To learn more about how John Robertson and Ellin Clark fit into the story of various Robertsons in the Killin area in the 1700s, see The Robertsons of Killin page.
Colin Campbell and Kathrine/Katharen McIntyre from Easter Ardeonaig were married in Killin before 1734. Kathrine may be the Cathrine McIntyre born to Finlay McIntyre and Jenet McCaile/NcCaile on 27 October 1715 in Killin (Ref 361 10/65). Two men named Finlay McIntyre are recorded in 'Scottish Highlanders' in 1769 (and they may be the same person): One was a joint tenant fatmer at Ballimenoch, north side of Loch Tay, while the other was a tenant farmer at Blairliargan, also on the north side of Loch Tay ['Scottish Highlanders', page 138 (SL)].
There are several Colin Campbells in 'Scottish Highlanders'; Colin may be the 'wright in Killin, witness 1738, bond registered 7 February 1740 [Source: Scottish Highlanders', p.11 (PSC)]. A 'widow of Colin' is recorded as a tenant farmer in Milton of Lawers, on the north side of Loch Tay in 1768 ['Scottish Highlanders', page 14 (SL)]. Colin's parents are unknown but they may have been Thomas and Jean, based on the names of the children born below.
Colin and Kathrine Campbell had the following children, all registered in Killin:
NOTE: As at October 2025, it is not certain if the Finlay Clark's daughter Helen was the one who married John Robertson in around 1779 in Killin. This statement is made on the basis of the names of their children not following traditional Scottish naming practices.
Various records indicate that Finlay Clark was a joint tenant farmer at Edramucky on the north side of Loch Tay. He married Janet McIlduine / McIlGuine (presumed the same person) by 1752 (when Janet became pregnant) and they had several children:
Note that at least one other Finlay Clark was recorded as the father of children during and after this period. It is assumed they may have been related somehow.
Donald McEwen, possibly the son of Patrick and Janet McEwen, baptised 12 March 1749 in Killin (Ref 361 10/203) married a Christian Campbell from Ardeonaig before 1755. Given the dates, this person is not believed to be the Christian Campbell who was baptised on 14 August 1747, the daughter of Colin and Kathrine Campbell (see above), but it could be possible if she was actually born several years before she was baptised.
Donald and Christian McEwen had the following children who were all registered in Killin:
Donald McEwen may be the 'merchant in Killin' recorded in 'Scottish Highlanders' in 1775 [Source: Scottish Highlanders, page 30'(NAS.GD112/11/1/2/8)]
A John Robertson, understood from his son Colin's death certificate to be a farmer, married Ellen/Ellin/Helen Clark/Clerk or Clerick (believed to be the one baptised 16 July 1755, Edramucky (Ref 361 20/19 - ?), date and location not known (there are no marriage records for this period in Killin), but probably before 1779 based on the date of their first child's birth.
John's origins are not yet known; the names of his first two children (below), Ellin and Robert suggest the names of his parents if he were following Scottish naming traditions. No couple with those names is recorded in the register of births in Killin from 1727 to the early 1760s. DNA-based research undertaken in 2025 suggests that he is probably not be the John Robertson, the son of Robert and Janet Robertson (nee Guild), who was born in 1744. This suggests that John *may* have come to Killin from a different location. For reference only at this point, a John Robertson was born on 24 September 1749 (Ref 390 10/54) to a Robert Robertson (no mother named in most of the registrations) of the Parish of Mullion, Redgorton, north of Perth which is closer to Killin than Kilspindie where Robert and Janet Robertson (nee Guild) came from.
Ellen was previously presumed to be the daughter of Finlay Clark and Janet McIlduine as noted above from 1752. Edramucky is on the mid-western side of Loch Tay. Finlay Clerk was recorded as a joint tenant farmer in 'Etramuckie', north side of Loch Tay, in 1769 [Source: Scottish Highlanders, page 15(SL#21)]. However, the names of Helen's third and fourth children are not Finlay and Janet, which casts doubt as to whether she was actually the daughter of that couple as previously believed.
A John Robertson married a Helen Clark in Fordoun, on the east coast of Scotland south of Aberdeen on 27 March 1768 (Ref 259/20/25). No birth records have been found for this couple anywhere in Scotlands People. The first and only birth found for John Robertson and Ellin Clark is the one below in Killin.
John and Ellen Robertson had the following children, all baptised in Killin.
