Alexander Milne was born in 1752 in Gateside, Old Machar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Old Machar cathedral church Aberdeen
Alexander was baptised on 16 Aug 1752 at Old Machar, the son of William Milne 1721-1783 and Mary Johnston 1719-1791.
His father William is described as a wright (likely a skilled woodworker, a carpenter/joiner making furniture or machinery).
Four witnesses to Alexander’s baptism are named and include an Alexander Milne, likely his father’s brother.
At the age of 20, Alexander married Isabel Clerk on 2 August 1772 at Skene. Their son George’s death certificate confirms this as the correct marriage.
from Skene parish register, Scotlands People
Isabel Clerk’s baptism and parentage have not been found.
Alexander and Isabel had a family of four children, all of which were baptised at the parish church in Skene.
- Barbara b 1773 Tilluvail (Tillyvale), Skene & d 1783 Skene
- Isabella b 1775 Tilluvail, Skene
- William Duncan b 1777 Tilluvail, Skene
- George b 1781 Tilluvail, near Skene. d 1864. Farmer at Bogfur, Kintore. Married Helen Shand.
There is another family of Milnes, father Alexander, mother Jean Deans living at Hillside, Crabston or Rogershill near Skene having children baptised at the same time.
Skene is a small farming community in north east Scotland, 10km west of Aberdeen. Now the village of Skene consists of a main road that runs through its centre that branches off into a small warren of 5 or so streets that service just under 100 houses and a pub – The Red Star Inn.
It is unknown what occupation Alexander had, as it is not written on his marriage document or son George’s baptism record.
Isabel Milne’s (nee Clerk) burial has not been found, but a possible burial for Alexander has been found. He may have died in August 18498 at Scotston, Old Machar, Aberdeen, and been buried at Skene (according to the entry on Find My Past), but no record can be found on Scotland’s People. That would make him 97 which is a fair age for the time.
