Hi there;
I am new to the forum but really excited to be here!! My grandmother Margaret Crawford McNeill was born in Clachan in 1901 to Kate McNeill who was the daughter of James and Grace McNeill. Her father is said to have been a McAlister who moved to Islay and died there in 1907. She moved with her Mom to Shotts when she was 4 and eventually due to cruelty by both her mother and step father was removed and placed in the care of Quarriers. From there she went on to Canada where she had a wonderful albeit short life.(She died when she was in her mid 40s).
After having spent many years hitting brick walls I had decided that we would never know our scottish roots. But recently my husband and I decided to take some time away from our normal life to do some travelling. We decided to base ourselves for 6 months in Scotland so that I might try to break through some of the walls I had been struggling with. I have not been disappointed!! The information above has been all due to the wonderful people at Quarriers who were able to find lots of information on my grandmother and from there I was able to locate some of her other family members. There are still many holes but much fewer than before arriving here.
The question I have for anyone who might know;
My 4x great grandparents are Donald McKinven and Euphemia Paterson married August 3rd 1805 in Clachan
My 5x great grandparents are Hugh McKinven and Jean Stewart
HOWEVER; I can't find any proof of their marriage and have been unable to find any records except from family trees which I prefer not to use as my only reference. Hugh was born in 1752 in Killean and passed away 1841. Jean was born 17 November 1780 and passed away December 1 1876. Of the marriage there were 6 children; William, Mary, Neil, Donald, Robert and James. if any one has any info on this family I would be so grateful to know anything. I have been down to Kintyre and have found a few headstones but am looking forward to coming back again to see more and learn more about my grandmother's family.
Thanks so much in advance;
Barbara