All sources are Birse Parish Registers unless otherwise stated

Unsourced statements are speculation on my part

 

First mention [I have found] of the name Michie appearing in Birse is in the List of Inhabitants dated 1789 compiled by the Rev Joseph Smith.  Margaret Michie is given as the the spouse of Hugh Harper "1788 Contracted Hugh Harper with Margaret Michie both in this parish and after were married June 29th."

 

The Lists were compiled at 2 or 3 yearly intervals and over time the following Michie's were recorded. 

 

Alexander (1791-92), Isabel (1794-95), Barbara (1797-98).  In 1798 Alexander is now listed as Alexander Snr and there is an Alexander Jnr with spouse Elizabeth Hogg. "1798 Contracted Alexander Michie and Elizabeth Hogg both in this parish and after regular proclamations and no objections made married April 5th."

 

Isabel married John Petrie in 1802 "Contracted John Petrie and Isobel Michie both in this parish and after regular proclamations and no objections made married 11th December."

 

Isobel Petrie (nee Michie) died 26 December 1860 (Death Certificate Birse #15)

 

Isobel Petrie, cooper's widow died 26th December 1860 at 5hr 0m am at Drumhead, Parish of Birse, aged 93 years.

Parents were given as Thomas Michie, miller (deceased) and Hellen Michie m.n. Webster (deceased)**

Cause was old age and no medical attendant was present.

She was buried in the Birse kirkyard as certified by her son Francis Petrie who was also the informant on the certificate.

Her death was registered in by on 27th December 1860 by James Ritchie. 

 

** According to the IGI Thomas Michie married Hellen Webster at Logie Coldstone in June 1755

 

On the 1792 List of Inhabitants there are ages given in decades.  Margaret, spouse of Hugh Harper and Alexander second to arrive and grouped with the Harper family, both have their ages recorded as 4 meaning they are aged between 30 and 40 (birth between 1752 - 1762).

 

A baptism appears on the IGI for an Alexander in Logie Coldstone on 25 April 1756.  His father is given as Thomas. 

 

It is probable that Alexander Snr and Isobel (both with father Thomas) are brother and sister.  Given the grouping of the families on the List of Inhabitants over various years and all residing at Balnaboth, it is possible that Margaret, spouse of Hugh Harper and Barbara are also siblings of the same family.  (personal comment:  Readers must note that this family connection is purely speculation on my part)

 

 

Hugh Harper -m- Margaret Michie 

 

Hugh Harper and Margaret Michie are given as residing at Belnaboth on all the Lists of Inhabitants. 

 

Hugh is alive on the 1825 List of Inhabitants - the last one compiled.  Margaret Michie is given as a widow on the 1841 census.

 

1841 census Birse: Living at Belnaboth District 3 page 2

HARPER Margaret 75 Widow incup. Yes

HARPER Christian 40 Yes

HARPER Isabel 35 Yes

SKEEN John 15 Ag lab Yes

BAIN George 10 Ag lab Yes

 

They had the following children:

  1. October 12 1788:  Hugh Harper in Balnaboth a child named Ann. Witnesses Francis Harper and Alexr Rose

  2. November 25 1790:  Hugh Harper in Balnaboth a son named Francis. Witnesses Kenneth Watt and Al Ross. (-m- Isobel Grant see Harper for more on this family)

  3. February 21 1793:  Hugh Harper in Balnaboth a child baptised named Margaret. Witnesses Francis Knox and Kenneth Watt.  Margaret married William Knox. (-m- William Knox see "N" for more on this family)

  4. August 2 1795:  Hugh Harper in Balnaboth a daughter Barbara. Witnesses the congregation

    5.

