Deciphering job anyone?.....

Jo G · Post by **Jo G** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 1:45 am

Hello all

I have uploaded a birth registration document but am having difficulty reading the signatures at the end - I think one is the mother, Elizabeth Burnett but the others are almost illegible. There is a relative by the name of Liddle/Liddell so that's probably one. Also there is a word written after the mother's age - could be her birth place? I guess that no father listed means the baby was illegitimate?

http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... p?pos=-286

All input gratefully received!

Jo

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 2:02 am

Hi Jo,
My guesses.
-
Elizabeth's birthplace is Stranraer (is that her sister Jane above?)
-
Informant column -
Elizabeth Burnett
Her X mark, Mother
George Waddell, witness (but not too sure that's the surname)
William Wilson, witness (the registrar's name)
--
Jack

Post by **joette** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 11:03 am

I agree Stranraer as birthplace. Witnesses names George Waddell-sure thats it as I have dechipered lots of Waddell signatures & William Wilson the Registrar.
I think two people had to witness that somebody making their mark had actually done so & it wasnt just anybody doing so.

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 11:29 am

Jack wrote:Hi Jo,
My guesses.
-
Elizabeth's birthplace is Stranraer (is that her sister Jane above?)
-
Informant column -
Elizabeth Burnett
Her X mark, Mother
George Waddell, witness (but not too sure that's the surname)
William Wilson, witness (the registrar's name)
--
Jack

Agreed re Waddell.

I read William's surname initially as Wason or Mason, but given the registrar's surname it looks like the upper part of the "l" has faded.

There were indeed two signatures required to witness, or should I write, as in this instance

, witneƒs the mark.

The chances that it's not Elizabeth's sister's child above must be minimal

David

Jo G · Post by **Jo G** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 6:45 pm

Thanks for the input. I can't see either Elizabeth or Jane Burnett born Stranraer but have only had a quick look on Scotlands People. Will get my teeth into it later on! Interesting about needing 2 witnesses if you couldn't sign.

Many thanks

Jo

JimM · Post by **JimM** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:09 pm

Hi Jo
Looks like you've got the names sorted now..
The children were born at Palace rig which is not really a palace

Its a fair old walk away from the Village (which was the original Cumbernauld), that's probably why both children were "done" on the same day.
Palace rig (it's now called Palacerigg), used to be farmlands but is now a golf course and a smashing wee wildlife park with a children's play area.
I used to take the my kids there and now it's the grandchildren's turn.
They've also got a wee display that gives you a bit of the local history... well worth a visit if you've not yet been.

Jim

Jo G · Post by **Jo G** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 11:23 pm

Hi Jim

I'll have a run round Palacerigg when I head over the west for some grave snooping. But I'll have a wee go on the swings too while I'm there

Jo