Thread by @DavidDobie2

Is this the grave of my 4th gt grandparents? I photographed Roderick Fraser (c.1768-1857) & Mary MacLean’s (c.1783-1869) grave last week, as part of my #MyGairlochFamilyHistory trip. Let's see what we can find out… [1/]

This grave is just a short distance from where my 3x gt grandparents, Margaret Fraser (c.1811-1852) & Alexander MacIntyre (c.1808-1872), are buried in Gairloch’s Old Burial Ground. It’s not conclusive, but that *could* suggest a family relationship. [2/]

Margaret and Alexander's gt grandson & #FamilyHistory buff thought that these were Margaret Fraser's parents. He lived in the same village & researched a lot of local history. Last week, I saw an original #FamilyTree he drew years ago, where Roderick & Mary are shown. [3/]

I had to play about with the digital photos of this gravestone to be able to read the inscription properly, as the lichen growth obstructs some of the text. I wish I'd also transcribed the stone while I was standing there. [4/]

“In memory of RODERICK FRASER Farmer, Talladale, d. 9 Sep 1857 aged 89. And his wife MARY MACLEAN d. 19 Apr 1869 aged 86. And of their son JOHN who d. [X] Jun 1847 aged [XX]. And their son THE REV COLIN FRASER d. 8 Nov 1889 aged 82.” [5/]

Let's have a look at the death registration of Roderick Fraser & Mary MacLean's eldest son, Free Church minister Rev Colin Fraser, who died in 1889… The informant with the registrar was his nephew, Roderick MacIntyre of Strath, who I already have on my #FamilyTree ✅ [6/]

Mary MacLean's death registration says she died in Talladale, Gairloch ✅ If this grave really does belong to my ancestors, then the register gives her parents - who would be my 5th gt grandparents - as Donald MacLean, tailor, and Catherine MacDonald. [7/]

My late 2C2R also has Donald MacLean, tailor, on his tree. ✅ Good grief, this is exciting! [8/]

Annoyingly, the informant of Roderick Fraser's 1857 death registration is an illiterate farm servant, rather than a relative, which doesn’t help... [9/]

*BUT WAIT* Roderick's son-in-law, an Alexander MacIntyre, is recorded as having certified the place of burial... This Alexander is probably my 3x gt grandfather, who you'll remember, is buried close by. ✅ [10/]

Did you notice that the gravestone says that Roderick Fraser was 89 years old? The entry in the Register of Deaths says he was 90 (close enough), and that he died at Talladale, which is mentioned on the gravestone. ✅ [11/]

… and if the illiterate farm servant knew who his employer’s parents were, then this death record tells me that my *other* 5th gt grandparents would be William Fraser, crofter, and Margaret MacKenzie. I can't believe it! [12/]

I’m so pleased that my #Gairloch ancestors generally lived very long lives. Both Roderick & Mary were still alive when statutory registration of births, marriages & deaths was introduced in Scotland in 1855 and records from then onwards are really detailed [13/]

Sooo... the experienced genealogists amongst you are already shouting that I haven't tried to *disprove* my hope that this gravestone belongs to my 4x gt grandparents. [14/]

I'm not taking it for granted that the gravestone is what it appears to be, but the proximity of this grave to other family members, that 2 MacIntyres are mentioned in the registers, and my late 2C2R made the same conclusion, is really encouraging. [15/]

Right. That's it for now. I'm going to do more work on this, like a good genealogist should. But it has been darned exciting to do this preliminary research and I hope you’ve enjoyed this thread. [Ends]

Update: Yes! This *is* my 4x gt grandparents' grave. Entry in the Calendar of Confirmations for Scotland of their son, Rev Colin Fraser, buried with them, refers to my 3x gt grandparents (Margaret Fraser & Alexander MacIntyre) + their 2 youngest sons. #MyGairlochFamilyHistory