  5. June 1 1797:  Hugh Harper in Balnaboth had a son baptised named Hugh. Witnesses Alexander Ross and Alexander Michie

  6. August 5 1798:  Hugh Harper in Balnaboth had a daughter baptised named Christian. Witnesses the congregation. (Christian died 14 July 1867 at Belnaboth - Birse Death #6 - single)

  7. July 20 1800:  Hugh Harper in Balnaboth had a daughter baptised named Isobel. Witnesses Kenneth Watt and Alexr Ross (Isobel died 17 July 1867 at Belnaboth - Birse Death #7 - single)

  8. May 1 1803:  Hugh Harper in Balnaboth had a son baptised named Robert. Witnesses the congregation. (-m- Barbara Low see Harper for more on this family)

  9. April 2 1806:  Hugh Harper in Balnaboth had a son baptised named Alexander. Witnesses Kenneth Watt and Alexander Ross

 

 

Alexander Michie -m- Elizabeth Hogg (Ogg)

 

Alexander Michie and Elizabeth are also residing at Balnaboth on all of the Lists of Inhabitants. 

 

Elizabeth Michie (nee Hogg) is given as a widow on the 1851 census.  On the 1841 census she is given as residing with Elizabeth Thow (given as her granddaughter on the 1851 census).  It is assumed that Alexander Michie died between 1825 and 1841. 

 

1851 census for Birse - residing at Balnaboth District 6 page 4

Elizabeth Michie Head Widow aged 73 pauper - knitter born Birse

Elizabeth Michie daughter Un 44 knitter born Birse

Elizabeth Thow g'dau Un 16 knitter born Birse

Francis Michie g'son Un 14 shoemaker born Echt (from IGI born 27 Aug 1836 parents Francis Michie and Margaret Duncan)

 

Elizabeth Michie (nee Ogg) died 3 February 1871 (Lumphanan Death #4)

 

Elizabeth Michie, pauper, widow of Alexander Michie, agricultural labourer died 3rd February 1871 at 1hr 0m am at Denhead Lumphanan aged 93 years

Parents were given on the certificate as William Hogg (deceased) and Mary Hogg m.s. Birss (deceased)

Cause of death was given as senile decay and the death was certified by A D Keith MD

Informant was Archibald Shaw, grandson present

The death was registered at Lumphanan on 3rd February 1871 by John Milne

 

The had the following children:

  1. June 30 1799:  Alexander Michie in Balnaboth had a son baptised named Hugh.  Witnesses the congregation**.  Hugh married Christian Malcolm on November 15 1829  Contracted Hugh Michie tailor with Christian Malcolm both in this parish and after regular proclamation of marriage banns and no objections offered were married on the 2nd of December before witnesses.  In 1841 they are living at Bankhead with children Elizabeth (9) Alexander (5) William (3) Robert (1).   1851 living at Bankhead with children Elizabeth (19) Robert (11) Margaret (9) James (6) Hugh (3) Francis (1).  1861 census Birse residing Bankhead Hugh aged 61 tailor, Christian (57) Isabella (31) Hugh (12) all born Birse.  1871 census Birse, residing Bankhead Hugh aged 72 tailor, Christian (67) Elizabeth (36) and William, grandson (6). 

  2. April 18 1802:  Alexr Michie Balnaboth Ann.  Witnesses Hugh Harper and Jo Petrie Died 27 December 1869 (Death Certificate Birse #20)

  3. April 2 1809:  Alexr Michie in Balnaboth had a child baptised named ------ Witnesses Hugh Harper and his wife.  According to the 1812 List of Inhabitants a son Alexander is with the family, his age being under 7.  An Alexander Michie, aged 40, born in Birse and unmarried, was farm overseer at Learney House, Torphins, in 1851.

  4. April 8 1811:  Alexr Michie in Balnaboth had a child baptised named Francis before witnesses viz Hugh Harper and his wife in said place.  Francis Michie is living at Redhill Cottage, Echt in 1881 with his wife Margaret Smith aged 56 born Strachan.  He died January 16, 1890 and in his will his address was given as Woodside, Redhill and he was described as a "tea merchant and crofter".  A Margaret Duncan, spouse of Francis Michie, Mains of Echt, died at Aberdeen on February 23 1848 according to the Aberdeen Journal. 