Birth records for Robert, Anne and James shows the family at Wester Ardchyle, which was presumably between Ardchyle and Liangarstan. The family was recorded at Liangarstan when Ellen and Colin were born.
Two points to note:
Archibald McMartin and Katherine/Catharine McEwen married in Killin on 25 April 1789 (ref 361 10/283). Katherine was the daughter of Donald and Christian McEwen (see 'From 1755' above). Archibald and Katherine had the following children who were all baptised in Killin:
By the late 1700's, more forced evictions were occurring. Lieutenant-General John Campbell (30 March 1762 - 29 March 1834), the 1st Marquess / Marquis of Breadalbane, and a Scottish soldier and landowner, had become the Earl of Breadalbane in January 1782. In 1792 many families were forced to leave to the coast and many others emigrated.
The 'Papers of the Campbell family, Earls of Breadalbane', dating from 1306 to 1908 (Archives of Scotland reference GD112) include references to Robertsons along the southern side of Loch Tay, east of Ardeonaig, as follows. Further research needs to be undertaken to identify if or how any of these people are related to the other Robertsons described on this page.
James Robertson(8 September 1789 - ?), the son of John Robertson and Ellin/Helen Clark, married Margaret (Mary) McGregor on 10 February 1811 at Killin (Ref 361 10/332). Given the names of their third and fourth children, it is possible (but not confirmed) that Margaret McGrigor was the daughter (with the surname as shown) of Patrick McGrigor/McGrigor and Elizabeth McTavish and was born on 31 August 1787 in the Killin area (Ref 361 20/220); she had a brother named Patrick McGregor who was born 10 May 1802 also in the Killin area.
James and Margaret Robertson had the following children:
The fact that all their children were baptised in Killin suggests they lived in that area until at least 1825. However, James and Margaret Robertson and their children have not yet been found in the 1841 census - but James appears in the 1851, 1861 and 1871 census in Stirling. Further research is required. Their daughter Christian and her husband Angus do appear in the 1851 census in the Glasgow area.
Robert Robertson (1781 - 1863) was the son and second child of John Robertson (1744 - ?) and Ellen/Ellin/Helen Clark or Clerick (baptised 16 July 1755, Edramucky - ?). Robert married Christian Robertson (baptised 14 April 1795, Tirarthur, Killin, Scotland (Ref 361 20/270) - 11 June 1870, Rothesay, Bute, Scotland) on 30 November 1815 in Killin (Ref 361 10/339). Christian was the daughter of John Robertson and Anne McDiarmid.
Robert and Christian Robertson had the following children:
We see this family again in the 1841 census in Dunbarton - see below.
For reasons unknown, Colin Robertson moved further south by 1826 to a farming area known as Drumvaich, north west of Doune. For reference, his brother Robert moved to the Arrochar/Dunbarton area by the time of the 1841 census, where he worked as an agricultural labourer. It is not yet known where their brother John was located in 1841; John had married in 1811 and his youngest child Duncan (born 1826) was already 16 and likely already working by 1841.
Colin declared his intention to marry Christian McMartin (bap 24 June 1792 (Ref 361 20/252, the daughter of Archibald McMartin and Katharine McEwen - 1873) on 31 December 1825 in Kilmadock Parish (containing the settlements of Doune, Deanston, Buchany, Drumvaich, and Delvorich), and they married on 13 January 1826 in that Parish (Ref 362 50/262). This would appear to confirm that Colin had already left the Killin area by 1826. Family history recalls they lived at Drumvaich, a farming area or property just north of Doune.
Colin and Christian Robertson had the following children, all born in the Doune area:
According to a history of the Village of Killin by Ella Walker, the death of John Campbell in 1834 'heralded a time of great hardship and sorrow for many of his humble tenants'. His son, the 2nd Marquis, did little to manage the estates and instead left the Estate to the care of his Factor, a Mr James Wyllie, 'a name long remembered with dread in Breadalbane'. According to the history, Wyllie cleared the tenants from several parts of the Estate to make room for the formation of large sheep farms, often using means 'of great cruelty and injustice'. This may have started from the early 1800's and continued after the death of Campbell. Many of the original farm houses were destroyed; the remains of many the old stone farmhouses remain scattered around Loch Tay to this day.
The 1841 census records the following individuals noted on this page:
Kilmadock area / Drumvaich village (Ref 362/1/7)
Colin Robertson is the brother of Robert Robertson (born 1785) listed below in Dunbarton.
