Question

I have hit a brick wall . I am looking for a James Findlay, who was born in Newmachar Aberdeen around about 1732, he married a Elspet Barnet on the 13/08/1752. I am looking for James Findlay's parents.

I would appreciate if anyone can help me.

Kind regards

Allan Findlay

Answer 1

I've checked Scotland's People and the marriage just says he was a farmer at Bridge of Don. The marriage doesn't mention any parents. I have checked Ancestry and Family Search. There doesn't appear to be anything. The only thing I can think of is to search land records in case the farm was in the family.

Comments

From 1850 to present the records are fabulous. Before then you really have to dig because not every church collected parentage the way the government did.

rsl

Answer 2

Scottish records are terrific.  If you get the marriage entry, it will tell you the names of his parents (and hers).

Answer 3

As you know, marriage records prior to 1855 are sketchy in terms of what information was recorded by the church where they were married.

Scotland's People is supposed to be adding the Roman Catholic records, so maybe more will come out, but pre-1800 is a real shot in the dark.

rsl

Comments

Umm, how can Roy select his own post as best???

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I wondered about that as well... will try to unclick...

rsl

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yes, I could and did...

But on the Scotland marriage (and birth/Death, etc.). records, they older records do not contain the amount of info you find after 1855 when they switched to the new form.

Add in the Scot's penchant for using the same given names, and you can have quite a mess - my family had a James Lamberton in Kilmaur, and there was another James within on year of birth, living 3 blocks away..

Scotlands People is a fabulous resource, but it requires a lot of research (and sometimes $$$) to get the answer you trust.

rsl

Answer 4

I found a few things which you can see here.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Finlay-1693

Answer 5

You will be lucky if you can find the relevant find Scottish birth or marriage records online for that time period, as the records are incomplete. However, the Kirk Sessions for New Machar are on Scotland's People. They aren't searchable by name but your can read through them for free and they cover the time period you have mentioned.

Also worth looking at Scotland's Places. They have various tax records which might be helpful if you know the name of the farm.