Greetings,

I am currently presenting my genealogy research and work at my Facebook page " A Genealogy Hunt".

You can see and follow these new entries at A Genealogy Hunt - https://www.facebook.com/A-Genealogy-Hunt-112318287061874.

Thanks,

Jim

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Part 964 - Always Said That Something May Change

Good Day,

Yes, there is egg on my face.

And as I have said the details and my research of our family history and ancestry will be an always changing experience.

About 10 years ago I found, what I thought, some information regarding my 4-times Great-Grandparents George and Isabel Kendal. Isabel Kendal would have be an ancestor in my mtDNA maternal line.

At the time, I recorded that GGGG-Grandmother Isabel's maiden name was Tasker. I also was able to recreate a well sourced ancestry following the Tasker family line in the Lancashire and Yorkshire areas of England.

Most recently, I have been comparing other information as presented on family trees in Ancestry. I noticed that in some cases some trees exhibited a George Kendal and his wife, Isabel Atkinson. The marriage, I found the Registration, is dated 13 December 1794 from Giggleswick, Yorkshire.

I cannot for the life of me understand why I included Isabel Tasker. I cannot find a registration for a Kendal Tasker marriage. I did find a 1777 baptism registration for one Isabel Tasker.

And just today I discovered a 1795 baptism registration for an Ann, daughter of George and Isabell Kendale, who was baptized at St. Mary's in Gisburn, Lancashire/Yorkshire. Their first 4 children were all baptized there. The next 3 children including my 3-times Great-Grandmother Elizabeth Kendal were baptized a short distance away at Downham, Lancashire.

Guess I will be correcting my "error". I'll keep my eyes open. I will not delete my Tasker research, but I will unlink the connection from my current family tree.

It is so, so critical to find and keep the critical and noteworthy documentation.

I have uploaded the correct information and deleted the incorrect to various online genealogy locations. On Ancestry the Family Tree file is called "Smith Robertson Family Tree Oct 1, 2019". If you would like an "invitee" to access the Tree please email me.

Your thoughts?

The search continues.  And I just keep on going.

Also, let me know if you would like an invitation to access to my Smith Robertson Family Tree on Ancestry. You can email me at jsmith58@gmail.com.

If you have any comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt or jsmith58@gmail.com.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 963sm - 6-Times Great-Grandmother Elizabeth (née Mitchel) Whittaker and mtDNA

Good Day,

I have found some documents referencing my 6-times Great-Grandmother Elizabeth (née Mitchel) Whittaker. She and our 6-times Great-Grandfather John Whittaker were married the 3rd of January 1740 at the Parish Church of Whalley in Lancashire, England. I believe the church may have been St. Mary and All Saints.

Here is an image copy of the 1740 Marriage Registration –

Source: Lancaster Record Office, 

Ancestry.com and Family Search

Parish Register of Whalley

FHL 4388727; Image 370 of 2101

My transcription –

January the 3d Married John WhittakerOf Pendleton & Elizabeth Mitchel of the
Castle parish of Clithroe.

On the full page, the header reads “The Year of our Lord God on thousand seven hundred and thirty nine”. Halfway down the page the year 1740 registrations begins with 6-times Great-Grandparents John Whittaker and Elizabeth Mitchel.

This discovery of GGGGGG-Grandmother Elizabeth is critical in the recreation of my genealogy and tracing of my mtDNA.

We all, in most cases have 64 6-times Great-Grandmothers. All are important in the passing of Autosomal DNA. But, 6-times Great-Grandmother Elizabeth (née Mitchel) Whittaker is an extremely important 6-times Great-Grandmother.

GGGGGG-Grandmother Elizabeth is that grandmother from whom my mtDNA is passed, passed from her down to me. MTDNA is passed from a mother to her children, but it is only daughters who continue to pass that specific gene. Sons may receive it along with their Y-DNA, of which they receive it from their father. Our mtDNA Haplogroup is H1a1a1.

Here is how the mtDNA was passed to me from –

6-times Great Grandmother Elizabeth (née Mitchel) Whittaker; bc. 1710, Lancashire, England, to

5-times Great-Grandmother Mary (née Whittaker) Tasker; b. 1753, Lancashire, England, to

4-times Great-Grandmother Isabel (née Tasker) Kendal; b. 1777, Lancashire, England, to

3-times Great-Grandmother Elizabeth (née Kendal) Parker; b. 1809, Lancashire, England, to

2-times Great-Grandmother Elizabeth (née Parker) Crossley; b. 1841, Lancashire, England, to

Great-Grandmother Mary-Alice (née Crossley) Goodey; b. 1864, Lancashire, England, to

Grandmother Madge (née Goodey) Robertson; b. 1891, Rochdale and Lancaster, England, to

Mother Josephine (née Robertson) Smith; Saint Andrew, Jamaica, to

Son Jim Smith; Saint Andrew, Jamaica. And there it will stop. That line of mtDNA will not be continued. Only daughters can pass on the mtDNA gene.

