Mercer Family History

Posted: 1 January 2006

Malcolm here. This page is all about the family of Agnes Dunsire Mercer – my maternal grandmother from Fife. This is the frst part of my family tree that I investigated, I did most of the work around 1995.

As you can see from this report, most of her ancestors also came from Fife, mainly from the area along the coast east of Kirkcaldy. They were mainly coal miners and linen weavers – so my hopes of a long-lost fortune have come to nothing….

This report starts with my mother and goes backwards in time – it shows the direct ancestors of each generation; (no siblings) . Each individual is numbered, to find the parents of any person, just multiply their number by two and look into the next generation. To come forward in time and find the child of any person, divide that person’s number by 2 (if it’s an odd-number subtract 1 first).
I have made some more discoveries in recent times. Newer info. is marked with the date “Oct2000”.

Also, Sept 2002, I have added links to a website which concentrates on the Dunsire family

Here is also a lot of information on Mercers from Fife at the Mercer Millions website. This site also has information on the rumour about the missing “Mercer Millions” in Canada.

I have some family pictures

First Generation
1. Edna Frances CAMERON…......My mother.
Born 26 Sept 1922 in the suburb of Subiaco in Perth, Western Australia. Died 20 Aug 2000 at Raymond Island, Victoria, Australia.
Buried 25 Aug 2000 in Paynesville Cemetery, Victoria.

Second Generation
2. Edward Francis CAMERON (Reverend).
Born ? – we know very little about my grandfather’s origins.
Died 3 Nov 1941 in Deniliquin, NSW.
Buried Nov 1941 in Fawkner Cemetery. Occupation Minister.
Education Scotch College, Melbourne University, Uni Of W.A.
Religion Presbyterian. He married Agnes Dunsire MERCER, 18 Nov 1915 in East Perth, Australia.
3. Agnes Dunsire MERCER.
Born 9 Apr 1892 in Carnock Village, Fife.
Died 15 Jul 1940 in Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
Buried 18 Jul 1940 in Fawkner Cemetery.
Occupation Housewife And Mother. Religion Presbyterian.

Third Generation
4. UNKNOWN.
He did not marry Sarah Ann CAMERON. It appears likely that the father was an Irish builder named William Kenneth Pigott.
He and his wife (Elizabeth Emma) were foster-parents for Edward Francis but when William died Elizabeth took her own son to New Zealand and left Edward (who was still a child) to his own devices.
He was then cared for by two spinster schoolteachers – the MacDonald sisters in Carlton, Melbourne.
5. UNKNOWN
For a while we thought our great-grandmother was Sarah Ann CAMERON, Born ? 1863 in Casterton, Vic. Australia.
We now know that whis was not the case .
6. George Brown MERCER.
Born 1 Jun 1861 in Lochgelly, Auchterderran, Fife.
Died ? 1951 in Perth, Western Australia.
Occupation Policeman. He married Janet KILGOUR, 3 Jan 1881 in Bleachfield , Leven, Fife.
7. Janet KILGOUR.
Born 4 Jun 1861 in Leven, Fife.
Died ? 1933 in Western Australia.
At the time of the April 1881 census George and Janet were living in 1 room at 4 Broomieknowe, Leven.
George was a coalminer and Janet was a spinner at the flaxworks. By the time of the April 1891 census they were living in a four room house at 17a Castle St Cupar where George was a Police Constable.
Janet cared for the four children, Andrew aged 9, Janet 7, George 5 and Henry 3. Agnes was born in Carnock and the youngest child, Christina, was born in Dunfermline in 1903, by then George was a Joiner’s Labourer.
Sometime between 1903 and 1915 the family emigrated to Australia.

Fourth Generation
8. UNKNOWN.
9. UNKNOWN.
10. UNKNOWN.
11. UNKNOWN.
12. Andrew MERCER.
Born 9 Apr 1825 in Kennoway, Fife. Christen 8 May 1825.
Died 22 Jun 1878 in Methelhill, Wemyss, Fife.
Occupation Joiner At Colliery. He married Agnes DUNSYRE, 6 Mar 1846 in Wemyss, Fife.
Entry from Fife Family History Society journal for Oct 2000.
From article “The Fife Kalendar”, court records;
Andrew Mercer, clock and watchmaker in Kennoway, received 3 mnts imp Cupar jail at CSC 1 May 1876 for assaulting his wife, Agnes Dunsire.
13. Agnes DUNSYRE.
Born ? 1819. Died 10 Oct 1887 in Buckhaven, Wemyss, Fife.
14. George KILGOUR.
Born 28 Nov 1836 in Markinch, Fife. Christen 1 Jan 1837.
Died 31 Mar 1900 in Leven, Fife.
Occupation Fireman At Hempmill. He married Janet BARCLAY, 12 Oct 1857 in Glasgow.
15. Janet BARCLAY.
Born 6 Apr 1836 in Kennoway, Fife. Christen 24 Apr 1836 in Kennoway, Fife. Died 19 Apr 1922 in Leven, Fife.

