When James Ligertwood was born on 17 May 1852, in Methlick, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, his father, John Ligertwood, was 33 and his mother, Jane Riddel, was 30. He married Elizabeth Paterson on 7 November 1883, in Galston, Ayrshire, Scotland, United Kingdom. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 1 daughter. In 1916, at the age of 64, his occupation is listed as landed proprietor. He died on 2 December 1916, in Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, at the age of 64, and was buried in Tarves, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.