RootsChat.Com

Jack and John,

Let me start by including a message I sent to someone on Ancestry which highlights but one of my conundrums.

"My name is James Graeme Weir, known as Graeme to my family. I have been researching the family genealogy for about 4 years and looking in great depth at my paternal line.
I come from a line of farmers and drapers based mainly in South West Scotland. Scotland People hold archives dating back to 1855 to which we can get easy access for records of Birth, Deaths and Marriages. Before that we are very much dependant on Parish records which are said to date back to the mid 1500’s but many have been lost of destroyed before the central registry was founded.
I recently came across a claim that I was very distantly connects to the 2 Bush’s, Presidents of the USA, but am struggling to find tangible evidence that this could be the case.
We have a Hugh Weir 1721-1779 who married a Margaret McEwan 1720-1779 who married in the USA about 1740, or so it is claimed. It is also claimed that Hugh’s parents were William (George) Weir and Jean Good.

I am happy that my 4th Great Grandfather was James Weir 1748-1810 who farmed outside Old Cumnock in Ayrshire. My 5th Great Grandfather was John Weir 1818-1788 who farmed near Muirkirk in Ayrshire. My 6th Great Grandfather was William (George) Weir 1696-1749 as mentioned above. We have very few records to substantiate the connection with 6th GGF as much as we would like it.
There are claims that he spent time in Antrim, Northern Ireland and that he actually died there!! Show me the proof. There are also claims that his son Hugh was born in Antrim although parish records would state otherwise.

I would very much like to be enlightened but I very much doubt that the Hugh Weir who died in the USA was actually the Hugh Weir that was born in Sorn, Ayrshire to one William Weir and Jean Good.

If you are able to shed light on this conundrum I would very much like to see any evidence that you have been able to dredge from the annals of time."

Right, Issue 2.
I recently found someone on Ancestry who claims to have traced the Weirs. Wears, Wiers, De Veres back to the 600's AD would you believe it? I have chased for evidence and sources of his findings but today nothing.

The paternal line looks something like this:
William George Weir 1686-1746 x Jean Good 1695-1765
James (Robert) Weir 1670-1716 x (Kathrin) Catherine Smith 1672-?
Johne Weir 1641-1716 x  Agnes Mathie 1641-?
William Weir 1615-1677 x Cathrein Jap 1619-?
John Weir 1592-1643 x ?
John Weir 1570-? x ?
James Weir ? x Rachel Carmichael ?
Thomas Weir 1528-1587 x Janet Johnston 1530-?
Sir J LoB Weir 1499-1595 x Lady E Hamilton 1507-1550
Thomas 4th LoB Weir 1462-1531 x Aegida S Somerville1463-1545
Robert 3rd LoB Weir ? x Lee Annette Jones ?
Thomas 2nd LoB Weir 1400-? x Mr Thomas Weir 1399-?
Rothaldus 1 LoB Weir 1368-1400 x Mrs Rothaldus Weir 1374-?
Buan Weir 1340-1390 x Mrs Buan Weir 1349-?
T (De Were) Weir ? x Mrs Thomas Weir ?
Richard Weir 1251-? x Ladt Thomas Weir 1262-?
Rudolphus R DeVere 1230-1296 x Lady R R DeVere 1230-?
Walter DeVere ? x Lady Walter DeVere ?
Baltredus DeVere 1191-? x Lady Baltredus DeVere 1195-?
Vere, Magna carta Sur 1164-1221 x Isabel De Bolebec 1164-1245
and so it goes on 635AD. I can give you more but it is no use unless you can verify the source.

John-
Right, now back to the 1700's . james Weir 1748-1810 x Jane (Jean) Mitchell . This James was my 4 xGGF. I live just north of Dumfries and abou45 min drive from Old Cumnock. I have trolled the graveyard on Barhill Road and found the gravestones for both James 4xGGF and James1807-1866 his son and my 3xGGF. I think I have photos of both if you are interested. I can also let you have access to my tree in Ancestry if you are a member. Where are you as we could talk online and compare notes.

Jack-
Was Margarets mothers maiden name Doran or Dovan?
Happy to share my tree with you also if you are a member of Ancestry. Where do you live?


Best regards to you both
Graeme