Harpers of Cleish, Kinross-shire.....

[garibaldired]

James Harper b 1819 Inveresk, Midlothian married Hannah Dob(b)ie in Lasswade in 1842. They had 10 children all born in Cleish, Kinross-shire where James was a forester/gardener:

Hannah 1843 -1912, unmarried,
James 1845 - 1917, unmarried
Jane 1846 - ? 2 children, later married David Downie
John 1849 - ? m Elizabeth Murie, 6 children
Thomas 1851 - ? m Catherine Thomson 3 sons,
Mary Ann 1853 - ? m James Chester 2 children
Elizabeth 1854 -? nothing known
Margaret 1855 -? unmarried?
Barbara 1858 - ? m William Chester
Agnes 1860 - 1894 m David Buchanan children?

My problem is that I live in the south of England and it has cost me a fortune on ScotlandsPeople to discover what I have so far! I'd really love to find a fellow descendant (and there must be some out there somewhere!) so that we can share information. The first 7 children do not appear on the OPR either - just to make life even more difficult!
Apart from visiting Edinburgh are there any other resources available?
Grateful for any help.

[CatrionaL]

Hullo Garibaldired

Sorry I can't contribute any fresh information about your Harper family. My only suggestion will involve spending a few more credits on ScotlandsPeople.



Did you know the a female death can be found by searching with both maiden name and mariage surname?

On SP there is only one hit for Elizabeth MURIE/HARPER, Jane HARPER/DOWNIE and Catherine THOMSON/HARPER. I searched under all counties.

Hope this helps a little

Catriona

[garibaldired]

Hi Catriona,

Thanks for your input. I did rather fear that the answer would be more credits on SP!
I have the ones you mentioned thanks but am really stuck with Elizabeth for example. She was born c1854 and I can find her at home on the 1861 census, but after this I lose her! By 1871 she is probably off working somewhere else but where? I can't find her in any of the places the other sisters have gone and since you can't search the censuses on place of birth...........! So if I don't know where she is a marriage is also difficult to find.
Oh well

I had thought that since there were quite a few of them I might have found some of their descendants to share the search with by now. Another forlorn hope!

Meg

[Caroline]

I had thought that since there were quite a few of them I might have found some of their descendants to share the search with by now. Another forlorn hope

Just wondered Meg if you had tried the Genes Reunited site. I had a few people who were searching the same lines contact me through that. I notice they have a few Harpers from Kinross on the site.

Worth a try!

Caroline

[garibaldired]

Thanks for that tip Caroline.
I'll give it a try right away!

Meg

[garibaldired]

Hi Caroline,

Me again. I've found a connection!! What a star you are!
My search previously had been too narrow. Just need to make contact now!

Many thanks.
Meg

[garibaldired]

Okay so here's my problem now.
I don't have full membership of Genes Reunited and am reluctant to pay out £9.50 when this is the first contact I've had in 2 years. I've entered the connection on my tree so all I can do now is wait for them to contact me - always supposing they're full members! How long do GenesReunited take to notify people of HOT MATCHES?
In the meantime is there anything else I can do?

Meg

[Caroline]

Hi Meg,

Genes Reunited usually notify members every month about their hot matches so hopefully you shouldn't have too long to wait. Unfortunately my membership ran out just 5 days ago or I could have contacted them for you. Maybe someone else on this site will be able to help?

Caroline

[garibaldired]

Just thought I'd update you all.
A friend tried to get in touch for me with the contact via Genes Reunited but we had no luck, so I wrote letters to all those people I could find in the right area with the right surname!
Lo and behold I got two responses from people in my family tree!
So sometimes a very long shot does pay off.

Meg

[LesleyB]

Hi Meg
It would seem persistance really does pay off - a lesson for us all!
I'm so glad you found what you were looking for....eventually! Well done.

Best wishes
Lesley