Donald McGowan or McGown

[MonicaL]

There is an online tree which shows a John McGowan (b. 1869 - 1910) to a Dugald (b. 1813 -?) and a Margaret Toner (1828 – 1905). Twelve children show for this couple. Is this your family?

The last child showing for this couple is showing as Sydney McGowan 1875-76 in Moyston Victoria.

Margaret Toner's parents showing as a Charles Toner and Elizabeth McNeill. Her death on 1 Nov 1905 in Stawell, Victoria.

Also saw this www.familytreecircles.com/looking-for-mcgowans-of-moyston-victoria-australia-30603.html (is this your link with the name ref.?). Also, www.familytreecircles.com/children-of-dougal-mcgowan-and-margaret-toner-32878.html

Monica

[Jennyoz]

Hi Monica,

I believe that the 1851 census information is my relatives, as I have solid information that Dugald was a shoemaker when he came to Australia. The link that you mention is one which I put, yes. You mention a family tree. Is that a seperate link to the "familysearch" link that you have on your post? If so, I would be interested to look at this tree. I know that Dugald and Margaret had a son, Daniel, whilst in Scotland, but I think he must have died at about 1 year of age. I have records of Dugald travelling out to Australia about 15 months before his wife travelled out with their next child Charlotte (who was 3yrs at the time). I have been able to trace most of the family's movements until their deaths, except for Dugald. Although I do have some information on him, and a court case he was involved in, and all the comments he made during it. I would love to find solid information on Dugald and Margarets parents. Margaret McGowans maiden name was McNeil, and her mother was Elizabeth, and her father was Charles Toner, though I cannot find them anywhere.

Cheers,
Jenny

[MonicaL]

If this is the family in 1851, then surely we are looking at Irish connections for both Dugald and wife Margaret?:

Dugald Mcgown 38 shoemaker b. Ireland
Margaret Mcgown 22 b. Ireland
Daniel Mcgown 1 Month b. Glasgow
Bridget Cairney 40, lodger, sick nurse b. Ireland
Address: 36 Bridgegate St, Glasgow

Why do you think your Dugald originated from the Argyll area?....

Found this entry in 1851 which I wondered whether there may be a connection to Margaret's family - as transcribed with corrections for the surname to Tonner?

Charlis Fonner 65 Plasterer Labourer, b. Ireland
Esabella Fonner 52 b. Ireland
Janos Fonner 19 Plasterer Apprentice b. Kilmarnock
William Fonner 17 b. Kilmarnock
Elisebeth Fonner 13 b. Kilmarnock
Jean Fonner 11 b. Kilmarnock
Address: Mcmillins Land No 3, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire

Unfortunately, can't see a Margaret with this household in Kilmarnock in 1841.

Monica

[Jennyoz]

Hi Monica,

Thank you so much for all your help. I think that Dugald was born in Ireland, but later lived in Scotland. I have the death certificate of Margaret McGowan, and it states that she was born in Glasgow. It also says this in a related newspaper memorial of her death. Perhaps they just put Ireland on the census or it was assumed that she was born there if it had been left blank. I guess my best option is to try and find a Dugald in Ireland who's parents were Donald and Margery. And a Margaret Toner in Scotland. Though I have not as yet been able to find a Margaret with parents listed as Charles Toner and Margaret (nee McNeil) in Scotland.

Cheers,
Jenny

[MonicaL]

Jenny

I am going to move this post over to the Lanarkshire board. The main events you have so far are there, including potentially Margaret's birth in Glasgow.

Hi Monica,

Though I have not as yet been able to find a Margaret with parents listed as Charles Toner and Margaret (nee McNeil) in Scotland.

Elizabeth McNeil or Margaret McNeil for your Margaret's mother?

I saw this entry in 1841:

Charles Toner 40
Betsy Toner 35
Edward Toner 10
Archd Toner 7
Jane Toner 5
Address: Main Street, Barony St Lukes, Lanarkshire

Can't see this on FreeCen www.freecen.org.uk/cgi/search.pl to confirm the details from another transcript. Charles' occupation above simply shows as 'Sho'. All the family from Ireland....sadly also, no Margaret in the group.

Monica

[loobylooayr]

Jenny

I am going to move this post over to the Lanarkshire board. The main events you have so far are there, including potentially Margaret's birth in Glasgow.

Hi Monica,

Though I have not as yet been able to find a Margaret with parents listed as Charles Toner and Margaret (nee McNeil) in Scotland.

Elizabeth McNeil or Margaret McNeil for your Margaret's mother?

I saw this entry in 1841:

Charles Toner 40
Betsy Toner 35
Edward Toner 10
Archd Toner 7
Jane Toner 5
Address: Main Street, Barony St Lukes, Lanarkshire

Can't see this on FreeCen www.freecen.org.uk/cgi/search.pl to confirm the details from another transcript. Charles' occupation above simply shows as 'Sho'. All the family from Ireland....sadly also, no Margaret in the group.

Monica

         


Hi all,
Had a quick scout at all the 40 year old Charleses in Lanarkshire 1841 census on Freecen website (nothing better to do this morning ) and found the family listed above by Monica transcribed as Jones not Toner. The occupation of Charles Jones being shopman.
So are they Jones or Toner..... ??  More mystery!
Cheers,
Looby

[MonicaL]

Well done for finding them, Looby 

The problem though, is couldn't see a Margaret with them. She would have been c. 12/13 for the 1841 census?

Monica

[loobylooayr]

Yes - there was no Margaret listed.
I suspect Margaret was born in Ireland. If the couple listed on the 1851 Census - Dugald and Margaret McGown - are indeed the couple being researched by Jenny I would tend to believe the birthplace of Ireland for both to be correct. By the time of Margaret's death in Australia it could be there was no one left who remembered she had originally been Irish.
The names of McGowan/MCGown/Toner don't seem to have been that common in Scotland at this time and most of the people with them seem to be of Irish birth.
Of course Margaret could have came over the water with her entire family as a child but perhaps she and Dugald married in Ireland and came to Glasgow as a couple. I also wonder if the lodger Bridget Cairney is related?? Maybe not
Has Jenny found any birth record for either Daniel or Charlotte McGown/McGowan?
Cheers,
Lobby

[MonicaL]

Both births for Daniel and Charlotte pre 1855. I can't see their entries on SP/family search unfortunately.

Monica