Looking for MacJennett in Ayrshire

[Sidney Lynn]

Hi folks,
I've searched everywhere - LDS, Ancestry, etc., and can't even get started trying to find my ancestor.  I can't even find MacJennett or any spelling close to it in any clan listing   

Our ancestor's name is Robert MacJennett.  Or a similar spelling.  Robert's family was from Ayrshire.  His first child, William, was born circa 1800.  So I'd guess that Robert would have been born about 1770-1780.

Are there birth records anywhere for Ayrshire in this time frame and, if so, could someone take a look?  I would really appreciate any help.  Thank you very much    Sidney

[nutkin]

Have you tried searching on Scotland's People website?  Costs but well worth it if you find some names-

http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/index.aspx

[MonicaL]

Hi Sidney

I had a quick look on the IGI. There were only 116 entries for that name, the most common spellings being McJennet/McJanet.  Most of the entries were from Ayrshire so the origins of the name must be from there.  As you found, I couldn't see any entries that fitted for Robert or any Williams with Robert as father.

Do you have any information on Robert's wife that you could research?

I tried the official Scottish site, Scotlands People using wildcards to pick up on the different spelling variants, m*cj*net*.  Some entries came up for both Roberts and Williams. You won't know if they are the right ones until you view.

Did the family remain in Scotland or did they immigrate?  If they left Scotland after 1841/51, you would probably find it helpful to find census info for those census years. Scotlands People have stated that they intend to make those census indexes available on line in the first quarter of 2006 (fingers crossed!).

If they remained in Scotland, have you tried looking for marriage/deaths certs (post 1855 for Deaths)?

Regards.
Monica

[nutkin]

Just something to add to your notes.  Son who is informant could be your relie.

McJANNET   Grace   
died 12 Jan 1859 in Newton Terrace Newton -Ayr
age66   widow of a farmer   
father John GIBSON, farmer   
Mother Grace McCAUDLISH (McCandlish?)      
Informant- Robert McJANNET son.               

[Little Nell]

Found a Robert McJanet baptised in Colmonell Ayrshire in 1779 - birth 25 July 1779, baptism 26 July 1779, parents Robert McJanet and Janet McClymont.  Had a brother Thomas born in 1781.

A William McJanet left a testament (3 pages) in 1804 - he was a merchant in Maybole.

There is an inventory and settlement (5 pages) of Robert McJanet, innkeeper of Ayr, husband of Mary McMurtrie in 1847. 

Both are available to download from the ScotlandsPeople website - £5 each document.

Nell

[Sidney Lynn]

Hi folks,
Year-end got crazy and I didn't thank you for your assistance to my MacJennett question.  I need to get with my Dad to see if he knows when Robert migrated to Ireland, Canada, etc.  The MacJennett/MacJanet name does seem to be a bit rare.

Didn't know about the Scotland website either.  Thanks for your efforts on my behalf. 
Sid

[TrueBlueAngel]

I know this won't help but there used to be a MacJanet's bakery in Cumnock for years, so there's some around.  Have you looked in that area?
Sorry thats not of much help, but I recognised the name/pronouncation.