Rankin - Scotland to New York to London

cpc1 · Post by **cpc1** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:35 pm

My great-great-great grandfather was Henry Rankin, born in Scotland in about 1763 (based on US census data). As a young man he emigrated to New York. He married Ann Marsh (born in about 1779, New Jersey). He was a merchant and elder of the presbyterian church. He had a number of children.
One of Henry Rankin's sons was my great-great grandfather, James Murdoch Rankin (1818-1887) husband of Anna Evelina Schenck (1822-1907).
One of James Murdoch Rankin's sons, my great grandfather, also Henry Rankin (1850-1918) married Martha Woodward Gaines (1852-1928).

In the 1880's Henry and Matha moved to London where my grandmother Doris Laura Rankin was born.

I've reached a deadend with my Rankins and have no idea where in Scotland they came from. Any help would be appreciated.

Chris

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:27 pm

Hi Chris

I looked on IGI to see if there was any pattern to Rankin(e) births & marriages but the name appears to be relatively common across lowland Scotland and the north-east as well as some cropping up in the Orkneys.

Without the smallest hint of additional information it would appear a formidable task to establish a location in Scotland.

One of the joys of this forum is that many people post, as you have done, and discover someone else who is researching the same families.
Sometimes some of the family stayed at home and they know all about them but have no, or little, information about the emigrants in the family.
Who knows, your post might just strike a chord with a frustrated researcher out there who has tried to find that little bit of information you have already in your tree.

Russell

cpc1 · Post by **cpc1** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 11:32 pm

Thanks for this. I will post a list later of people who married into my Rankins in case any ring a bell.
Chris

Post by **Tracey** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:54 pm

Hi Chris

I have a huge amount of Rankin information although i cant say yours names are familiar but could well be a branch off that i havnt written up.
My Rankins were originally from Middleton, Gamrie, Banff, Elgin areas and then spread to the Glasgow areas before migrating globally......... England included !.
I dont know if the areas are any help but are possible starting points

Tracey