Alexander Runciman (of Meikle Pinkerton: m. Joan Manderson)1

(say 1786 - bet. 1831 - 1841)
Father-Poss*Thomas Runciman (m. Jean SIMPSON) (circa Jul 1762 - bet. 1841 - 1851); Alexander's children's naming pattern does indicate parents are Thomas and Joan, and a Thomas was the witness to the baptisms for a number of his children, but there's the apparent unlikely transition from tailor to farming occupations in the family2,3,4
Mother-Poss*Jean Simpson (bet. 1756 - 1761 - bet. 1841 - 1851)

Intro

     We have an excellent set of DNA matches between representatives of the lines of: David, weaver of Earlston; William of Crail; Thomas of Innerwick and Alexander of Meikle Pinkerton.
Exactly how their trees connect is completely unknown, particularly now that the initial hypothesis linking Thomas of Innerwick and William of Crail has been overturned.5

     Does a tailor become a hind? Are there two families here or one?
With the differences in occupation I had doubts about my identification of these family connections, however "reasonable" they seemed when I first made them.
My answer is now yes, as at least the son of a taylor does indeed become a hind/land steward. I had the answer all along, the death cert. of son John clearly shows his father (John married to Marion Weatherly) as a land steward.

The tailor connection:
1783: Thomas Runciman and Jean Simpson marry in Haddington, Thomas a taylor, (recorded in the Dunbar OPR)
1784: John, son of Thomas and Jean (Simpson), taylor at Broxburn born/baptised
This John is linked to the one married to May/Marion Weatherly through the latter 's marriage which gives John's father as Thomas, albeit with no occupations listed for either father or son.
An earlier Thomas was a tailor, eg 1770 bap. Alexander s/o Thomas and Barbara Wallis - which latter surname features as a witness somewhere (yet to be refound)

The farming connections (which may or may not indicate a different family despite the same wife's names):
1798: at Crawhill: a son George born to Thomas a hind.
1808 Isabella born to John and May (Weatherly) which may be the link crossing the boundary between tailor Thomas and hind Thomas.
1871 death of John son of John and Marion (Weatherly) in Edinburgh, father John shown as a land steward, deceased.

1869 Robert (married to Agnes King) is linked because his death cert states his father as Thomas, ag labourer, but mother not named
1885 Thomas (married to Mary Redpath) is linked because his death cert states his parents as Thomas, general labourer, and Jane, albeit without a surname for Jane.

Alexander (married to Joan Manderson) is linked to farming Thomas by naming pattern of his children, and because a Thomas, hind was witness to several of his children's baptisms, at Mickle Pinkerton, which place features in several earlier entries in the Dunbar OPRs, eg birth of George 1734 to Thomas and Helen (Stevensone).

Alexander, possibly this one, is linked as witness to marriage of John and Marion Weatherly at Oldhamstocks (banns Innerwick where father Thomas was cautioner for the groom)

Once Alexander is linked in, this also links in the George married to Janet Darling, as their respective children Agnes and George are documented on their 1861 marriage cert as first cousins.
With large gaps in the known children for George and Janet there was room to fit in a son Thomas, who has now been found (died Edinburgh 1877) to add naming pattern into the evidence for the prosecution

Until I found the Crawhill connection I was coming to the conclusion that there were two families, but even with the Crawhill connection between Alexander's and John's families, it still isn't really "proof" that they are one family but could be indicative of two Johns, one son of the tailor, the other married to May Weatherly.3,6,7
     

BDMs

     Alexander Runciman was born say 1786 ?Par. of Dunbar, ELN, SCT, Nearest extant baptism in ELN OPR is Alexander 1770 to Thomas RUNCIMAN and Barbara WALLIS, but if George is his brother, this is out of contention, given Thomas and Barbara are having children baptised from 1754 and George was born 1798.2,8
     Alexander Runciman married Joan Manderson, daughter of Alexander Manderson and Isobel Litster, on 29 May 1810 Dunbar, ELN, SCT, Banns 18th Innerwick read: "Innerwick May 18th booked names in order to marriage. Alexander Runciman in this parish and Joane (sp) (illegible) Manderson in the parish of Dunbar. Thomas Runciman for the bridegroom and William Manderson for the bride Cautioners. Proclaimed according to order and married."2,9,10,11
     Alexander Runciman died bet. 1831 - 1841 ?Par. of Dunbar, ELN; ancestry tree of RVTaylor has 1837 as dth.12
We have a conundrum.
Admittedly incomplete paper trails led to the inclusion of the following as children of Thomas and Jean:
John who married to Marion/May Weatherley,
Alexander who married Joan Manderson,
Thomas who married Mary Redpath,
Robert who married Agnes King,
George who married Janet Darling,
and of the William who married Janet Paxton.

The initial three sets of dna results for some of the above showed the theory might be a bit flawed, three kits, none matching the other, but one (descendant of John) matching others in Lineage 1 overall
However as of Jun 2014 a fourth kit, from the line of son Thomas, gave us a match between descendants of John and Thomas, both matching the rest of Lineage 1.
Jun 2016 brought in a representative from son George, and yet another match, so 4 lines now tested with 5 kits, with John, Thomas and George now looking good as sons of Thomas and Mary.

We still need Robert and Alexander represented, and a confirming dna signature from son William however.

As the line of William and Janet (Paxton) Runciman appears to have "daughtered out" on the lines other than the 1st cousins of the participant already tested, it may be that we have to look for descendants of any lines willing to try autosomal dna (FamilyFinder) - although that may be a bit of a long shot, given the randomness of atDNA inheritance, especially when trying to find DNA matches on relationships beyond 3rd cousins.13

Names/other info

     Alexander Runciman was a witness to the marriage of his brother John Runciman to Marion Weatherlie on 28 Nov 1806 Stockbridge, Par. of Oldhamstocks, ELN, SCT.14,15,6,16,17,18

DNA Info

     The DNA project would very much like to hear from a direct male line representative from the line of Alexander Runciman. Although a plausible line of evidence links Alexander to Thomas and Jean, and as brother to the George married to Janet Darling, it would be good to add to this with some dna evidence.19
     Alexander's line needs a/another participant in the RUNCIMAN Surname DNA Project. Check out the Wanted! page for further information.

Links

     Click here to see Alexander's page on WikiTree, a (free) collaborative on-line tree.20

Researcher(s)

     Alexander Runciman (of Meikle Pinkerton: m. Joan Manderson) is the ancestor of researcher Keith Lawson Mitchell. (Keith being a grandson of Elizabeth Houston LITTLE nee RUNCIMAN.) Alexander's line is also being researched by David Robert Mitchell. (David being a great grandson of Elizabeth Houston LITTLE nee RUNCIMAN Email: David.

Family

Joan Manderson (circa 1788 - May 1857)
Children
  • Thomas Runciman9 (Jun 1811 - bet. 1816 - 1818)
  • Isabel Runciman21 (Jul 1812 - aft. 1871)
  • Alexander Runciman22,23 (May 1816 - Oct 1872)
  • Thomas Runciman24,25 (Jul 1818 - May 1868)
  • Joan Runciman26 (circa 1821 - aft. 1871)
  • Mary Runciman27,28 (Mar 1824 - 1904)
  • John Runciman (m. Ann Souness)+26,29 (circa 1829 - Apr 1905)
  • Agnes Runciman30 (circa 1831 - bet. 1861 - 1868)
ChartsLineage 1d: Alexander & Janet (HENDRIE) RUNCIMAN of Dunbar, ELN
Wanted: Thomas and Jean (Simpson) Runciman
Wanted: Alexander and Joan (Manderson) Runciman
Last Edited15 Apr 2016

