Archibald and David McNair - What's the best way to research?

[gmcnair]

My great grandfather was Archibald McNair and I believe his parents resided in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick. He and his brother David came to Oregon in the late 1800's and resided in Myrtle Point. Do you know how to trace this lineage?



George McNair

[aghadowey]

The usual way is to trace back from known person(s) step by step through all available records.
Do you have Archibald's marriage certificate? most U.S. states record names of both parents.
Do you have Archibald's death certificate? most U.S. states record name of parents (and sometimes their birthplaces), etc.
What about all possible U.S. census records- you should be able to get birthplace of parents there (might say N.B. or N.S. instead of Canada).
Census (and possible death and marriage records) should give an idea of date and place Archibald and his brother were born.
Once you've found their approx. or actual dates and places of birth, names of parents, etc. then you will be able to start searching Canadian census records. Both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have vital record details online (free) but youll need name to start searching.

[nickgc]

Welcome - Have you looked at the Oregon censuses for these men?  Archibald states he first came to US in 1882, and his and Martha's 1st dau born Canada so they may be in Canadian 1881 census.

David appears to have come to US much earlier -ca 1870 - since his and Anna/Annie's first child born California 1873.

Find Arch. 1881 in Canada and possibly marriage and birth of 1st kid and you'll be on your way to finding their parents.

This all assumes I found the correct men (both in Coos County, but arch. was in Bandon rather than Myrtle Point).

---modified

OK, I found this so I thought I would post:

Archibald and Martha living with his parents in Durham, Restigouche, New Brunswick in 1881:

 David MCNAIR  76      Scotland      Farmer      C. Presbyterian
 Janette MCNAIR   70      Scotland            C. Presbyterian
 Archibald MCNAIR  27      New Brunswick      Farmer      C. Presbyterian
 Martha MCNAIR  19      New Brunswick            C. Presbyterian
 Janette Bernice F. MCNAIR  2      New Brunswick            C. Presbyterian
 Catherine MCNAIR  Born: Apr; 0      New Brunswick            C. Presbyterian 

A couple of trees state that Martha's maiden surname was "Archibald".
--------
2nd mod.

You are a lucky person.  See page 1011 of The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Volume 4 for a detailed biography of David McNair.  These (when well done) are one of the best resources a family historian can find.  Available on Google Books,  http://www.rootschat.com/links/0axn/

Nick

[gmcnair]

Yes, Archibald settled in Bandon, Oregon and started the McNair Hardware.
His brother David stayed a few miles away in Myrtle Point.


Thanks

Welcome - Have you looked at the Oregon censuses for these men?  Archibald states he first came to US in 1882, and his and Martha's 1st dau born Canada so they may be in Canadian 1881 census.

David appears to have come to US much earlier -ca 1870 - since his and Anna/Annie's first child born California 1873.

Find Arch. 1881 in Canada and possibly marriage and birth of 1st kid and you'll be on your way to finding their parents.

This all assumes I found the correct men (both in Coos County, but arch. was in Bandon rather than Myrtle Point).

---modified

OK, I found this so I thought I would post:

Archibald and Martha living with his parents in Durham, Restigouche, New Brunswick in 1881:

 David MCNAIR  76      Scotland      Farmer      C. Presbyterian
 Janette MCNAIR   70      Scotland            C. Presbyterian
 Archibald MCNAIR  27      New Brunswick      Farmer      C. Presbyterian
 Martha MCNAIR  19      New Brunswick            C. Presbyterian
 Janette Bernice F. MCNAIR  2      New Brunswick            C. Presbyterian
 Catherine MCNAIR  Born: Apr; 0      New Brunswick            C. Presbyterian 

A couple of trees state that Martha's maiden surname was "Archibald".
--------
2nd mod.

You are a lucky person.  See page 1011 of The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Volume 4 for a detailed biography of David McNair.  These (when well done) are one of the best resources a family historian can find.  Available on Google Books,  http://www.rootschat.com/links/0axn/

Nick