John Skene, mariner of Leith

John was Marjorie's 3rd cousin, twice removed. Their common ancestors being Alexander and Elizabeth (Forbes) Skene. "At this time and earlier in Scotland, marriages were often arranged to enhance estates, there was a good bit of illegitimacy and much intermarriage among cousins" (Miller, p. 309)

Source: Phyllis J. Miller, "A New Hypothesis on the Ancestry of Mathew Skeen of Augusta County, Virginia." The Virginia Genealogist (Oct - Dec 2001), p. 309.

There is indication that the article by Phyllis J. Miller, "A New Hypothesis on the Ancestry of Mathew Skeen of Augusta County, Virginia." The Virginia Genealogist (Oct - Dec 2001), pp. 305-309, convincingly shows Matthew of New York & Augusta Co VA (who m. Jannetje Titus) was NOT a son of Deputy Governor John Skene and his wife Helen (Fullerton) Skene. Rather, Matthew was the son of a different John Skene and Marjorie/Marjory (Black) Skene. Further, DNA findings from 2001 question Matthew (husband of Jannetje) being descended from the Deputy Governor John Skene. Yet, in both John Skene cases, both men are ultimately descended from the same Skene family -- back to Alexander Skene III, Laird XI of Skene, and his wife Elizabeth Forbes. Through Alexander Skene III, Laird XI of Skene, is a direct line to King Robert the Bruce of Scotland. Alexander Skene III was son of Alexander Skene II, son of Agnes (Forbes) De Skene, daughter of James Forbes, son of Elizabeth Mary (Douglas) Forbes, daughter of Princess Mary Stewart of Scotland, daughter of King Robert III (John Stewart) of Scotland, son of King Robert II of Scotland, son of Marjorie (Bruce) Stewart, daughter of King Robert (I) the Bruce of Scotland.

Various sources including the above as well as some of those mentioned at the following:

http://family.beacondeacon.com/skeen.htm

http://family.beacondeacon.com/skene.htm

http://family.beacondeacon.com/deskene.htm

http://family.beacondeacon.com/scotland.htm

THIS JOHN IS THE ACTUAL FATHER OF MATTHEW SKENE OF AUGUSTA CO., VA, BUT IS SON OF ANDREW SKENE "THE YOUNGER" AND MARGRAT SIMSON, NOT THE PARENTS LISTED AT John Skene, mariner of Leith

HOWEVER, FROM THE PROFILE AT John Skene, mariner of Leith, ONE CAN GET TO MATTHEW'S DESCENDANTS.

John was Marjorie's 3rd cousin, twice removed. Their common ancestors being Alexander and Elizabeth (Forbes) Skene. "At this time and earlier in Scotland, marriages were often arranged to enhance estates, there was a good bit of illegitimacy and much intermarriage among cousins" (Miller, p. 309)

Sources: Phyllis J. Miller, "A New Hypothesis on the Ancestry of Mathew Skeen of Augusta County, Virginia." The Virginia Genealogist (Oct - Dec 2001), p. 309.

Various sources including the above as mentioned at http://family.beacondeacon.com/skeen.htm