Locating the right parents for George Brechin circa 1829 from Ellon Aberdeenshire

+2 votes
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From the death record of George Brechin [[Brechin-148|George Gordon Brechin (abt.1829-1912)]] I know that his parents were George Brechin, a land steward from Ellon, Aberdeenshire and Barbara Gordon. But I have hit a brick wall with locating the exact George Brechin who was the father, and who was his mother, Barbara Gordon. The only records I can find for a land steward in the area are for a George Brechin who lived at Turnerhall (was the overseer) and was also mentioned many times in the Ordnance Survey Books. This George Brechin was the son of a Dr George Brechin of Kinharrachie. But, I don't know if that is the correct George Brechin, as there were other George Brechins from around this time in the area. Brichen and Brechin seems to get used interchangeably.

Likewise I cannot find any evidence for this mother, Barbara Gordon. One hypothesis is that Barbara Gordon may have been an illegitimate child of the Earl of Aberdeen, living at Ellon Castle. The overseer might possibly have had an affair with her, and then they had an illegitimate son, George.

In the 1841 census, George Brechin, the overseer, is living at Turnerhall, and his 12 yr old son is also living there. However, there is also a death record for a George Brichen in 1842. No age is given, but I know it wasn't George Brichen the overseer because he married Jane Todd in 1843 and his memorial stone in Ellon cemetery states that he was the land steward at Turnerhall.

Erected by his widow in memory of her husband George Brichen late land steward Turnerhall who died at Kinharrachy 17th January 1881 aged 84 years. Also his wife Jane Todd who died 5th Dec. 1909 aged 86 years.

Initially I thought it might be the father of the overseer who died there in 1842, Dr George Brichen, but then on other trees he is listed as having died in 1811 - inscribed on a monument somewhere. So if anyone knows how to locate other sources I would really appreciate it. 

WikiTree profile: George Brechin
in Genealogy Help by Melanie White G2G6 Mach 2 (22.6k points)
retagged by Melanie White

1 Answer

+2 votes

The Aberdeenshire and Northeast Scotland Family History Society

https://www.anesfhs.org.uk/guest-home

has some transcriptions online and others for purchase. They also have a forum monitored by people who live in the area. My own membership is currently lapsed, so I can’t poke around for you. But I enjoyed getting the newsletter and will probably rejoin when I get back into my Scotland research.

by Barry Smith G2G6 Pilot (287k points)
Thanks Barry. I am a member but I haven't had much luck with responses to my emails. But I didn't realise there was a forum so I will go and check it out. Thanks for the headsup.

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