Finding a needle in a haystack

[lindsmw]

You are all such great researchers, I'm hoping someone can help me. My GGG Grandfather William John McBride was born in Michigan in the States in 1862. His parents were John McBride and Jane Starret. John was born in Ireland, and Jane was born in either Ireland or Canada. I'm trying to figure out where John was born, and whether Jane was born in Ireland or Canada. I have record of William's death, and this is the only record I can find that lists his parents. From what I can gather, John came immigrated from Ireland to Canada at least by 1842, as his first child was born there that same year.

How does one find out where an ancestor was born when all you have to go on is the country?

I've included a link to view William's death information, I hope someone can help! Thank you!

https://familysearch.org/search/recordDetails/show?uri=https://api.familysearch.org/records/pal:/MM9.1.r/MZDN-F1L/p1

Lindsey

[kmart66]

Hi

1880 US Federal census

Royal Oak, Oakland, Michigan

John Mcbride 72-Ireland-Head-Farmer (both parents born in Ireland)
Jane Mcbride-61-Ireland-Wife-House keeping (both parents born in Ireland)
Andrew Mcbride-32-Canada-Son-Farmer
Sarah E Mcbride-21-Canada-Daug-House work
William Mcbride-18-Michigan-Son-Works on farm

Kevin

[Katharine75]

Hi.

If you go to www.census.nationalarchives.ie/ and put in the surname Starett for 1901 there only seem to be two families. And in 1911 there is only one.
Some more might be in the census records with a different spelling. But it might give an indication were Jane came from.
(I realise yours had left the country by then, but it might help)


What about your ancestors immigration record, obituaries, and gravestones - they might have where they were from.

Katharine.

[familyroutes]

This looks like the death of Andrew McBride...his  mother is listed as Jane Stewart

https://www.familysearch.org/search/recordDetails/show?uri=https://api.familysearch.org/records/pal:/MM9.1.r/9M21-WYM/p1

and Sarah's death...mother listed as Stauatt

https://www.familysearch.org/search/recordDetails/show?uri=https://api.familysearch.org/records/pal:/MM9.1.r/9M2B-RZ7/p1

[lindsmw]

Thanks for your replies. Through the Canadian census records of 1852, 1861, 1871, and 1881, I've managed to determine that Jane Starrett's full name was Ann Jane Starrett. Her mother was most likely named Julia Ann (haven't been able to determine her maiden name as of yet). Through all the census records for Julia I've found, she was born about 1797 and her place of birth has been mentioned as both Canada and the U.S. This leads to the conclusion that Ann Jane Starrett was indeed born in Canada.

A further search for John McBride's death record has been unsuccessful, as has a search for his immigration record, since it seems John McBride would be a fairly common name. Does anyone know into which port he likely would have sailed when immigrating to Canada?