  5. February 16 1816:  Alexr Michie in Balnaboth and his wife Eliza Hogg had a child baptised named Christina.  Hugh Harper and Ja Petrie there witnesses.  She may have been the Christina Michie, unmarried and aged 60, employed by Charles Mackay at Park Nook, Kincardine O'Neil in 1881. A will was lodged at Aberdeen for a Miss Christian Michie of Inchley Terrace, Torphins who died on September 12, 1896 at Torphins. She was the aunt of William Michie, store keeper, residing at 9 Menzies Road, Torry.

  6. May 22 1818:  Alexr Michie in Balnaboth and his wife Eliza Hogg had a son baptised named Joseph.  Hugh Harper and John Petrie both in said place witnesses.  It would appear that Joseph Michie had a daughter Ann baptised September 25 1854 "Joseph Michie in Balnaboth had an illegitimate child baptised named Ann.  Mother’s name Helen Greig."  Joseph Michie, aged 63, and his wife Helen, aged 48, lived at 14 Williams Square, Aberdeen in 1881.

**

Death Certificate Birse #17

Hugh Michie, tailor married to Christian Malcolm died 11 August 1871 at Balnaboth aged 72 years

Parents given as Alexander Michie agricultural labourer deceased and Elizabeth Hogg deceased

Cause of death: Paralysis years and paralysis of the bladder 6 days certified by AD Keith MD Aboyne

Informant:  his wife Christian Michie who signed with her mark

Registered by James Ritchie on 14 August 1871 at Birse

 

 

John Petrie -m- Isobel Michie

 

John Petrie and Isobel Michie are also residing at Belnaboth on the Lists of Inhabitants.  In 1824 they are residing at Tillygarmont. 

 

1841 census for Birse:  Residing at Dalbing District 3 page 2

John Petrie 70 Cooper born in the County

Isabel Petrie 70 born in the County

John Petrie 35 Mason born in the County

Ann Petrie 35 born in the County

 

1851 census for Birse:  Residing at Dalbyng District 6 page 6

John Petrie Head Mar 83 cooper ABD Birse

Isabel Petrie wife Mar 82 ABD Birse

Ann Petrie dau Un 47 house servant ABD Birse

John Petrie son Un 45 mason ABD Birse

 

Both John and Isabel are missing from the 1861 census.  Isabel died in 1860 (see certificate information above).  It is surmised that John died between 1851 - 1861. 

 

They had the following children:

  1. September 18 1803:  John Petrie in Balnaboth had a daughter baptised named Ann.  Witnesses Hugh Harper and Alexander Michie

  2. November 10 1805:  John Petrie in Balnaboth had a son baptised named John.  Witnesses the congregation. (died 8th September 1872 at Dalbing aged 66 years - Birse Death #11)

  3. March 27 1808:  John Petrie in Balnaboth had a son baptised named Francis.  Witnesses the congregation. Francis married Isobel Malcolm 1848 in Birse "After being contracted and their marriage banns publickly intimated in the parish church of Birse were married Francis Petrie and Isabel Malcolm both in Birse in the presence of competent witnesses."  1851 census, residing at Percie with wife Isobel and son John aged 1 born Aboyne. 

  4. December 23 1810:  John Petrie in Balnaboth had a child baptised named Hugh before witnesses Hugh Harper and Alexr Michie both in said place. 

 

John Michie -m- Margaret Leys

 

In 1841, John Michie, a wood sawyer aged 40, lived at Langhome in Birse with his wife Margaret Leys, aged 30. They had at least the following children -

  1. James Michie aged 10 on 1841 census.

  2. Margaret Michie "Said day (March 30) 1838:  John Michie Langhome and his wife Margaret Ley had a daughter baptised named Margaret.  Witnesses John Smith Shannel and Joseph Ley Persie."

By 1851, Margaret was a widow, still living at Longholm with her two children. Her birthplace was listed as Aboyne, and James was born in the parish of Banchory Ternan. 

 

1881 census residing at Sawmill of Finzean, Margaret Michie widow (73) washerwoman.

