More on the Bracks in Coldingham

Here I'm following on from this other post, where we first met William Brack (father of my grandmother) and his wife Janet McKerracher. From their marriage certificate, we found the names of William's parents; William Brack and Catherine (Spence) Brack.

I have seen that the couple married in 1868 in Coldingham (Berwickshire). We can calculate from other records that their son William was born in 1867, in Coldingham.


The marriage took place on 4th of February 1868, between William Brack (Ag Lab, 30) and Catherine Spence (Ag Lab, 28). They were both resident in Coldingham, and married at Coldingham Manse according to the forms of the Established Church of Scotland.

William's parents are listed as Peter Brack (Mason?, deceased) & Mary Brack (M.S. Stevenson?).
Catherine's parents are listed as Robert Spence (Fisherman) and Hellen Spence (M.S. Gray)

Death registry in Berwickshire from 1855 (earliest available) does not list a Peter Brack. Mary Brack's death is listed in the Eyemouth district in the year 1895 (aged 85, so she was born 1810).

So now I can show you these families in the Census of Coldingham. From 1871, we'd expect to find William in his own household with his new wife Catherine. Prior to that, we should find William in the household of Peter Brack or his widow Mary; and Catherine in the household of Robert Spence.

The Brack family

• not yet found in 1871. I did find a Peter Brack's household, though - he had his mother living with his family at Crossgate, Coldingham. She was listed as a Pauper, aged 59.
• In 1861, William Brack was in the house of his widowed mother, Mary Brack {listed as a Mason's widow, so that shows me I did read the other papers correctly}. She was born in Gordon (Berwickshire) in ~1814. William was born ~1839, in Gordon, and he worked as a Ploughman. His brothers Peter & John {possibly a grandson?} were also there. They lived at 7 Lamberton, Mordington.
• In 1851, William Brack was in the house of his widowed mother, Mary Brack at Gordon Moor, Gordon. His siblings are Thomas (16), William (13), Catherine (10) and Peter (8).
• In 1841, William Brack was in the house of his father, Peter Brack (born ~1806, in Gordon; a Mason) and mother Mary. There are 4 children, the oldest of whom is Andrew (8), all were born in Gordon.

Gordon is inland, near Kelso, Berwickshire. Coldingham, meanwhile is on the East coast near Eyemouth.
So now we know Peter Brack was born ~1806, and he died from 1841-1851. We know Mary Brack lived from ~1810 till at least 1868. A lass named Barbara has been in touch and let me know that Peter's wife was named Mary Doris / Dorris {Thankyou!!}.
They had 5 children altogether - I think the boy listed as son John in the 1861 Census could be her grandson.


The Spence family

• In 1881 Robert (retired Fisherman) and Helen (they are recorded as aged 61 & 60) - are shown living in Coldingham, at 9, Boggan. It is recorded that they were both born in Coldingham.
• not found in 1871 - I searched all the Census of Scotland & England.
• In 1861, in Boggan, Coldingham - Robert Spence (53, Cotton Weaver) and Helen Spence (53) with 5 children including Catherine Spence (22, born Coldingham: Ag Lab) and 3 grandchildren. Note he's not a Fisherman now - but I only found one record of a Rob & Helen Spence in Coldingham, so I guess that's them. Catherine was listed as an Ag Lab aged 28 when she married in 1868, so that fits.
• In 1851, in Coldingham, Robert Spence (Cotton Hand Loom Weaver) and Helen with a large household of 8 children and a grandson. Catherine is not listed, though there is a girl(aged 13) who fits her description at the Manse, Coldingham - house servant to the family of the Parish Schoolmaster.
• In 1841, Robert Spence (Ag Lab) and Hellen have 6 children in their household, including Cathrine (3).