Robert Munro, XVI of Foulis

Notes:

There is some controversy over whether Robert actually succeeded his father as Baron of Foulis. Robert and his father died within a year of each other, and some researchers say he predeceased his father.

"The Munro Tree" says that the Foulis estate was conveyed to Robert by his father in 1587 with his father reserving liferent. Then Robert died in Aug 1588 before his father, who died in Nov 1588. Thus "The Munro Tree" says that Robert never really succeeded to the title, but died as fiar of Foulis, that is, possessor subject to the liferent.

Mackenzie says that there is a Royal charter under the Great Seal, dated in 1589, of the lands of Easter Foulis, Daan, Inverlael, and others in the counties of Ross and Inverness, addressed to "Roberto de Foulis," as registered in the public archives. It is claimed that this disproves that Robert predeceased his father. Mackenzie says that Robert died in Aug 1589.

"The Munro Tree" says that the 1589 charter is a confirmation of the 1587 grant that conveyed the estate to Robert pending his father's liferent, and that the confirmation is in favor of Hector, not of Robert, his older brother, who was dead by then.

Robert appears to have married three times. His first wife was Marjory, the youngest daughter of Kenneth Mackenzie of Kintail and Lady Elizabeth Stewart. This marriage was confirmed by a charter granted under the Great Seal on 11 Jul 1574. Marjory died a few months after their marriage without any children.

In 1579, he was engaged to marry Eleanor Gordon, the daughter of John, Earl of Sutherland and Helenor Stewart, Dowager-Countess of Erroll. But Eleanor died at Dornoch on the night before the wedding, so that marriage did not take place.

Later in the same year, he married Janet Sinclair, daughter of George, Earl of Caithness. She also died shortly after their marriage with no children.

In 1587, he married Elizabeth Rose, daughter of Hugh Rose of Kilravock. The marriage contract was dated 31 Aug 1579.

Robert was the target of a strange witchcraft plot. Robert's stepmother, Katherine Ross, wanted to remove Marjory Campbell, the young wife of her brother, George Ross of Balnagowan, so that he might marry Robert's wife. To accomplish this, of course, Robert had to be destroyed.

Involved in the plot were Marjory Macallister, nicknamed Loskie Loutart, a witch from Tain, and William Macgillivray, nicknamed Damh, a wizard from Tain. They formed a clay image of Robert which was to be set up and shot at with "elf arrows." This was supposed to make Robert pine away and die. Also, William sold to Robert's stepmother, a "box of witchcraft", that is of poison, for which he was later sentenced to be burned at the stake.

At a Justice Court held on 28 Nov 1577, several witches were convicted of this plot and sentanced to burn at the stake. They implicated Lady Katherine of Foulis as their employer, but she was not tried until 22 Jul 1590, and was found innocent.

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Birth:
Estimate: This birth date is an estimate based on the birth dates of nearest relatives or contemporaries, or based on other clues such as christening date, marriage date, birth order, etc.

Robert married Marjorie MacKenzie on 30 May 1574. Marjorie was born about 1555; died about 1574. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Robert married Janet Sinclair in 1581. Janet was born est 1555; died about 1579. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Robert married Elizabeth Rose in 1587. Elizabeth was born est 1555 in Of, Kilravock; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Margaret Munro was born est 1593; and died.

Notes:

Robert was served heir to his father before Alexander Baillie, Sheriff-Depute of Inverness on 11 Jan 1548. He was still a minor and so was placed under the tutorship of his uncle, Hugh Munro of Contullich.

Robert got into a great deal of trouble because his uncle and tutor, Hugh Munro killed two tenants in Little Boath, belonging to the Laird of Balnagowan. The problem was resolved after great expense to Robert including the loss of the lands of Kiltearn.

Robert came to be known as Robert Mor because of his stature. His estates were erected into a barony by 1553. He was a supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots.

He gave to Neil Beaton, a heritable tack of the lands of Culnaskea for serving as surgeon or doctor to his family.

