Donald McLeod’s family from Benbecula South Uist to McGillivray Ontario

[NorthrnGrl]

Thanks Annie! That is the first I’ve seen or heard of Uachdar as being where they came from so that’s really interesting! I’ll do some research on that. I’m 99% sure this is them. The Lulan and Sarah Botsford are the 2 ships that may be ones they came on. I’m trying to figure out the brothers from this. I thought Donald only had one, Alexander, but I clearly see Neil listed with them (although as soldier/location “unknown”) in Canada on the 1861 census ALONG with Alexander. It appears Alexander was the oldest son and I’m starting to thing he came over earlier by himself as he is not listed on 1841 Scottish census but subsequent ones in Canada with the family. I appreciate you taking the time to convey all that information (:

[NorthrnGrl]

I’ve been looking into Donald McLeod’s siblings and while I believe I have his sisters figured out a bit now, one of his brothers, Neil, is proving to be a challenge to trace beyond the first few censuses in Canada. Born abt 1829-1831. Any ideas what war would Neil McLeod have been in in 1861 as he is listed as a soldier/location “unknown” on the census for West Williams, Middlesex, ON? I can’t seem to find him beyond that census. I did find a Neil McLeod in that area married to a Mary McDonald but marriage record has different parents so it can’t be him. 

[raonull4]

Crimean war or the Victorian conflicts

[canton]

Replying to Northern Girl.  Donald McLeod actually had 3 sisters Christina, Katherine and Annie, and 2 brothers: Neil and Alexander
Their parents were John McLeod and Sarah McIsaac.  Benbecula is an island in between the 2 Uists.
They emigrated with a large group, John got sick en route so Sarah stayed awhile in Ingersoll where he died. The family then continued to West Williams Township where they farmed for awhile before moving to McGillivray Township.

[canton]

Neil did marry Mary McDonald, was still in West Williams in 1901

[NorthrnGrl]

Wow! Thank you Canton (: Where did you find this information? I have never heard why they stayed and then moved on from Ingersoll. Are you related somehow?

[canton]

Yes, Donald McLeod and Mary Robertson are my husband's great grandparents, and Katherine McLeod married Robert C. Stevenson.  I know about John dying from an elderly aunt.  Also that a large group was 'cleared' during the highland clearances, and came together on 3 emigrant ships, The Mount Stuart, The Atlantic, and the Tusker.  John became ill on the journey, so Sarah and the children stayed in Ingersoll until after his death before joining the large group.  They were headed for Bornish, Ontario, which is now Parkhill area.
I am interested to know if there is a listing in Bill Lawson's book for Alexander McLeod, possibly before his parents, as he wasn't listed with their group.

[NorthrnGrl]

Very interesting! Katherine McLeod would be my great grand aunt (: My dad said he had heard his great grandfather (Donald)  had a brother who came over first before the rest. I’m thinking this is Alexander?? Do you know much about him? I believe he married Effie McDonald but I can’t find if they had children or where the ended up.

[canton]

I have also had difficulty in finding Alexander, not on any censuses, within 8 years of his proposed birthday.  It is possible that he went to Michigan, as some nieces did.  Neil is in West Williams, Lot 5, Conc 21.  You can locate him and Donald on the 1878 McGill Atlas.
Mags posted sometime ago that she had photos of Donald and other family, I am wondering if there is any way to get copies of those photos.  He is our direct grgranddad, married to Mary Robertson.