Shipsmiths - Smith family from Kelton, Dumfries - Lookup?

[sammidav]

Hi I have just been searching the parish records for Peter Smith (1805) and Helen Smith  (1811-1815 variously) from Kelton, Dumfries on Scotlands' People and some of the free searches.  I looked at the lists of what was available on Scotlands' People and it seemed fairly complete - but have found very few Smiths from this time. Kelton was also listed under Kircudbright - does that means there are 2?  Does anyone know if there are 2 Keltons and where does Kelton, Dumfries correspond to today as I can't find it on a map?

I know they later moved to Liverpool and the census lists them both as born Dumfries, Kelton, Scotland as my Grandma remembered and started a long line of Shipsmiths. I wondered if Kelton is near the sea - I am having trouble finding it on a map. Would there have been ship smiths / ship building industry near there?

Feeling like I have come to a standstill as soon as I have started on my Scottish ancestors! Any help gratefully appreciated!!! Sorry for so many questions

Thanks in advance,
Samantha

[Arranroots]

Hi Samantha

Kelton appears to be above Glencaple on the River Dee ** in Dumfries and Galloway:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ko/

Googling produces lots of references, including pics of an old bridge.  The river looks navigable at that point.

http://www.rls.org.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-000-001-155-L

Kind regards, Arranroots 

** I take that back, I think it is the Nith!

[Gadget]

Kelton is and as far as I know always been in Kirkcudbright. See

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/KKD/kkdpmap.htm

I'll have a look for some more info for you. I have MIs and various other sources.

Gadget

[Arranroots]

Reference to ship building at Kelton here:

http://www.dalbeattie.info/history/sailing.htm

A 

[Gadget]

A little bit more info while I'm checking:

From the MI booklet produced by D & G FHS:

'The three medieval parishes of Lochelletun, Galston and Kirkcormac were united in 1567-1615, with the parish church established at Kelton, the most notherly of the three which was in the most fertile part...........after the level of the loch was lowered in 1765 the estate of Carlinwark became populousat at Causewayend a town grew. In 1792 the owner, William Douglas of Galston, made the town a burgh of barony called Castle Douglas'

Gadget

[Arranroots]

Kelton is and as far as I know always been in Kirkcudbright. See

To save confusion: Kirkudbright is now administratively part of Dumfries & Galloway - so we are not contradicting one another! 

[Gadget]

No - I didn't mean to imply a contradiction AR. I think we both posted within  30 secs of each other 
It was Samantha's query about it being in Dumfries/shire that I was replying to.

To clarify things even more - the 'shire' of Kirkcudbright is properly referred to as the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright never KKDshire. A body could be hung for less   (Hint to RC Board  )

Getting back to my searches. The only Smiths that I've found in Kelton MIs were living Castle Douglas but no Peter or Helen.

Gadget 

[Boongie Pam]

From: Pigot's Directory, 1837

Commonly called a Stewartry, but in reality and to all intents and purposes a sheriffdom or shire, lies in the south of Scotland, and forms the eastern and by far the most extensive portion of the ancient district of Galloway.

What's good enough for Pigots is good enough for RC 

Note 2nd thread (not merged as it would be confusing):
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,163838.0.html

[Gadget]

Another link which gives all the parishes and more is:

http://www.dgfhs.org.uk/dgfhs/prshs/prsh-ndx.htm

The D & G FHS have a wide range of publications, a newsletter and look up service for members. I've found it invaluable i my research.

Gadget