Original Livingstons in Midlothian, Scotland

[Canadian Livingstone]

I am looking for a detailed account of the original Livingstons who received land in Midlothian Scotland in the middle ages and their descendants. I am speaking of those in the Midlothian and adjacent East Lothian area specifically. Anyone researching the origins of Midlothian Livingstons and the families that took on that name there. I suspect Prestopans and Tranent. East Lothian Livingstons living a few miles from away from Edinburgh, Midlothian are possibly connected to these families. There were a number of parishes in the Edinburgh area, Canongate, St. Cuthberts, North Leith and South Leith with Livingstons. Any Scots out there from the Edinburgh area or nearby with sense of an very ancient connection to the Edinburgh area of the Livingston families that lived there possibly for many generations I would love to hear about your family research and knowledge of the Livingston connection to town of Edinburgh and adjacent area. By adjacent area I am interested in just how far back Livingstons are recorded living in nearby Prestopans and Tranent in East Lothian. I am trying to establish a historical linkage between the old Edinburgh area Livingston families and Livingstons in nearby Prestonpans and Tranent in East Lothian. Lowland Livingstons where are you?

regards,

Donald

[Jewel]

Hello Donald,

I've been very busy this last month. Big changes in my place of business, but myself and a couple of the other employees took the lemons and made lemonade, so all is well. I should have a little more time to get back to my favorite pass time, genealogy.

Noticed your interest in Livingston's in Prestopans & Tranent , East Lothian and thought I would let you know I checked my vital records and found 60 Livingston, (and various spellings), births & christening's for Prestopian for years 1666 to 1847, and 72 Livingston's in Tranent for years 1612 to 1839. Not sure if you are looking for families who are researching this area or the actual records. I'll have more time tomorrow if you are interested in seeing these records.


Jewel

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Jewel,

Welcome back. Glad to hear that things have worked out for you at work and will have more time to devote to your favourite pastime of Livingston genealogy. These are difficult and stressfull times for anyone in the work force with the economy the way it is. Canada largely avoided the bank problem because our highly regulated banking system, although some investors here clearly lost a lot a money like elsewhere. We have suffered ultimately from high levels of employment triggered by the resulting recession. Economists however are quite surprised at how well housing, and other sectors remain doing well in contrast to other countries. And our dollar is doing ridiculously well which is great if you have to purchase foreign currency for travelling. Not so good for our exports. It is great if you have a job but many people of course lost their jobs when the recession hit us and employers started laying off staff.

You can see what we have been up to since you were here. Roberta has been continuing in the project that the late Rob Livingston had started before he passed on a few years back which is to copy the Argyllshire Parish records for the society. As I know she has already alot of experience with Livingston parish records it seemed appropriate I think for her to take on this task if she was interested. I know this was something Rob wanted to get done. Jill has already located some her kin in the parish lists.

Thank-you for that info on the Prestopans and Tranent Livingstons of East Lothian. That is one of things that I was indeed trying to find out. I wanted to know how far back the parish records recorded a family or should I say families of Livingstons in the Prestopans/Tranent area. I am taking a leap here and speculating if the families that lived at Prestopans and Tranent area in the 1600's and 1700's might be related given the fact if look on a map of Scotland the two towns are a few miles apart. Also bear in the mind if you get your map of Scotland out that Prestopans and Tranent are just a stone throw away from Edinburgh and the parishes in the area where I find a familes of Livingstons for example in Canongate which is in the old town of Ediburgh, St. Cuthberts, and North and SOuth Leith in Edinburgh.

This might prove to be an interesting research project. Ultimately I hoping we can reach some conclusion as to the history and origins of these families that I am seeing in the 19th century census records and in the parish records based on the research.

regards,

Donald

[Jewel]

Hello Donald,

These are all of the Livingson's with various spellings that I have for Tranent, East Lothian. I have grouped them into families.

Tranent, East Lothian, Scotland ( total of 15families, 72 births or christenings)

1. David, c. Nov.17,1612 Father: Nuckill Livingstone
Alexander, c. April,9, 1615 Father Nicol Livingstone
Jennet, c. Aug. 24,1617 Father, Nicoll Livingstone
Williame Johne, c. April 25, 1619 Father, Nicoll Livingstone

2. Alexander, c. Jan.11, 1614, Father, Johne Livinstone

3. Agnes, c. May 13,1616, Father, James Livingstone
Margaret, c. Oct. 18,1617
Marione, c. Sept. 3, 1620

4. Robert , c. Jan. 2,1676 Father John Leviston & Mother Elizabeth Merstoun
Walter, c. Mar. 3, 1678

5. Thomas, b. Dec. 17,1727, Father, William Livingston & Mother,Margaret Innes
Jasper, b. Oct. 1730,
Margaret, b. Jul. 8, 1733
Elspeth, b. Mar. 8, 1738
Jasper, b. Jun. 25,1740
Janet, b. Aug. 4, 1745

