I’ve known the name Burnett my whole life, considering it’s my Di’s, Mum’s, Gran’s surname (that makes it my 3rd great – grandmother’s maiden name) who was born over 150 years ago it was a name they were proud of. This story begins with her grandparents William Burnett and Marion Sharp’s parents.

10th Generation

George Burnett & Elizabeth Boyd

William’s father, George, was born in Carriden on 10th February 1770 to William Burnett and Violet Gibson. George lead a long live and was in his 70’s during the 1841 census. The census records him as a labourer, he was still working in old age – no state pension then and had his wife by his side.

George had married Elizabeth Boyd in 1797. They had seven children in seven years, then after break, they had more, resulting in a large family. Even in their 70’s they had family living with them.

Elizabeth was born a twin in 1772 to James Boyd and Christian Young. Elizabeth and her twin Janet were born on 25th March and baptised the 26th March. The father would have taken the twins to church with the Godparents, but the mother would be at home. That was because it was the day of the birth, and she was in bed. Children were brought to church soon after they were born, The Church taught that baptism was essential for salvation and eternal life, which meant that a child who died unbaptized would not enjoy heaven.

George Sharp & Tamar Donaldson

Marion Sharp’s parents were George and Tamar. Tamar was born in Carriden on 8th July 1784 to John Donaldson and Helen Thomson.

Tamar married George Sharp in Muirkirk, Ayr on 29th May 1804 aged 20. Muirkirk was known for its iron and coal production. Another link to Coal for my family however it was the discovery and smelting of iron ore in the area led to the establishment of several ironworks. Muirkirk was the first town in Britain to have gas lighting and the last place in Britain to have its own gas work.

11th Generation

As we delve further into my research, I will adhere to the Burnett family as closely as possible. As you are already aware, this family was god-fearing, and their lives were documented in church records.

William Burnett & Violet Gibson

William was born in Carriden in 1745 to Willliam Burnet and Jean Robert. He was the eldest, thus carrying his father’s name, again it was the proper thing to do.

William married Violet Gibson in 1768

I have found no record of any children born to this couple aside from my direct ancestor, George. This is highly unusual for this generation.

12th Generation

William Burnet and Jean Robert

William was born in Linlithgow on 27th November 1720 to William Burnet and Agnes Wilson. William was the 8th and youngest of the family, he held the family name as his eldest brother died in infancy The birth certificate shows that his father was an indweller (inhabitant of this burgh). Carriden is less that 5 miles from Linlithgow and therefore part of the Burgh of Linlithgow after 1708 until 1832.

In 1744 William married Jean Roberts in Carriden and they had at least 8 children together. Jean was also born in 1720, she was born in Carriden to George Robert and Jean Hamilton.

4 years into the marriage the family moved to Edinburgh where they lived for at least 10 years bringing up their children, most of their children were born in Edinburgh. I believe William Burnett died in Bedlam in Edinburgh in 1804 and is buried in Greyfriars Cemetery (one of the most famous kirkyards in the world).

Dying in 1804 would make our William 84 years old, the perfect age to be living in Bedlam which was infact a lunatic Asylum. The institution was later replaced by the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, which opened in 1813. Edinburgh’s “Bedlam” was situated on the corner of the streets now called Bristo Place and Teviot Place. Bedlam itself means “scene of madness, chaos or great confusion”. This is a story I hope one day to delve in deeper.

The blue line in the image above is where Bedlam was, you can see Greyfriars kirkyard behind it. This is an old part of the city, seeing the Cowgate nearby you can almost imagine life over 200 years ago – nothing like what it is today!

13th Generation

William Burnett and Agnes Wilson

William and Agnes were married 1701 in Linlithgow. The marriage certificate indicates that William worked for a Laird and it was the laird that witnessed the marriage . I am currently awaiting assistance from a professional to help decipher their marriage certificate, as doing so may provide insight into the lives led by these ancestors. What I do know is that they were born in the 1600’s and their 8 children were all born in Linlithgow.

Agnes’s father was Richard Wilson from Bo’ness. However, I do not yet have the information to solidify my research, as this is over 300 years ago maybe all the time in the world won’t confirm what I need. I will keep on looking though.

George Robert & Jean Hamilton

As a final reminder of the depth of these Carriden / Bo’ness / West Lothian roots, Jean Robert (12 Generation) is the child of George Robert and Jean Hamilton. They were married in Carriden in 1707. Hamilton is the last name I am researching in my Di’s heritage as it is the maternal line – and a name that also goes back the generations in Carriden.