View drop-line charts showing descendants, including spouses, of key individuals. In addition to our Pirie chart, we have included charts for all the surnames of Neil's and Rachel's grandparents, and more besides. For guidance on using charts, please refer to the Getting started page.
Descendants of George Pirie (b. c1671/2)
George was born in the Parish of Cullen, Banffshire in North East Scotland and married Margaret Runsie in 1690. We have not, as yet, proved exactly when he was baptised as the OPRs for baptisms in Cullen contain two possible candidates:
George, baptised 1 September 1672, son of "Andrew Peirie" and "Befsie Reed"
George, baptised 5 August 1671, son of "Alexr Pyrie" and "Margaret Raffan"
With the founding of Portknockie circa 1677, our Piries appear to have migrated from Cullen to the new settlement of Portknockie. There is some controversy about who built the first house in Portknockie: in some articles it has been claimed that it was the father of a Katy Slater, whilst others argue that it was a John Pirie, called 'Young John', who built the first stone and clay house in the village.
I have been informed that there are fundamentally four Pirie families in Portknockie, known by the Tee names “Buxer”, “Coull”, “Priest” and “Darling". The Pirie individuals on this chart are from the Pirie "Buxer" family. The chart shows 10 generations, including Neil's paternal grandparents Alexander Pirie and Margaret Helen Cheyne. Scottish census entries show that most of the male descendants were fishermen.
Descendants of Alexander Cheyne (b. c1650) (Pronounced Chēn)
We've traced back to the marriage of James Cheyne and Elspet Wilson in 1734 in Methlick, Aberdeenshire in North East Scotland and thanks to the Cheyne Family Genealogy Website can extend a further 2 generations to Alexander, born circa 1650 and married to Jean Urquhart circa 1675.
The chart shows 10 generations, including Neil's paternal grandparents Margaret Helen Cheyne and Alexander Pirie. Scottish census entries show many of the male descendants working on the land with occupations such as 'farmer', 'crofter', 'agricultural labourer' or 'stone dyker'. However, William Cheyne, born 1860, took a different career path as a draper and established the William Cheyne drapery shop in Broad Street, Fraserburgh.
Descendants of Thomas Lanchester (b. c1745)
Thomas married Martha Ship in 1768 in North Lopham, Norfolk in England, although many of their descendants lived in nearby Fersfield or Kenninghall, Norfolk.
The chart shows 7 generations, including Neil's maternal grandparents Alfred Lanchester and Emma Olga Stringer. English census entries show many of the male descendants working on the land with occupations such as 'agricultural labourer', 'farm labourer' and 'teamster of horses'.
Descendants of Thomas Stringer (b. c1796)
Thomas was born in Bagthorp, Norfolk in England and married Sarah Sparham.
The chart shows 5 generations, including Neil's maternal grandparents Emma Olga Stringer and Alfred Lanchester. English census entries also show many of the male descendants working on the land with occupations such as 'agricultural labourer'.
Descendants of Thomas Gregory (b. c1829)
Thomas was born in Barton, Somerset in England and married Elizabeth Coggan.
The chart shows 4 generations, including Rachel's paternal grandparents Maurice Thomas Gregory and Violetta Rice. English census entries show that many of the descendants were shoemakers with occupations such as 'cordwainer', 'shoemaker' or associated roles.
Descendants of William Rice (b. c1828)
William was born in Barrow, Somerset in England and married Emma (maiden name unknown as yet, but suspected to be Masters).
The chart shows 4 generations, including Rachel's paternal grandparents Violetta Rice and Maurice Thomas Gregory.
Descendants of John Look (b. c1810)
John was born in Butleigh, Somerset in England and married Ann (maiden name unknown as yet).
The chart shows 5 generations, including Rachel's maternal grandparents Leslie Laurie Looke and Grace Ethel Christopher.
Descendants of William Christopher (b. c1800)
William married Mary Collins in 1819 in Queen Camel, Somerset in England.
The chart shows 6 generations, including Rachel's maternal grandparents Grace Ethel Christopher and Leslie Laurie Looke. English census entries show that many of the descendants were shoemakers with occupations recorded as 'shoemaker', 'clicker' or associated roles. Living in Street, Somerset, many of them were employed by the shoe manufacturer C&J Clark Ltd.
Here we also have charts for two Mair families, known by the Tee names "Shavie" and "Bobbin", that link with our Pirie family in North East Scotland.
Descendants of William Mair "Shavie" (b. c1765)
William was born in the Portknockie, Banffshire. The chart shows 6 generations, including his great grandson, Alexander Mair "Shavie" who perished with the Zulu fishing boat 'Evangeline' off Orkney in the great storm of 1905. Another great grandson, William, married Catharine Pirie in 1901.
Descendants of James Mair "Bobbin" (b. c1757)
The chart shows 6 generations, including James' great great granddaughter, Margaret Mair, the first wife of Neil's grandfather, Alexander Pirie, and Joseph Mair "Bobbin" and Alexander Mair "Bobbin" who also perished with the Zulu fishing boat 'Evangeline' off Orkney in the great storm of 1905.
Descendants of George Wood (b. c1720)
George was born in Portknockie, Banffshire in North East Scotland and married Elspet Runsie in 1741.
The Wood individuals on this chart are from the Wood "King" family.The chart shows 8 generations, including interlinked Mair and Pirie families. Work is in progress to link the many other Wood "King" individuals to this chart.