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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => West Lothian (Linlithgowshire) => Topic started by: Skinniedipper on Tuesday 19 November 19 00:05 GMT (UK)

Title: Questions regarding an OPR Baptism record in Abercorn
Post by: Skinniedipper on Tuesday 19 November 19 00:05 GMT (UK)
I've just downloaded some OPR Baptism records for the Meikle family in Abercorn in the 1730's and there are a couple of things that I need help with.

Firstly, the father, Alexander Meikle, was shown as a Tenent in Dundervie (possibly Dunlervie). I'm assuming that meant he was a tenant farmer but where/what was Dundervie.

Secondly, on the record for their first son Robert (1731), he is described as "their first son of the second marriage". Does this mean that one of the parents had been married before or is there another meaning. None of the records for their subsequent children included a reference to their marriage.

Thanks,
Douglas,
Queensland, Australia
Title: Re: Questions regarding an OPR Baptism record in Abercorn
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 19 November 19 03:52 GMT (UK)
I would take this to mean Alexander to have been married previously?

Although both parents are mentioned the male always has priority as you will see from baptisms/christenings sometimes the mother isn't named.

Annie

Title: Re: Questions regarding an OPR Baptism record in Abercorn
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 19 November 19 04:19 GMT (UK)
Looks like Alexander was married to Gills Dick prior to marrying Agnes Shield & had at least 11 children including twins between the 2 marriages 1712 - 1738 if I have the correct Alexander?

Annie
Title: Re: Questions regarding an OPR Baptism record in Abercorn
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 19 November 19 04:40 GMT (UK)
Is it possible to post a clip of 'Dundervie (possibly Dunlervie)' with some surrounding text for comparison please?

Closest place name I can find so far is Dalmenie.

Annie
Title: Re: Questions regarding an OPR Baptism record in Abercorn
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 19 November 19 04:54 GMT (UK)
Could it be Duntarvie?

Annie
Title: Re: Questions regarding an OPR Baptism record in Abercorn
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 19 November 19 05:49 GMT (UK)
For a better view, zoom out approx. x3

https://canmore.org.uk/site/search/result?NUMLINK=49175&view=map


This thread may be of interest to you too?

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=761105.9

Annie
Title: Re: Questions regarding an OPR Baptism record in Abercorn
Post by: Skinniedipper on Tuesday 19 November 19 06:10 GMT (UK)
i've attached two clips. One appears to be Dunlervie and the other looks like Dundervie.
Title: Re: Questions regarding an OPR Baptism record in Abercorn
Post by: Skinniedipper on Tuesday 19 November 19 06:18 GMT (UK)
Sorry that second one wasn't wide enough so I've done it again!! (The preview button never seems to work).
Title: Re: Questions regarding an OPR Baptism record in Abercorn
Post by: Forfarian on Tuesday 19 November 19 07:48 GMT (UK)
Firstly, the father, Alexander Meikle, was shown as a Tenent in Dundervie (possibly Dunlervie). I'm assuming that meant he was a tenant farmer but where/what was Dundervie.
Duntarvie.

See http://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/NT0877 and
https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/NT0976

Title: Re: Questions regarding an OPR Baptism record in Abercorn
Post by: Fordyce on Tuesday 19 November 19 15:41 GMT (UK)
Skinniedipper,

When delving into Duntarvie's location, be aware that today's Duntarvie dwelling on the map used to be Wester Duntarvie. There was also an Easter Duntarvie (aka Old Duntarvie) (now just a field) immediately to the east of Duntarvie Castle. Both would be separately occupied by tenant farmers. In the first-edition OS map, Easter Duntarvie was more extensive than Wester Duntarvie. My ancestor Thomas Shatton was tenant in Duntarvie by 1787 until his death in 1816 when his son took over for a while, but precisely which part is nearly impossible to tell because in all the records there's never a distinction made between Wester and Easter. However there's an 1855 birth registration which mentions Easter Duntarvie so I've presumed that was the portion of which he was tenant. My understanding is that nearly all Duntarvie was let to George Henderson for 26 years from March 1777 and he sub-let to others, one of whom was my Thomas Shatton. (George Henderson was renowned for going into farms and subtenanting - he had dozens on the go at the same time.)

To complicate matters there was a string of labourers cottages called Duntarvie. As well as Duntarvie Castle which was separate again.

The Hopetoun House archives have a goodly amount of information on Duntarvie from the records of George Henderson (Rent Books, Crop records and so on, even his tenancy agreement) but none go back before 1777. So it's not possible to say whether your Alexander Meikle was a tenant of all or a part of Duntarvie.
Title: Re: Questions regarding an OPR Baptism record in Abercorn
Post by: Skinniedipper on Friday 22 November 19 19:36 GMT (UK)
My apologies for not replying sooner

Thanks very much to all those who replied to my post with really great information. It appears that Duntarvie is the location. I also found information on other sites that confirms that Alexander did indeed marry twice.

Thank you so much.

Douglas,
Queensland, Australia