome.

Sarah, I'll take your comment as a compliment. I'm hoping to find some work-around tot he lack of records currie speaks of now, but we'll see.

Lesley, I have both OPRs from the Scotlandspeople site:
King Edward:
Febr 11th 1798 John Simpson in this parish and Katharine Coul in the parish of Rathven declared their purpose of marriage and were married.

Banff:
February 7th John Simpson in the Parish of Byth & Katharine Coŭl in Rathven were matrimonly contracted they were duly proclaimed & married 26th of said month.

So I don't know if they were married twice, or one is really meant to be only a bann, but it's got to be the same couple. I'll have to hit Currie's links to see about Byth, I had forgotten about that entirely.

Currie, I didn't know about that site for checking OPR completeness; thank you.

The understanding that most of the relevant records don't exist is disheartening. I do, however have other lines to investigate, and will continue to post here about them.

Thanks for the great responses. Maybe Byth will pan out.

[LesleyB]

King Edward:
Febr 11th 1798 John Simpson in this parish and Katharine Coul in the parish of Rathven declared their purpose of marriage and were married.
Banff:
February 7th John Simpson in the Parish of Byth & Katharine Coŭl in Rathven were matrimonly contracted they were duly proclaimed & married 26th of said month.

So I don't know if they were married twice, or one is really meant to be only a bann, but it's got to be the same couple.

It is not unusual for banns/marriages to be mentioned in more than one parish for the same couple.

Best wishes
Lesley