Hi Heather - test away!!!
First of all, Catherine Ferguson was married to Malcolm McNeil (sometimes McNeill) 30th May 1854 at West or Old parish, Greenock. They had the following children -
John born 18th April 1856 Shotts.
Mary born 7th Aug 1858 Old Monkland.
Mary born 20th Aug 1859 Old Monkland.
Archibald born 9th June 1861 Cambusnethan.
Isabella born 1st May 1863 Cambusnethan.
Euphemia born 14th April 1865 Cambusnethan.
Alexander born 17th April 1867 Cambusnethan.
Margaret born 19th Nov 1868 Cambusnethan.
Catherine born 1872 Cambusnethan.
Malcolm McNeil was born about 1832 on the island of Gigha, his father was John McNeill, a tailor who died at Campbeltown September 1871, aged about 75 years.
John was married twice, I'm not too sure who his first wife was but the info should be on Malcolm's death certificate.
John's second wife was Mary Milloy and they had one son, Neil who was born about 1846 and was unmarried at 1869. (This information is taken from his father's poor relief claim in the Gigha and Cara Register of Poor at Argyll and Bute Archives in Lochgilphead - Copies at City Archives in the Mitchell Library Glasgow).
From John's first marriage he had -
Archibald, born about 1821, a fisherman.
John, born about 1823, also a fisherman.
Malcolm, born about 1832.
Alexander, born about 1836, a blacksmith. (In Glasgow)
All 4 were married.
Catherine McNeil, born 1872 at Cambusnethan, married David Armit at Cambusnethan in 1892.
They had at least 3 children -
Malcolm McNeil Armit born 1899 died 1902.
John Armit born 1915 died 1916.
James, not sure of his birth or death but he had a daughter Catherine.
back to Catherine Ferguson.
she was born on the island of Islay about 1835, both she and her husband Malcolm were Gaelic speakers.
In 1871 they were at 12 Store row Newmains, parish of Cambusnethan. Malcolm was a furnaceman at Coltness Iron Works.
By 1881 they were at 42 Stable Row, Newmains and they were still there in 1891.
In 1901 Malcolm was of course a widower, and he was living with his married son Archibald, his wife and 10 children at McLees cottage, Stewarton Street Wishaw.
If you find John McNeill's death certificate from 1871 his parents should be listed.
John McNeil born Shotts 1856 was at 25 Tweed Street, West Calder in 1881. (1881 - 701 - 1 - 28) He was living with his wife Agnes aged 21 years and he was a shale miner.
Malcolm McNeil and Catherine Ferguson had the following children buried at Cambusnethan, all in paupers graves -
Alexander aged 8 months, Newmains.
Buried 7 Jan 1868.
Euphemia aged 4 years, Newmains.
Buried 28 Jan 1870.
Still Born male child, Newmains.
Buried 28 Dec 1870.
Isabella aged 10 years, Newmains.
Buried 26 May 1873.
John aged 19 years, miner, Newmains.
Buried 14 Sept 1875.
Also in Cambusnethan - plot No 367 section D. The following three internments -
Malcolm McNeil, coal miner, aged 50, married.
Parents Malcolm McNeil and Catherine Ferguson.
Buried 4 Jan 1908.
Malcolm McNeil aged 11 weeks, Newmains.
Parents Malcolm McNeil and Jane Reid.
Buried 3 June 1891.
Agnes E Mcneil aged 15 months, Newmains.
Parents Malcolm McNeil and Jeanie Reid.
Buried 10 June 1899.
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That will keep you busy for an hour or two.
Lodger.
