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Archiver > ABERDEEN > 2001-01 > 0978518959


From: Gavin Bell <>
Subject: Re:[Aberdeen]Farquharson
Date: Wed, 03 Jan 2001 10:49:19 +0000


George wrote:

> My Gt Grandmother was Isabella FARQUHARSON, she was married at
> Drumblade 1860 to Charles Petrie, Her parents are listed as
> Alexander FARQUHARSON and Ann MIDDLETON, both deceased, however
> that and Isabella's death cert is the only mention of Alexander.
> From various census she was born Cabrach 1840, the following is
> the entry for the 1841 Census for Cabrach, at Tomnaven
>
> James Middleton 65 yes
> Ann Middleton 20 yes
> Isobella Farquharson 1 yes
>
> As you can see no sign of Alexander! Can anyone help?
> I have tried Kirk Session records without success.

The fact that Ann gave her maiden name in the Census, but her daughter
is shown with her father's surname suggests (but does not conclusively
prove) that while no marriage had occurred, paternity was acknowledged
(which is presumably why you were looking in the Kirk Session records).
It is just possible that Ann and Alexander were married, and that he was
away on Census day.

Does Isabella's Baptism appear in the Parish Register? Have you found
Ann and Isabella in the 1851 Census? Have you looked for Alexander
elsewhere in the Parish in either Census?

One other place to check could be the Poor Law records - if Ann was a
single mother, and if James (her father? or grandfather?) died or became
infirm, then the household might have had to ask for assistance. I know
(because I am one of the indexers) that the Banffshire index is not yet
complete, but that the records for Cabrach (assuming they survived) will
have been processed. I will try and remember to check when I am next
at the Archives, but that may not be for a some time, as they are
closed for building work.


Gavin Bell

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