Re: Janet Gemmell Muirkirk Ayrshire
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In reply to:
Re: Janet Gemmell Muirkirk Ayrshire
Raymond Kelman 8/03/03
Hello Ray
Many thanks for your mail and I'm happy to help with the little information I have on James Kelman of Behelvie.
James was christened on 31st July 1823 in Behelvie.His parents were James Kelman, cartwright of Whitecraigs in the parish of Behelvie and Ann Kelman (m.s Duncan).James Kelman (the father of James who went to NZ) was described in the Census of 1851 as a cartwright employing four men.Therefore he was a man of some standing in the farming community of Behelvie.
They had the following children:
John Kelman b.29th March 1821
James ...see above
Mary b. 10th July 1828
Adam b. 30th November 1830
Helen ?b.1833 d.1838
Ann b. 29th November 1835
Christian b. 3 June 1839.
There may have been others but I have not as yet found them.
James born 1823 was the father of Madeline's great grand mother via an Isabella Milne.It would appear at some time after that event (perhaps even before it occurred!) James moved some 2 odd miles south west to the town of Banchory where he married Mary Fyffe who was born at Tilwhilly, ( I guess a farm)in or near to Banchory.They married on 2nd December 1848 in Banchory Ternan Church.The birth of their 4th child, James on 6th February 1855 gives the following information (this was the first year of Statutory Registration and they went overboard with info!) : "Father, James Kelman, age 31 years, born Behelvie.Mother Mary Fyffe, born Tilwhilly in this parish.This is her fourth child - three girls"
There is however, an anomaly with regard to James' (b.1823) parents in that in Behelvie cemetery there is a headstone with the following inscription.
In memory of JAMES KELMAN, wright of Whitecraigs d.17th February 1855 aged 59: his daughter HELEN d.10th July 1838 aged 5; daughter in law MARGARET BUCHAN d. 25th April 1855 aged 30 and ANN RAE his wife d.13th Jan.1879 aged 83.
Now that poses a problem; for did Ann Duncan die and did James remarry?The 1855 Census merely states his wife as
Ann Kelman and is no help.I have not looked for the death of Ann Duncan from 1855, but when next in Edinburgh I will do so.I will also want to go to Behelvie cemetery to recheck the inscription.It would also be useful if you were to cross check his death certificate and see if his parents' names are given.A word of caution though, as I have found so many times that grandchildren, when registering a death, often don't know the names of their grandparents, particularly if 'water divides us and the waste of seas'!!
The births of his children clearly give the name Ann Duncan.
There is also a descendent of James through Barbara Kelman who is living in Aberdeen.If you haven't got the info already from Madeline I can give you details of Barbara Kelman's children prior to her marriage to my great grandfather, William Gemmell as his second wife.
My email is
Hope the little info above is of help.
Kate Lockhart
More Replies:
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Re: Janet Gemmell Muirkirk Ayrshire
Raymond Kelman 8/04/03