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Andrew Jervise was born Brechin 28th July 1820. His father was Andrew Jarvis late of Noranside, now in Dumbartonshire and Jean Chalmers of Brechin.
Jean Chalmers was the eighth and youngest child of Charles Chalmers a nurseryman and gardener in Brechin by his second wife Janet Robertson.
Andrew took a great interest in collecting from an early age and even enrolled himself in "Hebbies" James Hebenton's school in City Road at the grand age of four.
His first designs as a young man were art and printing and after a number of positions in Brechin, Edinburgh and Dundee and although a good tradesman working as a compositor on such publications as the Courier, North British Advertiser and the like, he did not prosper to his liking.
When work was slack in 1847 Andrew Jervise organised an Art Exhibition at the Art Union in Brechin selling canvasses straight from the easel.
He also published some minor works in 1851.
He was to find his true vocation when he was appointed Examiner of Registers in 1855, a post he held in various forms until his death.
Throughout his career he carried on "collecting" and is best remember for his books
Sketches of the History and Traditions of Glenesk, 1852
The Land of the Lindsays, 1853
Sketch of the History and Antiquities of the Mearns, 1858
Glamis �€“ Its History and Antiquities, 1861
Memorials of Angus and the Mearns, 1861
Inscriptions, Trinity Hall, Aberdeen, 1863
Inscriptions from the Burial Grounds of Brechin, 1864
Epitaphs and Inscriptions Vol I, 1875
Epitaphs and Inscriptions Vol II, 1879
Historians and Genealogists still use his works as points of reference to this day.
Andrew Jervise died on 12th April 1878 and buried alongside his mother (who died 6 months after her son) in Brechin New Cemetery marked by a stone sketched by himself.
Among his many bequests the house and garden in Chanonry Wynd, Brechin which he bought from Lord Dalhousie was gifted to Trustees of the Council to prevent any building being erected to restrict the view of the Round Tower and the Church and Steeple., with the express purpose of being feud out by them as a private burial ground or garden ground and the proceeds going to the Infirmary of Brechin and to maintain his burial-place.