6-times Great-Grandparents John and Elizabeth (née Mitchel) Whittaker had, who I have been able to account for, 9 children – 6 sons and 3 daughters. Our specific mtDNA gene was passed along, if they had any offspring, by the 3 daughters.

And now, I have a lead on the possible mother of 6-times Great-Grandmother Elizabeth’s mother. This would be my 7-times Great-Grandmother, and another name to add to my mtDNA line. Also, this would be the most distant ancestor that I will be able to claim as a recipient of her mtDNA.

Remember, there are only 128 7-times Great-Grandmothers.

Your thoughts?

The search continues.  And I just keep on going.

Also, let me know if you would like an invitation to access to my Smith Robertson Family Tree on Ancestry. You can email me at jsmith58@gmail.com.

If you have any comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt or jsmith58@gmail.com.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 962sp - Trying to Figure Out GG-Grandmother Elizabeth (née Parker) Crossley

Good Day,

Help! Please.

I have an issue trying to decipher documents and dates all, I believe, referencing my GG-Grandmother Elizabeth (née Parker) Crossley. Her parents were my GGG-Grandparents John and Elizabeth (née Kendal) Parker.

According to the Birth registration she was born in “Twiston” and registered in Clitheroe, Counties of Lancaster and York, England. The birth date given is “10 February 1841”. Her father, John Parker’s occupation is entered as “Labourer”. (Application Number COL388967).

Per the Chapelry of Downham Register, I discovered 2 recorded Baptisms for entries of Elizabeth Parker. The dates and the father, John Parker’s occupation are different. Both entries are from the same FHL microfilm #4225986.

1. Baptism – 30 January 1841; Birth – 27 Jany 1841. Father’s Occupation – Printer. (FHL #4225986, Image 409 of 1544). I have included images of the page and of a closeup.

2. Baptism – 7 March 1841; Birth – 25 Jany 1841. Father’s Occupation – Labourer. (FHL #4225986, Image 410 of 1544).

There is a note added in the right-hand area immediately adjacent to the entry. It reads, as best as I can make out, “entered in last _____ _____ for: bapt- ism”. I have included images of the page and of a closeup.

Per the Bishop’s Transcripts for Downham, Lancaster, which is difficult to read, the Baptism date is provided as January 2? (sometime between the 24th and the 31st, 1841. The father, John Parker’s Occupation is entered as “Printer”. (FHL #4008986, Image 196 of 838). I have included images of the page and of a closeup.

From my review, it appears that the 2nd Elizabeth Parker Baptism, dated 7 March 1841 is NOT entered to the Bishop’s Transcripts. I think the note that I referred to above in point 2 may be the clue as to why.

As a note of reference, I can only find one Elizabeth Parker and her Baptism entry in the Bishop’s Transcripts for 1841.

The 1841 UK Census for Whalley, Clitheroe, Lancashire, England contains the Parker family including John and Elizabeth Parker and their daughter Elizabeth, aged 4 months. As the Census was administered on 6 June 1841, the approximation of her birth would be the end of January, beginning of February. John Parker’s Occupation is listed as “Printer”.

The 1851 Census for Twiston, Clitheroe, Lancaster, does indicate that John Parker is/was a “Farm Labourer”. Elizabeth, my GG-Grandmother’s age is entered as “11”.

Any help would certainly help solve this mystery.

Your thoughts?

The search continues.  And I just keep on going.

Also, let me know if you would like an invitation to access to my Smith Robertson Family Tree on Ancestry. You can email me at jsmith58@gmail.com.

If you have any comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt or jsmith58@gmail.com.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 961sr - Searching For My Next Robertson Grandfather

Good Day,

I'm attaching a number of documents that I have found from the East Lothian, Scotland area. All-things-being-equal I can create a far-fetched logical argument that could lead us, maybe to my 7-times Great-Grandfather Robertson.

Here are my current facts.