In 1552, he sold to Margaret Ogilvie, widow of William Mackintosh of Mackintosh, the lands of Wester Foulis in liferent, but later regained these lands by marrying Margaret.

In 1560, he regained the lands of Kiltearn by obtaining them from Quinten Monypenny, General-Vicar and Dean of Ross. The charter was registered and and confirmed on 3 Sep 1584. In the same year, he acquired from the Bishops of Ross, the lands of Limlair, Pellaig, Wester Glens, and Mukle Boitt (or Boath).

He attended the Reformation Parliament in Edinburgh on 1 Aug 1560 where he voted for the overthrow of the Catholic Church and for acceptance for the Scottish Confession of Faith. He was among the barons assembled on 24 Nov 1572 in Edinburgh to choose a Regent when the Convention of Estates appointed Morton. In the Edinburgh Parliament of 30 Nov 1581, he is listed as "Robert Monro of Fowlis, bailie and chamberlane of Ros, one of the Justices in that part." He had been appointed to that position by the seventh Parliament of King James VI, held at Edinburgh on 24 Feb 1581, when he was described as "His Majesty's principal bailie of the Earldom of Ross and Lordship of Ardmeanach."

In Robert's time, the Munro Clan was considered by the Crown, of considerable importance, and among the most loyal of the northern clans. When Queen Mary arrived at Inverness on 11 Sep 1562, and found the castle shut against her by the governor, Captain Alexander Gordon, the Munros, under Robert Mor, their Chief, were among those loyal subjects who came to her assistance.

By a charter dated at Scone on 11 Jul 1565, Robert obtained from Sir James Spence, Chaplain of St. Lawrence, and Sir Alexander Douglas, Chaplain of St. Mary, the lands of Mukle and Little Clynes.

On 23 Jun 1567, he served as a member of the jury when John, Earl of Sutherland was served heir to his grandmother, Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland.

At Edinburgh, on 10 Apr 1569, he and many others signed a bond of allegiance to King James VI.

On 22 Nov 1569, Robert was appointed by the Lord Regent, as a Justice-Depute in the diocese of Caithness for the trial of certain persons.

In 1570 a serious quarrel broke out between the Munros and the Mackenzies. Leslie, the celebrated Bishop of Ross who had been secretary to Queen Mary, dreading the effect of public feeling against prelacy in the north and against himself personally made over to his cousin, Leslie of Balquhain, his rights and titles to the Chanonry of Ross, together with the Castle lands, in order to divest them of the character of church property and so save them to his family. But in spite of this grant, the Regent Murray gave the custody of the Castle to Andrew Munro of Milntown, a rigid Presbyterian, who was in high favor with Murray.

The Mackenzies were by no means pleased at seeing the Munros occupying the stronghold. They purchased Leslie's right to the castle and demanded delivery. The Munros at once refused. Mackenzie of Kintail raised his vassals and, joined by a detachment of the Mackintoshes, garrisoned the steeple of the Cathedral Church and laid siege to Irvine's Tower and the Palace.

The Munros held out for three years, but one day the garrison becoming short of provisions, they attempted a sortie to the Ness of Fortrose, where there was at the time a salmon stell, the contents of which they attempted to secure. They were immediately discovered and followed by the Mackenzies under Iain Dubh Mac Ruairidh Mhic Alastair. The Munros were ambushed and twenty-six of them were killed. The remaining defenders of the castle immediately capitulated, and it was taken possession of by the Mackenzies. Later it was confirmed to the Baron of Kintail by King James VI.

In 1572, as a reward for his faithful services to the Crown, Robert obtained from King James VI a grant of the tack of all the customs due as royalties from the town and Sheriffdom of Inverness, in the counties of Ross, Sutherland, and Caithness. This was registered in a charter under the Privy Seal dated at Edinburgh on 5 Jan 1572.