Fifth Generation
24. James MERCER.
Born 30 Jan 1802 in Kennoway, Fife. Christen 7 Feb 1802 in Kennoway, Fife. Occupation Labourer. He married Isobel BURGESS, 8 Jan 1825 in Kennoway, Fife.
25. Isobel BURGESS.
Born 21 May 1797 in Kennoway, Fife. Died 10 Jan 1875 in Kennoway, Fife.
26. William DUNSIRE.
Born 8 Jan 1798 in Wemyss, Fife. Christen 14 Jan 1798 in Wemyss, Fife.
Died 3 Sep 1864 in Methil, Wemyss, Fife.
He married Agnes McBAIN, 24 Jul 1818 in Wemyss, Fife. More details about this family are available from the website of a relative (Andrew Dunsire) at http://www.dunsire.dircon.co.uk/page5.html
27. Agnes McBAIN.
Born 1798. Died 7 Apr 1867 in Methil, Wemyss, Fife.
28. Henry KILGOUR.
Born 30 Sep 1802 in Markinch, Fife. Christen 10 Oct 1802.
Died 8 May 1883 in Markinch, Fife. Occupation Manufacturer.
He married Christian BARNETT, 26 Mar 1836 in Markinch, Fife, Scotland.
29/. Christian BARNETT.
Born 15 Jan 1804 in Kettle, Fife.
Christen 22 Jan 1804 in Kettle, Fife.
Died Before 1858.
30. George BARCLAY.
Born 16 Nov 1794 in Kennoway, Fife. Died 9 Jun 1847 in Kennoway, Fife.
He married Douglas RAMSAY, 31 May 1823 in Kennoway, Fife.
31. Douglas RAMSAY.
Born 7 Dec 1794 in Kennoway, Fife.
Died 27 Jan 1874 in Leven, Fife.

Sixth Generation
48. Andrew MERCER.
Born 4 Apr 1756 in Kennoway, Fife.
He married Catherine MARTIN, 12 May 1799 in Kennoway, Fife.
49. Catherine MARTIN.
Born in Forgan, Fife.
50. Alexander BURGESS.
Born in Kennoway, Fife.
He married Jean DALRYMPLE, 9 Jun 1793 in Kennoway, Fife.
51. Jean DALRYMPLE.
Born in Kennoway, Fife.
Died 14 Feb 1843 in Kennoway, Fife.
52. Andrew DUNSIRE.
Born 29 Dec 1759 in Wemyss, Fife.
Christen 30 Dec 1759 in Wemyss, Fife. Died After 1807.
He married Agnes NICOL, 17 Nov 1781 in Wemyss, Fife. More details about this family are available from the website of a relative (Andrew Dunsire) at http://www.dunsire.dircon.co.uk/page3.html
53. Agnes NICOL.
Born 7 Mar 1762 in Markinch, Fife.
54. William McBONE.
56. George KILGOUR.
Born in Markinch, Fife.
He married Cecilia GIBSON, 2 May 1794 in Markinch, Fife, Scotland.
57. Cecilia GIBSON.
Born 14 Oct 1764 in Markinch, Fife.
58. James BARNETT.
Born Circa 1772 in Pittlesie, Fife.
He married Elizabeth DICKS, 1795 in Chirnside, Berwick.
59. Elizabeth DICKS.
Born Circa 1776 in Pittlesie, Fife.
60. Thomas BARCLAY.
Born in Kennoway, Fife.
He married Margaret BARCLAY, 17 Nov 1793 in Kennoway, Fife.
61. Margaret BARCLAY.
Born 17 Jun 1764 in Kennoway, Fife.
62. William RAMSAY.
Born 9 Jun 1771 in Kennoway, Fife.
Died 22 Oct 1854 in Kennoway, Fife.
He married Margaret PEUTHERANE, 8 Apr 1794 in Kennoway, Fife.
63. Margaret PEUTHERANE.
Born 20 Aug 1758 in Kennoway, Fife.

