Donaldson - Fife 1825-1850.....

fortunata · Post by **fortunata** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 12:47 pm

1/Jean b 1826 Balmerino 29 Jan
2/Isabella b 1829 Leuchars 28 Feb
3/Helen b 1831 Forgan 08 Sep
4/Mary Nicoll b 1834 Forgan 01 Jan
5/Catherine Swan b 1836 Balmerino 05 Mar
6/David b 1838 Balmerino 09 Apr
7/Alexander b 1840 Kilmany 14 Mar
8/Ann b 1842 St Andrews 14 Feb
9/James Robert b 1843 St Andrews 25 Dec
10/William b 1845 St Andrews 27 Oct
11/John Alexander b 1847 St Andrews 16 Oct

These are the children of Alexander Donaldson and Elizabeth Swan, married 2.10.1825 in Cupar, Fife. John Alexander was my gtgt grandfather. Would be glad to hear from anyone who recognises any of these as their ancestors. Heres hoping!!

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 6:29 pm

Hi Fortunata
I have no connection to your Donaldsons (sorry!

) but was just interested in the pattern of places of birth of the children - they certainly moved about in that area of Fife! I'd be interested to know what Alexander did for a living? Just wondered if it was his employment which caused them to move about so much.

best wishes
Lesley

fortunata · Post by **fortunata** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 8:34 pm

Hello Lesley

Thanks for your message! I think that Alexander was most probably an agricultural worker, who went wherever the work was, although, interestingly, on the marriage certificate of his youngest son John, (who was my great great grandfather) he listed his occupation as ship owner!!I have never actually found anything to substantiate that, and my limited kinowledge of these places(being from south of the border!!) leads me to thinks that that would not be possible.All the best, Carol

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 1:34 am

Hi Fortunata
I know this area pretty well - I live here!

Balmerino & St Andrews are on the coast. Forgan, Leuchars and Kilmany are inland, but not by much. Cupar is the furthest inland and it is only 11 miles from the coast. Have you seen the actual OPR entries for the marriage and the births? These might, if you are lucky, give an occupation....I'm still intrigued.

Best wishes
Lesley

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:05 pm

Hi Carol

1/Jean b 1826 Balmerino 29 Jan - they are living at Peacehill, (looks like Pearhills in the OPR but I think it must be what is now known as "Peacehill" & is still a a farm today)
2/Isabella b 1829 Leuchars 28 Feb - Alexander was a ploughman at what looks like Camlackie (not sure where this is in Leuchars area)
3/Helen b 1831 Forgan 08 Sep - they are residing in Upper Friarton
4/Mary Nicoll b 1834 Forgan 01 Jan - Still at Upper Friarton
5/Catherine Swan b 1836 Balmerino 05 Mar - Alexander was a farm servant at Grange
6/David b 1838 Balmerino 09 Apr - Ploughman at Grange
7/Alexander b 1840 Kilmany 14 Mar - living at Easter Kinnear (farm)

Sorry, I didn't have time to look at the St Andrews births. No sign of any ships yet! But maybe that all comes into play in St Andrews?

Best wishes
Lesley

fortunata · Post by **fortunata** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:12 pm

Hello Lesley

Many thanks for your replies, and for your time in helping to find out about this particular line of the family. Looks like there is to be no ship or sunken treasure then!!! I know that Alexander married Elizabeth Swan on 2.10.1825 at Cupar, Fife, and John Alexander their youngest son married Euphemia Cruickshanks on 27.5.1871 at Dunino, Fife. It was on their marriage certificate that Alexander gave his occupation as ship owner. Euphemias father was a shoemaker, maybe a much better occupation than a migrant farmworker?? John was a blacksmith (i think!) they moved to Granton, Edinburgh, which is where their children were born. Another interesting piece of information although only loosely connected, is that Euphemias sister and niece perished in the Tay Bridge Disaster of 1879.
Best Wishes, Carol

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 7:18 pm

Hi Carol
David listed the names of some of those killed in the Tay Disaster here:
http://talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic. ... y+disaster

Looks like there is to be no ship or sunken treasure then

Who knows what happens once they reach St Andrews??

Seriously, there must surely be something in it - unless it was an error, or something misheard...?

If I find myself in a situation where I can look at the St Andrews OPRs, I'll try to have a look.

Best wishes
Lesley

fortunata · Post by **fortunata** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 7:20 pm

Hi Lesley

Thanks for your help and interest in my ancestors!!! I would be so grateful for anything else you might turn up whenever you might have an opportunity, i shall keep looking too ! I have english and irish ancestors too, so it certainly keeps me occupied.

All the best, Carol

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 6:02 pm

Hi Carol
I was looking at the St Andrews OPRs yesterday for some of my lot, so looked up yours while I was at it!

Ann b 1842 St Andrews 14 Feb
Alexander was farm servant at Easter Balrymonth Ann born 14th bap. 20th Feb by Dr Haldane, witnesses, Mary Swan & [first name looked like] Jean Donaldson

James Robertson b 1843 St Andrews 25 Dec
Alexander was farm servant at Easter Balrimouth, James Robertson born 25th, bap. 31st Dec by Dr Haldane, wit. Isabella & Jean Donaldson

William b 1845 St Andrews 27 Oct
Alexander was farm servant at Easter Balrymonth, William born 27th bap. 2nd Nov by Dr Haldane in presence of his household.

John Alexander b 1847 St Andrews 16 Oct
Alexander was farm servant at Balrymonth, William born 16th bap. 24th Oct by Dr Haldane wit. Isabella Gordon/Guden[?couldn't quite make it out] & Mary Donaldson.

On an OS map "Easter Balrymonth" farm still exists - it lies about 2-3 miles away & to the south east of St Andrews.

Still no sign of those ships....

Best wishes
Lesley

fortunata · Post by **fortunata** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 4:56 pm

Hello Lesley,
Many thanks once again for your continued support in helping me with my family research. I am typing this whilst watching Scotland play Wales at Rugby, sadly they are not winning at the moment!! Euphemia was also listed as an "out of doors" worker, on alexander and her marriage cert, so the ship thing does not really seem to fit!
Regards, Carol