ABERDEEN-L Archives

From: "Lorraine & Keith Abel" <>
Subject: Re: John McCoon (McEwen?)
Date: Mon, 3 Jul 2006 23:12:49 -0400

Dear Joanne:
People who know a lot more about Aberdeen records may be able to point out the errors in my information but if John was Christened in 1631 about the only place I know where you will find a record is the Parish of St Nicholas, in the city of Aberdeen. The parishes I have dealt with: Kinellar, Kemnay, Kintore, Keith Hall and Inverurie all begin around 1650. And for one of them, Keig, the first parish book was destroyed by mice and the second one begins in the early 1700's. St Nicholas records start earlier, at a time when none of my ancestors lived there. This is par for the course since the 17th century records for my family are written in the only ink that faded on the page, or key names lost where a dog ear fell off, or were written under an ink blot.

A source to look for in records prior to the church books is the record of the Sherriff's Court. I forget the name of the group that did it but these records have been transcribed and published. These can make fascinating reading and be prepared to have to translate old Scot's words in the English of the times. Cursive Uncial is also a joy to read if you aren't used to it and you might have to, if you get into microfilm of original records of the 16th and 17th century.

So I wish you a lot of luck

Keith Abel

This thread:

• Re: John McCoon (McEwen?) by "Lorraine & Keith Abel" <>