Going Back in Time

[StuartC]

Hi to all,

Having given my Scottish ancestry a rest for a while, I have been spurred on (after finding a relative that had
emigrated to Fiji) to try and find my ancestors before about 1755/59. Like many others trying to do the same thing data, certificates and records become scarce. Names become confused and mis-spelt making it even more difficult.

Who am I looking for ? - John Collie, shoemaker residing in Edinburgh, married to Janet Moir in Edinburgh,
18th October 1781, College Kirk Parish, (OPR Records, I have copy). Assuming he was about 22 when he married,
that would give his birth date around 1759.
They had 11 children all born in Edinburgh between 1782 and 1807. (I have all the OPR records for the births)
From family anecdotes he died before 1836, so does not figure in the 1841 census. (making 77 his maximum age at death)

I have searched at length in ScotlandsPeople, and the Family Search website, but cannot find a record of him.
The Collie surname in Edinburgh about that time is quite scarce, but abundant all along the East Coast from Aberdeen
downwards, which makes me think I may need to change my search area. Childrens names (in order of birth) are
Anne, Margaret, William, Janet, Rebecca, Isabella, Jean, John, David Robertson, Elizabeth and Mary. I have tried the Scottish naming patern to see if that would yield Grand Parents, Aunts and Uncles, but nothing seems to fit.

Any help as to where to look next would be greatly appreciated

Regards
StuartC

[LesleyB]

Hi Stuart

A look at the testaments on SP shows this result:
COLLIE JOHN 28/11/1833 PRINTER IN EDINBURGH INVENTORY ; LATTER WILL EDINBURGH SHERIFF COURT INVENTORIES SC70/1/49 (5 pages)

Name is the same, occupation different, approx year of death about the same as you suggested. Do you know who this one is - a relative, perhaps?

Have you checked the NAS catalogue for items such as records of the guild (cordwainers?) or have you checked the Kirk Session records to see if he is mentioned either for misdemeanors or perhaps as one of the elders or similar?

There are various records here for apprentices an Burgesses, but I'm not seeing anything obvious name-wise
http://www.scotsfind.org/databases_free ... eindex.htm

Best wishes
Lesley

[StuartC]

Lesley,

Thanks for the info. I have a few John Collie's in my tree but the one you mention does not appear
in my research. I do have Printers, Engravers, Artists, Compositors, Book Sellers, however I can
account for most of them. 1833 does not flag any of my John Collie's.

I will have a look at the Sheriff Court info to see if there is a connection.

How do I get into the Kirk Session Records? Do I need to be in Edinburgh ?
I live 400 miles south,it would be a hectic day trip !!

Thanks again for the info, any other leads would be extreely welcome

Regards
StuartC

[LesleyB]

Hi Stuart

1833 does not flag any of my John Collie's.

oh well, worth a shot, just incase there was a connection!

How do I get into the Kirk Session Records? Do I need to be in Edinburgh ?

Yes, at the moment you can see most Kirk Session records on the "Virtual Volumes" on the PCs at NAS.

Best wishes
Lesley

[StuartC]

Hello Lesley again,

Well guess what ? I retrieved the Will at Edinburgh Sheriff Court Inventories and I am pretty sure it is
the John Collie I am looking for. The date of 1833 was the issue.

The Will was made 1st May 1817.
Looks like he died 31st August 1826.
The Will was read 12 September 1826
Not sure what the 1833 date referes to as yet. Stil trying to decipher the writing.

Executors are his two sons John Collie and David Robertson Collie (Both are printers in
Edinburgh)

However there is a bit of a complication.

His marriage cert says his occupation is Shoemaker.
The birth certs for the first eight children say his occupation is Shoemaker
The birth cert for the next child (No 8) says Clerk
The birth cert for the next child (No 9) says Merchants Clerk
The birth cert for the last childs (10) says Clerk

Question is How did he become a Printer in the Will??

Looks like the Church registers could possibly give some answers.

Still no further forwards on where he originated from

Thanks for your help. Need to go back to some family members and re-check some of the
data.

Best Regards
StuartC

[AndrewP]

Hi Stuart,

John Collie (the printer)'s burial record can be found on ScotlandsPeople. 1826 Edinburgh. That gives you a burial place and an age at death. Assuming the age at death is correct, then it is a close match for your estimated birth year. A look at the header page tells you this record is from OPR 685¹/100 and looking that reference up, tells you that the burial is in Greyfriars Churchyard.

All the best,

AndrewP

[StuartC]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your message.
Looking through the WILL Inventories I see that he died 31 August 1826, so that ties in with the
OPR date of 1826. Also knowing he is buried at Greyfriars is an added bonus.


Best Regards
StuartC

[LesleyB]

Hi Stuart

Not sure what the 1833 date referes to as yet. Stil trying to decipher the writing.

Sometimes the legal process took a few years to complete after the date of death - could be that causing the delay.

best wishes
Lelsey