Seventh Generation
96. James MERCER.
Born 18 Nov 1722 in Kennoway, Fife. He married Janet TOD, 31 Jan 1752 in Wemyss, Fife.
Please note that this person, his wife, his ancestors and his relationship as father of the Andrew Mercer whom I know to be my ancestor – all of these are from the Church of the LDS Genealogical records (Ancestral File).
Whether this is accurate or not I cannot say. LDS #: AFN 93P9-8M
97. Janet TOD.
Born Sep 1728 in Dysart, Fife.
Died 10 Jan 1783 in Kennoway, Fife.
104. Peter DUNSIRE.
He married Janet JAFFRAY, 6 Nov 1756.
More details about this family are available from the website of a relative (Andrew Dunsire) at Dunsire family.
105. Janet JAFFRAY.
106 Thomas NICOL.
He married Agnes BRAID, 29 Nov 1755 in Markinch, Fife.
107. Agnes BRAID
114 Alexander GIBSON.
He married Cecil KILGOUR, 15 Oct 1763 in Markinch, Fife.
115. Cecil KILGOUR.
Born 3 Feb 1737 in Abbotshall, Fife.
120. John BARCLAY.
He married Ann THALON, 8 Jan 1762 in Kennoway, Fife, Scotland.
121. Ann THALON.
122 George BARCLAY.
He married Grizel CRAIGIE, 6 Apr 1759 in Kennoway, Fife, Scotland.
123. Grizel CRAIGIE.
124. Andrew RAMSAY.
Born 19 Dec 1742 in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
He married Elizabeth CAMPBELL, 17 Jun 1763 in Kennoway, Fife.
125. Elizabeth CAMPBELL.
Born 3 Oct 1742 in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
126. John PEUTHERER.
Born Circa 1720. He married Janet MITCHALSON, 27 Apr 1745.
127. Janet MITCHALSON.
Born Circa 1722.

Eighth Generation
192. Thomas MERCER.
Born 3 Dec 1691 in Crail, Fife.
He married Christian MILLER, 29 Dec 1710 in Kennoway, Fife.
193. Christian MILLER.
Born 29 Apr 1692 in St.Andrews&St.Leonards, Fife.
194. Robert TOD.
Born 13 Nov 1705 in Beath, Fife.
He married Janet DUNCAN, 8 Dec 1727 in Dysart, Fife.
195 Janet DUNCAN.
Born 12 Apr 1710 in St Monance, Fife.
230. George KILGOUR.
He married Hellen (Eleanor) TOSH, 6 Sep 1717 in Abbotshall, Fife.
231. Hellen (Eleanor) TOSH.
Born 1 Dec 1695 in Abbotshall, Fife.
246. Alexander CRAIGIE.
He married Grizzell ANDERSON, 2 Apr 1727 in Scoonie, Wemyss, Fife.
247. Grizzell ANDERSON.
248. Andrew RAMSAY.
250. William CAMPBELL

Ninth Generation
384. Thomas MERCER.
Born 19 May 1656 in Dunfermline, Fife.
He married Janet PHILP, 13 Oct 1682 in Crail, Fife.
385. Janet PHILP.
Born 17 Oct 1667 in Kinglassie, Fife.
386. John MILLER.
Born 5 Dec 1671 in Aberdour, Fife.
He married Jannet LEES, Circa 1691 in Scotland.
387. Jannet LEES.
Born 30 Oct 1679 in Leuchars, Fife.
388. David TOD.
Born 9 Apr 1673 in Kinglassie, Fife.
He married Margaret BLACK, 24 Mar 1695 in Beath, Fife.
389. Margaret BLACK.
Born 18 Jun 1674 in Burntisland, Fife.
390. James DUNCAN.
Born 4 Jan 1690 in Dunino, Fife.
He married Elizabeth ROGER, Circa 1709 in Scotland.
391. Elizabeth ROGER.
Born 16 Aug 1694 in Cults, Fife.
462. James TOSH.
He married Christian HORN.
463. Christian HORN.
Tenth Generation
768. William MERCER.
Born Aug 1636 in St. Nicholas, Aberdeen.
He married Jonet DONALD, 29 May 1655 in Dunfermline, Fife.
769. Jonet DONALD.
Born 25 Jan 1635 in Dunfermline, Fife.
770. David PHILP.
Born 12 Feb 1639 in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
He married Agnase LEVEROCK, 19 Dec 1661 in Kilconquhar, Fife.
771. Agnase LEVEROCK.
Born Circa 1640.
772. William MILLER.
Born Circa 1650.
He married Isobel ANDERSON, 6 Aug 1664 in Aberdour, Fife.
773. Isobel ANDERSON.
Born Dec 1650 in Dunfermline, Fife.
774. William LEES.
Born Circa 1655. He married Elspeth GIBSON, 30 Jun 1676 in Cupar, Fife.
775. Elspeth GIBSON.
Born 19 Jun 1656 in St.Andrews&St.Leonards, Fife.
776. George TOD.
Born 7 Apr 1650 in Kinglassie, Fife.
778. John BLACK.
Born 6 Feb 1653 in Kilrenny, Fife.
He married Bessie DAWSON, Circa 1673 in Scotland.
779. Bessie DAWSON.
Born Circa 1650.
780. Thomas DUNCAN.
Born 13 Dec 1654 in Dairsee, Fife.
He married Margret WATSON, 18 Aug 1676 in Dunino, Fife.
781. Margret WATSON.
Born 15 Jan 1656 in St.Andrews&St.Leonards, Fife.
782. David ROGER.
Born Circa 1670.