 

Margaret Leys, widow of John Michie, sawyer, died on 16th February, 1897 at Woodend Melgum, Logie-Coldstone, aged 90. Her parents were listed as Joseph Leys, farmer, and Margaret Stewart, and the informant was her son-in-law, Peter Summers.

 

 

Harry Michie -m- Elizabeth Coutts

 

Harry Michie, general merchant aged 29 is residing at Marywell in the 1851 census for Birse with his spouse Elizabeth Coutts and children Catherine (4) born Banchory Ternan and Eliza (1) born Birse.

 

  1. 1846 May 16:  Harry Michie residing in the parish of Banchory Ternan and his wife Elizabeth Coutts had a daughter born and baptised named Catherine.

  2. 1849 August 27:  Harry Michie merchant Marywell and his wife Elizabeth Coutts had a daughter born and baptised soon after named Eliza

  3. 1851 June 1:  Harry Michie merchant Marywell and his wife Elizabeth Coutts had a daughter born and baptised soon after named Hellen. (Death Certificate Birse #18)

  4. 1853 February 17:  Harry Michie merchant Marywell and his wife Elizabeth Coutts had a daughter born and baptised soon after named Harriet.  A death certificate (Birse #11) for Henrietta Elizabeth Henderson Moir aged 12 years and dated 29 October 1897 gives her parents as Alexander Henderon Moir, Free Church Minister and Harriet Moir m.s. Michie.  Her uncle Isaiah Michie is given as the informant. 

  5. 1855 June 7:  Henry Esson Michie born Marywell Birse (Birse #18)  Parents are given as Harry Michie, merchant aged 34 years born Strathdon and Elizabeth Coutts aged 32 years born Towie.  Marriage date for Harry Michie and Elizabeth Coutts given as 1845 at Towie.

  6. 1855 June 7:  Unnamed Michie born Marywell Birse (Birse #19)

  7. 1857 July 6:  Charles Coutts Michie born Marywell Birse (Birse #18)

  8. 1859 July 19:  James Michie (IGI)

  9. 1861 December:  Isaiah Michie (IGI)

  10. 1863 December 15:  Mary Michie (IGI)

  11. 1965 January 14:  Williamina Michie (IGI)

  12. 1868 July 3:  William Nicol Michie (IGI)

Birse Kirkyard:

Erected by HARRY MICHIE Mary-Well in memory of his dau HELLEN b 1 June 1851 - d 26 Sept 1857.  Said HARRY MICHIE d. 2 Jan 1896 aged 73.  ELIZABETH COUTTS d. 16 Oct 1897 aged 73.  CATHERINE their oldest dau d 17 Feb 1908 aged 60.  ELIZA d. 17 Aug 1920 aged 71. 

 

Death Certificate Birse #10

Elizabeth Michie widow of Harry Michie general merchant died 16 Oct 1897 at 9hr 14m am at Marywell Birse aged 74 years

Parents given as James Coutts farmer (deceased) and Elizabeth Coutts ms Brown (deceased)

Cause of death was apoplexia 1 day which was certified by J McHardy LFPS

Informant on the certificate was her son Henry Esson Michie

 

1823 March 29:  James Coutts tailor, residing in Towie and his wife Elizabeth Brown had a daughter born and baptised named Elizabeth – not formerly registered.

 

James Coutts is residing at Backside in Towie on the 1841 census.  A stone in Towie kirkyard gives his date of death as 1854 and the date of death of Elizabeth Brown as 1839. 

 

Barbara Michie

 

Birth Certificate Birse #27

Barbra Michie (illegitimate)

Born 1856 September 23rd 10 hr 14m AM at Drumneachie, Parish of Birse

Parents: James Michie, farm servant and Isobel Ettershank, domestic servant

Informants:  Isabella Ettershank, mother and James Michie, father (Torphins)

Registered:  1856 September 30th at Birse

James Ritchie Registrar

 

See "E" - James Ettershank and Margaret Alexander.