Transcribed by Gregory Lauder-Frost, F.S.A. (Scot)

The society receives many enquiries from people tracing their Scottish ancestors who lived in the border counties. One surname in this category which has come to my attention is that of Middlemiss/Middlemass/etc. Below are some which I have come across during local research, commencing with baptisms found just across the border at Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Baptisms at Berwick-upon-Tweed

At United Assoc. Congregational Church, Golden Square:

James, son of James & Elizabeth Middlemiss born at Greenlaw Walls, Norham on 1st August 1797, baptised 4th August 1797.

James, son of Andrew & Grace (or Grizel) Middlemiss in Castlegate, born 14th February and baptised 5th March 1809.

David Wilson Middlemiss and Robert Bell Middlemiss twin sons of Andrew and Grace Middlemiss in Castlegate, born 28th March and baptised 5th April, 1818.

James, 6th child and 4th son of John Middlemiss, carter, and Margaret, his wife, in Tweedmouth, born 3rd June and baptised 6th July 1847.

Robert MacLaurin Middlemiss, 5th child and 3rd son of Andrew & Janet Middlemiss of Tweedmouth, born 19th December 1867 and baptised 20th Jan 1868.

At Shaw's lane/Chapel Street Presbyterian Church

Andrew, son of Thomas Middlemiss, porter, Walkergate, and his wife Margaret Paterson, born 20th December 1830 and baptised 9th January 1831. To the same couple, a daughter Margaret Landles Middlemiss born 25th December 1832 and baptised 13th January 1833.

At Crookham Presbyterian Church, Northumberland

James, son of James Middlemas & Agnes Rutherford, of Sunilaws, Carham, Northumberland, baptised 29th July 1810.

Robert, son of James Middlemas, hind & husbandman, and Agnes Rutherford, of Millfield, Kirknewton, Northumberland, born 16th January and baptised 23rd January 1816.

Carham, Northumberland

James Middlemiss (born at Coldstream c. 1803, parents said to be James Middlemiss and Janet Paterson) married Agnes Tait on 27th March 1825 in the parish church, Carham, Northumberland, both of that parish. Her father Robert Tait was a witness, as was an Alexander Middlemass.

Their son James Middlemiss was born at Sunilaws, Carham on 27th December 1828, this latter fact being stated on his 1855 marriage certificate in Kelso and confirmed in census returns.

Burials at Lennel old Churchyard, Coldstream, Berwickshire

George Middlemost 'his burial place' 1778

Thomas Middlemiss 'long resident in Coldstream', died at Brownsbank 30/10/1796 aged 65 years; also his wife Betty Davidson died 3/8/1793 aged 73 years.

James Middlemis, feuar at Coldstream 'His Family Burying Ground' died 1st March 1799 aged 39 years; also his son Peter died November 1798 (age unclear).

Burial at Edrom Churchyard, Berwickshire

Margaret Middlemess, died 4/2/1833 aged 51 years, wife of Peter Learmonth, died 29/10/1849 aged 72 years.

Burials at Duns Churchyard, Berwickshire

Margaret Middlemiss, 30/8/1860 aged 84 years, wife of John Brown, mason, died 4/6/1846 aged 71 years.

John Middlemiss, in Burnhouses, died April 1841 in Burnhouses; also his spouse Jane Hay, died 18/5/1832 aged 77 years; also their daughter Janet, died 23/5/1843.

Burial in Chirnside Churchyard, Berwickshire

Nathanial Middlemiss died 7/2/1847 aged 21 years

Also his wife Elizabeth Kinghorn died 20/3/1847 aged 23 years.

Burial in Preston Churchyard, Berwickshire

William Laidlaw, manufacturer, born Hawick 20/10/1821, died at Cumledge mills 18/2/1908; also his wife Elizabeth Middlemas, born at Ednam 8/12/1821, died 1/11/1913.

Burials in Whitsome Churchyard, Berwickshire

Joseph Middlemiss died 18/10/1846 aged 76 years; also his wife Elizabeth Cockburn died 24/12/1844 aged 68 years; also their daughters, Margaret died 20/3/1841 aged 30 years, Isabella died 15/2/1846 aged 29 years and Elizabeth died 23/10/1880 aged 72 years.

Andrew Middlemiss, joiner, died 27/10/1886 aged 79 years; his wife Beatrice Bertram died 9/3/1888 aged 82 years; their son Andrew died 29/9/1832 aged 4 years; their daughter Elizabeth died at Whitsome12/12/1915 aged 74 years; their son Andrew died 29/10/1897 aged 60 years; their daughter Alison, wife of James Purves, died 22/9/1903 at Nunlands and buried at Foulden (two year discrepancy on year of death for Alison - see below)

Burials in Foulden Churchyard, Berwickshire

Alison Middlemiss died 22/9/1905 aged 72 years; also James Purvis, husband of the above, for 40 years gamekeeper on Foulden estate, who died 29/12/1909 aged 76 years. (See listing under Whitsome)

Agnes Bregs [Briggs] wife to John Midelmist died 27/3/1709 aged 67 years.

Hume J Middlemiss died 27/5/1917 aged 56 years (wife of William Rae)

Catherine Middlemiss died 24/9/1879 aged 73 years, wife of James Darling who died 25/2/1886 at Nunlands aged 77 years; also a son who died in infancy; also their son Robert who died at Newcastle [upon-Tyne] 13/1/1876 aged 39 years.

Agnes Middelmist who died 3/11/1776 aged 53 years.

Burials in Lamberton Churchyard, Berwickshire

James Midlmis died 10/6/1778 aged 64 years; and also Elisabeth, died 2/9/1782 aged 4 years, and Agnes died 26/9/1782 aged 21 months, daughters of William Midlmis in Eyemouth

Burials in Eccles Churchyard, Berwickshire

George Middlemiss in Belville died 17/11/1810 aged 82 years; also his wife Margaret Currie died 10/2/1800 aged 57 years; also their son George died 22/6/1763 aged 9 months.

Burials in Simprin [by Swinton] Churchyard, Berwickshire

Robert Middlemist died 23/12/1796 aged 40 years, wright at Antonshill; his wife Elspeth Tait died at Parth [Perth] Ocober 1820 aged 67; their daughter Margaret died July 1810 aged 18; 2 infants.

On the same stone:

Agnes Winter spouse to Robert Middlemist died 21/4/1767 aged 49 years.

William Middlemist husband of Margaret Purves died 12/8/1777 aged 24 years.

Robert Middlemist died 11/7/1726 aged 36 yrs (unclear).

William Middlemist died 23/7/1789 aged 52 years.

George Middlemist, feuar in Swinton died 22/5/1800 aged 60 years.

His spouse Elspeth died 17/4/1814 aged 65 years; their children:

Janet died 6/8/1784 aged 10 years; George died 14/3/1802 aged 10 years; Janet died 9/4/1802 aged 14 years.

Robert Middlemis died 17/5/1758 aged 52 years; also his spouse Janet Broun died March 1781 aged 75 years; their son Patrick died 5/4/17…. 17 years.

Patrick Middlemist died 1726 aged 36 years; his spouse Agnes Chirnside died 1742.