1. Haddington, Innerwick, and Oldhamstock are relatively close together in East Lothian. There is about 6 hour walk from Haddington to Oldhamstock, passing Innerwick along the way.

2. 4-times Great-Grandparents John and Christian Dudgeon were married 1778 in Butterdean Mains, Oldhamstock. Check out the 2 witnesses - John Dudgeon and Thomas Dudgeon.

3. 4-times Great-Grandfather John Robertson was baptized 17 Oct 1759 in Oldhamstocks. Parents - 5-times Great-Grandparents John and Ann (née Lyle) Robertson. Witnesses - James Robertson and James Lyle.

FHL #1067850

4. 4-times Great-Grandmother Christian (née Dudgeon) Robertson was baptised 22 May 1774 in Roxburghshire. Her parents are 5-times Great-Grandparents Thomas and Janet (née Hope) Dudgeon. I do have an issue with the baptism year of 1774.

5. 4-Times-Great-Grandparents John and Christian (née Dudgeon) Robertson had 6 sons. I have been able to find documentation for all 6 sons. They were

- John (Oldhamstocks, bc. 1779);
- Thomas, my 3-times Great-Grandfather (Oldhamstocks, bc. 1780);
- Alexander (Oldhamstocks, bc. 1781);
- James (Oldhamstocks, bc. 1783);
- William (Oldhamstocks, bc. 1786); and
- Robert (Glasgow, bc. 1792);

Generally accepted Scottish naming convention is as follows, as provided by Family Search -

The Scottish, for the most part, had a naming pattern which can be seen in many families. The pattern generally went as follows:

The first son was named after the father’s father.
The second son after the mother’s father.
The third son after the father.
The first daughter after the mother’s mother.
The second daughter after the father’s mother.
The third daughter after the mother.

According to "The Scottish Onomastic Child-naming Pattern," by John Barrett Robb, another naming system called the "ancestral pattern," generally went as follows:

The first son was named for his father's father.
The second son was named for his mother's father.
The third son was named for his father's father's father.
The fourth son was named for his mother's mother's father.
The fifth son was named for his father's mother's father.
The sixth son was named for his mother's father's father.
The seventh through tenth sons were named for their father's four great-grandfathers.
The eleventh through fourteenth sons were named for their mother's four great-grandfathers.
The first daughter was named for her mother's mother.
The second daughter was named for her father's mother.
The third daughter was named for her mother's father's mother.
The fourth daughter was named for her father's father's mother.
The fifth daughter was named for her mother's mother's mother.
The sixth daughter was named for her father's mother's mother.
The seventh through tenth daughters were named for their mother's four great-grandmothers.
The eleventh through fourteenth daughters were named for their father's four great-grandmothers.


I have also included a working copy of our Robertson Descendant Chart. Please check out my thought-notes on the chart diagram.

I am purely basing the possibility that Alexander Robertson may be our 7-times Great-Grandfather on number of coincidental possibilities.

1. The surname Robertson.

2. The location of the 1711 Marriage Registration for John Robertson and Jean Shoarswood and the 1725 Baptism for John Robertson are both of Haddington.

3. Haddington, Innerwick, and Oldhamstock are relatively close considering distance.

4. The 1758 Marriage Registration for John Robertson and Ann Lyle includes the listing of John Robertson as John Robertson's "Cautioner" and "Father"

5. The 1711 Marriage Registration for John Robertson and Jean Shoarswood includes the listing of Alexander Robertson as "Cautioner" for John Robertson.

6. Naming convention.

7. 3-times Great-Grandparents John Robertson and Christian Dudgeon named

a. Their eldest son, 3-times Great-Granduncle John Robertson, after his father's, 4-times Great Grandfather John Robertson's, father, 5-times Great-Grandfather John Robertson.

b. Their 2nd son, 3-times Great-Grandfather Thomas Robertson, after his mother's, 4-times Great-Grandmother Christian (née Dudgeon) Robertson's, father, 5-times Great-Grandfather Thomas Dudgeon.

c. Their 3rd son, 3-times Great-Granduncle Alexander Robertson, may have been named for his father's, 4-times Great-Grandfather John Robertson's, if it is possible, Great-Great-Grandfather Alexander Robertson. And if this is correct Alexander Robertson could be our 7-times Great-Grandfather.

I may be grasping at straws but as as the names John and Thomas were already used in the naming of the 1st and 2nd sons, there may have been a "fall-back" to the name Alexander, as keeping current with the "ever-present" Scottish naming convention.

Your thoughts?

