Can anyone throw any light on this for me.
I am researching ancestors for a friend and am in uncharted territory for me in so far as her whole maternal line seems to have lived in one small village on Lewis. I usually have to chase mine across Scotland and beyond.
What I know so far.
Malcolm M(a)cLean married Catherin Campbell on 26th Feb 1857 in South Bragar, Barvas, Lewis, His parents are given as John McLean, crofter and Christian McLean m.s. McIver.
Malcolm died on 20th October 1868 in Barvas aged 41 at which point the parents given are as on the marriage certificate but Christian is given as Christina and noted as deceased. The informant is his brother Murdo M(a)cLean.
John McLean and Christian McIver married 25th April 1826 in Barvas.
In 1871 in South Bragar, Barvas are
John McLean Head Wid. 72 Crofter Barvas
Angus McLean Son Marr 32 Crofter Barvas
Ann McLean Wife Marr 29 Barvas
Mary McLean Daur 4 Barvas
Christian McLean Daur 2 Barvas
An Angus McLean and Ann McLeod were married in Carloway in 1865, his parents being given as John and Christian above.
The only John Mc Lean of about the right age in 1881 is as follows
57 Barvas
Angus McLean Marr 40 M Head Barvas Crofter
Anne McLean Marr 37 F Wife Lochs Crofter's Wife
Catherine McLean N/A 6 F Daur Barvas Scholar
Colin McLean N/A 9 M Son Barvas Scholar
Christina McLean N/A 11 F Daur Barvas Scholar
John McLean Wid 86 M Father Barvas Retired Crofter
Mary McLean N/a 14 F Daur Stornoway Crofter's Daughter
Murdo McLean N/A 4 M Son Barvas
I am as sure as I can be that these are the same family and fairly sure that this is the right John.
Easy then to find his death you would think but the most promising one I can find is:
John McLean, Crofter, Widower of Christina McDonald, died 6 Apr 1881 South Bragar, Barvas aged 85 years parents Murdo McLean, Crofter deceased and Catherine McLean m.s. McIver deceased, informant Ann McLean daughter who signs with a cross.
The only child given on the IGI for Murdo McLean and Catherine McIver is a Murdoch McLean born Barvas 1811. I can't find a birth for John or a marriage for Murdo and Catherine using all the wild cards and dates I can think of.
Query: Is this the correct John McLean with his wife's maiden name confused and his daughter in law signing as daughter? I know people were not so precise about the relationships then.
2. How likely is the information on his parents to be accurate?
3. Why are they all called the same thing? Naming patterns are useless because every second bloke is called John or Murdo etc and every second woman called Catherine or Christian or Margaret and they only have about 3 surnames between them all.
4. Why were they not all cleared out to make way for sheep who are all called Flossie and have no interest in their family tree?? Well honestly how many sheep do you know who are members of TS or regularly sign in to SP?
As you can tell they are doing my head in. I found the entry for what I am sure is Christian/ Christina's death but guess what folks it is indexed to the wrong image. Contact form submitted.
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