3
« on: Friday 11 July 25 10:34 BST (UK) »
I am hoping someone can help with some apparent missing Kirkliston records for Spalden/Spalding/Spaulden.
I recently discovered 2 DNA matches, sisters, who apparently share my great x 5 grandmother Alison Bryce born 1758 Kirkliston. Alison Bryce gave birth to my great x 4 grandfather, Thomas Bryce, illegitimately and he was baptised on the 19th June 1781 in West Calder. 3 years later, she married James Spalden, on the 5th August 1784 in Kirkliston. They had at least 3 children - John Spalden, baptised 5th June 1785 Kirkliston, William 20th July 1788 Kirkliston (recorded as Spadie) and Margaret 1st October 1797 Kirkliston. I am aware that there is a big gap between William and Margaret - over 9 years, but they are the only ones I can find so they are confirmed children of James and Alison.
My matches apparently descend from the eldest son, John Spalden 1785 and his wife Agnes Johnston via daughter Christina Spalding 1822. Her date of birth is recorded as 18th February 1822 in Kirkliston but this was taken from her death certificate in Milwaukee and I am not sure if that is accurate. Christina married John Campbell born 1822, Falkirk and they migrated to Milwaukee in 1851
I have trawled through this suggested path and it all adds up perfectly. However, I cannot verify the last step. I cannot find the documentary evidence to 100% prove that Christina Spalding was the daughter of John Spalden 1785 who is the confirmed son of my great x 4 grandmother. I realise that this is a challenge.
John Spalden 1784 apparently married Agnes Johnston and she is listed as the mother of all the children on online trees but I cannot find any evidence of their marriage or baptisms of any of their children. I can only assume that there are huge gaps in the Kirkliston records.
This family did exist as they appear on the 1841 census living in ' detached house' in Kirkliston. John was a Labourer living with wife, Agnes and children - Eahson Spaldin 25 (Alison?), Margaret Spalding 25, Christen Spalding 15, David Spalding 10, Agnes Spalding 7 and Petter (Peter) 4 and Christos? Spalding aged 2 months. The census does not list if they are children or grandchildren.
Now the Christen Spalding, who I assumed was the Christina Spalding in question is recorded as being born in 1826 on the census, not 1822 but I am aware that the ages on the 1841 are not accurate. But, it cannot be her as Christina apparently married John Campbell on the 22nd May 1841 in Kirkliston and the 1841 Scottish census was taken on the 6th June. So, surely, she would appear on the 1841 census with her husband?
A possible explanation for this could be that Christina was a daughter of John Spalden from a previous marriage. Her death certificate records her mother as Christina Spalding.This could either be fact or pure conjecture by her family at the time of her death.
I also suspect that the Margaret Spalding on this census is not their daughter but the daughter of John Spalding's brother, William Spalding 1788 married to Helen Weston. Both his birth and death certificates prove his mother was Alison Bryce.
Does anyone know of anywhere else I can search for Kirkliston records other than Scotland's People, Ancestry, familysearch.org, Find My Past etc?