Interested in the MITCHELL name in Kelso. James MITCHELL 'of Kelso' supposed to have been born in 1810. There is a story that he was an apothecary, but I think that is more likely to refer to his father. James became a joiner and builder, married Ann SMITH of Hoddam in Edinburgh in 1828 and had at least two of his four children there. He may then have moved to Annan, or Birkenhead. Supposed to have been in Liverpool but no trace so far. His brothers were Andrew and Thomas. James and Ann were both deceased by the summer of 1858. The story is that the apothecary and his wife went round the local villages where they caught pneumonia and died. Is there post office or trade directories for Kelso in the late 18th or early 19thC? Any links? Judy --Copywriter@tesco.net

RANKS, PROFESSIONS, OCCUPATIONS AND TRADES http://www.gendocs.demon.co.uk/trades.html Archaic Medical Terms http://www.gpiag-asthma.org/drpsmith/amtframes.htm Regards Judy HALL

Would somebody please tell me if there might be a record of staff at Floors Castle in about 1870-71. If such a record exists, where may I access it? Patricia Taylor.

Can anybody please tell me if there is any record of staff at Floors Castle- preferably about 1871. If there were such a record, where would it be kept now? Patricia Taylor.

Hello all, I am new to this list and would like to Post my interests. John Wallace born Earston 1841/2 and Helen Pringle Waddell born Langton 1834/5, married in Langton 1862 Their children later born Gavinton starting 1863(1) and Earlston (the others) John was the son of John Wallace Joiner and Martha Brown, Helen was the daughter of James Waddell builder and Agnes Lyall (witnesses were Robert Wallace and David Lyall) John Wallace (born Earlstoun) and Martha Brown (born Stitchel), a transcription of their marriage entry says - married at Legerwood 13.1.1839 But a later birth entry of their son George 1855 child no.8) says they married Fans, parish of Earlston James Waddell and Agnes Lyall married either at Westruther or Langton in December 1833.? Banns read in each place. Is anyone researching these names.? BTW a Thomas Pringle and Helen Smith married on the same day as Martha Brown and John Snr. Two names on the one entry for 1/- (it cost 6d each ) (1839 , Parish of Lauder) , all 4 were " of this parish" Christine Melbourne Australia

Have just returned to Australia from a trip to the UK to see relatives and made a flying visit to the Borders area to do some research. Thought the following might be of interest to the list. Had great fun looking around Berwickshire. We stayed in Berwick upon Tweed for three nights. One whole day was spent in the Records Office but I could have spent a week there. They only open on Thursday so we had to get there for the right day. We concentrated on the burial registers, knowing if someone died helps a lot to tie up the families. Wading through the St Catherine's index takes ages. It was my Rentons who moved to Berwick upon Tweed from Hutton Parish in Scotland that I was searching for. I haven't been able to access many of my Renton line in Berwick upon Tweed through the IGI but found many useful entries in odd little congregations which were set up by the Scottish people who moved over the border. ie St. Aidens Presbyterian Church, Berwick High St Meeting House, Golden Square Presbyterian, Shaws Lane Presbyterian Chapel etc. Having been kindly given a list of Burial Grounds in Berwickshire, and any Renton names appearing on MIs for the County, I was on the hunt for my ancestors who were buried in the Old Graveyard at Fishwick. According to the Burial List this graveyard was located in Hutton Parish near the old Church at Fishwick in field on Mr. Stobo's farm. We stopped at a farmhouse at Fishwick (which is really only farmhouses not a village). I knocked on the door of one of the farmworkers cottages & asked a lady did she know where the old church and graveyard was located. First she laughed and said if you're thinking of going there you'd better have some gumboots. After I'd explained about my Renton ancestors she was most helpful, turned out her husband had some Rentons somewhere in his background. He was working over at the main farm yard so she ran over to get him so he could show us the way. He came back in this huge tractor and told us to follow him down this narrow dirt track. We had a very small hire car and it had rained the night before. On reaching the end of the track we couldn't drive any further. He pointed across the fields to a hill in the far distance which had a small wood on the top and he said the church is there but it is derelict. I didn't really fancy walking all that distance over muddy ploughed fields so he told us to hop on the tractor and he would take us over. We could only get to the bottom of the hill as we came to a washed out stream and a barbwire fence. So here I am climbing over barbwire fences, wading through streams, climbing up a steep hill with grass & stinging nettles a foot high - great fun. It was worth it though as there were three of my ancestors headstones still readable. Luckily they were near the front of the church as most of the headstones are covered in brambles and have fallen over from trees pushing them up. The lovely little church is derelict, just the stone walls and the old oak beams are still there, the roof is gone and quite large trees are growing inside. I found William Renton late tenant in Dykethead 12/10/1782 55 yrs. George Renton tenant in Paxton 11/9/1773 73 yrs. Spouse Helen Lyll 12/4/1770 55 yrs. Helen daughter of John Pirie, wright and grandchild to George Renton late tenant in Paxton 2 Oct ....... (rest unreadable). The tombstones were still mostly readable but did not photograph well as a huge Conker Tree is covering this area. Might be why they are so well preserved as the weather can't get to them so much. I was hoping to find more on the 'stone set on two pillars to right of door to old church' but everything was covered and fallen over. I felt quite sad to think that these were my ancestors buried here and nothing is being preserved. I stood and looked around and envisaged them walking to this little church over 200 years ago. Living and raising their families and dying in this very area. We found Dykegatehead farm not far away. Today it is a big place and looks very prosperous. I try to imagine what it would have been like back in 1750 when William Renton was Tenant in Dykethead. His eldest son George was later shown as Tenant in Dykethead. I imagine this to mean that they ran the farm and paid rent to the owner. Would this be correct? I intend to write to the now owners and see if any old records exist. I really would like to thank those unknown persons who went to the trouble to record the Monumental Inscriptions. Without these people much of our background would be lost. In another 10-20 years there will be nothing readable in this old churchyard. All our history will be gone. Pam

