Kia ora
I am intrigued by this correspondence. I am a Beattie descendant with John Beattie, my g grandfather being born in Roberton c 1810. He lived at Contin and at Poolewe before emigrating to New Zealand with seven family members in 1861. Recently when doing family research I was puzzled by the use of Jane Irvine twice (in the late 1800s) in family names with no link being known. Since then the marriage of Rachael Beattie to an Irvine has been mentioned, but I am unsure whether we have any connection to Rachael Beattie. However the Roberton and Contin links suggest this could be so. Do you have any more information about Rachael?
The John Beattie I am referring to married Elizabeth Elliott, also with southern ancestry (Westerkirk, Jamestown) but along with other Elliott family members she later lived in Contin and the Jane irvine name is also found in Elliot descendants.
NZDawn