He was one of the members of a Commission appointed to act as Sheriffs of Inverness for serving Alexander Earl of Sutherland heir to his father Earl John, on 30 May 1573. But Alexander petitioned to be served heir in Aberdeen, as he could not get a jury together to sit at Inverness because there was a deadly feud in progress among the local barons including Colin Mackenzie of Kintail, Lachlan Mackintosh of Mackintosh, and Robert Munro of Foulis.

On 9 Jan 1578, Robert appeared as one of the arbitrators for David Dunbar, portioner of Kinsterrie, concerning the slaughter of two of Dunbar's servants by the tenants or followers of Cawdor.

In 1578, the Lord Regent and Privy Council learned that the Earl of Argyll intended to invade the territories of Donald MacAngus of Glengarry. On 19 Feb 1577-78, their Lordships issued orders to many Highland Chiefs, including Robert Munro of Foulis, to be ready with their whole forces to come the the aid and defense of Donald MacAngus of Glengarry.

Robert obtained various lands in Inverness and Ross by charter dated 11 Jan 1583 under the Great Seal, and later that year, on 10 May 1583, he disponed to his son, George of Obsdale, the lands of Limlare, Pelaig, Wester Glens, and Bothmoir.

In about 1585, a dispute arose between Neil Macleod and Donald Bane Macleod regarding the succession to Assynt. The succession was ultimately awarded to Neil, but Donald Bane complained to Foulis, in whose family he had been brought up. Robert's influence was able to obtain for Donald Bane a part of the lands of Assynt.

On 30 Nov 1586, Robert was denounced by the Privy Council, along with most of the other Highland Chiefs, on the complaint of the United Burghs of Scotland, for obstructing the fisheries in the northern parts and for making extortionate exactions from the fishermen.

On 6 May 1588, King James VI, issued an order of special protection granted to the Earl of Sutherland and his Countess. In it, the King ordered Robert Munro of Foulis and many other local leaders to be ready to raise their followers in arms to assist the Earl of Sutherland if needed.

On 20 Jul 1588, Robert was appointed by the King to be collector of a tax in Inverness-shire, which was to be used for the repair of Edinburgh Castle.

Robert was one of the first of the Highland Chiefs to renounce the Roman Catholic form of religion and to embrace the doctrines of the Reformation. In this decision, he exercised great influence in the county of Ross. He voted in the Parliament of Aug 1560, for the overthrow of the Popish Church, and for the adoption of the Scottish Confession of Faith. The first spot in Ross-shire where the reformed religion is said to have been preached is at Waterloo, midway between Foulis and Dingwall. The preacher is said to have been the Rev. Donald Munro, the well-known High Dean of the Isles.

Robert appears to have profited considerably by the long leases of church lands and forfeitures arising from the changed condition of affairs caused by the Reformation. He is said to have been a wise and good man, and the name "Mor," or great, was not altogether inapplicable to him.

He died at Foulis Castle on 4 Nov 1588 at about the age of 60. By his own direction, his body was buried in the churchyard of Kiltearn, which has ever since continued to be the burying place of the Chiefs of the family. He was the first who made this change from the ancient custom of his ancestors, who had always been interred at the Chanonry of Ross. It is probable that this baron, who was the the first professing Protestant of the family of Foulis, desired by this change, to mark the complete severance of all connection with the Church of Rome and her consecrated establishments.

Error alert: According to the dates in references, Robert remarried about a year before his first wife died. It's possible that his first marriage ended in divorce, but it is more likely that one or more dates in the reference are incorrect.

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Birth:
Estimate: This birth date is an estimate based on the birth dates of nearest relatives or contemporaries, or based on other clues such as christening date, marriage date, birth order, etc.

Robert married Margaret Ogilvy. Margaret was born about 1530 in , , , Scotland; died on 2 Dec 1564. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - R

Robert Moir Munro Baron of Fowlis married Margaret daughter to Ogilvie of Finlater by whom he had 2 sons and 3 daughters 2d he married Catherin daughter to Alexander Ross of Balnagown and had 3 sons 4 daughters.