The search continues.  And I just keep on going.

Also, let me know if you would like an invitation to access to my Smith Robertson Family Tree on Ancestry. You can email me at jsmith58@gmail.com.

If you have any comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt or jsmith58@gmail.com.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 960sm – 1841 Marriage Great-Great Grandparents John and Hester/Esther (née Bailey) Merrifield

Parish Church of Westbury On Trym

Good Day,

In days gone past, I have been somewhat frustrated that I had not been able to discover anything about Great-Great Grandmother Esther (née Bailey) Merrifield. I figured that this would be one of those doors that one encounters in the search of one’s genealogy.

I know that based on the discovery of more and more documentation, the direction of my Smith Robertson Family Tree can and may change.

This past weekend I believe that I have discovered and am able to create a ancestor path following back from Great-Great Grandmother Esther (née Bailey) Merrifield.

First, for several years I have had Great-Great Grandmother’s name down as “Esther”. I did some digging and I discovered that “Esther” can also be known as “Hester”. This simple onomastic provides a few new directions and possible searches.

The information that I had in my Smith Robertson database was that GG-Grandmother Esther (née Bailey) was married to GG-Grandfather John Merryfield in Gloucester, England. They were married in the 4th quarter of 1841. See Part 438bm.

Today I finally found the 1841 Marriage registration for GG-Grandparents John and Esther (née Bailey) Merryfield.

Here is the image –

And my transcription –

Page 43


1841 Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church in the Parish of the Parish of Westbury On Trym in the County Gloucester


No. – 85
When Married. – October 17thName and Surname. – John Merryfield, Esther Bailey
Age. – Of full age, Of full age
Condition. – Bachelor, Spinster
Rank or Profession. – Carpenter
Residence at the Time of Marriage. – Hotwells, Clifton, Hotwells, Clifton
Father’s Name and Surname. – William Merryfield, George Bailey
Rank or Profession of Father. – Servant, Mariner


Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church after Banns by me, John Morris, Curate


This Marriage was solemnized between us, John Merryfield, Esther Bailey in the Presence of us, John Bailey, Mary Bailey.

Source: Family History Library, FHL 7567337 Image 1505 of 1718.

And of course, I am very interested in the Bailey Branch of my Family Tree. I believe I have discovered more. Check out the new Bailey Descendant Chart.

If you would like a copy of the 1841 Marriage Registration or Bailey Descendant Chart, please free to contact me a jsmith58@gmail.com.

The search continues.  And I just keep on going.

Also, let me know if you would like an invitation to access to my Smith Robertson Family Tree on Ancestry. You can email me at jsmith58@gmail.com.

If you have any comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt or jsmith58@gmail.com.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 959sm - The Mystery of Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann (née Irwin) formerly Partlett, Merrifield

Good Day,

Here’s a puzzle.

When did Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann (née Irwin) formerly Partlett, Merrifield marry her 1st husband Partlett, surname?

Here are the facts:

1. According to the 1881 and 1891 UK Census Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann was born about 1843.

2. She married Great-Granduncle George Baily Merrifield, the son of GG-Grandparents John and Esther (née Bailey Merrifield, 5 August 1889 at All Saints’ Church, Newington, Surrey, England.

3. The 1889 Marriage Registration includes Mary Ann Partlett’s father’s name as “James Irwin”.

4. Great-Grandmother Elizabeth Charlotte (née Merrifield) Robertson was Great-Granduncle George Baily Merrifield’s youngest sibling.

5. The ages given in the 1889 Marriage Registration for Great-Granduncle George Baily Merrifield and Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann (née Irwin) are 45 and 47, respectively.

6. Great-Granduncle George Baily and Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann’s 1st daughter Clara M. Merrifield, 1st cousin twice removed, was born about 1872 Gravesend, Kent, England.

7. Two more children were born in 1874 and 1877, Frances M. and Henry D., respectively.

8. There is a notation, in several family trees on Ancestry regarding an 1854 Marriage between one Mary Ann Irwin and George Partlett in Chalk, Kent, England. If this is Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann’s 1st marriage she would have been 11-years old.

9. I just located the 1854 Marriage Registration of Mary Ann Irwin and George Parttlett. Mary Ann Irwin is registered as “Spinster” which of course she would be considerably older that 11 years old, as above mentioned.

