You're making great progress. You've added new ancestors to your family tree. But everything grinds to a halt. You can't find that elusive connection. Scotland's People comes back with no results, no matter how many different ways you spell names or widen dates. The Ancestry website is no better. Hints there are only hints, not…
Robert Ballantyne, (1837-1902), is my 3x great grandfather. He eventually settled in Ayrshire having been born in Ross-shire, Scotland. Like his father, he was a shepherd. He married, and had a family. His brother Andrew's story is quite different! Family history research relies heavily on census information or birth, marriage and death certificates. There is…
Second Judicial Declaration of Andrew Ballantyne It may be around 176 years since Andrew was arrested and the horse stealing trial took place, but I find it endlessly fascinating. Here is a young boy, 19 years old, having to face up to the consequences of his actions. Was Margaret McRae's version of events true? I'm…
There were several people who were willing to testify against Andrew. They all declared that he had stolen the little brown mare. This mare belonged to the Mcrae family from Bottacks of Auchterneed. The Mcraes were a crofting family. The 1841 census shows that Margaret was much older than Andrew. He was nineteen at the…
Andrew Ballantyne was imprisoned in Dingwall Courthouse and Jail after his arrest in June 1844. This was a new building that had already been put to use in 1843 following the Resolis Riots. Some of the rioters were imprisoned there. It is interesting to note how differently Andrew and the rioters were treated. Andrew received…
Poor Andrew. On his journey from Bottacks, he had met and chatted with so many people. They were now about to appear before him to give their account of their meetings. Surely he must now be regretting his actions. He didn't stand a chance. Andrew had made his way to Fort Augustus that fateful weekend…
The trial also heard the testimony from people who Andrew met and spoke to during the days before he headed off to Fort Augustus from Strathpeffer. Reading the testimonies gives a small insight into Andrew's personality. He seems to be full of plans and ideas, talking to everybody he meets, trying to involve his mates…
A variety of people were called upon to provide statements for Andrew Ballantyne's trial. Crofters, constables, cabinet makers and now we have the statement from the post runner. John Stoddart, ran with the post between Fort Augustus and Inverness. He was unmarried and about 25 years old and lived with his father, James Stoddart, in…
After the thorough witness statement from John Stoddart, another witness was called against Andrew. Ann Park, servant to and residing with Robert Helm, keeper at (Kinlochurigan?) in the parish of Boleskine aforesaid - aged about 26 years declares: "My master's house is fully a mile from Fort Augustus. On Saturday 8th June, current, in the…
The final witness statement in Andrew Ballantyne's trial was John Fullerton, Inn keeper, residing at Ruskich in the parish of Urquhart in the county of Inverness. The statement is headed, Rushie, 17th June 1844. He was a married man, aged about 46 years. My house is situated on the side of the road leading from…
Second Judicial Declaration of Andrew Ballantyne 1844 After testimonies had been heard from all of the witnesses, Andrew was interviewed again and asked for a second statement. Here is his version of events: At Dingwall, the nineteenth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and forty four years. In presence of George Cameron Esquire, Sheriff…
The trial was well on its way. There didn't seem to be much hope for Andrew after listening to the witnesses. He also had to face a jury of fifteen men. This must have been very intimidating. In this post I've tried to discover a little about these men. Who were they and why were…
Millbank Prison In earlier posts, I told the story of Andrew Ballantyne and the events that changed his life forever. Andrew was arrested for stealing and trying to sell a small brown horse. He was tried by a jury of fifteen men in Dingwall in 1844. He was given 'a seven-year transportation to a land…
Andrew was eventually relocated from Millbank to the new prison of Pentonville, opened in 1840. Prisoners were initially kept in isolation in cells measuring 4m x 2m wide. Each cell had a water closet, but these were often blocked. Prisoners used the pipes connecting their cells to communicate with each other. It cost 15/- a…
Scottish agricultural changed dramatically in the second half of the nineteenth century. There was a move away from the runrig system with land being enclosed. Farming techniques were improved as the demand for produce increased from urban towns and cities. Many cottars and farmers in the lowlands of Scotland were displaced during this period. People…
My dad died 2017 and with him went so many stories and memories. We shared a lot about his family and childhood. Now that he is gone, there is still so much I would love to ask him. I consider this post a gentle reminder. If you are interested in family history research, start by…
Walter and Janet Walter Ballantyne Walter Ballantyne, my 2x great granfather, was born in Glen Tanagaidh, Kinlochewe, Gairloch, Ross & Cromarty on 31 May 1860. He was a twin and his brother was called John. By the age of 11 years, in 1871, Walter was living in Newton-Kennedy, Girvan with his family and he was…
46, Mill Street, Ayr 1891 Census - Robert & Sarah The 1891 census shows that Robert and Sarah Ballantyne, my 3x great grandparents, have moved yet again and are now living in the centre of Ayr at 46, Mill Street. Robert is 56 years old and is still a shepherd and Sarah is 59 yeas…
Girvan Harbour 19th Century 1871 Census - Ayrshire Robert and Sarah Ballantyne had moved from Gairloch to Girvan in Ayrshire by the time of the 1871 census. They lived in the part of Girvan called Newton Kennedy, which is near the harbour and traditionally had a boatyard. Robert is a shepherd and is age 36…
Gairloch, north west coast 1861 Census Robert Ballantyne, my 3x great grandfather, 24, is now a shepherd and Sarah, his wife is 27. They have moved to the mainland from the Isle of Lewis and are now living in Gairloch, Wester Ross. After six years of marriage, they have four children: James, age 5 Robert, age…
Discovering My Family 