Donald Mckinnon/Barra

[Homebody]

Hi again Vince:

Many thanks for all that information.  I was surprised regarding several bits, and yet not overly so.
I expected that the Mc was actually a Mac., due to changes over here.  I'm sure this line will be on my mind for a long time as I like my t's crossed, and my i's dotted.

I will have to find out if the Brant Township born children were Baptised.  There were only 2 RC churches at that time here, 1  right in Brantford, and the other in Paris.  The diosese for the RC churches in Brant are in the control of Hamilton.  I have heard that they are not too inclined  to share information.   

Would there be baptismal records for the Barra children on Scotlands People, or is Barra not yet digitised?  I still have some credits left, and am still trying to finish pining down my Drysdale's also.

I would like your opinion on the possibility of a second wife for the Brant children.  Neil  was the informant for his mother's death certificate, it would be a big mistake to go from MacIntyre to McNeil.   I wasn't too concerned with the gap in age groups because poverty, and  miscarriage, disease all seem to go together, but a name difference is an issue.

 Again, thanks very much.

 Regards:
 Lois

[Vince MacNeil]

Hello Lois,

Many parish records are available at local archives on microfilm.  Ann was bapt on 24 Oct 1837, John on 12 Oct 1839, Eoin 28 Dec 1840, and Mary on 12 Sep 1844. There is a large age gap there.  He could have married another Catherine. I would explore that if I were you.  Yes, the records should be available on Scotland's People.

[Homebody]

Hi Vince:

I went ahead on Scotlands People, got birth/baptismal records for everyone except Donald.  I couldn't find the death record for the first John, and I couldn't find the marriage record for Donald and Catharine.  I suppose they could be in the Church of Scotland records, but I'll leave that for another day.  Could be hand-fasting even .

If they followed the naming pattern, I'll look again for Donald's birth with parents names of John/Eoin and Mary both in, and outside of Barra.

Catharine's parents were John MacIntyre, and Christian Currie, which hopefully accounts for the Christy MacIntyre on the 1841 Census.  They didn't use the naming pattern with the first daughter though.  I'll definitely look into the second wife idea while I check into the Ontario born children again.   

Thanks again for all your expertise.

Regards:
Lois

[Vince MacNeil]

Nancy would have been Ann.  They were used for each other back then. I know you looked at the census.  Catherine's age is consistent through to 1851 which suggests that she is the same person.  How old was she in 1861?

1841/108  Barra -Inverness-shire
Bruinish

Chirsty  MCINTYRE  70   Cottar    Inverness-shire     
Donald  MCKINNON      M   30   Fisherman    Inverness-shire     
Catharine MCKINNON      F   30       Inverness-shire     
Anne  MCKINNON      F   4       Inverness-shire     
Eoin  MCKINNON      M   6m       Inverness-shire     
Mary  MCINTYRE     F   20   Female Servant    Inverness-shire     

[Homebody]

Hi Vince:

Consistancy drops off over here.  The 1861 Census for Canada West, Township of Brantford, County of Brant is as follows:
     
Donnald McKinnon   Labourer    Scotland    R.C.  53    Male    Married      Shanty   Can't read or write
Catharine      "              ==               "            "     42   Female     "                                      "
Nancy            "              ==               "            "     21       "         Single                                "
Mary              "              ==               "            "     15       "            "                                     "
John              "          Labourer          "            "       5     Male        "
Johnathan     "                "                "             "     17       "           "       
Neil                "                "                "             "       3       "           "
Christina        "                "                "             "       2   Female     "
Jonney           "                "                "             "       1     Male       "

Clearly all the ditto marks are not accurate, no one is in school, the ages of the four youngest born in Ontario are consistant with arriving around 1854-55.

1871 Census

McKinnon, Donald     Labourer     Scotland     R.C.   60    Male    Married
       "    Catharine          ==                "             "      55  Female      "
       "    Christina            ==                O            "      12      "           ==
       "     Neal                  ==                O            "      13    Male       ==
       "     John                  ==                O            "      14       "          ==
       "     John                  ==                O            "      10       "          ==
       "     Mary                  ==         Scotland        "      20  Female     ==

Several ages are off on this one, lots of blanks, doubtful anyone went to school.
Nancy is in the asylum in Hamilton already, and Johnathan is gone .

Lois           
                                           

[Homebody]

Vince:

I looked at the 1881 Census, and all of a sudden Donald jumps to 79 from 60 in 1871.  Catharine is 55 in 1871, and is now 69 in 1881.

The death cert. for Donald in 1885 says he is 86 years old, and the death cert. for Catharine in 1884 says she is 60 years old.

Loois