6. Margaret, b. Mar. 30,1753, parents: Andrew Livingston & Margaret Tylor

7. Alexander, b. Jan. 7, 1753, parents: Alexander Livington & Ellizabeth Hog.
Andrew, b. Feb. 15,1754
Alexander, b. Sept. 30, 1755
Charles, b. Jul. 5,1757
Elizabeth, b. Jul. 28, 1760
Jean, b. Sept.22, 1761
James, b. Aug. 21,1763
Marion, b. Dec. 10, 1764
Margaret, b. May, 18, 1767
Agnes, b. May 16,1769
Janet, b. Sept. 18,1771
Christian, b. Jun. 20,1775

8.James, b. Mar. 14,1765, parents: Thomas Livingstone & Agnes Cunningham
Thomas, b. Sept. 24,1767
James,b. Jun.3,1770
Margaret, b. July, 8,1772
Agnes, b. Feb. 22,1774
Thomas, b. Sept. 24, 1776
Cornelius,b. Nov. 30,1778

9. Ninian, b. Aug. 9,1766, Parents: Alexander Livingstone & Katharine Moody

10.Elisabeth, b. Jun.14, 1767, Parents: Jasper Livingstone & Agnes Chalmers
Helen, b. Apr. 24,1769
Agnes, b. May 10,1771
John, b. Sept. 21, 1773
William, b. May 16,1775
Margaret, b. Jul. 8,1777
Marian, b. Jun. 17, 1780
Andrew, b. Nov. 17,1782
Anne, b. Mar. 31,1785

11. Margaret, b. May 25, 1786, parents: James Livingstone & Mary Thomson

12. Alexander, b.Mar. 22, 1789, parents: James Livingstone & sarah Wood
Janet, b. May 22, 1791
James,b. Mar. 10,1794
James,b. Jun. 17,1796
John, b. Sept. 24,1798
David Howie, b. Apr. 28, 1803

13. Christian, b. Nov. 5, 1806 parents: John Livingstone & Christian Howie

14. James,b. May 2, 1809 parents: Alexander Livingston & Janet Mark
Jean,b. May 13, 1811
Alexander, b. Apr. 10, 1813
William, b.Jun. 15,1815
Margaret Campbell,b. Apr. 16, 1817
Christian,b. Jul.24,1819
David,b.Aug. 12, 1822
Hugh, b.Jun. 7, 1825
Thomas,b. Aug. 9,1828
Janet, b. Jan.22,1831

15. Helen, b. Oct. 12, 1822, parents: James Livingstone & Isabel Baxter
James, b. Dec. 14, 1824
Janet, b.Nov. 16, 1827
Margaret, b. Sept. 16,1830,
John, b. Apr. 15,1833
Catherine, b. Jun. 12, 1836
Alexander, b. Nov. 26,1839

Prestonpans, East Lothian to follow. For North Leith there were 33,Livingston births or christenings starting in 1632 and for South Leith, there were 52 starting in 1648.


Jewel

[Jewel]

Hello Donald,

Here are the Livingstons for Prestonpans,East Lothian.

1. Andro, c. Dec. 23, 1666 parents: John Livingston & Elizabeth Merston
(note: Andro's parents show up in the Tranent records in family 4 with a son being born, 1676, Robert)

2.George,b. Nov. 6,1695, parents: Thomas Levingston & Helen Leslie
Margaret, b.Nov. 27, 1698
Elspeth, b. Jan. 5, 1702

3. Katharine, b. Nov. 22, 1697, parents Andrew Levingston & Agnes Watson

4. Patrick, b.Jul 11,1698, parents James Levingston & Katharine Grinlaw

5.Helen, b.Feb. 14, 1769, parents:Alexander Liviston & Catharine Moody
Katharine, b.May 12, 1771
Peter, b. Dec.5,1773
Margaret, Nov. 1, 1775
Ann, b. Feb. 18,1778
Jean, b. Jun. 3, 1780
Elizabeth, b. Nov. 2, 1782
Alexander, b. Mar. 13, 1789

6. Robert, b. Jul. 14, 1768 parents: James Liviston & Ann Hume
George, b. May 21, 1770
Ann, b. Sept. 19, 1772
Jean, b. Feb.4,1775
George, b. Jan. 23, 1777
Margaret, b. Jul. 5,1779

7. Catherine, b. May 20, 1791, parents Ninian Livingston & Janet Gow
Susan b. Jun. 16,1793
Ninian b. Feb. 1, 1795
Alexander b. Jan. 9, 1797
Sarah b. Jan. 19, 1799
James b. Jul.26, 1801