10. Her father listed in the 1854 Marriage Registration is entered as “John White”, not as James Irwin.

Here is a copy of 1889 Marriage Registration –

Transcription –

1889. Marriage solemnized at All Saints’ Church in the Parish of Newington in the County of Surrey.

No. – 258When Married – 4th August 1889Name and Surname – George Bailey Merrifield, Mary Ann PartlettAge – 45, 47Condition – Bachelor, WidowRank or Profession – Labourer, --Residence at the time of Marriage – 36 Czar Street, 36 Czar StreetFather’s Name and Surname – John Merrifield (deceased), James Irwin (deceased)Rank of Profession of Father – Carpenter, Seaman

Married in the Church of All Saints according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church, after Banns by me, O. Mitchell, Vicar.

This Marriage was solemnized between us, George Bailey Merrifield, Mary Ann Partlett in the presence of us, Richard Winter, Caroline Winter.

Here is a copy of the 1854 Marriage Registration in question –

Notice that the name of Mary Ann Irwin’s Father is John White, as opposed to Mary Ann Partlett’s father, James Irwin, in the 1889 Registration.

Several other facts are that that all in the 1881 UK Census there are 3 children registered to parents George B and Mary Ann Merrifield. The 3 are Clara M, Frances M, and Henry D. The 3 have approximate birth years of 1872, 1874. And 1877, respectively. All 3 are also dittoed as Merrifield. All-things-being-equal these three could be Great-Granduncle George Bailey’s and Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann’s children. The only thing is that Great-Granduncle George Bailey and Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann were married in 1889.

Are the 3 their children or are they Great-Grandaunt Mary Ann’s and her 1st husband’s children?

Any thoughts?

The search continues.  And I just keep on going.

Also, let me know if you would like an invitation to access to my Smith Robertson Family Tree on Ancestry. You can email me at jsmith58@gmail.com.

If you have any comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt or jsmith58@gmail.com.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 958sm - Tracing My Maternal Merrifield Family Line

Good Day,

I decided that I would take, what I thought would be a short detour in my research. As you know I have been following and uncovering documentations and sources of information for my Paternal Great-Grandmother Ella Margaret Louise (née Scott) Smith. The finds have been quite extensive. I believe I have found links that could lead me back to some 9-times and 10-times Great-Grandparents.

As a diversion, I thought I would see whether or not I could find any information for my Maternal Great-Grandmother Elizabeth Charlotte (née Merrifield) Robertson. And guess what?

I stumbled upon another wealth of information. I believe that I have have found intertwining information back to my 6-times Great-Grandparents.

But I can quickly get myself confused. My Scott line appears to focus back to the area of Leith in Midlothian, Scotland. My Merrifield line appears to center around Leigh upon Menkip in Somerset, England.

Here is my first draft of my Merrifield Family Descendant Chart

Source: Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812 Leigh on Mendip 1670-1771

The search continues.  And I just keep on going.

Also, let me know if you would like an invitation to access to my Smith Robertson Family Tree on Ancestry. You can email me at jsmith58@gmail.com.

If you have any comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt or jsmith58@gmail.com.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 889sr – Smith Robertson Genealogy – East Lothian Robertson Baptisms – New Work Project

Good Day,

I began a new work project to chart the OPR – Old Parochial Registers from East Lothian, Scotland. All-things-being-equal this project could, may, lead me to the connection of my Robertson 4-times great-grandparents and their ancestors, my 5-times and 6-times great-grandparents.  I have started with the Parishes of Innerwick and Oldhamstocks.

My challenge and goal is to plot all possible Robertson candidates, whether father, mother, or child who have documented baptism/christening registrations in the OPRs.

Based on the indexed and summary work as found on FreeREG, I have calculated that there may be approximately 1,721 possible Robertson-associated baptism records that I can use. (Please check FreeREG’s Purpose for explanation of their great work.)  Microfilms of the Parish registers are available through the Family History Library.

Today I charted 69, or 4% of the recorded baptisms. I am currently concentrating on the Parish Churches of Innerwick and Oldhamstocks. I think I have a job ahead of me.

To date I have been able to trace my 4-times great-grandparents John and Christian (née Dudgeon) to the Parish of Oldhamstocks.

We also have the current results of our Robertson Y-DNA - R-U106 (R1b1a2a1a1a), as tested through Family Tree DNA. (Thanks G.) Hopefully there are possible Robertsons out there somewhere on this small planet that may be able to identify their ancestors and/or match to our current Y-DNA results.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any ideas, thoughts, questions, and comments. Email me at A Genealogy Hunt.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 888sr – Smith Robertson Genealogy – GGG-Grand Uncle John Robertson – A Poet – Oldhamstocks to Glasgow

Good Day,

It is always a great feeling when I stumble upon a document, a piece of evidence that confirms some detail of the history and account of my genealogy.

