willilam douglas shennan

[Rodeo]

Mary McKeand (McKean) was the sister of my gg grandmother, Agnes McKeand. Their parents were David McKeand(d) and Sarah McAdam, as you no doubt already know.

The children of John Shennan (1823-1896) and Mary McKean(d) (1820-1868) are:

John Shennan (1845-1913)
Agnes Shennan (1848- )
Sarah Shennan (1847-1912)
Basil Shennan 1849-1860)
David Shennan (1851 - )
William Douglas Shennan (1855-1944)
Mary Helen Shennan (1858-1860)
Basil Douglas Shennan (1861-1933)
James Wilson Shennan (1864-1940)

Cheers,

Rodeo

[Florinda]

William Douglas Shennan was my GGrandfather.

His daughter Jessie my Grandmother would tell me stories about the Scottish family history and she said that his mother was a Mary Yann/Yaan but I cannot seem to find her.

Mary Yann is written on his death notification so it is a bit of a puzzle to me, as there seems to be quite a few entries with a different surname for Mary.

Wondering if anyone has any clues to the surname Yann?

I believe it had some connection with the Netherlands.

Thank you.

[Rodeo]

Hi Florinda

William Douglas Shennan was born on 20 September 1855 in Borgue, Kirkcudbright, to John Shennan and Mary McKean(d), according to his birth registration. Do you have that document?

The name of William's mother cited on his 1944 death certificate (notably Mary Yann) is incorrect, as is his place of birth, which is recorded as Lauriston, Scotland. The informant was his widow and second wife, Margaret R Shennan (née Griffiths), who may not have known (and clearly did not provide) the correct information regarding his parentage and place of birth.

Cheers,

Rodeo

[wivenhoe]

These two marriage certificates will record origins of bride and groom. What do you see for birth place and parents' names?

NSW BDM marriage

1684/1880 SHENNAN  William D    marr. STRUTHERS  Jessie @ Balmain

17283/1936 SHENNAN   William  marr.  GRIFFITHS  Margaret Ruby   @ Sydney

[Rodeo]

Hi Wivenhoe

The certificate of marriage between William Douglas Shennan and Jessie Struthers in Balmain, NSW, on 13 October 1880 does not cite the parents or place of birth of either party.

However, William Douglas Shennan's petition for divorce filed in Melbourne, Victoria, on 15 January 1936 is extremely comprehensive, citing the place of birth of William as Kirkcudbright, Scotland, and that of Jessie Struthers as Blantyre, Scotland.

Cheers,

Rodeo

[Florinda]

Hi Rodeo,

I remember Jessie Shennan who is my Grandmother (William Douglas Shennan's daughter) telling me stories about the the family and connection to the Yann family so its a mystery for me that it goes cold. Ruby his second wife may not have known, but the doctor Redvers Shute who certified the certificate was a longtime family doctor to several family members. I wish I had taken notes as child.

Thanks for your time.

[Forfarian]

The place name Lauriston is mentioned in the Name Books of 11 different parishes in 6 different counties, and Laurieston in 15 parishes in 6 counties (not the same 6 though there is overlap). So being born at Lauri(e)ston is not necessarily incorrect.

[Florinda]

Hi Forfarian,

I am learning so much about Scotland wish I could go there but not likely for a while I would think with the current pandemic.

Thank you for the information.