8. James Williamson b. Mar. 4, 1795 parents: William Livingston & Jean Liddell
Andrew b. Aug. 20, 1797

9. Catharine b. Nov. 4, 1797 parents Peter Livingston & Margaret Watson
Alexander b. Feb. 16, 1799
Margaret b. Oct. 2, 1800
Peter b. Jun. 7, 1802
Ninian b. Jul 7,1804
Alison b. May 25, 1806
William b. Aug. 17, 1807
Richard b. May 13, 1811
Jean Swanston b. May 10, 1813

10. Margaret b. Oct. 1797 parents David Livingston & Christian Sibbald
James b. Oct. 6, 1799
George b. Jun. 17, 1804
Peter b. Jan. 2, 1806

11. Ann b. Jun. 7,1802 parents, David Livingston & Christian Sibbet ( probablly in family #10, the above family)

12. David b. Mar. 11, 1820 parents James Livingstone & Hariot Whitecross
James b. Sept. 8, 1821
Mary b. May, 1823
Peter b. May 30, 1825
George b. Dec. 15, 1827
Christian b. Feb.13 1830
ann, b. Aug. 31, 1831
Harriot b. Feb. 2, 1834
John b. Jul. 4, 1836

13. Marion b. Oct. 27, 1826 parents James Livingston & Helen Officer
Janet b. Nov. 19, 1828
Helen b. Jul. 1831 c. Jul.13,1832
James b. Aug. 17, 1833

14. Mary b. Nov. 3, 1834 parents Peter Livingstone & Margaret Fitzcharles or Fitzgerald
Alexander Forbes b. Mar. 23, 1837

15. Peter b. Jun. 1847 parents Peter Livingstone & Mary Grindison


Jewel

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Jewel,

Thank-you. Would you conclude having located all these records that there were likely Livingstons living in the Tranent and neighbouring Prestopans area of East Lothian in the early 1600' s and perhaps before that?

regards,

Donald

[Roberta Ann]

South Leith, Mid-Lothian

Thomas m Margaret Tod Mar 23, 1610
Barbara m John Bell Dec 3, 1618
Adam m Rebecca Weir Nov 23, 1633
William m Catharine Thriepland July 1676
James m Jean Simerveall MAR 13, 1648
Mary b Dec 10, 1648 d/o James, Jean Simerveall
Margaret m Alexander Scott Dec 22, 1618
Robert m Helene Melloch Dec 10, 1618
Jonet m Thomas Cochroun Oct 11, 1599
James b 1683 m Margaret Hay, James died in Rome
Patrick M Margaret Campbell April 1753
John m Janet Wiseman Sept 19, 1723
John m Catharine Anderson Jan 22, 1750
John m Margaret Kyle Sept 16, 1762
John m Sept 29, 1728 ?
Margaret m James Skinner June 29, 1710
Helen m Thomas Fife Sept 27, 1744
Margaret m Alexander Kay July 16, 1769
Robert m Rachel Andrew or Paterson
Allan c Sept 17, 1693 s/o William, Eupham Livingston
Helen c june 20, 1706 d/o John, Marion Taylor
George c Mar 31, 1678 s/o John, Elizabeth Straiton
Robert c Jan 25, 1680""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Isabell m Symon Wyght 1565

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Roberta,
Regarding the James Livingston you mentioned, he was of the old aristocratic lowland Livingston family.
James Livingston 5th Earl of Linlithgo married Margaret Hay about 1707. As you mentioned he died in Rome. He fled to Rome after participating in the failed rebellion of 1715. He paid a heavy price for supporting the Jacobite cause and James Stuart. His family title was attainted and his family lost all of their land. His daughter Ann I think married the Earl of Kilmarnock who was with Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 1745 Rebellion. Kilmarnock was subsequently captured and publicly executed. Some 40 years later after the Linlithgo Livingstons ceased to be a powerful family in Scotland, a highland clan by the name of Mclea in Western Argyllshire went about dropping their name Mclea and started referring to themselves as Livingstones or Livingstons in the records.

regards,

Donald

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Roberta,

I wonder why James Livingston and Margaret Hay were located in a list of Mid Lothian Livingstons. Were they married in a Mid Lothian County parish? I would have thought that James Livingston resided in Stirlingshire in Linlithgo at the time of his marriage where his ancestral home was. Hmm. I must check this out.

regards,

Donald

[Roberta Ann]

Hi Donald;

James was born Linlithgow, West Lothian 1683. His father is listed as George or Alexander, my guess is Alexander; Mother Anne Graham of Montrose and wife Margaret Hay of Errol. James died April 25, 1723 in Italy. He sounds like a very brave person; as so many Scots are known to have been: brave that is. Margaret b 1688 died May 20, 1707. It is interesting that their daughter, Lady Anne b Jan 18, 1705 married William Boyd b May 12, 1705. William died Aug 18, 1746. Lady Anne died Sept 16, 1747.

Regards;

Roberta