Birth records for the Fairley family have not been found before 1855 in the OPR – Old Parish Records – of  Scotland.  Information we have for them comes from death and marriage records.   

 

 

 First Generation

 

 

          1.  James¹ Fairley birth date unknown.  James died before 19 Mar 1870. 

 

         

          James  Fairley had the following child:

 

                 2         i. James² Fairley was born circa 1795 and died March 19, 1870.

 

 

 Second Generation

 

 

          2.  James² Fairley (James¹) was born circa 1795.  James died March 19, 1870 in St. George's, Edinburgh, Scotland, at 74 years of age. 

 

          He married Isabella Bruce in South Leith, Midlothian, Scotland, March 21, 1831.  Isabella was born estimated 1806.

 

 

 

  Isabella was the daughter of John Bruce and Catherine Russell.  She married Francis "Frank" Walker in North Leith, Midlothian, Scotland, July 17, 1827.  Isabella died October 5, 1886 in Edinburgh, Scotland, at 80 years of age.  She was christened in Currie, Midlothian, Scotland, June 22, 1806. 

          Isabella is listed as the "relic" of Francis Walker for her marriage to James Fairley.  An Isabella B. Fairley, widow, age 70 is listed on the 1881 St.  Cuthberts census, living at 41 Hawthorn Bank. She is listed as an annuitant widow.  Living with her is her "out of work" daughter, Helen.  This would appear to be this Isabella at the same address as her husband's death - Hawthorn Bank.

          Her grandson, J.K. Smith was present at the time of her death.

 

          James's occupation: quarryman.

 

          James  Fairley and Isabella  Bruce had the following children:

 

                 3         i. Catherine³ Fairley was born circa 1833 and died March 15, 1888.

                 4        ii. James Fairley was born circa 1843.

                          iii. Helen  Fairley was born in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland circa 1847.  Helen died July 8, 1891 in Edinburgh, Scotland, at 44 years of age. 

                                       John K. Smith, nephew was present at Helen's death.

 

 

 

 Third Generation

 

 

          3.  Catherine³ Fairley (James², James¹) was born circa 1833.  Catherine died March 15, 1888 in Edinburgh, Scotland, at 54 years of age. 

 

          She married Alexander Purdie Smith.  Alexander was born in Edinburgh, St. Cuthburth, Scotland May 16, 1830.  Alexander was the son of Alexander  Smith and Janet  Purdie.  He married Margaret Wilson in South Leith, Midlothian, Scotland, January 13, 1852.  Alexander died June 11, 1885 in home, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, Scotland, at 55 years of age.  Alexander's occupation: umbrella-maker.  He was baptized in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 23, 1830. Religion: religion unknown. 

                 

The SMITH family can be found on my web page at:   http://www.geocities.com/janiceksmith

 

          4.  James³ Fairley (James², James¹) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland circa 1843. 

 

          He married Margaret Knox in Edinburgh Parish, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, November 25, 1864.  Margaret was born in Muirfield, Stirling, Scotland May 18, 1840.  Margaret was the daughter of Alexander Knox and Christina Laing.  She was baptized in Denny, Stirling, Scotland, June 7, 1840. Religion: religion unknown. 

          On a census I find Margaret Knox, wife of James Fairley, born at Falkirk, Stirling, Scotland circa 1842.   She is found on the Denny baptismal register as born at Bonny Bridge.  All of these locations are close to each other in Stirling Parish.

 

 

 

         

          James, a quarryman is found on the 1881 census at Dumbryden Cottage with his wife Margaret and children: James, Isabella and Margaret.  Christina may have died.

          The marriage for James and Margaret Knox Fiarley took place at  8 Comely Bank, Edinburgh, "After Banns according to the forms of the Free Church of Scotland."  Witnesses: Alexander Douglas and Christina Knox.

 

          James Fairley and Margaret Knox had the following children:

 

                            i. Christina⁴ Fairley was born in Edinburgh Parish, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland February 3, 1867.

                           ii. James Fairley was born in Edinburgh Parish, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland June 5, 1870.

                          iii. Isabella Fairley was born in Colinton, Edinburgh, Scotland September 2, 1872.

                          iv. Margaret Fairley was born in Colinton, Edinburgh, Scotland circa 1878.