Citations

  1. [S16] Lorna Henderson, "RUNCIMAN One Name Study", Updated Oct 2011.
  2. [S56] Scottish BMDB entries (from 1855), http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/index.php, Mar. cert 1861 George RUNCIMAN and Agnes RUNCIMAN, copy d/loaded Sep 2005, (706 #30).
  3. [S3] Lorna Henderson, "RUNCIMAN Analysis", Apr 2010.
  4. [S2505] Rootsweb Mailing List online at http://lists.rootsweb.com, Brth 8 Jul Bap. 19 Jul 1818 Thomas s/o Alexr RUNCIMAN (hind Mickle Pinkerton) & Joan MANDERSON, Par. of Dunbar, posted Nov 2001 by Barbara SAMPLES, extracted Apr 2010.
  5. [S15] RUNCIMAN DNA Project online at http://dnasurnames.info/lineages/spRUNCIMANLineages.htm, Nov 2012.
  6. [S56] Scottish BMDB entries (from 1855), http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/index.php, Dth 1871 John RUNCIMAN, Dist 685/2 Pg 102 #304, Edinburgh St Andrew, MLN, copy d/loaded Apr 2007.
  7. [S15] RUNCIMAN DNA Project online at http://dnasurnames.info/lineages/spRUNCIMANLineages.htm, Oct 2011.
  8. [S102] Scotlands People Index, "OPR East Lothian, SCT RUNCIMAN Births 1538-1854", Birth (or bap.) 1770 Alexander s/o Thomas RUNCIMAN & Barbara WALLIS, Dunbar, ELN 706/ 0030 0011, extracted from index Apr 2010.
  9. [S102] Scotlands People Index, "OPR East Lothian, SCT RUNCIMAN Births 1538-1854", Birth (or bap.) 7 Jul 1811 Thomas s/o Alexander RUNCIMAN & Joan MANDERSON, Dunbar, ELN 711/ 0030 0297, extracted from index Apr 2010.
  10. [S103] Scotlands People Index, "OPR East Lothian SctP RUNCIMAN Marriages 1538-1854", Marr. 29 May 1810 Alexander RUNCIMAN & Joan MANDERSON, Dunbar, ELN 706/ 0050 0201 (also 18 May Innerwick, 711/ 0030 0412), extracted from index Apr 2010.
  11. [S2505] Rootsweb Mailing List online at http://lists.rootsweb.com, Marr. 18 May 1810 Alexander RUNCIMAN & Joane MANDERSON, Par. of Innerwick, posted Feb 2001 by Alethea, from film 1067850, extracted by Patsy, Christchurch , extracted Apr 2010.
  12. [S56] Scottish BMDB entries (from 1855), http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/index.php, Marr. 12 Dec 1861 George RUNCIMAN and Agnes RUNCIMAN, Dunbar, Haddington, 706 #30, copy d/loaded Sep 2005.
  13. [S15] RUNCIMAN DNA Project online at http://dnasurnames.info/lineages/spRUNCIMANLineages.htm, Apr 2010, updated Mar 2012 and Jun 2016.
  14. [S104] Scotlands People Index, "OPR Berwick, SCT, RUNCIMAN Births 1538-1854", Birth (bap.?) 1 Sep 1811 Thomas s/o John RUNCIMAN & May WEATHERLY, Langton, BEW, 747/ 0010 0077, extracted from index Mar 2010.
  15. [S102] Scotlands People Index, "OPR East Lothian, SCT RUNCIMAN Births 1538-1854", Birth (or bap.) 14 Mar 1808 Isabel d/o John RUNCIMAN & May WEATHERLY, Innerwick, ELN, 711/ 0030 0288, extracted from index Apr 2010.
  16. [S3082] Rootsweb: RUNCIMAN Mailing List online at http://lists.rootsweb.ancestry.com/index/surname/r/…, Marr. 15 Nov 1806 John (in this parish) s/o Thomas RUNCIMAN; and Marion (Par. of Oldhamstocks), d/o John WEATHERLIE, Innerwick, ELN, from "Parish Church of Innerwick Film #1067850, transcribed by Patsy, Christchurch, NZ, posted by Alethea, Feb 2001, extracted Feb 2010.
  17. [S2913] Bronwen DEMMOCKS, "RUNCIMAN/WEATHERLY Corres.," e-mail to Lorna Henderson, Marr. 28 Nov 1806 John RUNCIMAN (Innerwick) & Marrion WEATHERLY (Oldhamstocks), at Stockbridge, Par. of Oldhamstocks, ELN, transcr. from GR tree, extracted Apr 2010.
  18. [S55] Scottish BMDB entries (to 1854), http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/index.php, Marr. 15 Nov 1806 John RUNCIMAN (Innerwick s/o Thomas) & Marion WEATHERLIE (Oldhamstocks, d/o John), Innerwick, ELN, 711/0030 0406, copy d/loaded Apr 2010.
  19. [S15] RUNCIMAN DNA Project online at http://dnasurnames.info/lineages/spRUNCIMANLineages.htm, Updated Oct 2011.
  20. [S3217] WikiTree online at http://WikiTree.com/, Oct-11.
  21. [S2505] Rootsweb Mailing List online at http://lists.rootsweb.com, Birth 24 Jul Bap. 9 Aug 1812 Isabel d/o Alexr RUNCIMAN (hind Mickle Pinkerton) & Joan MANDERSON, Par. of Dunbar, posted Nov 2001 by Barbara SAMPLES, extracted Apr 2010.
  22. [S56] Scottish BMDB entries (from 1855), http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/index.php, Birth (or bap.) 2 Jun 1816 Alexander s/o Alexander RUNCIMAN & Joan MANDERSON, Dunbar, ELN 706/ 0040 0176, extracted from index Apr 2010.
  23. [S56] Scottish BMDB entries (from 1855), http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/index.php, Dth 22 Oct 1872 Alexander s/o Alexander RUNCIMAN & Joann (sic) MANDERSON, h/o Margaret CAIRNS, Par. of Garvald, ELN 707 Pg 4 #11, copy d/loaded Apr 2010.
  24. [S102] Scotlands People Index, "OPR East Lothian, SCT RUNCIMAN Births 1538-1854", Birth (or bap.) 19 Jul 1818 Thomas s/o Alexander RUNCIMAN & Joan MANDERSON, Dunbar, ELN 706/ 0040 0193, extracted from index Apr 2010.
  25. [S56] Scottish BMDB entries (from 1855), http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/index.php, Dth 16 May 1868 Thomas s/o Alexander RUNCIMAN & Joan MANDERSON, h/o Joan WATTERSTON, Barryhill, Dunbar, ELN 706 Pg 13 #38, copy d/loaded Apr 2010.
  26. [S203] 1851 Census transcripts, Scotland, via Ancestry.com, Coldingham, BEW Par 732 ED 9Pg 7 Sched 22 hsehold of Joan RUNCIMAN, extracted Aug 2007.
  27. [S1597] FamilySearch Labs Record Search (LDS) online at http://search.labs.familysearch.org/recordsearch/, Birth 8 Mar 1824 Mary d/o Alexander RUNCIMAN & Joan MANDERSON, batch C11723-5, Whitekirk, ELN, film 1067862, from Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950, extracted Nov 2010.
  28. [S3289] Index of births, marriages and deaths, Dth 1904 Mary HOWDEN, d/o Alexr RUNCIAHAN (sic) & Joan MANDERSON Longwarry, VIC, #9372, extracted Apr 2016.
  29. [S56] Scottish BMDB entries (from 1855), http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/index.php, Dth 7 Apr 1905 John s/o Alexander RUNCIMAN & Joan MANDERSON; h/o Ann SOUNESS, reg. Inveresk & Musselburgh, MLN, ref. 689/00 0078, copy d/loaded Jul 2012.
  30. [S56] Scottish BMDB entries (from 1855), http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/index.php, Mar. cert 1861 George RUNCIMAN and Agnes RUNCIMAN, copy d/loaded Sep 2005.
 
  • Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.

    — Abraham Lincoln
  • My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can.

    — Cary Grant
  • Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested and the frog dies of it.

    — E. B. White
  • I'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart.

    — e. e. cummings
  • What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is. If I wish to explain it to him who asks, I do not know.

    — Saint Augustine
  • Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.

    — Mark Twain
  • If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.

    — Henry David Thoreau
  • If two things look the same, look for differences. If they look different, look for similarities.

    — John Cardinal
  • In theory, there is no difference. In practice, there is.

    — Anonymous
  • Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.

    — John Adams
  • People who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like.

    — Abraham Lincoln
  • History - what never happened described by someone who wasn't there

    — ?Santayana?
  • What's a "trice"? It's like a jiffy but with three wheels

    — Last of the Summer Wine
  • Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened

    — Terry Pratchett
  • I'll be more enthusiastic about encouraging thinking outside the box when there's evidence of any thinking going on inside it.

    — Terry Pratchett
  • .. we were trained to meet any new situation by reorganising; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illuson of progress

    — Petronius (210 BC)
  • The time we have at our disposal every day is elastic; the passions that we feel expand it, those that we inspire contract it; and habit fills up what remains

    — Proust
  • So just as it is not the desire to become famous but the habit of being laborious that enables us to produce a finished work, so it is not the activity of the present moment but wise reflexions from the past that help us to safeguard the future

    — Proust "Within the Budding Grove"
  • You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

    — William J. H. Boetcker
  • Only a genealogist thinks taking a step backwards is progress

    — Lorna
  • No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he means.

    — George Bernard Shaw
  • A TV remote is female: It easily gives a man pleasure, he'd be lost without it, and while he doesn't always know which buttons to push, he just keeps trying.

    — Anon
  • Hammers are male: Because in the last 5000 years they've hardly changed at all, and are occasionally handy to have around.

    — Anon
  • The right thing to do is to do nothing, the place to do it is in a place of concealment and the time to do it is as often as possible.

    — Tony Cook "The Biology of Terrestrial Molluscs"
  • All that mankind has done, thought, gained or been: it is lying as in magic preservation in the pages of books.

    — Thomas Carlyle "The Hero as Man of Letters"