Ann McAlpine (1744)

Born 11 Apr 1744 in Polmont, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Descendants

Biography

Ann McAlpine was born in Scotland.

Ann McAlpine was baptised on 11 April 1744 at Polmont, Stirlingshire, the daughter of James McAlpine and Mary Gentiles. ^[1] She was the eldest daughter in the family, so may have been named after her maternal grandmother according to the scottish naming patterns.

On 16 October 1779 her son, David, was baptised at Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire. Alexander Stirling was the father of the child, who was said to have been 'Begotten in Uncleanings'. James Stirling was the sponsor at the baptism. ^{[2] [3]}

Illegitimacy in 18th Century Scotland

Having a child out of wedlock was considered a highly immoral act in Scotland at this time, and both the mother, and her child were subject to huge social stigma. ^[4] The mother and father, if this person was identified, were required to attend the local parish 'Kirk Session' to be castigated for their behaviour. Often fines were issued by the parish to both the mother and father. ^[5] A child born illegitimately was often brought up by the grandparents or someone else from the extended family, with the biological mother having little contact with the child. ^[6]

Research Notes

No other records have been located which would indicate anything about Ann's later life, either a marriage record or a death. Thomas-7679 01:45, 14 July 2020 (UTC)

Alexander Stirling detached as husband, as there is no evidence that Ann and Alexander married, either legally or de facto.

Sources

1. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X1GQ-W5P : 11 February 2020), Ann McAlpine, 1744.
2. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XYKG-92V : 11 February 2020), Ann McAlpine in entry for David Stirling, 1779.
3. ↑ Rootschat. Stirling Family. G D Thom - Reply #5 on: Saturday 31 May 08 14:30 BST (UK)
4. ↑ Old Scottish Genealogy and Family History. Accessed 14 Jul 2020. [https://www.oldscottish.com/blog/archives/04-2016/3
5. ↑ Leneman, Leah, The study of Illegitimacy from Kirk Session Records: Two Eighteenth Century Perthshire Parishes. Accessed 7 Jul 2020. Study of Illegitimacy from Kirk Session Records
6. ↑ Barclay, Katie, Love, Care and the Illegitimate Child in Eighteenth Century Scotland. Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 November 2019. Abstract accessed 7 July 2020. Barclay Abstract

See also:

• Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland: A Survey of Scottish Topography, Statistical, Biographical and Historical, edited by Francis H. Groome and originally published in parts by Thomas C. Jack, Grange Publishing Works, Edinburgh between 1882 and 1885. Published on the Scottish Places Website. Accessed 7 Jul 2020. Polmont