May 9th

222 years ago today, on May 9th in 1797, George West was born.  He is your 5th great uncle.   His parents were Ferryden fishers John West and Janet Simpson - they are your 5xgreat grandparents.  They had eleven children including their second born George - but our blood line descends through his brother Alexander who was born a couple of years later.

As with a lot of the Ferryden folk, I can't determine with any confidence further information about George.  There are so many people with the same name.  Once civil registration was instituted in 1855 there is a better chance of confirming that you've got the right person.  i.e. in terms of marriage, rather than the church just jotting down George West of this parish married Annie Coull of this parish, we get information about their ages, their parents, where they lived etc.  Lots of clues to follow!  Same with death and birth certificates.

It didn't look like this in 1797 I'm sure!!