Things are getting clearer for me, as well. The census image shows Banff, Banff. in the 'where born' column. That would mean the county was Banffshire. So, I'm not quite sure why the Dictionary of National Biography says Morayshire. If its not a mistake, it could mean he lived there sometime after his birth. --- IACSCOTT@aol.com wrote: > Hi Sharon > > Now things begin to become a bit clearer when I read > reference to Kent. That > is in the South of England and having lived and > worked in the London area > for five years I soon understood that anything north > of the Watford Gap is, to > many in that area, a mystery. <g> > > There are individuals, such as Anne Burgess and > Gavin Bell, who are much > better versed in the history and geography of the > area but if you are referring > to the town of Banff which was a Royal Burgh in the > Parish of Banff in the > Northeast corner of Banffshire I am certain that at > no time was it part of > Moray (or Elginshire as it was previously known). > However, much of my research in > the area has centred on the Parish of Bellie which > was partly in Morayshire > and partly in Banffshire and then part of it was > used along with part of > Rathven (in Banffshire) to form the Parish of Enzie > which was in Banffshire. > Against that background there could be some doubt > as to the correct location of > the place of birth. > > I think the entry in the Dictionary is incorrect > when it says that Charles > was born in Moray and confuses the issue if the > census entry stating Banff > (town as against county) as the birthplace is > correct. The town of Banff is some > 25 miles east of the Parish of Bellie so the border > between the two counties > would need to have moved quite some way for the > town of Banff to be in > Moray and many other places would have been > similarly affected. Although there > have been adjustments to county boundaries from time > to time none, as far as I > am aware, were as great as this. > > It might be of some help to you in understanding the > area if you were to go > to the GENUKI website at > _http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/index.html_ > (http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/index.html) where > you will find information on > both Moray and Banff together with descriptions of > some of the Parishes. > > If you come to the conclusion that the Parish of > Bellie was involved I have > the Old parish Record on microfilm and could have a > look for his birth in > 1789. ______________________________________________________________________ Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca