At the time that Willilam and Margaret married in 1700 newspapers in Scotland would not really become a ‘thing’ until 1780 and 1720. Their estimated dates of birth and lives coincided with the reign of Charles Stuart II and James Stuart VII Scottish Stuart Kings of the United Kingdom. This was also the time before mandatory registration of births, deaths and marriages (Jan 1855).  Parish records being among the best resources we have, thankfully the Scotland’s People website has been critical in being able to match this family of ancestors together.

I’ve estimated William’s birth around 1675 and Margaret’s birth around 1680. These should not be taken by the reader as gospel as they are guesses based on their possible ages at the time they married and the ages of their subsequent children.

William Simer (how it was spelled on the records) married Margaret Smith in Old Machar, Aberdeenshire, on 3 December 1700.  Given that Old Machar was and remains a reasonably small hamlet to the south of greater Aberdeen, at the time it is likely that both were locals to the area. Old Machar continued to be an area dense with Simers/Symers family members. Both were Protestant.

On the 21st of September 1701 they had a child named John Simer baptised in Old Machar. Another brother William Simer was baptised 7th May 1704, also in Old Machar. On the 4th of January 1707 the Simer’s oldest boy John Simer died (recorded Old Machar). Margaret must have been pregnant at the time as a few months later on the 16th March 1707 a new baby was baptised. He was given his brother’s name John. On the 14th of July 1710 their son Alexader Simmer (my ancestor) was baptised at Old Machar. There may have been other children born/died in this time but I can only go from the Old Parish Records that I have been able to find.

I have found a burial/death roll record for a William Simer 30th of August 1719 in Old Machar. Whilst I don’t have any other details, this could indicate that he had died. He may have been in his mid-forties but this is just an approximation.