Grace AITKEN, nee Tennant, Edinburgh

[Danchaslyn]

 

Hi Saxonw

Thank you for all your hard work on Richard Aitkens.  As I said, I'm so keen to have info on John and Grace Aitken's , fifth child, Richard Aitken, b.12/5/1874, as he appears to have disappeared from the family.   

As you say, saxonw, so many went to India to make their fortunes.......and this is exactly what Robert Aitken, Richard's elder brother did.  He and Richard, had worked together as young clerks in a Scottish bank, nr Edinburgh (don't know which one), and Robert left for India (I have just about enough I think that anyone could help with on Robert Aitken and family), and we know that Richard Aitken, left Scotland, but where for?   

As there are American cousins, the Yuills and the Batemans around, and as he is the only child of John and Grace Aitken, Richard must have been the one to go to America, or possibly Canada, but have no definite proof of this.   

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 

[Danchaslyn]

 

Hi KirstyG

Thank you very much for the details on John Aitken and his siblings and his parents names.     Do you perhaps have details please of his parents' William Aitken and Jane Veitch's dates of birth and places of birth?   

How very confusing that sometimes the names were so interchangeable!     Especially with so many Aitkens around, be they in Midlothian, Peeble-Shire, Lanarkshire etc etc   

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 

[KirstyG]

Hi

From the 1851 census record that Joekar found for you on the Peebleshire thread I see that William was 56 and Jane 59, so that would be about 1795 birth for William and 1792 for Jane. This may not tally up with other census records though, so it's only a rough guide.

As they lived past 1851, they may well have lived into the period of statutory registration and their death certificates should contain their age and parents names. These can be purchased from Scotlands People.

There is a possible birth on the IGI, but you should check it against the death certificate.

William Aitken Christening 16th April 1794 West Linton
Parents James Aitken and Christian White


Kirsty

[Danchaslyn]

 

Hi KirstyG

Thank you for those details, much appreciated, especially as I realised that it gets harder and harder, the further back you go.   

As you say, the death certificates of both William Aitken and Jane Veitch will give the next clues.   

The William Aitken christening details for are fascinating!  Thank you.   

cheers

Danchaslyn

 

[Danchaslyn]

 

Hi

 

Hi

Can anyone please tell me if John and Grace Aitken of West Linton, together brought up his three sons, from his first marriage, namely William Aitken, b.Penicuik, 31/10/1852, Archibald Aitken, b. Penicuik, 19/2/1855 and John Aitken, b.Penicuik, 8/3/1857, together, with their subsequent five children?

Also, any subsequent history on William, Archibald, and John, ....John Aitken snr's sons from his first marriage to Janet Bain?

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 

John Aitken married Janet Bain, his first wife, would anyone know when, and where please?     Or any of the answers to the above questions?

Cheers

Danchaslyn

 

[Little Nell]

John Aitken married Janet Bain, his first wife, would anyone know when, and where please?

The marriage was proclaimed two parishes and both records are included on the IGI.  Confirmation (and images) can be found on the ScotlandsPeople website - pay-per-view, but not overly expensive.

Nell

[KirstyG]

Janet Bain married John Aitken 14th March 1852 West Linton ( from IGI extracted)

From FreeCen:

John Aitken b 1857 is not on the 1861 census with his father, grandmother, aunt and brothers. He may have died which would explain the naming of another son John a few years later.

There is a probable match on SP in West Linton 1857 mothers maiden name Bain. Also match for Janet Bain death 1857 West Linton.

1871 census shows John and Grace Aitken in West Linton, Village West Side, with William 18 Joiner apprentice, John 9, Robert 7, Elizabeth 5 all scholars, plus a servant and a boarder.

So at least William was still living with his father.

No sign of Archibald yet.

Kirsty

[Danchaslyn]

 

Hello Little Nell

Thank you for posting, glad to meet you.   

Great news that the marriage details are easy to find.  I'm not sure what it means when the marriage was proclaimed in two parishes, ....would this usually be done in possibly the bride's parish, and also the grooms?
 
Thank you   

Nell

 

[Danchaslyn]

 

KirstyG

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.................can't tell you how much it means to me, your courage, tenacity, perseverance and, on top of all that,  you are a  STAR at finding out fascinating info!     

This tree is growing and growing!

What a clever idea that possibly son John Aitken from the first marriage died, hence a son from the second marriage also being named John, makes perfect sense.


So William was with the step-family in West Linton, but, as you say, no sign of Archibald yet?  Hope he didn't die also?!   

Whats interesting, is that in the 1871 Census you say, thank you, who is living together, and at that stage, the two last born, namely  Thomas and Richard, the only legitimate children of the second marriage, haven't yet been born, although Thomas was almost due!   

I still can't imagine why John and Grace Aitken didn't marry until 1867, after their first three children were born??

Cheers

Danchaslyn