Dear Pam, Thanks for your story. It's very interesting. We returned from the UK five weeks ago, and before we left I contacted the National Register of Archives online about estate records. They were able to tell me that the records I wanted did exist, and referred me to the Borders Archive in Selkirk where they made arrangements with the person who holds permission to view the estate records. It was all done over the internet, and everything went smoothly, down to being invited to visit the owner. We visited lots of graveyards, some mine and some we just happened to come upon. I agree, it's sad that the stones are deteriorating, but in one place we found they had been taken inside a museum for protection. I honestly think transcription is the only way. Best wishes, Judy

----- Original Message ----- From: Ruth Edwards Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 10:00 AM Subject: Re Aitchison Hi Pam, it was great to see someone else looking for Aitchison in Greenlaw. My George Aitchison married Janet Cairns 1822 in Greenlaw, they then went to East Lothian.That's as far back as I can get with them. Ruth Edwards Australia

This book was published by J and JH Rutherfurd of Kelso in 1866 hence the title,it is not a book about Rutherfurds I'm afraid,sorry for any confusion,it was reprinted in 1990 by Borders Regional Library.Amanda.

Hi Margaret,you can try contacting Borders Region Archive & Local History Centre at St Mary's Mill,Selkirk,they are in the same building as the Library HQ,there e-mail address is< archives@scotsborders.gov.uk>if you need a quicker answer than regular mail,I will have a look for your family group over the next few days.Amanda.

> Hi Pam, > it was great to see someone else looking for Aitchison in Greenlaw. > My George Aitchison married Janet Cairns 1822 in Greenlaw, they then went to East Lothian.That's as far back as I can get with them. > Ruth Edwards There are at least 2 and probably 3 separate Aitchison families in Whitsome: James A. and Janet Rankin (ex Eccles) seem to have specialized in having a child in every county - Agnes, 1867, Fife; Isabella, 1870, Lanark; Adam, 1875, England; William, 1878, Melrose. There's a baker called Jasper A. according to Rutherfor's guide. I've not done any work on him yet. There's Hugh A. and his wife isabella A. (ex England). Their 3 children (Alexander, 1830; Margaret, 1834; Jean, 1841) were all bap. in Hutton. Lesley Robertson ******************************************************************** Dr Lesley A. Robertson CBiol FIBiol Kluyver Laboratory for Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628BC, Delft,The Netherlands tel 31 15 2782421; fax 31 15 2782355; email L.A.Robertson@stm.tudelft.nl.

I am seeking information on my GG Grandparents. Isabella ARMSTRONG, baptized at Morpeth in 1773. Her father was John ARMSTRONG and mother listed as Ann FC. (Someone suggested the FC might mean Female, Christened) This is all the information I have on her ancestors. She married Thomas SHORTREEED in 1807 in Scotland, where Thomas supposedly worked at Borthwickbrae, Burnfoot 2 Farm, approximately 6 miles WSW of Hawick. Supposedly he was a tailor. How can I find out for sure that he worked there and what kind of work he may have done? They had 6 sons and 1 daughter, who died in infancy. James b. Feb.1808 John b.Feb 1810 Robert b.Feb 1812 William b.Sept 1814 Daughter b. ca 1817 Thomas b. June 1819 George b. Aug.1827 In 1831 Isabella, Thomas and their 6 sons emigrated from Hawick, Scotland to Guelph, Ontario Canada where they settled. Thomas died in 1841 in Canada and Isabella died before Feb. 20, 1870 in Guelph. I have Thomas's ancestry back to George SHORTREED b. ca 1686 and married to Helen (Ann) MOLL b. ca 1888. She resided in Eckford. They were married March 20, 1705 at the Parish of Southdean, near the village of Chesters, approximately 10 miles SE of Hawick and approximately 10 miles SSW of Jedburgh. I also need Helen (Ann) MOLL's ancestry. Is there anyone out there who can help me? I would appreciate any information which you would care to share. Good Luck on all your searching!! Sincerely, Bonnadean (SHORTREED) NELSON

