Dick family around Forres, Morayshire, Scotland

[Forfarian]

Hello I've just started researching the Dick family in Forres Moray so there are a lot of dead ends at the moment. My husbands grandmother was born in Forres and after thinking her maiden name was Mactavish I realise that she was actually born an Isabella Hay Mactavish Dick. Why would she carry two surnames and is this common?

I could speculate till the cows come home why this might be, but much better to see if the actual records can provide an answer.

The first thing is, have you got a copy of her birth certificate? This has to be your starting point.

In your post I recognised some of my husbands families names Alexander, Jean and Isabella

I know that names run in families, and they can be useful, but don't get too excited. There are some that are so common that they don't really help with putting together a family tree. These include Alexander, James, John and William for boys, and Ann/i/e, Elizabeth, Isabel/la, Jane/Jean, Janet/Jessie, Margaret and Mary for girls.

[Grantandjane]

Thanks for your reply, I have sent off for the birth certificate and see where it goes from there.


Jane

[Jessica Slater]

I have just come across this post.
I have a William Dick born 1831 in Forres, Moray. on cenus's he is said to be a Carter and Labourer. He is married to Flora McMillan. I wonder if this is a match to your information?

[meadow]

I have an ancestor named John Dick that emigrated to Argentina in the XIX century. We think that is the John mentioned here as William Dick's son. I would love to know more, why he decided to go to Argentina? I would like to have a chat with other descendants of this family too. Thanks!

[Forfarian]

Hello meadow, and welcome to RootsChat.

What more do you know about your John Dick that makes you think he was the son of William Dick, and do you mean the William Dick born about 1790 in the first post in this thread, or the one born about 1831 mentioned in the last post before yours?

If you are seeking help it's always best to give as much information as you can, especially dates, even if approximate. For example when did your John travel to Argentina? Did he marry there? Is he in the 1895 census of Argentina? When did he die and how old was he? What clue leads you back to the Forres area?