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Hi Murphicle
As a matter of interest I checked the Dumfries and Galloway phone book. Not many Maitlands left there. I located Auchenbreck (not Auchenbrack) on the map which is just north of Penpont.

In the "History of Dumfries" it states "The daugher and heiress of Eklis married Richard de Mantelent, also of Norman blood. In course of time the original name was transferred to lands owned by the family in Penpont; and the family patronymic was changed to Maitland; hence the Maitlands of Eccles, one of the most ancient houses in the South of Scotland". I have located Eccles in the Borders but perhaps there is another Eccles in D&G.

James Stewart's middle name was in fact Maitland - one of my favourite actors. His family were Ulster Scots who left Co Antrim in 1785 to go to America (I have a fairly good library of film star biographies).

Don't know about the chin though - Rich has a little beard so I've never seen his chin.

Having checked out the Maitland Clan (Clan??) website (the one with the piechart at the top) I see they claim they can trace your descent from 1250. Some claim! Or is it just a ploy to buy their expensive "pedigree"?

Don't know about Zak being the king of Albania, but it's a bloomin' awful name.  Zog would have been better!!
Regards
Dot

Hi Murphicle
I think a smart move would be for me to join the local family history society here in Nithsdale. They may have all sorts of info. just waiting for me to discover.

I know what you mean about having an affinity for a place (although Wensleydale is a lovely place anyway). Ever since I was a teenager, I felt a sort of affinity for Bohemia - goodness knows why. I haven't established a connection yet although dad's ancestors were Anglo-Saxons and there may be a Bohemian-German connection. I was thrilled to be able to visit Prague after eastern Europe was opened up. But there I go waffling on again.

Incidentally the only one to carry on the Maitland name in Richard's family is his brother's daughter's son - she's an unmarried mother so the big advantage is that her son has her surname. However instead of choosing a traditional family name, she called him Zak which sounds more like a dog sneezing than a name.
Regards
Dot

Hi Murphicle
I don't suppose the Maitlands were any better or any worse than any other family at the time. But many of them were military leaders, politicians (Maitland of Lethington for instance - secretary to Mary Queen of Scots) and a Maitland even ruled Scotland for a short while, but many were poets, musicians, etc.

Both Richard and I are Geordies and moved to SW Scotland in 1998 - we're semi-retired. Richard is tickled pink that he's come a full circle (although I am the one who instigated the family history research) and has ended up where his forebears originated (perhaps not the exact region). And he's started singing Irish songs - I'm getting a bit sick of hearing "The Mountains of Mourne" and "The Star of County Down"!!

Have a good weekend too!!
Regards
Dot

Hi Murphicle
I hope that web address worked. I had a go and couldn't find the file. However if you do a search on People's Names of Co Down that should find it. The website is run by someone called Ros Davies.

Well when I find out more about the Comber connection, I hope to trace back the family to Scotland - some ambition, eh - the Ulster Scots also have a colourful history.

I suppose you already know that it's a Norman name and anglicised from Mautelant to Maitland. Have you visited Thirlestane Castle in the Borders, the country seat of the Earls of Lauderdale? It's very interesting.

When I'm in Newcastle next Friday (6 May) I will write down all the info. for the Maitlands from the Pittington parish records from 1840 and send you what I find.
Regards
Dot
 

Hi Murphicle again
I think the 1901 census showed Joe as Maillane or Maillande - something like that. Anyway he was living at 34 Walker Street, Gateshead at the time which is the same address as I have on the copy of his marriage certificate to Hannah Powell.

I think Joseph has always been confused about his age (as many people were) but by knocking 7 years off when he married a 22 year old woman seems like he wanted to appear even younger. Could be my suspicious mind or a genuine mistake. As there appears to be no other Joe Maitland in the area, this has to be the one and Joe's father's name is given as "Robert" "deceased" and profession "coal miner" on the marriage certificate.

I was quite ignorant of Durham history too but it has improved in the last few weeks!! I am visiting the Tyne and Wear Archives in Newcastle in a couple of weeks and after that I will plan a visit to Durham Records office (though at the moment I don't know when this will be) and check out some info. - the agent for Cattogs was John Andrews and there is correspondence between him and the Londonderrys about the tenants. For instance there is a report of the evidence given by George Hunter, agent at Belmont, Penshaw and Winyard collieries about "using Irish labourers as strike-breakers and putting down the 1844 miners' strike". The same may have happened in the other Londonerry pits of the area, including Pittington.

You didn't say which "Maitland" was your ancestor.
Dot