 

Two nights ago I just happened upon a couple of pages from an 1893 publication, Minstrelsy of The Merse, The Poets and Poetry of Berwickshire, A County Anthology by the Rev. W.S. Crockett, F.S.A.Scot. I discovered two pages concerning my ggg-granduncle John Robertson - 

Pages 117 and 118.

 

The details in the short write up provides some corroborating evidence about ggg-granduncle John and his Robertson family origination in Oldhamstocks and their move to Glasgow in about 1792.

“he quitted his native village in his fourteenth year, made his way to Glasgow…”

GGG-Granduncle John Robertson was born and baptized in Oldhamstocks 4 March and 12 March 1779, respectively. And 14 years added to 1779 equals 1793…close enough.

My previous work and the collection of baptism registrations indicate that ggg-granduncle John and four of his five brothers, including ggg-grandfather Thomas, lived and were baptized in Oldhamstocks. His youngest brother, ggg-granduncle Robert Robertson was born in Glasgow 7th September 1792.

If you have any thought, idea, question, comment, please feel free to contact me at A Genealogy Hunt.

And remember the details and the facts may change with the discovery of new documentation and writings.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 886sr – Smith Robertson Genealogy – ?-Times Great-Grandfather John Robertson Search and Research

Good Day,

I thought you would like to join me with and on my Robertson genealogy search and research process and progress.

Robertson is my maternal line. I am trying to determine which John Robertson is my 6-times great-grandfather, and who was his father, and his father, and so on, and so on.

From my Robertson Descendant Chart you can follow my line back to my 5-times great-grandparents John and Ann (née Lyle/Lisle) Robertson.

Their 1 December 1758 marriage registration in the Old Parish Register from Innerwick in East Lothian, Scotland, (see Part 884rl).  5-times great-grandfather John Robertson’s “Cautioner” was his father, also named John Robertson. This John Robertson would be my 6-times great-grandfather.

Note – Cautioner, in Scottish law and contracts was one who becomes bound as caution or surety for another, for the performance of any obligation or contract contained in a deed. (The Free Dictionary)

4-Times Great-Grandfather John Robertson was born and baptized In Oldhamstocks. This was determined and cited from the Parish of Innerwick 1761 Baptism Registration for his sister, 4-times great-grandaunt Margaret Robertson. (Source: Church of Scotland. Parish Church of Innerwick, East Lothian, FHL 1067849 Item 3).

4-Times Great-Grandfather John Robertson’s parents 5-times great-grandfather John Robertson and 5-times great-grandmother Ann Lisle were married 1 December 1758 in Innerwick (Source: Church of Scotland. Parish Church of Innerwick, East Lothian, FHL 1067850 Item 2 and ScotlandsPeople.gov.uk 711/00 0030 0349 Innerwick (East Lothian)).

I have discovered that there are three immediate locations referred to and cross-referenced to 5-times and 4-times great-grandfathers John Robertson. The three are Oldhamstocks (A-marker), Innerwick (B-marker), and Butter Law (C-maker, approximate).

I will be spending some time in the short future trying to discover and logically determine, with the appropriate documents and citations. Check out my updates at A Genealogy Hunt - http://agenealogyhunt.com/.

Please feel free to assist, lend a thought and idea, ask a question, and make a comment. You can contact me at A Genealogy Hunt.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 885sr – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Robertson Y-DNA – R-U106 – More Ancestors

Good Day,

As I am currently digging deeper into the realm of our Robertson ancestors I thought that I would revisit our current Robertson Y-DNA results. (Thank you GR.)

According to the Family Tree DNA tests our Robertson Y-DNA Haplogroup is R-U106. The analysis shows that our Robertson Y-DNA is positive for the following SNPs: U106+; and negative for the following SNPs: U198- P89- P312- P107- L6- L48- L325- L257- L217- L21- L144- L1-. In this case the SNP does not stand for the Scottish National Party. It is the abbreviation for “Single-nucleotide polymorphism”. (If you are interested there is a good discussion of Single-nucleotide polymorphism” at Wikipedia.)

