The Howats compose a significant branch in our family tree, and I know nothing about them. I'd like to know the origin of the name, and it's history and would like the same information on Mair. I'd appreciate any research suggestions, or input that can be offered.

A distant Howat cousin has done a good deal of research. However, it seems that the farthest back the research goes is to an Andrew Howat and Margaret Mair who were married on May 17, 1811 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. They had seven children. James Howat born December 1813 is our ancestor. The other children were Robert 1811, Andrew 1816, Jasper 1818, Janet 1825, Agnes 1827, John 1830, and Margaret abt. 1835.

I'd be very interested in hearing from anyone researching Howats in Ayrshire. The research of Jame Howat's line has been done, I'm looking to extend the research of the line back from his parents.

Thanks for any assistance.

Anne Rendall

I have a Margaret Mair in my tree, b.1786 in Loudoun, parents John Mair/Margaret Browning. I also have Howats but only from late 19th c.

Research Howat.
Elizabeth Howat bn C1810 Old Cumnock Ayr married Robert Murray Old Cumnock Ayr. Children Thomas bn 1834, Jane bn 1836, John bn 1841.
Any connection?

Keen to mary up what u may have I have quite a bit on the origin of the name etc Please get in touch.

Tom,
My gt gt gt grandfather James Mair was the brother of Margaret Mair. He was born at Hill farm, Newmilns, Loudoun and baptised in 1777. I have information on other brothers. John Mair m.Janet Mair and Janet Gray. Mathew Mair m. Helen Jamieson and Alexander Mair m.Agnes Meikle.Also have Boyds rom Craigie parish and Howats from Sorn parish. Can we exchange information Robbie

Helen,
I haven't heard from Tom yet but your information on Alexander Mair is more extensive than mine. My ancestorJames Mair died at North Auchenbrain farm Mauchline on March 25 1826 and it was his will which gave me the connections to Mathew Mair Darvel John Mair Crofthead. Tarbolton and Alexander Mair at Newmilns. Mathew obtained land from John Mair Hillhead, Newmilns in 1805 and I am Sure that this is his father John m. Margaret Browning. Note HILLHEAD and not as I said in the previous message
HILL farm. Keep in contact Robbie

Hello Robbie
I am interested in occupants of Crofthead Farm I have Sloans there by 1881. Do you know if the Mair family sold out to the Sloans? I have Mair connections also but they seem to be Colliers in the Sorn area. Do you connect to any of them? Alexander x3 George,Mungo,William.
merrylee

Check out the HOWAT message board where I have just posted some messages which you may find interesting. Please feel free to post your own message.

Hello,
I am just getting started on my uncle's side. He was a Mair born in Newmilns in 1895. I am looking for information on Alexander Mair b. 1859 in Newmilns who married Lillias Mitchell b. 1862 also of Newmilns. I know nothing about the family before Alexander and not much after. Can you help?
d

Looking for the parents of Elizabeth Bicket. Born 4 Jan 1791 Fenwick. Married 22 Oct 1833 at Fenwick to William Wallace parish of Mauchline. Believe her parents to be David Bicket and Elizabeth Howat of Fenwick

Not sure if this is of use.
Christina HOWAT Married John MCDOWALL,Their Duaghter
Sarah MCDOWALL Married Hugh SPROTT 24 Mar 1817 Stranrear I would like to think of some connection, to widen my searches

I am doing research into my shaw and wallace ancestors.
What is your connection to the shaw and wallaces?
Mine came from Dunbarton, scotland, My G.G.Grandfather was James Shaw and his wife was Janet Wallace they came out to new zealand abt 1864-65, I wish to get more info on the and their lives and family before they came out to new zealand.
can you help?
Bev

David Shaw born 1815 Mauchline, wife Jean Baird born 1811 da of Charles Baird and Eliz Wilson of Sorn.
chn:i. David b 1841 Sorn married Agnus Wallace born 1837 da of Wm Wallace and Eliz Bicket of Fenwick. Had 2 sons David b 1869 Catrine and William b1871.
ii. Eliz b 1843 Tarbolton
iii. William b 1850
iv. Charles b 1852 Sorn sp Jan Dunlop
v.James b 1855 Sorn
1841 Census Mauchline shows David Shaw age 56, farmer Mauchline wife Jane age 59 born Sorn
William born abt 1820 Tarbolton, Charles born abt 1823 Sorn and James born 1826 Sorn, drapers assistant.
I have been trying to sort out the Shaw families going back through the 1881 census and gravestone inscriptions. If you'd care to share some dates maybe we can see where they fall into place.

Hi Rowena
I haven't been able to track Ann Shaw down yet, but this is my bunch from the census and wonder if this Janet living with them is a relative or worker? Does she fit in with yours?

