Elspeth Young
1722 – ?
EY
Biography
Elspeth Young was the wife of John Telfer of Castleton, Roxburghshire, and mother of James Telfer (1761–1845).
Vital Details
- Born: ~1725–1740 (estimated — exact date unknown)
- Maiden name: Young
- Spouse: John Telfer (of Castleton) (m. unknown, ~1750s)
- Died: Unknown
Known Children
| Child | Born/Baptised | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| James Telfer (1761–1845) | Baptised 14 Jul 1761, Castleton | Named as son of John Telfer & Elspeth Young in Castleton OPR. |
Sources
- FamilySearch IGI: Batch C11865-1 (Castleton OPR) — James Telfer baptised 14 Jul 1761, Castleton; mother Elspeth Young. Source call number 1067953.
- James Telfer vault profile: James Telfer (1761–1845)
- John Telfer vault profile: John Telfer (of Castleton) (1731–?)
⚠️ Research Gaps
- No birth, marriage, or death records found
- Young family origins unknown — may come from a nearby Roxburghshire parish
- Full name may be Elizabeth (Elspeth is a Scots diminutive of Elizabeth)
Tags
youngcastletonroxburghshirescotland
Spouse
- John Telfer (of Castleton) (1731 – ?)
Children
- James Telfer (1761 – 1845)
Their Story
Elspeth Young is known to us through a single, precious line in the Castleton Old Parish Register, which records that young James—baptised on 14 July 1761—was the son of John Telfer and Elspeth Young. She is the wife of John Telfer of Castleton and the mother of the James Telfer whose own son, Francis, would carry the family across the sea to South Australia. Though almost nothing else of her life survives, that one parish entry secures her place as the matriarch standing at the very root of the Australian Telfer line.
Common Questions
- Who was Elspeth Young?
- Elspeth Young was the wife of John Telfer of Castleton, Roxburghshire, and the mother of James Telfer (1761-1845).
- What is the documentary record for Elspeth Young?
- She is named as the mother of James Telfer in the Castleton OPR, where James was baptised on 14 July 1761 to John Telfer and Elspeth Young.