It is not known where John Robertson (born 1826) was. He was 15 or 16 and could be one of many young men with that name and age in the 1841 census. He may have already left the area and headed south before travelling to Australia. Colin and Christian's younger sons, Colin Robertson (aged 7) and James Duncan Robertson (aged 5), do not appear in the census and no obvious record has been found of them after that point. Had they died by that point? Or were they just not recorded?
Kilmadock area / Malton (Ref 362/2/1)
Arrochar / Dunbarton (Ref 492/3/1)
Arrochar is to the west of Loch Lomond. Robert Robertson was the brother of Colin Robertson recorded in the Kilmadock area above in 1841.
Robert and Christina's children Colin (born 1822), Janet (born 1825), Anne (born 1827), and Donald (born 1829) are not listed which means they had died by 1841 or were living elsewhere. A James Robertson (aged 50) and his likely wife Christian (aged 50) and a probable son James Robertson are also recorded at Arrochar in the 1841 census (Ref 492/1/7); it is not yet known if they are related.
Robert's family is listed as shown below:
Over the next 10 years it appears that all of the children had moved away from home except Christina who was aged 11 when recorded in the 1851 census, see below. Robert also appears to be working elsewhere as he is not recorded in the same location as his wife Christina (recorded as the 'wife of a shepherd') in the 1851 census.
Stirling/Stirling (Ref 490 7/11)
The brother of Colin and Robert Robertson, James Robertson (aged 50), a gardener, and his wife Mary (aged 53) are recorded in the 1841 census in Stirling, Stirling. Their ages are consistent with the ages of James Robertson born in 1789 and his wife Margaret/Mary (nee McGregor) who may have been born in 1787. Their location in the 1841 census appears to be 'Guild Lane' or something similar. Note that the 1851 census states that James Robertson (aged 60) was a shoe maker born in Kilmadock (not Killin), Perthshire and was living with his *sister* Mary, a widow aged 45 and recorded as a housekeeper. This may be the wrong census entry - TBA.
Colin and Christian Robertson's eldest son John Robertson made his way down to London some time before November 1848. He departed for Australia, aged 22, on the (relatively new, 635 ton ship) Francis Ridley on 9 November 1848, arriving at Port Philip (Melbourne) on 12 February 1849. The shipping record lists John in the 'Single Males, not being members of families', as a 'wheelwright' from Drumvaitch, Perthshire.
Colin Robertson - Drumvaich (Ref 362/1/3)
The 1851 census shows Colin Robertson (now aged 67) and Christian (aged 59) at number 12, Drumvaich, a small village. The census notes that Colin was born in Killin, Perthshire, and that Colin was now a 'Labourer and occupier of 2 acres arable and 1/8 part of 150 acres of common' (Ref 362 1/3). They appear to be living alone. The location of their children in 1851 is summarised below:
Robert and Christina Robertson (Ref 492/3/3)
Robert Robertson (born 1781) the brother of Colin Robertson in Drumvaich, was a shepherd. In the 1851 census, Robert's wife Christina Robertson (aged 55, a 'shepherd's wife') and their daughter and youngest child also named Christina (aged 11, a scholar), were recorded at 8 Ardverlick, Dunbarton, just north-west of Glasgow in the Parish of Arrochar along with a lodger named Robert McDougal (aged 11, also a scholar. It is assumed that Robert himself was in a different location working as a sheperd. There are at least seven Robert Robertsons aged between 69 and 71 who might be this Robert - further research is required.
In 1854, Colin Robertson wrote a letter in reply his son John in Australia (full text below below). This letter appears to confirm that only John and Robert were alive at that point. He mentions that John's aunt is very happy to hear some news about Duncan McLean in Australia. He makes mention of 'uncle Archibald' who would seem to be overseas somewhere and doing very well. It is not clear who Archibald is; Christian's father was Archibald McMartin but none of their known children were so-named; none of John's brothers were named Archibald. One possibility is the Archibald McMartin who was born to Malcolm McMartin and Margery McDiarmid and baptised in Killin on 9 August 1791 (Ref 361/20/247). This couple had at least two other children but their marriage record has not yet been identified.
John noted in his letter that he had written to John's brother Robert (possibly in Newcastle) but had not received a reply. He added that Robert '... likes the English masters better than the Edinburgh Masters' and that he will 'stop in Newcastle all summer'. He also added that Robert was keen to go to Australia also but didn't have the money to do so. Note also the reference to an Uncle Archibald, highlighted in bold and italics. It is not known who this is.