...His first wife Margaret dr of James Ogilvy of Cardill ancestor of earls of Findlater was former wife of William Mackintosh of Dunachton (beheaded 1550) and mother of Lachlan the next chief (Mackintosh Munts 65, Kinrara MS 223, 231); in 1551 Robert sold to her as 'lady of Moy' lands of Wester Foulis in liferent (RMS conf 13 Feb 1552/3); she is on record as Robert's wife 1557 (FW 71) and d 2 Dec 1564 (Edin Tests 22 Jan 1565)....By first marriage Robert had 3 sons, Robert who seems to have predeceased him, Hugh of Clynes (omitted here, but see FW 77, OPS ii 482, & Retours Ross and Crom 169), and Hector who succeeded to Foulis;...for drs see R/39.

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 55

Robert Mor Munro married, first, Margaret, daughter of James Ogilvie of Cardell, Baron of Findlater and Deskford, and apparently widow of William Mackintosh, XI. of Mackintosh, who was born in 1521, and in August, 1550, beheaded at the "Bog of Gight," by order of Elizabeth Countess of Huntly, for conspiracy. This sentence was subsequently declared illegal, and his estates were restored to his second son by Act of Parliament, passed on the 14th of December, 1557. By Margaret Ogilvie Robert had issue--

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Birth:
Estimate: This birth date is an estimate based on the birth dates of nearest relatives or contemporaries, or based on other clues such as christening date, marriage date, birth order, etc.

Notes:

Robert Munro was served heir to his father on 22 May 1542 before John Cuthbert, Sheriff of Inverness. Later in the same year, King James V granted him the relief of the lands and other property belonging to his deceased father.

In the same year, 1542, a feud broke out between Donald Mackay, Chief of the Clan Mackay, and John, fifteenth Earl of Sutherland, during which Mackay committed several depredations. He was ultimately apprehended, and by order of the Earl of Huntly, Lieutenant of the North, was imprisoned in Foulis Castle, where he was kept for a considerable time in captivity. He managed to make his escape through the connivance of one Donald Mackay, a Strathnaver man. It seems highly probably that Baron Robert knew of the escape plan, because the Mackays and Munros had been on friendly terms for generations.

In 1544, Robert entered into a bond of manrent and friendship, according to the custom of the period, with Alexander Ross of Balnagown, father of Robert's eldest son's second wife. The agreement is dated 1 Dec 1544, and bound the two men for their mutual defense.

In 1546, Angus Macdonald of Glengarry, deponed the patronage of the Chaplainory of Obsdale to Robert Munro. On 1 Mar 1546/7, Robert served as a member of the Assize for serving Archibald Campbell heir to his father, Sir John, in the Barony of Strathnairn. On 4 May 1546, he was a member of the jury in the special service of John Gordon, heir to Alexander Gordon, Master of Sutherland his father, in the Earldom of Sutherland.

Robert was a resolute and magnanimous man, and a most loyal subject. When the English invaded Scotland under the Protector, the Duke of Somerset, all the noblemen, freeholders, and Chiefs of Clans were called upon to proceed to Edinburgh with their friends and followers. The Chief of the Munros responded to the call with alacrity. Calling together the fighting men of his clan, he went to Edinburgh, joined the Scottish army, and marched with it to the fatal field of Pinkie, where he fell fighting bravely at the head of his followers.

It is not known what became of his body. It very probably remained on the field of battle and was buried there along with others.

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The following is from the Rockwell reference:

Robert Munro was also the 14th Chieftan of the Clan Munro, successor to the legendary Donald, the Irish prince from the River Ro region in Ireland (hence the origin of the name Munro) who came to Scotland in 1025 A.D. at the head of an army to assist King Malcolm II in driving the Danes out of Scotland.