From the Genetics Home Reference Single nucleotide polymorphisms, frequently called SNPs (pronounced “snips”), are the most common type of genetic variation among people…SNPs occur normally throughout a person’s DNA. They occur once in every 300 nucleotides on average, which means there are roughly 10 million SNPs in the human genome. Most commonly, these variations are found in the DNA between genes…

Previously I reported I reported that our Robertson Y-DNA Haplogroup is R1b1a2a1a1. This means that every Robertson male in our family line should have and belong to the same Haplogroup.

From my recent research I have read at Y-DNA Halpgroup R and its Subclades - 2014 that R1b1a2a1a-L11/PF6539/S127 and most European R1b1a2 belongs to R1b1a2a1a1-M405/S21/U106 or R1b1a2a1a2-P312/PF6547/S116.

From Ancestry.com I have been able to find a number of recently placed family trees that include at least a number of my Robertson ancestors.  The issues are that a few of the family trees do not include complete sources or citations of where they got or received the associated information.  I can use this information as stepping stones to find possible sources.  When comparing the allocated information some of the information is in conflict with each other.  The amazing thing about this presented data is that there is a possibility of locating another four generations of Robertson ancestors.

My goal is to research and search using the presented Robertson family tree information, the Old Scottish Parish Records and other documentation, our Y-DNA, and logical possibilities and conclusions to see if I can make heads or tails my ancestry.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 884rl – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1758 Marriage – 5-Times Great Grandparents John and Ann (née Lisle) Robertson – Innerwick, Scotland

Good Day,

I’ve been working on my start-up search and research and I decided to tackle my Robertson family line.

My search and research will now take me to Scotland and the area around the villages of Innerwick and Oldhamstocks in East Lothian, Scotland.  The current populations of the villages are about 450 and 200 give or take, respectively.

The following is the 1st December 1758 proclamation/marriage registration of 5-times great-grandparents John Robertson and Ann Lisle. The proclamation/marriage is recorded in the Old Parish Registers of Innerwick, East Lothian in Scotland.

(Source: ScotlandsPeople - Robertson, John (O.P.R. Marriages 711/00 0030 0349 Innerwick (East Lothian) and 

Family History Library - Parish registers for Innerwick, 1614-1857, FHL 1067850.)

My transcription –

Decr 1st 1758
John Robertson & Ann Lisle both in this
parish gave up their names to be proclaimed
Cautioner for the man John Robertson
his Father for the woman James
Lisle her Brother.

Definitions -

Proclaimed - The banns of marriage, commonly known simply as the "banns" or "bans" (from a Middle English word meaning "proclamation," rooted in Frankish and from there to Old French), are the public announcement in a Christian parish church of an impending marriage between two specified persons. (Wikipedia - Banns of marriage)

Cautioner - Scotch law, contracts. One who becomes bound as caution or surety for another, for the performance of any obligation or contract contained in a deed. (A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States. By John Bouvier. Published 1856.)

I will be updating my Robertson Descendant Chart shortly.

If you have any idea, comments, thoughts, answers, please feel free to contact me at A Genealogy Hunt.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 870sr - Smith Robertson Genealogy - My Ethnic Makeup

Good Day,

And it is time to get back into my genealogy research. 

I need to understand the myOrigins Ethnic Makeup results from my Family Tree DNA account and portfolio.

My Ethnic Makeup results are:

- European - 78%
  (British Isles - 62%; Western and Central Europe - 11%; Finland - 5%)

- Jewish Diaspora - 14%
  (Ashkenazi Diaspora - 14% (Poland))

- Middle Eastern - 4%
  (Asia Minor - 4% (Turkey))

- Africa - 4%
  (West Africa - 4% (Nigeria/Cameroon))

The Ethnic Makeup results are an offering of the FTDNA Family Finder product.

I have also recently received a number of emails regarding my Smith YDNA research that present the possibility of a possible connection back to around 1200 AD.

Check up for my update and discussion at my site A Genealogy Hunt.

If you have any thoughts, questions, ideas, comments, please feel to get in touch me via email at Jim Smith.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 860s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Updated James Smith Descendant Chart

Good Day,

Okay, I have re-created and redrafted with some minor changes my current James Smith Descendant Chart. I have re-positioned three of the great, great grands: great-great grandaunt Mary Ann; great-great grandaunt Sophia; and great-great granduncle George.

This positions the children of ggg-grandparents James and Mary Ann (née Dore) Smith in the following order on the Descendant Chart:

  GG-Granduncle George Smith;

  GG-Grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour;

  GG-Grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith);

  GG-Grandaunt Eley Smith;

  GG-Grandfather James Smith;

  GG-Granduncle Henry Smith; and

  GG-Granduncle Thomas Smith.