Drumvaich
June 14 1854
Dear Son and Daughter and all your friends there,
It is with the greatest of pleasure at this time that I sit down to write to you these few lines to let you know that we are all in ordinary steat of health (Thanks be to God for his grate Murcy towards you and us) I hope that this will find you and all friends there injoying the same blessing, we thank you for being so mindful of writing to us, we received your kind letter deated th28 January it landed us th24 May it took as long a time is any I have yet it came with the ship Australian, you anty is very happy to hear that Duncan Maclean and his wife are both in good health shee thanks you kindly for being so mindfull of sending us word about them, she thinks a wounder that they not got any of the letters shee send I think shee send two or three letters shee is in hopes by there last letter that they soon be home with great fortune as they mention in there last letter that they expect to to be home this summer. --- we received three letters from you since the beginning of January last this is the forth one I send three letters before this one I wrote you answer for each of them, in case you have not got them and we return our kind thanks and love to you for your kindness to us in the time of need in sending us ten pounds we hope that you will want and trust that you will be more richera after this nor ever you been before; with God blissing; we pray that the lord will bliss you a Spiritual blissing from on high with a long life and prosperity and we all praice him for his goodness towards us at all times. --- you (?) in your letter about your Uncle Archd, how he is coming on nor nothing about his Famley. we here from other people that he is doing will and that he is worth a great deale of money, whether this is true or not we Cannot tell you. We are very glad to here that you have got your houses ready and that you have let one of them to a tenant from our own parish if it is true, David Dewar John Dewar's father had been telling to sume of his friends that John his sonand Henderson hi(?) taken a house in Geelong from John Robertson Colin Robertson's son, it was Hohn [sic, perhaps John] Macnee in Coil bo halzie in the braes of Doune, had told me (?.) John will tell you aout him, old David Dewar is married on John Macnee's sister -- I am very happy to here that our own countrey people is so friendly to one another in a strange countrey and they ought to be so among strangers. -- I am very happy that John is goten his houses re(ady?) which I hope that they will pay him good interest for his money as I am told there is nothing that will pay better than building houses in Australia, but am quite sure that they coast you a great deale of money however we will let that alon, if a farmer was to look on all expences on his farm he would never put a plour on his land, so I would advise my man to build houses or by land there, as I am informed them people is bying and selling houses or land that they are doing well and sell with great profit; - I hope that John has built his houses secure that the wind will not blow them down lick sume of your churches (.) John Dewar's Father was telling me one day that your Church was blow down with the wind and that Henderson and John was two of the Committee of the Church lickwise that he thought that John was the (?) and the church was to be built anew, so if it be true I hope that John would see it properly built for the Congregation a false built Kirk is very dangerous I have to build a new byre this summer on my own expences I get nothing from the propraitors but the wood the old byre in nearly to the pot, I am afraid that it will fall su(?) night or day on the cows I rather build it anew myself ner to be danger only cost me about 25/- - perhaps I will get something for building sume time yet.
I have a lamentable tale to tell you that conserning Duncan Campbell o(ur) next neighbour he had been working at a road between Lock Katrine (and?) Lock Lomond left Coulbarn Inn on saturday night th6 of May it would seem that he had been drinking two freeley he was missing for sume time, after a diligent search has been made for him without suckcess at last on the 6 of June his body was found by men that was fishing in the loch. Loch Katrine. he has left his wife and 6 children to morn his loss the poor widdow is left without anything but the nei(ghbour) gives her I have gathered by superscription near 30/- it will keep the famley at the mean time Dear Children I have better let you know we have a sabbath teaching in our house since the month April ether aout 15 or 16 children on every sabbath evening James Buchnanan chos teaching the first ch(ild?) Betsy Buchanan for the second class, Jean has one from Easter Choclchat teaching the 3 class. I realy think it is doing a great deal of good to the young children, it is a great blissing to teach in the fear of God when they are young they will mind it when they (are) old --- I have wrote to Robert when ever I received your letters I have not got an answer back from him yet, the last letter we got it was the month of May th4 of that month he steated in his letter that he likes the English masters better than the Edinburgh Masters he say that the Englosh [sic] masters is not so proud and they are more kinder that he will stop in Newcastle all summer Robert was very willing (to) go after his brother but passage money was so high that he could not go except he would get some assistance I give his a copy of all letters that you send, he thinks a wounder that John is not writing to him at all he had wrote to John two or three letters and he had not got no answers back, tell John to write himself to him, although they are fare distant from one another let them keep brotherly love, I trust in God that they will love one another, in doing so they will be lick brothers: My dera [sic] daughter see yourself what manner of love you send to us in your own letters, it is true what my wife said when I read your letter and tears falling to the ground, what manner of lo(?) she said, I think my daughter it is at our own fireside speaking to face to face, although you is in Australia and we in old Drumvaich. Dear children the Gospel is very true, love goes over all - our time is but a spang length in this world so let us consider our ways how shall we come to God for we are sinful creaturs, Jesus said I am the way, no man cometh unto me but by the Father, him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out, come to him and he will save you from all distresses. I am now getting old I think my age is 73 the 4th of this month your John was born the 19th Nov 1826 so you can count his age yourself I think it is 28 years coming. Robert was boren the year of our Lord 1831 the 5th Aprile his eage 23 years past, Now my I am noe near at close with my letter, I hope we are journeying unto (a) place of which our Lord said, I will give it you, Come thou with us and we will do thee good. The Lord bless thee and keep thee The Lord make (his) face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee May the Lord lift up (his) Countenance upon thee and give thee peace and in the kingdom of God ( .. ) Eternity- remember and write to us all the news how you are comming especially about your houses, my wife and friends joins me in our kind love to your all and may the Lord bless you all Your loveing Father till death.
