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Hi again, Wayne.  The proprietor of the Clarence Hotel in 1849, 1850, according to Hunt's Directory for those years, was Benjamin Farmer, but I don't know if he was "your man" or not.  There is also a Benjamin Farmer who is a builder and stone mason in Bristol during this same period.  You can find the Hunt's Directories at the <www.historicaldirectories.org> website.  Let me know how you get on; I'll be interested to know.

Thanks,

Helen

Could anyone help with a Griffiths family who emigrated from Wales to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in about 1871.  Husband is James Griffiths married to Gwenllian (Richards) at Nebo Baptist Chapel, Ebbw Vale, 1858.  Daughters are Elizabeth J and Mary A both born in the 1860s in Wales.  Husband's occupation was  Engine Fitter (marriage certificate).  I am looking for the parents of this James Griffiths.  Believe he was born between 1838 and 1843.  Thanks for any help.

Helen
Ottawa, Canada

Thank you, for your response, JMB.  And "no", I haven't chcked the croft history to try and find the parents of Donald McPhee and Mary MacLean.  Do you think there is a 'croft history' for South Uist in the early 1800s?

HelenO

Hello AngusM.  This message below I sent to a subject more specific to South Uist than Benbecula, but I received very little response.   One person responded with help as to the Gaelic spellings of some of the place names I mentioned.  But, as I needed information about burial places, I looked through responses on RootsChat, and came across your response to the Western Highlands and Islands subject.  [Is any of that comprehensible at all?]  What it amounts to is that I need help, and hope I may be able to call upon your expertise again. 

This is the first request that I sent: Am attempting to trace a Donald McPhee who emigrated from his native home in South Uist or Benbecula bound for Cape Breton, NS about the year 1827 or 1828.  There are several possibilities that help identify this particular Donald McPhee among many others of that surname at that time and in that area.  Quite likely, “my” Donald is married to a Mary MacLean and lived in small settlement in South Uist known as ‘Garryfluich’; their records might be in the area known as  ‘Iochdar’ and the parish of Ardkenneth.  Based on his story here in Canada, Donald McPhee was born in South Uist about 1795.  My quest now is to try to confirm the identity of my Donald McPhee and, if at all possible, to learn the names of his parents. 

This is the second: My McPhee / MacLean ancestors were Roman Catholic, and I know it is almost impossible to get anything from those records, especially as early as 1820s.  I am a little hopeful, however, that I might find some cemetery or burial records in South Uist that would indicate the possible parents for this couple who left at that early date.  My Donald McPhee died 'over here' in 1878 at age 84 (b. 1794); his wife, Mary MacLean, gave birth to two children in Cape Breton: Donald John (1828) and Christy (1831), before she apparently died and Donald married again later in the 1830s.  Possibly the Scottish naming pattern might indicate that Donald's father was a John McPhee in the area of (gulp!) Gearraidh Fliuch.  So, my need is for suggestions and advice as to the chances for local Catholic burial records in South Uist. 

Since you responded on this subject and the 'one-burial-place-theory' could you weigh in on this for my McPhee / MacLean quest at all?  I hope so....

HelenO
Ottawa, Canada

Am attempting to trace a Donald McPhee who emigrated from his native home in South Uist or Benbecula bound for Cape Breton, NS about the year 1827 or 1828.  There are several possibilities that help identify this particular Donald McPhee among many others of that surname at that time and in that area.  Quite likely, “my” Donald is married to a Mary MacLean and lived in small settlement in South Uist known as ‘Garryfluich’; their records might be in the area known as  ‘Iochdar’ and the parish of Ardkenneth.  Based on his story here in Canada, Donald McPhee was born in South Uist about 1795.  My quest now is to try to confirm the identity of my Donald McPhee and, if at all possible, to learn the names of his parents.  If there is anyone who could offer advice or suggestions I would indeed be grateful.

Helen
Ottawa