Scottish Wills

WILL I Be Successful?

During the past few days, I have been purchasing, printing and cropping sections of the will of my ancestor Adam SMITH of Merkland Farm. Without the newest book in my collection, Scottish Genealogy by Bruce Durie, I would not have been remotely in hope of being successful at understanding this (and his mother's document). Guessing your way through this type of document would have not gained me any knowledge beyond his date of death.

Transcribing early American wills was somewhat helpful, even though the handwriting is worse. I can see that I am learning a new court system, money, and the unfamiliar occupation names of "clerk" as "writer". I'm trying to look at this as fun. (Thank you Miss Cobb, my Latin teacher)

Since Adam and his brother died in 1849 and were co-owners of the farm, I was hoping it would tell me who inherited the property.

Another problem is that I only have the 1841 census to go by for those living there. Adam's daughter, Jane Smith married the farm hand Robert Hannah a month after the census was taken. I suspect that he's listed on another page in the "outhouse". That's what the other farm buildings were called. They live in Ruthwell for 20 years and he dies in Dalbeattie at his daughter's home. 

I never thought I'd get this far with this research.....

Adam Smith and Helen Bell

Adam SMITH and Helen BELL

When I am working with another researcher, I find that making this simple but messy clip from my tree at Ancestry.com and putting it on my desk so that it motivates me to record all what I have learned. It also helps to find the RIGHT vital records at Scotland's People and make sure that I remember WHERE I got everything. I have three great books that I am using to learn about Scotland Records. The numbering system for records in explained in one of my books.

I've put a lot of time and quite a bit of money in on working on my Scots. Sometimes, I have to keep going back to maps to see where the parish and towns are located. That's why this takes so long. 

Notice that Helen Bell's parents must have already been related. It says very clearly that her maiden surname was also BELL. 

The name Jane or Jean predominates in later generations of this family. I think my family must have known some genealogy or they wouldn't have kept doing this. I was surprised to learn that the old lady I knew as "Great Aunt Jeannie" was really Jane Smith Broadfoot. 

Adam Smith's Will

Adam Smith's Will, a photo by midgefrazel on Flickr.

Merkland Farm and the Smith Bros.

I thought it might be interesting to take a look at some of my ancestor's wills from Scotland 's People. With help from another researcher (who lives in Australia!), I found Adam Smith's will. He and his brother ran the farm at Merkland in Dumfries, Scotland.

As you can see from the list of all the Adam Smith's, I found mine living at Merkland (#3). Adam's father was named John so I've decided that might be too hard to find. His mother was Helen Wallace and after some more help, I've found hers too and yes, her maiden name was part of the chase.

I"ll be face down in transcribing these and I plan to report what I find in them. 

Merkland Farm

Merkland Farm, a photo by midgefrazel on Flickr.

 Obtaining Permission

Correction! Unfortunately, this is the wrong location.
My Merkland Farm is near Bankend and Caerlaverock Church. 

Not being a world traveler, I enjoy looking at the locations where my ancestors lived. I think this is one of the great pleasures of being a genealogist today. We can with a simple search find someone to give us hints about our family.

In 2002, I found a distant cousin who wanted to pursue our shared ancestry and she lived near Salt Lake. I gave her what I had and she went "to town" on it. In the "snail mail", I got a big envelope of census records and family group sheets. Then, I heard no more from her. 

She did remarkably well except for one big mistake on my Hannah line. She had the woman's first name as Jane but not as Smith as my family in California had told me was in their family records. I have destroyed those sheets she gave me so there will be no further errors (that aren't mine!)

Now, I see that Jane Smith's, wife of Robert Hannah, father was Adam Smith and mother was Helen Bell. Does this mean that I've gotten back to Adam? (little genealogy joke)

I have added this into my tree and obtained permission to use this farm photo. I think it is a cattle and sheep farm. 

There is another person whose tree is private at Ancestry.com who wrote a note on the Web site hosting the photo. I have sent her a message. 

In the meantime, I continue to correspond with a descendant of David Smith, brother to my Jane. He was travelling for work (and lives in Australia) so I have had to wait to ask more questions.

This is the great note I got from the photographer of this photo. Isn't it wonderful? I didn't even get my feet wet on the lush green grass.

Dear Midge,

Thank you for your e-mail.

I am glad that the picture is of interest to you. My wife and I very much enjoyed the landscape around Dumfries, and we might possibly visit the area again later this year. Please feel free to make private use of the photographs in ways that you have suggested.

With best wishes,

Richard Dengate

Jane SMITH

Jane SMITH
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

Graveyard Rabbits Carnival Entry for March, 2009

"It's not unusual to be loved by anyone..." [Tom Jones] {YouTube}

Not a plain Jane, that's for sure and I'm sure that Jane was quite the lady but she might have been shocked by Tom Jones!

Jane SMITH lived to be 98 years old and while that is not that unusual [especially in my family], it is an unusual lesson in knowing just how many descendants you could have if you lived to be nearly 100 in times long ago! No wonder, genealogists fingers are tired typing in family history data!

I am entranced by this gravestone as it is a great lesson in genealogy math! The fact that Jane's maiden name was SMITH, which I read somewhere is the most common surname in America, we know exactly who her ancestors were, so that may be unusual.

Another unusual thing is the fact that Jane and her husband George were both Denison descendants.

Jane4 Smith (Nathan3, Nehemiah2, Nehemiah1) was born 13 Jan 1730/31 in Groton, CT, one of nine children born to Nathan SMITH and his wife Mary4 DENISON (Dea. Daniel3, John3 Borodell, Capt. George1). She married George DENISON (Cap't George3, William2, Capt. George1) on 23 Feb 1747/48. He was born 3 July 1725 in Stonington, CT.

George and Jane were the parents of eleven children (one set of twins). So, you can see where 350 descendants would be possible. George died 19 Jun 1808 and Jane died 11 May 1829. It was not unusual for the men to died first, leaving a widow, just as it is today.

Jane and her husband are buried in the Denison Burying Ground in Mystic, CT on the Cove nearby to Elm Grove Cemetery, a beautiful, gigantic, garden cemetery and Mystic Seaport. The Denison Homestead is not far away.

"To add to their happiness was her most ardent wish..."