Forsyth - Erskine

davran · Post by **davran** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:16 pm

According to census info Robert Forsyth was born 1816/17 in Erskine. I found his parents James Forsyth/Isobel MILLA(E)R from his death cert. From banns at Erskine and Old Kilpatrick, James was from OK and Isobel from Erskine. James was "herd" (shepherd) at Park House OK and Isobel was the daughter of a farmer at Barscube, Erskine. As James and Isobel were listed in 1841 as living at the Stables, Erskine House, I assume that James had probably been living at Erskine after his marriage to Isobel.

So far so good, but I am unable to find the baptisms of any of James/Isobel's children, including my ancestor Robert. I've tried the IGI and SP, but none of them appear to be there. I'm not sure of the rules about baptism in Scotland, but is it possible they were not baptised at all or is there somewhere else I should be looking?

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Post by **AndrewP** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 1:39 pm

Hi Davran,

According to the online IGI, one of their offspring appears in the OPR marriages - naming all four parents.

MARGRET FORSYTH
.... Father: JAMES FORSYTH
.... Mother: ISABELLA MILLER

JOSEPH CAUCE
.... Father: ALEXANDER CAUCE
.... Mother: MARY BIGGHAM

Marriage: 22 NOV 1853 - Erskine, Renfrew, Scotland

As this is an extracted record, it should be available on ScotlandsPeople.

The OPRs were kept by the (Established) Church of Scotland and contain few records for births or marriages in other churches. Even if they were Church of Scotland people, it was not compulsory to be baptised, or to have the event recorded in the Parochial Registers (that became the OPRs).

If the OPR gives the information above, then it is well worth looking at to see what else it says regarding home addresses, occupations and the like.

All the best,

AndrewP

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 2:03 pm

Hello Davran,

Just some old discussion board threads about this couple

http://www.jenforum.com/forsyth/messages/690.html
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.for ... .3/mb.ashx
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.millar/236/mb.ashx

Nothing much there really but maybe someone else is working on the problem.

Alan

davran · Post by **davran** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:52 pm

Thanks for that Andrew. I'll have a look at that when I have some more credits to see what it reveals - I think James and Isobel may have died by 185l. I don't think I'm going to get very far with Robert and siblings' baptisms.

Alan, thanks for those links. I've just sent a message to the person concerned - I hope she hasn't changed email addresses in the meantime.

Post by **SarahND** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:33 pm

davran wrote: I think James and Isobel may have died by 185l.

This looks like them in 1851

Burnbree, Old Kilpatrick, Dumbartonshire
James Forsyth, 66, Head, born Whithorn Berneck, Sheepherd
Mrs. Forsyth, 56, Wife, born Erskine, Renfrewshire, Housekeeper
Margt Forsyth, 21, Daughter, born Erskine, Renfrewshire, House Servant

I assume you already have Robert in 1851 in Paisley Middle Church?

All the best,
Sarah

Post by **SarahND** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:51 pm

Hi again,
I can't find James and Isobel in 1861, but there is a likely death for James in Old Kilpatrick: James Forsyth born 1785 died in 1856

But I don't find Isobel

Regards,
Sarah

Post by **AndrewP** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:50 pm

Hi Davran,

The death certificate of Isabella Greenlees or Forsyth, mother's maiden surname Miller, died aged 39 in 1856 in Renfrew has to be worth a look at, as a potential daughter of James and Isobel.

The online IGI shows a marriage between such a couple in Erskine and New Monkland in 1847, presumably banns called in both parishes. Also on the onlinre IGI are three children to this couple - Isabella, Thomas and Margaret born in 1849, 1851 and 1853, all in Erskine.

All the best,

AndrewP

davran · Post by **davran** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:24 pm

Wow, thank you Sarah and Andrew! You've given me lots to work on. I'll have to wait a little before I go on SP - big car bill expected next week as the head gasket has gone.

Robert was, in fact, living in Queen St, Renfrew in 1851 with wife and bairns Isabella, James, Catherine (my gtgrandmother) and John B.

I have yet to find Robert in 1841. He married Ann Bennie on 21/5/1841 in Cathcart - I assume the census was earlier in the year and they were not yet married. Neither of them was living with their parents, so were they together somewhere and keeping quiet about their unmarried status? More stuff to unearth.

Thank you both for your help - you make me feel quite inadequate!

I have to say I am more at home researching south of the border.

Post by **SarahND** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:39 pm

Hi Davran,
The 1841 census was supposed to be on the 6th June. So they should have been already married-- maybe away on a honeymoon? Not sure if that was done at that time...
Regards,
Sarah

davran · Post by **davran** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:11 pm

Hi Sarah

Thanks again. I'll have another look for them, then - maybe I'll get lucky this time!