Help with Sinclair-1434

Question

I am related to Helen Sinclair (Sinclair-1434). I note on her profile that she married James Olgilvy, ca. 1514. However, I also find references to her marrying ca 1534, Alexander Hepburn of Whitsome. They had issue: Patrick, Thomas, Alexander and Elizabeth.

Did she marry twice? Or was this a different Helen Sinclair and from whom does she descend?

Thank you for your help!

Answer 1

Hi Patty
According to The Scots Peerage, vol. 2, p. 145, Sir Alexander Hepburne of Whitsome, married as his first wife, Elene Sinclair, widow of Sir John Mowbray (or Moubray) of Barnbougall, but there is no  mention of her parents or other family.

No date for the marriage is given, but as her first husband died in 1518, it obviously had to be after that.  Consequently her life effectively overlaps that of Helen Sinclair, wife of James Ogilvy, 4th Lord Ogilvy of Airlie, and they must be different women.

I also note that The Scots Peerage, states that Sir Alexander Hepburne, and Elizabeth Hepburn, wife to John Lundy are the children of Elene Sinclair, but that Patrick Hepburne, Robert Hepburne and Thomas Hepburn are illegitimate sons of Sir Alexander Hepburne of Whitsome.

Elene Sinclair the wife of Alexander Hepburne already has a profile on WikiTree but neither of her Hepburn children are connected.

Comments

John:

Thank you for your reply to my question about Helen Sinclair (Sinclair-1434).

However, I am not fully convinced that Elene and Helen are not one and the same person. The Scots Peerage is not always fully accurate, although in this case, it does appear they quote actual records.

However, as I look at Helen's ancestors I see that her maternal grandmother's name was Helen but also listed as Elyne. Her Great-Grandmother down Adam Hepburne's (Helen's maternal grandfather) line is also named Elene (or Ellen). So clearly Helen/Elyne/Elene was a family name.

Since it was common to use family names for children, Helen could have been known as Elene as well.

What does remain is the difference between James Olgilvy's death (1548) and her marriage to Alexander Hepburne. It would have likely been after that date. We only have estimated dates for both marriages which must also be taken into consideration.

I also note that we only have an estimated death date for James Ogilvy. It may have been before Helen's marriage to Alexander.

Ancestry Family Trees are notorious for being inaccurate.

It is helpful to know that Patrick, Thomas, and Robert Hepburne were illegitimate. It clearly helps in estimating Helen/Elene's marriage date to Alexander.

Again, thank you for your information.

Patty Miller-Rinehimer

Miller_Rinehimer-1