Rankin - McIntosh Brick Wall in Scotland.....

[LyndyC]

Donald RANKIN married Agnes Annie MCMASTER sometime around 1794 in Scotland. Donald was born in Glencoe, Argyllshire around 1768. I know nothing about Agnes's MCMASTER side. He and Agnes had the following children:

Mary RANKIN b. 1796 married Alexander Rankin
Agnes Annie RANKIN b. 1800 married John ROSS
'Big' Hugh RANKIN b. 1804 married Jeanette (Janet) STEWART
Donald RANKIN b. 1807
Duncan RANKIN b. 1807 married Annie 'Christy' Christina SINCLAIR
Neil RANKIN b. 1811 married Catherine MCKILLOP
'LITTLE' HUGH RANKIN b. 1812 married Barbara MCINTOSH (MY LINE)
Samuel RANKIN b. 1814 married Janet 'Jeannette' MCPHERSON
John RANKIN b. 1817 married 1st Isabella MCINTOSH, 2nd Helen 'Ellen' MCINTOSH

Donald/Agnes RANKIN and family supposedly came to Canada in about 1820. Some reports indicate one or more of the chidren came later. I would be so grateful if anyone can help me with any of this information. Thank you from California, USA.[/b]

[Mez]

Hello LyndyC

Congrats on breaking through the 1800 barrier! Both the IGI and Scotlands People (see Talking Scot Sources tab above for links to these sites) show one Agnes McMaster born between 1765-80:

DOB: 17/08/1776 MCMASTER AGNES; Parents: ANDREW MCMASTER / MARY MCMASTER, STRANRAER (FR87F 899/00 0001).

I think Stranraer is in Wigtown county. An IGI parent search reveals other children to this couple. I hope they are yours - good luck searching.

Would be interested to learn what you've discovered about Agnes's two children named Hugh who both lived to marry. My ancestors had no superstitions or qualms about naming a later child after a deceased elder sibling - I think they considered the custom a memorial to a deceased child. But your case is different - perhaps they had middle names (like your Agnes) which in themselves are fascinating as they can reveal so much (if we could but only make the connection...).

Cheers
Mez

[LesleyB]

Hi Mez

My ancestors had no superstitions or qualms about naming a later child after a deceased elder sibling - I think they considered the custom a memorial to a deceased child.

The practice of naming a subsequent child with the same name as one who has died earlier is a frequent occurance in Scottish families a while ago. Not so sure folk would do it now as we are fortunate to be less well aquainted with infant mortality as a high probability...
As far as I'm aware it is not so much to do with naming the child after a deceased sibling but more to do with carrying on family names, which is to a certain extent still considered important within many families today. e.g. in a family where the wife's mother's name was Katherine, the first daughter would likely be named Katherine. Imagine this family then had a daughter who they named Janet (after the husband's mother) Poor young Katherine, the elder daughter, then died. The following daughter, the third, born to this couple would very likely be called Katherine, in order to carry on the name of the wife's mother.

And personally, I'm very glad things worked this way as it means I can trace part of my name back down my maternal line to an ancestor born in 1753 and the name I gave my daughter is traceable back to 1802, with instances of both names appearing regularly generation after generation.

Best wishes
Lesley

[LyndyC]

THANK YOU so much. I am trying to understand the verbiage in the message but you clarified saying that they one word was a 'place'. I hope i am responding to the message from MEZ as I am a little confused using this site. I will try to email you with specifics in the file if you think you can help. YOU DID already - Lynn

[Mez]

LyndyC,

My pleasure, I'm sure. Apologies for the verbiage.. s - shall try to be succinct.

The two websites referred to in my previous post are an excellent starting point. I'm sure more knowledgeable researchers will be able to offer further suggestions. And yes - you are welcome to email me if you'd prefer not to post here and all you need is assistance negotiating the sites.

Cheers
Mez