Robert's tenure as Baron of Foulis was a short five years. But during that he was noted (as would be his son and successor, Robert Mor Munro, the 15th Baron) for his loyal support for Mary Stuart during her turbulent reign as Queen of Scotland (1542-1567). Robert and Queen Mary were distant cousins as they were both descendents of King Robert II (1371-1390), the first of the Stewart Kings of Scotland. Queen Mary changed the spelling of the Stewart name to Stuart. She was first married to King Francis II of France and it was in France that she adopted the French spelling of the name.

Robert's descendency came through his grandmother, Anna MacLean, wife of William Munro, 12th Baron of Foulis (1490-1505). Anna could claim two lines of descent: One from King Robert's daughter, Princess Margaret (who married John MacDonald, Lord of the Isles) and second, from his son, Alexander, Earl of Buchan ("the Wolf of Badenoch").

Robert and his second son, George Munro of Katewell, were killed at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in which the Scots were defeated by an English army led by Thomas Seymour, Duke of Somerset and Regent of England (for the minority of King Edward VI).
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The following is from William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine - Vol. XIII #4 - p. 231-241

Sir Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis, and 14th in descent from Hugh, the First Baron, succeeded to the Barony on 22 My 1542. He married Margaret dunbar, and was killed on 8 Sep 1547 at the Battle of Pinkie. General Hugh Mercer of the Revolutionary War was a direct descendant of this 14th Baron of Foulis, - Gen. Mercer's mother having been Anne, daughter of Sir Robert Munro, 24th Baron of Foulis.

Sir Robert, 14th Baron of Foulis, left issue, besides his eldest son Robert who became the 15th Baron, several others among whom was George, progenitor of the Katewell branch, who was killed with his father at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547, leaving issue a son George Munro, II of Katewell, who married his cousin Euphemia Munro. They had issue a son David Munro, who married his distant sousin, Agnes, daughter of the Rev. Alexander Munro and his wife Janet Cumming, a descentant of King Henry VII of England and his wife Elizabeth of York, daughter of King Edward IV of England.
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The following is a transcription of RW "Billy" Munro's genealogy notes:

«i»Alexander Munro of Ardullie fl 1547/78 Third son of Alexander Munro of Kiltearn & Janet Maclean; received few charter of Ardullie from Robert Munro of Foulis 1547; said to have been 'banner-bearer to his Chief' in 1547 (Pinkie, 10 Sep 47); fl 1549; m. ------ with issue - Hugh (suc.) & Donald. 'agnamed Crechan' (Chronological & Genealogical Account of the Ancient & Honorable Family of Foulis, Inverness 1805) or 'Ni Cruich' (Munro Tree), but Mackenzie 396 says this was his grandson Alexander. On record 1549 as 'Alex Munro of Ardulle' (Foulis Writs no. 16), also 1552 (Reg. Mag. Sig. ), & prob. also in 1560, 1578, but son Hugh 'of Ardullie' 1581.

Munro Tree M/68; Mackenzie pp. 379, 396; Martine per Chronological & Genealogical Account of the Ancient & Honorable Family of Foulis, Inverness 1805, pp. 19, 28, & Macfarlane's Gen Coll i 38; Ross-shire Journal 5 Jan 1951; Writs nos. 75, 255, no. 16 - should be 1549 (not 1409); Reg. Mag. Sig. iv no. 750 - confirmation of charter by Robert Munro of Foulis 20 Jan 1551/2 at Ardersier (AM of A witness).
«/i»**********
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The following is from «u»The Monroe Book«/u» p. 6:

«i»His «/i»[Hector Munro XIII of Foulis] «i»son Robert, fourteenth Baron, was a loyal supporter of Mary Queen of Scots. He married Margaret Dunbar, daughter of Sir Alexander Dunbar, sheriff of Murray. He was killed in the battle of Pinkie in 1547, defending Scotland against English invasion.
«/i»**********

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

(Medical):See attached sources.

Buried:
Burial place unverified

Robert married Margaret Anna Dunbar in , , , Scotland. Margaret (daughter of Sir Alexander Dunbar and Jean Falconer) was born about 1500 in Cumnock, , Ayr, Scotland; died in in , , , Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - Q

"Robert Barron of Fowlis married Margaret daughter to Sir Alexander Dunbar Sheriff of Murray by whom he had 4 sons and 3 daughters he was slain at the Battle of Pinkie with many of his followers in [? September] 1547."

