Talk:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Scrymgeour, Henry

Following comment moved from page. Charles Matthews (talk) 06:52, 2 November 2011 (UTC)

The article gives eroneous genealogy. Henry Scrymgeour born in Dundee about 1506 was son to James Scrymgeour(1480c-1520c), heir to David Scrymgeour and grandson of Jak Scrymgeour. His mother was Janet Scrymgeour (1480c-1560c){Book of Burgh of High Court of Dundee Vol.III (1550-1554) fol. 164 }. Henry's brother James (1502c-1586c)married Marie Dargent and was known in Dundee as "French James". The article is correct in that Henry's sister Margaret (1510c - 11 May 1578) married John Young and was mother of the pedagogue Peter Young.

Walter Scrymgeour of Glasswell was not the father of Henry. He had an illegitimate son called James who was a baker in Dundee and a lawful son James, his heir, by his wife Katherine Murray. He also had two lawful daughters by Katherine. Janet who married Thomas Melville of Dysart, Montrose and Isabella who married Richard Melville of Baldovie, Montrose. The confusion arises in the James Melville used the term "my eam" to describe Henry. In early 16th century useage this would mean that Henry was his mother's brother which would imply that Walter was father of Henry. However by late 16th century when James Melville was writing his diary the useage was loose and could mean kinsman on mother's side. The relationship was quite distant as Walter Scrymgeour was second cousin once removed to Henry. Thus James Melville was not nephew of Henry Scrymgeour.