Help decipher this OPR please

ninatoo · Post by **ninatoo** » Thu May 31, 2007 1:27 am

Hi all,

I have uploaded a file to the gallery, waiting approval for the link to be added here.

http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-1242

url approved by Ina

It is for Adam Harkness. I have been able to decipher a lot of it, but just need confirmation, and help with what I can't read, please!

"Baptised the 22 March (17)89 an illegitimate son named Adam for Alex'r Harkness in (???) born by Elizabeth Campbell, dr (daughter?) to Don Campbell (???) at Kilmun, (???) (....) of (......) said abroad."

I wonder also whether the 'said abroad' part means that the father of Elizabeth is abroad, or the baby was born abroad (in a different parish most likely)? Are the dots in brackets above spaces most likely left for a date of birth?

Thanks for help!

Nina

Post by **paddyscar** » Thu May 31, 2007 5:55 am

Hi Nina:

I've not had much success on this one, and hope I don't add to the confusion.
"Baptised the 22 March (17)89 an illegettemate son named Adam for Alex'r Harkness in Glenlyn ? Forsyth born by Elizabeth Campbell, dr (daughter?) to Don Campbell bellmon? at Kilmun Hal, (....) of (......) said abroad."
Sometimes it helps to see more of the document, so you can get a sense of the style of the letters and use identifiable letters in one word to work out another. The first letter of the word Illegettemate seems to start the word following Glenlyn - Iner---

Frances

Post by **AndrewP** » Thu May 31, 2007 6:43 am

Hi Nina,

My interpretation of that OPR is:

"Baptised the 22 March (17)89 an illegettemate son named Adam for Alexr Harkness in Glenlyon Parish a son(?) ____ born by Elizabth Campbell, dr (daughter?) to Dond Campbell bellman? at Kilmun the (....) of (......) his _______(?) brother Robert Harkness in Glenballon(?) being sponsor."

See the whole page at: http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-1243

All the best,

AndrewP

ninatoo · Post by **ninatoo** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:05 am

Thanks Andrew and Frances,

I stared at that writing for ages last night and I can still not decipher it with any certainty. I can see how you came about your suggestions...but the writing is abysmal!!!

See Andrew's posts above for a link to the whole page.

Nina

Post by **AnneM** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:47 am

The Parish is Glenkin. Lots of mine come from there.

Anne

Aha, what it says is of Glenkin, Inverchaolain Parish at least that what it should say but in fact they have spelled Inverchaolain phonetically. Glenkin is in Inverchaolain parish though you would expect it to be in Kilmun.

Does it say something about 'his absence'. That would account for the brother standing sponsor and effectively acknowledging the child for him.

ninatoo · Post by **ninatoo** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:05 am

WOW!

Now that you tell us the name of the parish, it looks so obvious!

Do you know what place is mentioned for Donald Campbell and Robert Harkness? Glen Bellmon? Or two different places?

I think it says "said abroad" in reference to either the father being absent or away, or the child being born abroad or away from the parish.

Thank sfor your help Anne!

Nina

Post by **AnneM** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:20 am

Hi again

I think bellman is his occupation. The only place I can think of beginning with Glen and ending with on is Glenmasson. I don't suppose you can make it read that??

Anne

ninatoo · Post by **ninatoo** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:17 pm

Hi Anne,

No, I think the brother Harkness might be from elsewhere...but I do think the second word does not begin with a B...look at the other B's on the page. I wonder if it is an A and that inverchaolain may have been shortened to Aolain?

Nina - off to find out a bellman's duties now...

Bervonian · Post by **Bervonian** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 2:43 pm

Chambers 20th century Dictionary gives the definition of Bellman as "one who rings a bell, especially on the streets, before making public announcements; a town crier.

ninatoo · Post by **ninatoo** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 2:53 pm

Thank you Bervonian!

I also looked here: http://tinyurl.com/2hhtfz where it said:

Bellman 1) Watchman or town crier 2) Worked for the Post Office, collecting mail by walking the streets ringing a bell Coaches then transported the mail.

Nina