Two Elspet Gibsons.....

Grothenwell · Post by **Grothenwell** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 9:14 pm

Hi,

Hopefully someone reading this has the solution to one of my brickwalls.

One of my lines leads back to an Elspet Gibson, who in Aug 1773 married James Edmund (Edmont), banns proclaimed in Belhelvie (Elspet) & Ellon (James). I found what I believed was her birth OPR, July 1744 in Belhelvie. James and Elspet had 3 children I know of; Elspet 1776, Janet 1779 & Alexander 1781, all born in the parish of Foveran. So far so good,

but…
I contacted a lady on “Genes reunited” who also had Elspet Gibson in her family tree.
Her Elspet had married another chap however. This I initially put down to her remarrying. However my GR friend put me in touch with her cousin. He very kindly did research and informed me that we are dealing with two different Elspets, but unfortunately we only have one birth OPR and one set of parents (Thomas Gibson & Margaret Aedie).
Their Elspet married John Gray in April 1761 banns proclaimed in Foveran (Elspet) & Ellon (John). John & Elspet had 4 children Thomas 1771, James 1774, George 1776 & Elspet 1779, all born in Belhelvie.

It is intriguing; we have one Elspet of the parish of Belhelvie having her children in Foveran, and the other Elspet of the parish of Foveran having her children in the parish of Belhelvie.
Thomas Gibson is a cautioner for James & Elspet’s proclamation. I don’t know if it would be likely if a “cautioner” would be a father, (or brother or uncle)?

I believe the two Elspets must be cousins, but how can we find the missing birth details/parents of the other Elspet?

Thank you,

Grothenwell

Post by **AndrewP** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 9:43 pm

Hi Grothenwell,

Welcome to TalkingScot.

I go along with your reasoning that the two Elspets are likely to be cousins, but I am not sure that you will ever prove it. Did either of them survive until 1855, and die in Scotland, giving you a death certificate to hopefully find parents' names on?

Are there any headstones of these families?

Without these, you find yourself at the brickwall

that most of us are stuck at. The generation that died soonest before 1855.

Unless there are any other clues or ideas out there.

All the best,

Andrew Paterson

Grothenwell · Post by **Grothenwell** » Sun Dec 25, 2005 12:15 am

Hi Andrew,

I don't think that they would have survived to 1855, as they'd be over 100 years old. But thanks for the tip about graves, perhaps i'll be lucky enough to find one.

Seasons best wishes,

Grothenwell