"...His wife is named Anna Dunbar in 1663 birthbrief to descendant Alexander R/15 (TGSI xii 386, Mackenzie 173); their four sons appear below as Robert R, Hector Q/1, Hugh Q/18 and George Q/45; for dr Catherine see M/4."

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 42

"He [Robert] married Margaret, only daughter of Sir Alexander Dunbar of Cumnock and Westfield, Sheriff of Morayshire, by his second wife Janet, daughter of John Leslie of Parkhill, son of William third Earl of Rothes. The Coul MS. says that Lady Dunbar was a daughter of "the Laird of Haggerton Falcken," no doubt meaning the family of Falconer of Halkerton, Kincardineshire, from whom the present Earl of Kintore is descended."

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Notes:

Hector succeeded his father when he was still a child. His estates were managed by some of his relatives until he reached majority in about 1514. At that time, Hector and John Mackenzie of Kintail were temporarily appointed by an act of the Privy Council, Lieutenants of Wester Ross to protect that district from the incursion of Sir Donald Macdonald of Lochalsh, who had proclaimed himself Lord of the Isles.

Donald Macdonald of Lochalsh died before August 1519, and on 2 October 1524, his sister, Margaret Macdonald of the Isles issued a charter granting Hector Munro several pieces of land in Breachatt. These grants were given with the consent of Margaret's husband, Alexander Macdonald of Glengarry and were confirmend by King James V by charter dated at Stirling on 20 Apr 1541.

On 30 Apr 1527, at Inverness, Hector entered into a bond of friendship and mutual defense with the Knight of Cawdor Castle and others. A similar contract was signed by Hector and Hugh, fifth Lord Lovat on 19 Mar 1529.

Hector was married twice, but had children only by his first wife. He also had three illegitimate sons who became heads of large families, and to whom were granted portions of land in Ross-shire.

Hector died at Carbisdale (later called Culrain), in the parish of Kincardine in 1541, when he was about 50 years old. He was buried in the ancestral burying-ground in the Chanonry of Ross.

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The following is from «u»The Monroe Book«/u» p. 6:

«i»William's son Hector had extensive lands confirmed to him as thirteenth Baron by James V a Stirling in 1541 and died in the same year.
«/i»**********

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Died:
Carbisdale was later renamed Culrain.

Buried:
Hector was buried at the Chanonry of Ross.

Hector married Katherine MacKenzie. Katherine (daughter of Sir Kenneth MacKenzie and Agnes Fraser) was born in 1489; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - P

"Hector Munro Baron of Fowlis married first Catherine daughter to Kenneth McKenzie of Kintail by whom he had Robert and Hugh..."

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 31, 36

"...in order to a reconciliation, Hector, son to this William of Fowlis, was married to John Mackenzie's sister Catherine...

Hector married, first, Catherine, second daughter of Sir Kenneth Mackenzie, VII. of Kintail, by his second wife, Agnes, second daughter of Hugh third Lord Lovat. This marriage formed a double alliance with the House of Kintail, as Hector's sister was the wife of Alexander Mackenzie, I. of Davochmaluag, second son of Sir Kenneth. By Catherine Mackenzie Hector had issue--"

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Notes:

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The following is from «u»The Monroe Book«/u» p. 6:

«i»He «/i»[Sir Robert Munro XIV of Foulis]«i» married Margaret Dunbar, daughter of Sir Alexander Dunbar, sheriff of Murray.
«/i»**********

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Birth:
Estimate: This birth date is an estimate based on the birth dates of nearest relatives.

Alexander married Jean Falconer. Jean was born about 1479; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Birth:
Estimate: This birth date is an estimate based on the birth dates of nearest relatives or contemporaries, or based on other clues such as christening date, marriage date, birth order, etc.