Alexander Cleland

ALEXANDER CLELAND

Fake Genealogy

At least two pedigrees published by MyHeritage have identified Alexander Cleland, here treated, as the same person as Alexander Cleland, Indweller in Kilsyth a man who was booked to marry Agnes Sympson at Edinburgh on 23 December 1691. MyHeritage This is wrong, however, because Alexander Cleland, here treated, actually died, aged about three years, before 30 September 1670, the date upon which he was interred in Greyfriards Burying-ground, Edinburgh

The Question of Identity

Alexander Cleland, here treated, is the son of James Cleland of Pitdinnes, Merchant in Edinburgh and his wife Jonet Henderson He was born before 7 February 1667, the date upon which his baptism was registered at Edinburgh in Midlothian, Scotland. His baptismal record reads as follows: "7 Februarij 1667. James Cleland merchant Jonet Henderson A. S. N. Alexander Witn. Alexander Lockheart and David Maine Writters Robert Sympson, Robert Selkirk, and James Tait merchants." [National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Baptisms, reference OPR.685/1/6] Image of Baptismal Record

Death

Alexander Cleland, here treated, died before 30 September 1670, the date upon which he was interred in Greyfriars Burying-ground in Edinburgh. Greyfriars Interments 1658-1700: 128

Evidence from the Register of Interments in Greyfriars Burying-ground

30 September 1670: Cleland (Klilan), James, merchant, his son Alexander 30 Sept 1670. Greyfriars Interments 1658-1700: 128

Printed Evidence

Register of Interments in the Greyfriars Burying-ground, Edinburgh, 1658-1700. Edited by Henry Paton, MA., Searcher of Records. (Scottish Record Society, 1902), 722 pp. including index, notanda and glossary