Eleventh Generation
1536. Robert MERCER.
Born Circa 1615. He married Marie DRUMMOND, Circa 1635.
1537. Marie DRUMMOND.
Born Circa 1615.
1538, Marke DONALD.
Born 1 Jan 1611 in Dunfermline, Fife.
He married Marjory BENNAT, 29 Nov 1631 in Dunfermline, Fife.
1539, Marjory BENNAT.
Born Circa 1610.
1540. John PHILP.
Born 28 Mar 1615 in Dysart, Fife.
He married Eupham BIRRELL, 29 Aug 1634 in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
1541. Eupham BIRRELL.
Born Circa 1615.
1546. John ANDERSON.
Born Dec 1629 in Dysart, Fife.
He married Isobel PATRICK, Circa 1650 in Scotland.
1547. Isobel PATRICK.
Born Feb 1628 in St.Andrews&St.Leonards, Fife.
1550. David GIBSON.
Born 9 Sep 1637 in St.Andrews&St.Leonards, Fife.
He married Euphan MITCHELL, 22 Oct 1653 in St.Andrews&St.Leonards, Fife.
1551. Euphan MITCHELL.
Born Circa 1635 in Scotland.
1552. David TOD.
Born 28 Oct 1627 in Dysart, Fife.
He married Janet BRIG, 26 Dec 1641 in Kinglassie, Fife.
1553. Janet BRIG.
Born Circa 1625.
1556. Andrew BLACK.
Born Circa 1630.
He married Helen WILSON, 17 Feb 1650 in Kilconquhar, Fife.
1557. Helen WILSON.
Born Feb 1627.
1560. David DUNCAN.
Born 5 Apr 1639 in Dysart, Fife.
1562. William WATSON.
Born 16 Dec 1630 in St.Andrews&St.Leonards, Fife.
He married Kathrine RUSSELL, 10 Aug 1652 in St.Andrews&St.Leonards, Fife.
1563. Kathrine RUSSELL.
Born Circa 1630.

Twelfth Generation
3076. George DONALD.
Born Jan 1585 in Dunfermline, Fife.
He married Margaret WILSON, 16 Jun 1607 in Dunfermline, Fife.
3077. Margaret WILSON.
Born Mar 1584 in Dunfermline, Fife.
3080. Robert PHILP.
Born Circa 1590.
He married Margaret RAISHDOUNE, 15 Mar 1615 in Dysart, Fife.
3081. Margaret RAISHDOUNE.
Born Circa 1590.
3092. John ANDERSON.
Born Apr 1609 in Dunfermline, Fife.
He married Margaret HORNE, 26 May 1629 in Dunfermline, Fife.
3093. Margaret HORNE.
Born Dec 1614 in Dunfermline, Fife.
3094. Alexander PATRICK.
Born Circa 1600 in Scotland.
He married Isobell LAING, Circa 1627 in Scotland.
3095. Isobell LAING.
Born Circa 1600.
3100. Walter GIBSON.
Born Circa 1600 in Scotland.
He married Katherin MONCREIFF, Circa 1628 in Scotland.
3101. Katherin MONCREIFF.
Born Circa 1600.
3104. David TOD.
3114. Adam WILSON.
He married Margaret CUNNINGHAME, 3 Jan 1615 in Dunfermline, Fife.
3115. Margaret CUNNINGHAME.
3120. David DUNCAN.
Born 15 Apr 1610 in Dysart, Fife.
3124. Johne WATSON.
He married Beatrix MEASONE.
3125. Beatrix MEASONE.

Thirteenth Generation
6152. Mark DONALD.
Born Circa 1550. He married M LOURIE, Circa 1573.
6153. M LOURIE.
Born Circa 1550.
6154. Alexander WILSON.
Born Circa 1560.
He married Jonat CUNNINGHAM, 28 Jun 1579 in Dunfermline, Fife.
6155. Jonat CUNNINGHAM.
Born Circa 1560.
6184. P ANDERSON.
Born Circa 1585 in Scotland.
He married B ROXBURGHE, Circa 1608 in Scotland.
6185. B ROXBURGHE.
Born Circa 1580 in Scotland.
6186. Andro HORNE.
Born Circa 1585.
He married Bessie ANGHOUS, 27 Nov 1606 in Dunfermline, Fife.
6187. Bessie ANGHOUS.
Born Circa 1585.
6240. John DUNCAN.
Born Circa 1590 in Scotland.