1881 Census
Dwelling: Meikle Blakdyke
Census Place: Sorn, Ayr, Scotland
Source: FHL Film 0203608 GRO Ref Volume 613 EnumDist 2
Page 2
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
David Shaw M 65 M Mauchline, Ayr, Scotland
Rel: Head
Occ: Farmer 10 Ac
Jane Shaw M 68 F Sorn, Ayr, Scotland
Rel: Wife
Occ: Farmers Wife
William Shaw U 30 M Tarbolton, Ayr, Scotland
Rel: Son
Occ: Ploughman
Janet KERR U 20 F N Cumnock, Ayr, Scotland
Rel: Serv
Occ: Gen Serv Dom

Hi Bonnie:

I have been trying to track my gggrandmother Ann Shaw who married my gggrandfather David Kerr abt 1792. My family name is Kerr and have been able to track down to David. My problem is Ann, There does not seem to be much trace of her. Could we be connected somewhere down the line?

Regards,

Rowena

Hi Bonnie

My Ann Shaw was married to David Kerr in 1786.

My 1881 Census:

Dwelling 27 Kyle Street, Ayr, Scotland
William Kerr
ref Head
occ Master Blacksmith
Agness Kerr nee Retson
ref Wife
Maggie Kerr
red Dau.
occ. Scholar
George Kerr
ref son
occ scholar
John Kerr
occ Scholar
ref Son
Agness Kerr
ref Dau
Hugh Kerr
ref Son

All from Ayr, Scotland.

Your Janet Kerr is a servant as the census states her relationship with David Shaw is a servant. She was probably there to help with the chores.

Doesn't look like we connect.

Good Luck.

Rowena

Bonnie

Sorry about the error Ann's son William was born in 1793 not 1773. My eyes let me down now and again.

Regards,

Rowena

Hi Bonnie:

My family search confirms:
Wm. 1793 Kerr m. Janet Stewart. Janet b 1802. This is whom I am descended from. They had two children:
David Kerr 1832
John 1834
Ann 1795 Kerr Died early.
David Kerr 1797 and John Kerr 1797 (Twins) John Died as a baby.
John Kerr 1799,
James Kerr 1801
George Kerr 1803. Married Elizabeth?
James Kerr 1805
Margaret Kerr 1807. Margt is also a scottish spelling.
Janet Kerr 1809
Ann Kerr 1811

I do not have the bd of David Kerr and Ann Shaw
All born in Ayr, Ayr.

I don't think the David and Ann McQueen checks out as that would only make herthe same age as her son William b 1793.

I just can't get past David and Ann Kerr.

If we had their second names we could possibly work that out as a lot of the second names were surnames of previous mother's and fathers.

Thanks for the info.

Rowena

Hi Rowena
On family search it shows family of David Kerr and Ann Shaw with 11 chn:
Wm 1793, Ann 1795, David 1797, John 1797, John 1799, James 1801, George 1803, James 1805, Margt 1807, Janet 1809, Ann 1811 all born Ayr, Ayr. Do you think these are all of them?
If it followed naming customs Ann's parents could be David and Ann. On the IGI there only was David and Ann McQueen who had a son David chr Girvan 12 Sept 1773. This was guessing at Ann's birth to be abt 1772, could be a lead to check on.
Bonnie

Robbie,
My husband's gt gt grandfather was Andrew MAIR, born 3rd February 1808, Crofthead, Tarbolton. His parents were John and Janet MAIR (nee MAIR). He married Marion Paterson on 17 May 1852 at Monkton, Ayrshire. Siblings were Margaret b. 1801, James b. 1803 and Alexander b. 1805, all in Tarbolton, Ayrshire. It is possible that John and Janet MAIR are those you mention. I would appreciate any information on John and Janet as I have been unable to find any from this end.
Regards,

Cyndie MAIR

Robbie,
My husband's gt gt grandfather was Andrew Mair b. 3 February 1808 to John and Janet Mair (nee Mair) at Crofthead Tarbolton. Andrew married Marion Paterson 17 May 1852, Monkton Ayr. Siblings of Andrew were Margaret b. 3 February 1801, James b. 17 August 1803 and Alexander b. 16 August 1805. I believe John Mair could be the brother of your gt gt gt grandfather James Mair born in 1777. Any information which you may have on the John and Janet Mair mentioned in your message of 3 September 2000 would be greatly appreciated as I have reached a brick wall here in Aus.

Hi Cyndie,
Nice to "meet" a new family member. Andrew Mair was the son of John Mair and Janet Mair. John Mair 1773-1851 was the brother of my gt gt gt grandfather James Mair.(married Agnes Craig) 1777-1825 They were the sons of John Mair and Margaret Browning who farmed Hillhead farm, Newmilns Loudoun James died at North Auchinbrain Farm, Mauchline and John at Crofthead Farm, Tarbolton. Lets exchange information. The Mair information come from several researchers all descendants of John Mair and Margaret Browning and has nearly 3000 blood relatives to date. All the best Robbie

Alexander T. Mair fought in the Spanish American War.
His wife was Dora L. If this sounds right we have them in our cemetery in Florida. Can get you dates if needed.

Hi Elaine, The only Alexander Mair in my family I can't account for was Alexander born at Ayr September 2 1811. I don't know if he died young or emigrated.I'm sure he is the only one who could fit the dates required?? Thanks Robbie

All you Mair researchers please note my new email address
robbie.wilson@whsmithnet.co.uk Thanks Robbie