Colin added the following page to the letter:
Talking nonsense
By the bye after ending my letter my sister* came and said that shee would wish vry much that you would write to Duncan Maclean that shee send 4 letters to them since they left home, and that shee is wearing for another letter from them shee address her letters to the care of the man that Duncan wrought to a place called Edinburgh House in Geelong, no if you know the place where he is you can write him. I have a little more to say Andrew Maclean and John Maclean** went off Australia in the month of Apeile last John was very ill off when he saw the shipe some lady told me that he fainted very ill. for aw that he took a wife with him they were saying that they would no face Duncan nor speak to him for what reason I cannot tell you, when they will land there they will be among the Cold to the shoulders. I have something more to tell you. My wife and I is very throung howing wtthe potatoes just now, they are looking very well. it apears they will be a crop in Scotland this season for everthing looks well. everything is rising in price since this ware commenced between Turkey and Russia, meal is selling at £2-13- per load, and every other accordingly; I must draw this letter to a close for want of room if I be supared in health I will write soon again, may the Lord bless you all mind us in your prayers your Father and Mother
C.R.
Remember and write soon again.
*It is not clear whether this refers to either of Colin's sisters Ellin or Anne, or to Christian's sister Katharine who married a Colin McLaren. The name Duncan MacLean comes up again when Colin's brother Robert died in Stirling in 1874 - a Duncan McLean, Robert's 'nephew in law' was the informant. A nephew in law suggests that one of James' brother Robert's daughters (Helen, Janet, Anne, Margaret or Christina) had married Duncan McLean.
**Victorian shipping records show that Andrew McLean (aged 26) and John McLean (aged 24), both 'farmers', left Liverpool on the 'Mermaid' on 1 May 1854 with almost 400 other passengers, arriving a couple of months later. Andrew McLean was probably the man whose death was recorded in The Evening Star (Ballarat) on 15 January 1914 'deceased arrived from Scotland in 1854 and after a short spell at the (gold) diggings entered into farming at Learmonth', eventually becoming the proprietor of the 'old Harvest Home Hotel' but then acquiring another farm adjoining Labona and lived there with his family. That article notes he was 88; the Victorian BDM record (Ref 691/1914) states he was 82 with both parent's names unknown. He married Mary Paterson/Patterson (who died around 1910). They had four children:
Robert Robertson (born 1831), the son of Colin Robertson (died 1859), married Mary Sked at Tradeston in Glasgow in 1856 (Ref 644/98). Mary Sked may be the person of that name, born to Richard Sked and Margaret Campbell, baptised on 9 January 1823 in Glasgow (Ref 644/1 310/172). If this is correct, Mary had a younger brother, Richard Sked, baptised 18 April 1830 in Greenock Old (25 miles west of Glasgow) (Ref 564/3 50/297). Robert and Mary Robertson had two children, neither of whom survived a year:
The death location for Colin suggests that Robert and Mary Robertson (nee Sked) returned to Doune, perhaps because his father was dying, or to help his mother.