My logic is currently based on my research and documentation concerning births, marriage, and burials, as well as the Last Will and Testament of my ggg-grandfather James Smith. (See Part 347s.)

I will shortly be updating the pull-down links at the top of the page of A Genealogy Hunt.

If you have any comment, thought, idea, or question, please feel free to contact me at A Genealogy Hunt.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 859sv- Smith Robertson Genealogy – A Definite Possibility – Great-Great-Grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour – 1865 Burial Registration

Good Day,

Well as I mentioned the genealogy bug has bit me once again and I guess it definitely is time to come in out of my three-month retirement.

What I have now discovered is an 1865 Burial Registration that may be that of great-great-grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour. Here is an image of the page from the Grenada, Parish Registers, 1784-1971, Anglican Church, Parish of St. George, Burials 1844-1930 and the microfilm FHL [1523656] Item 18-19.

As you can see the copy from the microfilm is somewhat opaque. Actually it is almost bloody illegible... I have tried to decipher the Burial Registration and determine a possible script even due to the bleeding of the ink of the registration. It seems that the ink from both the facing page and the verso or back side of the page bled through prior to the microfilming of the Register.

I have made close-ups of the registration.  The first is the actual registration and the second is my attempt to make sense of the hidden script using a red tracing to give me a chance to determine the messy script.

Actual registration.

My endeavor to make out the script.

My attempted transcription –

[Page 219]
BURIALS in the Parish of St. George
In the Colony of Grenada in the Year 1865
Name. – Sophia Ventour
Abode. – Town of St. George
When buried. – Feb 2?
Age. – Yrs 59?
By whom the Ceremony was performed. – J K. Anton, Rector

And now, my thoughts and observations. At the present time I cannot be 100% sure that this is the Burial Registration of great-great-grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour. All I can do is present a number facts and some logical possibilities.

The Burial Register is that of the Anglican Parish Church of St. George, Grenada. This was, from what I understand the Smith family’s primary place of worship. I have been able to collect a considerable amount of documentation and registrations from this church which are all specific to my Smith family. There is some sense to the possibility the gg-grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour was registered at her death and burial at the family church.

The Burial Registration appears, if I am deciphering it correctly for one “Sophia Ventour”. All-things-being-equal gg-grandaunt Sophia Smith married Benjamin Ventour 16 September 1825. (See Part 62s.)  Her married name would have been Sophia Ventour.

From the 1865 Burial Registration I am trying to decipher the age that this Sophia Ventour passed. It looks to me like it is “Yrs 59”. It is extremely hard to be sure that this is the actual age. If it is 59 years and this Sophia Ventour was buried at the age of 59 there is a possibility that she was born about 1806. And if it is 1806 and this is gg-grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour then, all-things-being-equal it could be possible that she is the elder sister to gg-grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith) and to all the other gg-grand Smiths that I have been able to find respectable documentation regarding their birth years and dates.

Following another train of thought, and examining ggg-grandfather James Smith’s Last Will and Testament (see Part 61s), gg-grandaunt Sophia is mentioned after ggg-grandmother Mary Ann and gg-granduncle George and before gg-grandaunt Mary Ann. She is also addressed before gg-grandfather James and gg-granduncles Thomas and Henry. I am not sure if this is a general rule of thumb and process but it may be possible that ggg-grandfather James was addressing a specific hierarchy as he included his survivors in his will; his wife first, and then his children in their possible order of age.

And if this is the case, it would make sense that gg-grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour would have been older than her sister Mary Ann (née Smith) Steele. GGG-Grandfather James’s will states “and the further sum of Eight pounds annually to each of my daughters Sophia Ventour and Mary Steele during their natural lives…”  This is the initial place in the Will where gg-grandaunts Sophia and Mary are mentioned.

In my previous post, Part 858ss, we discovered that there is a possibility that gg-grandaunt Mary Ann (née Smith) Steele was born about 1809. If gg-grandaunt Sophia (née Smith) Ventour was born before gg-grandaunt Mary Ann it is possible that she would have been born before 1809 and that it would not be unreasonable to say that she may have been born around 1806. And this may be the calculated year of birth of the Sophia Ventour of the 1865 Burial Registration if the age at her death was 59 years.

Definitely food for thought. If you have any comment, thought, idea, or question, please feel free to contact me at A Genealogy Hunt.

Enjoy,

Jim

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