Thanks to those that replied to my query. To Kay Liney yes that is my family in the 1881 census, that was where I got the approx. ages for the children. It says that Galashiels is in Roxburgh, is that right or is it Selkirkshire. To Dominique Young I don't think its the same family. I've got George Young's parents as William and Martha Young nee Baxter married 1849 at Prestonpans. William being born in Haddington E. Lothin 1826 to Alexander and Marion Young nee Paterson married 1820 Saltoun E. Lothian. To Terra, thanks your Youngs don't seem to be the right ones either. I'm sure that I've looked in the IGI in the FHC site without any luck, thanks anyway. Regards Linda

Greetings, Are there any Aitchison researchers out there? Mine were at Greenlaw mid-late 1800's some then moved to Kelso. Regards, Pam Abikhair

Hi Jim, Re your offer, I have recently started my family tracing, but unfortunately have hit many brick walls. Will you be able to assist me with any info. re my paternal g'mother as per the enclosed; name; Catherine Melrose HOME (my paternal g'mother) born: 1885(7)-Jan-4, Sunderland, co. Durham or Melrose, Scotland, (which Melrose I am not sure, since there are 2, I am assuming it is the one near the Scotland/England border and which is in Roxburghshire), died; 1952-Jun-8 Sunderland. married; 1911-Feb-11 (to James Campbell, master house painter) they had 2 sons (Alfred & Alexander Home (my father)) she had 5 sisters ( Alice, Ethel, Liz, Maggie and Mary) I think she lived most of her live in Sunderland, Co.Durham. Because one of her names is Melrose, she may have come from Melrose or maybe that is a family name (which I believe there is). I have also heard Berwick mentioned, maybe that's because it also is on the border. Also, that she was related to Sir Alexander HOME (the ex PM) maybe that's because it's the same name. That's the trouble with just starting, there are so many blanks. Any assistance you or anyone else can provide would be greatly appreciated, but I'm afraid I didn't give you much to go on, I don't even know the Parish. Thank you. Regards, Malcolm Campbell (London,Ontario,Canada) Arnott, J&H wrote: > > Hi Listers: > > I currently have on loan LDS Film No. 220433 for the 1891 Census of Roxburghshire. It contains the Parish listings for: > 780 - Ancrum > 781 - Ashkirk > 782 - Bedrule > 783 - Bowden > 784 - Castleton > 785 - Cavers > 786 - Crailing > > If anyone out there would like a lookup within any of the above, please provide me with your Family Group details. Based on past experience of a similar posting I placed last month, preference will be given to those who provide me with full details of the family they are searching. > > Jim Arnott > Canada > > ==== BORDER Mailing List ==== > The Border Names Newsletter contact boglelodge@yahoo.com for details.