Colin Robertson, an agricultural labourer and dyke builder, died on 13 June 1859 aged 74. His father was recorded as John Robertson (decd.), farmer and his mother was Helen Clark (decd). This information was notified by Robert Robertson, his son. Colin was buried at Doune Churchyard (probably Scots Church, which was sold to private developers in 2012 - his grave is no longer identifiable).
Following the death of her husband Colin, Christian Robertson, along with her son Robert Robertson and his wife Mary Robertson (nee Sked) migrated to Australia. They departed Liverpool as unassisted passengers on board the British Trident on 9 January 1860, arriving in Melbourne, Australia, on 5 April 1860. The emigration to Australia and Colin's letter above seems to indicate that none of their children remained in Scotland (but John's brother Robert was living in Rothesay, Bute).
It is likely that they were met by Christian's son (and Robert's brother) John Robertson, on arrival. Christian died in Geelong on 12 May 1873. Click this link for more information about Robert Robertson in Australia and New Zealand.
Rothesay, Bute - Robert and Christina Robertson - (Ref 558/18/18)
Robert Robertson (born 1781, now aged 80, a 'former shepherd'), the son of John Robertson and Helen Clark and brother of James Robertson in Stirling, along with his wife Christian (nee Robertson, mother's maiden name McDiarmid, now aged 65) are recorded at 2 Minister's Brae, Rothesay, Bute, Scotland in the 1861 census. They had two boarders in their home - Mary Buchan, aged 42, a factory worker from Ayreshire, and Janet Watson, aged 26, also a factory worker but from Glasgow. (Ref 558/18/18)
Stirling, Stirling - James Robertson - (Ref 490/6/21)
James Robertson (born 1789, now aged 72), the son of John Robertson and Helen Clark and brother of Robert Robertson in Bute, is recorded as the 'house holder' at 82 'High Craigs' (possibly now Upper Craigs Street) Stirling in the 1861 census (Ref 490/6/21). If it is the same location as Upper Craigs presently, most of the houses are three-storeys high. This would explain why there appear to be three families at this address - the family of George Minn (6 people), a labourer, and the family of Alexander Christie (5 people), a horse dealer. James himself appears to be living on his own. He may have moved by the 1871 census (see below) which records him at what looks like 63 King Street, Stirling.
Robert Robertson (born 1781), the son of John Robertson and Helen Clark, died on 10 June 1863 at Rothesay. His death certificate states he was 83-years-old and a shepherd, and he was the son of John Robertson, a farmer, and Helen Clark (both deceased). The cause of his death was 'paralysis', possibly a stroke. The informant was his daughter Margaret (born 1836); her surname is not clear. (Ref 558/72).
Robert's wife Christian (nee Robertson, mother's maiden name McDiarmid) died on 11 June 1870, also at Rothesay, Bute, Scotland (Ref 558/109, first name shows as Christina).
James Robertson - Stirling/Stirling - (Ref 490 7/30)
James Robertson (born 1789), the brother of Colin Robertson and Robert Robertson, is recorded in the 1871 census at 63 King Street, Stirling as follows (Ref 490 7/30). Note that the writing is quite poor:
The daughter Catherine above was born in 1809 but James married Margaret McGregor in February 1811 at Killin and their first child Margaret was baptised there in April 1811.
James Robertson was the son of John Robertson and Helen Clark, and the brother of Colin Robertson and Robert Robertson who pre-deceased him.
James' death certificate states that he died on 3 March 1874 at 34 Haig? Street in Stirling. His death certificate states was 84, a 'scavenger' and 'widower of Mary Livingston' (who may be the 'sister' Mary Robertson recorded in the 1851 census or the Mary Young recorded in the 1861 census). His parents were recorded as John Robertson, a farmer, and Helen Clark (same as Colin and Robert). He died of 'senile decay'.
The informant on the death certificate was Duncan McLean of 79 Upper Bridge Street, Stirling, noted as a 'nephew in law'. To be a 'nephew in law' means he was likely the husband of the daughter of James' brother Robert (as brother Colin didn't have daughters); these daughters were Helen/Ellin Robertson (born 1820, Janet Robertson (born 1825), Anne Robertson (born 1827), Margaret Robertson (born 1836), and Christina Robertson (born 1839). It may be relevant here that an Ellen McLean and Duncan McLean are recorded at the same address in Stirling in the 1871 census (Ref 490/14/8). This may be James' niece (TBC - if their address in the census is the same as shown on James' death certificate).
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Page created 18 October from the original created in December 2011, updated 18 October 2025. Copyright © Andrew Warland. (andrewwarland(at)gmail.com)