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Births and baptisms

Luckily not all our ancestors have remained in oblivion - their coming into the world being recorded in a variety of ways and styles:

Deskford, 1740

''Alexander MacHattie in Ardoch had a Child by his Wife who was born with a wooden leg. It is supposed the child has been got by a Chelsea Pensioner with a timber heugh [in different writing and crossed out].
(Deskford, 10.1 1740; OPR 151/1, Fr 209)

Torthorwald, 1773

Andrw. /S/ Samuel Murrah labourer Torw. Born Jany. 26 Baptized Decr. 31
Note: 'Andw Murrah was born with an eye tooth come a considerable length but disappeared afterward in the Gum.'
(Torthorwald, 1773; OPR 850/1, Fr 32)

1809 11 May

'Born per Letter and Exposed 5th June found at 2 o'Clock a.m. at Mr Potts's Door Wester Breich Dyke and baptised on the 22d Nov. - a son named Jas. Russell Livingstone died Friday 24th Novr. 1809.'
(Livingston, 1809 OPR 669/1, Fr 352)

Livingston, 1807

Born to Hellen Baxter in the Village of Livingston on 28 Decr 1805 and Baptized on the26th Feby. 1807 named Helen Baxter
'N.B. This Child at the time of its Baptism could not find a Father. Her Mother gave it to a Packman which she said came up to her on the road from Edinr. though the Father was suspected to be nearer the doors. But a confession from the time it was born to this day Could not be extorted from the Mother.'
(Livingston, 1807; OPR 669/1, Fr 345)

Edinburgh, 1830

'Andrew Young's daughter Abigail born with 2 teeth'.
(Tolbooth Church, Edinburgh, bap 26.2 1830) [Edinburgh Tolbooth Church kirk session records: MR 6/7 1826 - 1865, National Archives of Scotland reference CH2/140/3]

Middlebie Parish, Dumfries

GRIEVE: Robert & his wife Mary Thomson had a son born at Alfornothing on the 16th October 1835 & baptized James. Registered on 31st December 1855 by Chris Borthwick, Registrar.
(Middlebie, OPR 841/2, Fr 167)

Dysart

June 24, 1754 - John Thomson, Bluegown in the 87th year of his age & Elizabeth Marshall had a son bap. called: WALTER. Wits: Walter Christie & Andrew Forbes.
(Dysart, OPR 426/4, Fr 84)
[Bluegown - a class of licensed beggar in Edinburgh]

Description of father's character or local rivalry?

'Septr 29th to George Anderson in Swannyside (a scoundrall a knave a scrub a rascall a villain a cheat) a son called Andrew'. NB he has been in the Northwest & has been there three years in Wasera [and in a different hand below the entry].

'The above George Anderson is as honest, just obliging man as any other man in the parish to the master, minr & school master and to all others. Attested by John Louitt Session Clerk'
(Birsay, Orkney,1751, OPR 13/1, 59)