REA/RAE/RAY in Angus

[Gary Rea]

I'm looking for additional data on the several REA/RAE/RAY families I found in the General Register in the following areas: Rescobie Parish, Brechin Parish, Tealing Parish, Auchterhouse Parish, Inverurie Parish and Mains & Strathmartin Parish, 17th century. I already have births that occurred there, but need more data, please. All help appreciated.

Gary

[HeatherB]

My grandmother was a Rea spelt Rae after they left Scotland and went to Australia one of her brothers went to America and some of the girls went to New Zealand the family moved around a lot working in a variety of places. The oldest record I have of them is David born 1698 at Kinnettles near Forfar I think the family origionally had a farm there but most of the time they seemed to shift around to where ever work could be had. My grandmother said mostly they stayed with relatives but her father Nichol Rea he was born in Forfar seemed to have been employed at almost every trade from stone mason, fireman, farmer, linen weaver, station hand miner and selling fish on the streets I know sometimes they were in Dundee and at Brochtey ferry also Perth my grandmothers Helen's birth was registered at Mains and Strathmartin. Her maternal grandparents were Brodie and Stewart.
Cheers Heather

[Gary Rea]

Thanks for the reply, Heather. That's a bit too specific and a bit late, though. I really have no idea where in the lowlands my family came from, yet. Angus is one of several counties where I found Reas living in the 1600s. As for my particular line, the earliest ancestor I know of for certain was William Rea, born in Drumskee, Dromore Parish, County Down, Northern Ireland in 1680. I have found Reas living in County Down from as early as the 1630s, and I believe these may have been William's ancestors, though I can't establish the link to them. So, any emmigration from Scotland would have occurred probably around 1630 or earlier.

Gary Rea