How do I find records before the census?

Gina · Post by **Gina** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:34 pm

I have no idea were to go for birth,death,marriage records that are dated before the census.

I'm after the Southend,Campbeltown,Anchone, Argyll area.

I'm after this information for the McIsaac family,

My 5x great grandparents were both born McIsaac's.
Lachlan McIsaac born 1781 Anchone,argyll and
Ann McIsaac born 1780, campbeltown, argyll.
I want to know who their parents are, as there are 4 different parents for both of them.

And I'm confused.

Gina

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:17 am

Hi Gina
On IGI, this appears to be the only extract for Lachlan for that year:

LACHLAN MCISAAC
Male
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Event(s):
Birth: 24 NOV 1781 Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parents:
Father: ANGUS MCISAAC
Mother: MARGARET MCISAAC

Where have you found the several sets of parents?

Best wishes

Gina · Post by **Gina** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:28 am

Yes for Lachlan McIsaac born 24 Nov 1781, I have his parents-
Angus McIsaac born c1753,Anchone,Argyll
Margaret McMillan born c 1755, Argyll

OR

Angus McIsaac born c1753,Anchone,Argyll
Margaret McIsaac born c1757,Anchone,Argyll

Lachlan and Ann McIsaac were married 1or 11th Aug 1807,campbeltown,argyll.

Ann McIsaac was born is 12 feb 1780,campbeltown,
Her parents are -
John McIsaac born c1750,campbeltown,argyll
Margaret McNeillage (or McNillaye) born c1755,campbeltown,argyll

OR

Duncan McIsaac born c1750,campeltown,argyll
Elizabeth (Betty) McMillan born c1755,argyll
Duncan and Elizabeth married 10 feb 1769,campbeltown

As you will see there is a margaret and Elizabeth McMILLAN in both Lachlan and Ann's mothers names, I'm confused as to how do I find out the real parents, for both my 5x great grandparents.

Gina

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:29 am

Hi GIna
Is the source of your information the IGI?
If so, you can see that the entires fall into two types: extracts and submissions.

There is a difference: the extracts are taken directly form Parish Registers and the like, so apart form the odd mistranscription, they are usually accurate, though it is always wise to check the original OPR.

Submissions are items submitted by family researchers like you and me. Sometimes their data is spot-on, but sometimes it is not accurate at all. Again, it is wise to trace where the original info was found, check it and come to your own conclusions.

As a general rule, I reckon it is best to trust extracts more than submissions.

The clues for the correct parents for Ann may also turn up in the couples childrens' names.

Best wishes
Lesley

mallog · Post by **mallog** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:11 am

I got some useful information from MI's see the list of sources for Argyll MI's on TalkingScot

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:24 pm

Good thinking Mallog!
The MIs are here, in the "Talking Scot Library" area of the forum:
http://talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10343

Best wishes
Lesley