Great Grandfather MCKELLAR Birth Mystery.....

Looking for Scottish Ancestors

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scotincanada
Posts: 42
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 12:12 am
Location: Barrie, ON, Canada

Great Grandfather MCKELLAR Birth Mystery.....

Post by scotincanada » Fri Jun 30, 2006 3:55 am

Hello,

My great grandfather, Malcolm MCKELLAR, was born somewhere abt. 1856-60 in the Glasgow/Greenock/Paisley area - according to 1881 census it was Greenock West Parish. He was raised by MCKELLAR aunts in Cairnbaan, Argyll & told a story of being a foundling baby. More likely, I believe, he was an "illegitimate" child of a MCKELLAR girl who's family had migrated to the Lowlands from Argyll.

Below is the 1881 census entry of the family whom I believe is Malcolm's. If the 3 elder people are all siblings & Malcolm is their nephew (maybe actually great nephew) then perhaps they had another brother who was Malcolm's grandfather?? Maybe I should try to find out who the parents of these 3 elders were & if there were more siblings, then try to find some Greenock connection. I haven't found a birth for Malcolm yet either, but when I do, I will try to connect his parents back to these 3 MCKELLAR siblings in Argyll. Thanks for your input.

Dwelling:Dale Rd
Census Place:Knapdale South, Argyll, Scotland
Source:FHL Film 0203559 GRO Ref Volume 526 EnumDist 6 Page 3
MarrAgeSexBirthplace
Ann MC KELLARU78 FKilcalmonell, Argyll, Scotland
Rel:Head
Occ:Formerly Farm Servant
Mary MC KELLARU66 FKilmicheal, Argyll, Scotland
Rel:Sister
Occ:General Servant Domestic
Peter MC KELLARW61 MKilmicheal, Argyll, Scotland
Rel:Brother
Occ:Carter
Malcolm MC KELLARU21 MGrenock West Parish
Rel:Nephew
Occ:Labourer

Mary
in Canada

paddyscar
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Location: Ontario, Canada

Post by paddyscar » Fri Jun 30, 2006 6:13 am

Hi Mary:

The sisters are a bit old to be the mother of a 21 year old, so perhaps Malcolm may be the son of John, who would have been 40 when Malcolm was born.

There are only 4 records in Scotlands people for the birth of Malcolm McKellar 1859-1861, but only 1 for 1860 [based on age 21 in 1881 census].

There are 6 records of a Peter McKellar having been married 1855-60. Perhaps there was a failed marriage and Malcolm was led to believe he was a foundling, rather than reveal an 'unsuitable' mother.

It may be worth purchasing the lists for the births of Malcom x4 and Peter x6, to see if there is an answer or something to point you in the right direction.

Have you been able to locate this family in the 1871 and 1861 census?

Good luck,

Frances
John Kelly (b 22 Sep 1897) eldest child of John Kelly & Christina Lipsett Kelly of Glasgow

scotincanada
Posts: 42
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 12:12 am
Location: Barrie, ON, Canada

MCKELLAR

Post by scotincanada » Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:31 am

Frances,

Thank you! No, I have not looked for any of them on either the 1861 or 1871 census. I fully expect to find young Malcolm MCKELLAR with his MCKELLAR aunts on both census - but you never know! :wink:

Another thing I had not thought of, but might be worth a try - the marriage for Malcolm MCKELLAR & Margaret TURNER. Not sure when - maybe 1888-1900? Not sure exactly where but maybe around Glassary or Craignish, Argyll. Malcolm is said to have spent his whole life around Cairnbaan, but died in Minard in 1948. The marriage reg. "might" give his parents' names. Fingers crossed! :?

Obviously, there are still more stones to be turned. Thanks.

Mary
in Canada

Andy
Posts: 735
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2004 8:06 am
Location: Gourock

Post by Andy » Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:36 am

Malcolm married Margaret in Greenock in 1901
Searching for Keogh, Kelly, Fitzgerald, Riddell, Stewart, Wilson, McQuilkin, Lynch, Boyle, Cairney, Ross, King, McIlravey, McCurdy, Drennan and Woods (to name but a few).

Also looking for any information on Rathlin Island, County Antrim, Ireland.

Andy
Posts: 735
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2004 8:06 am
Location: Gourock

Post by Andy » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:32 pm

Did you see this:

MALCOM MCKELLAR
Male

Event(s):
Birth:
25 SEP 1861 Middle Or New Parish, Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland
Christening:
Death:
Burial:

Parents:
Father: DUNCAN MCKELLAR Family
Mother: JANET WESTON

So he would be about the right age in 1881 but he's not on the Greenock census:

Dwelling: 24 E Shaw St
Census Place: West Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland
Source: FHL Film 0203573 GRO Ref Volume 564-3 EnumDist 11 Page 4
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Duncan MC KELLAR M 41 M Islay, Argyll, Scotland
Rel: Head
Occ: Labourer Boat Yard
Janet MC KELLAR M 42 F Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland
Rel: Wife
Robert MC KELLAR U 17 M Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland
Rel: Son
Occ: Labourer Foundry
Jessie MC KELLAR U 18 F Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland
Rel: Daur
Occ: Servant

Duncan and Janet married in Greenock in 1861 and there are no deaths of a Malcolm M*cKell?r of 0 -21 years between 1860 and 1881 in Greenock.

It's worth noting that Duncan and Janet Weston married in July 1861 and Malcolm was born in September 1861, there is a slight possibility that Duncan found out he wasn't the father and packaged the boy off.

HOWEVER

In Lochgilphead in 1871 there are the following

Nanny McKellar U Head 68
Mary " U Sister 49
Peter " W Brother 47
Malcolm " Nephew 12 born GREENOCK
John " Nephew 11 born Greenock

John's parents seem to be Peter and Catherine Walker, Catherine died in 1863.

My next move would be to check the marriage cert of Peter and Catherine Walker in 1855 and Duncan and Janet Weston in 1861 on the offchance they have the same parents.

Then check the 1861 census for Greenock looking for Peter M*cKell?r cut and paste the results into a word processor then search for Cath* M*cKell?r Cut and paste these results under the first lot.

Compare the GROS codes when you see two the same and both are in their early 30's that should be the correct couple.

I'd be very interested to see who was living at the house since there is no Malcolm in Greenock or Argyll that comes close to matching the bill.
Searching for Keogh, Kelly, Fitzgerald, Riddell, Stewart, Wilson, McQuilkin, Lynch, Boyle, Cairney, Ross, King, McIlravey, McCurdy, Drennan and Woods (to name but a few).

Also looking for any information on Rathlin Island, County Antrim, Ireland.