I now know the name of my great-great-grandfather.
He admitted paternity of my great-grandmother Isabella Richardson.

His name was JAMES SIM.

Now to trace him!

I do love the sound of brick walls tumbling. I'm so pleased for you, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth, I know Sim is a fairly common name in Scotland, but should your research wander into Aberdeen or Gamrie, Banff, let me know, I have two married-in Sim females. Associated names are Urquhart, Milne, Moir, Morrison etc.

OC

One of the possibles is from Gamrie, OC.

There is no indication of his age or residence, just the fact that he admitted paternity, which makes tracing him like looking for a needle in a haystack!

There's a JAMES SIM at Gamrie in 1871. Born c. 1840.
My great-great-grandmother (the mother of the illegitimate child) was born in 1845.

He is living at Montbletton, Gamrie, Banffshire, Scotland. He is married with children.

This looks like his marriage:

SIM JAMES
LORIMER HELEN
1861
149/ 3
Boyndie

James died 14 March 1919, Helen died 25 Feb 1918, burial Kirkyard Marnoch, stone 635.

My Elizabeth Sim was born about 1835 in Aberdour maybe, she married there in 1855 to William Urquhart. I haven't investigated her very hard as I couldn't get a handle on her. She lived in Gamrie after marriage.

OC

Thanks, OC.

DNA isn't helping either.

Great news, only us family tree researchers would understand the joy.

Thanks, Maggie.

It looks like my Elizabeth Sim is not closely related to the James Sim at Montbletton. My Elizabeth did indeed have a brother James, but he was born in 1835. Her parents were James Sim and Helen Watt, for your reference.

OC