Hello Malcolm: While I don't wish to appear discouraging, I am only prepared (and have the time) to do a lookup for folks who provide me with specific Family Group details (parents and children, where born, ages) AND THE PARISH that they wish me to search from among the list of parishes that I provided in my original post (see below), none of which actually contain the town of Melrose (although some are close by - like Bowden). I would refer you to the following web sites to familiarise yourself with the local geographic details around Melrose. http://www.vivdunstan.clara.net/genuki/ROX/ http://www.vivdunstan.clara.net/genuki/ROX/Melrose/index.html Best wishes in your search. Jim Arnott ----- Original Message ----- From: "Malcolm Campbell" <malcolmc@execulink.com> To: <BORDER-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 7:03 AM Subject: Re: '91 Census Rox; Certain Parishes, HOME > Hi Jim, > > Re your offer, I have recently started my family tracing, but > unfortunately have hit many brick walls. Will you be able to assist me > with any info. re my paternal g'mother as per the enclosed; > > name; Catherine Melrose HOME (my paternal g'mother) > born: 1885(7)-Jan-4, Sunderland, co. Durham or Melrose, Scotland, (which > Melrose I am not sure, since there are 2, I am assuming it is > the one near the Scotland/England border and which is in > Roxburghshire), > died; 1952-Jun-8 Sunderland. > married; 1911-Feb-11 (to James Campbell, master house painter) > they had 2 sons (Alfred & Alexander Home (my father)) > she had 5 sisters ( Alice, Ethel, Liz, Maggie and Mary) > I think she lived most of her live in Sunderland, Co.Durham. > > Because one of her names is Melrose, she may have come from Melrose or > maybe that is a family name (which I believe there is). > > I have also heard Berwick mentioned, maybe that's because it also is on > the border. Also, that she was related to Sir Alexander HOME (the ex PM) > maybe that's because it's the same name. > > That's the trouble with just starting, there are so many blanks. Any > assistance you or anyone else can provide would be greatly appreciated, > but I'm afraid I didn't give you much to go on, I don't even know the > Parish. Thank you. > > Regards, > > Malcolm Campbell (London,Ontario,Canada) > > Arnott, J&H wrote: > > > > Hi Listers: > > > > I currently have on loan LDS Film No. 220433 for the 1891 Census of Roxburghshire. It contains the Parish listings for: > > 780 - Ancrum > > 781 - Ashkirk > > 782 - Bedrule > > 783 - Bowden > > 784 - Castleton > > 785 - Cavers > > 786 - Crailing > > > > If anyone out there would like a lookup within any of the above, please provide me with your Family Group details. Based on past experience of a similar posting I placed last month, preference will be given to those who provide me with full details of the family they are searching. > > > > Jim Arnott > > Canada > > > > ==== BORDER Mailing List ==== > > The Border Names Newsletter contact boglelodge@yahoo.com for details. > > > ==== BORDER Mailing List ==== > The Border Names Newsletter contact boglelodge@yahoo.com for details. > >

Hi Viv, >Can other listers comment on any patterns or otherwise on the >English side of the border, I can only go with my own families in Northumberland where there was no real pattern on first names, apart from the first son after the father's father and first daughter after mother's mother. After that it was a bit random. My belief is that then as now, if the daughter did not like her in-laws, then there was no way she would name her children after them... However in three families, over a period of three generations in the 1800s, the children were given the mother's surname as their middle name. e.g. Mary Harrison Marriner was the daughter of Barbara Stokoe Harrison who in turn was the daughter of Barbara Stokoe. Very handy for finding the mothers surname... Best regards - Mike Simpson, Penrith, NSW, Australia Email: agene@tpg.com.au HomePage: http://www.bigfoot.com/~agene

Hello - I am searching for information on my ancesters from Berwick Northumberland. William Nut was b. 8-27-1633 Berwick, son of John and Ann and d. by 11-20 1668. His parents were John and Ann, with John having been the rector in Berwick of St. Micheal and All Angels Parish. William and George were twin sons and William at age 27 emigrated to America and settled in 1660 in Virginia. I would like to know more about this parish and if it exists today and if there are more records on the Nutt family. Thank you Sandra Barnett USA

----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Simpson" <agene@tpg.com.au> To: <BORDER-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 23, 2000 11:37 PM Subject: RE: Naming Pattern > Hi Viv, > > >Can other listers comment on any patterns or otherwise on the > >English side of the border, > Heres my 2 pennorth My North Northumbrian family reasonably consistently used 1st girl after fathers mother 2nd girl after mothers mother 3rd girl after mother 1st boy after mothers father 2nd boy after fathers father 3rd boy after father however since almost everyone in norhthumberland in 18-19th C was called William Thomas John James, Elizabeth Mary Ann or Jane it is neither here nor there what they did, its only fun to spot the patterns. The most helpful one I ve experienced being that of giving girls their grandmothers maiden name as a middle name (think about it and see how nice that is) Chris .

Hi Mike, >and first daughter after mother's mother. After that it was a bit random. My >belief is that then as now, if the daughter did not like her in-laws, then >there was no way she would name her children after them... :) Absolutely, though I can't help but think there must have been a lot of Scottish brides in the past who would have liked to have done likewise. >However in three families, over a period of three generations in the 1800s, >the children were given the mother's surname as their middle name. e.g. Mary >Harrison Marriner was the daughter of Barbara Stokoe Harrison who in turn >was the daughter of Barbara Stokoe. Very handy for finding the mothers >surname... Yes indeed. Actually this reminds me of a family I once traced in Glasgow who consistently passed down the middle name of the mother of the person a child was named after - in addition to the named-after name. For example the 2nd daughter was duly named after her father's mother (Catherine Langwill) but was given the additional middle name Brackenridge (the maiden name of Catherine Langwill's mother i.e. the child's great-grandmother), leading to the hefty nomenclature Catherine Langwill Brackenridge Brown. The family did this consistently with many sons and daughters - it gave me a shock when I realised what they were doing. This was a family with a strong idea of lineage. But again that was a fairly exceptional case, albeit one that was adapting the more commonly seen Scottish naming pattern. Viv