I have a range of Fairbairn's in my Tree including a Samuel Fairbairn of Edinburgh a tax collector and his sister Katherine Fairbairn from Penicuik. Their father was an Archibald Fairbairn born in Penicuik in 1758. They link to a James Fairbairn the Schoolmaster in Penicuik. Some Fairbairn's in the Edinburgh book trade were also linked.

I may have a connection with a George Fairbairn, born about 1830 in Oldhamstocks, East Lothian. I'm trying to find out if he is the same person as the George Fairbairn who subseqently married my great-grandmother, Mary Ann Hird, in Hartlepool ( County Durham ) in 1854.

Any leads would be most welcome!

I have not come upon a George Fairbairn and nothing I have would suggest a link.

I have since found a George Fairbairn who was 19 in the 1851 Bingley Yorkshire Census.
This family was from Penicuik in Scotland. His Parents were George Fairbairn and Jane Gray who married in Penicuik in 1815.
He is about the right age and was not far from Durham

You've probably found this long since Judy.
There was a George born or baptised 1 Jan 1830 Oldhamstocks to George FAIRBAIRN and Elizabeth FAIR shown in the ScotlandsPeople index.
My last sighting of him (no known relation to me) was in the 1841 at home with family at Mill Gate, Oldhamstocks.
He wasn't with them in 1851.
Regards,
Lorna
FAIRBAIRN Surname DNA Project
http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/fairbairn/