Morrison's of Harris who Emigrated to Nova Scotia

[cww1019]

Hello,

I am doing research on my 5th great grandparents. I am the 4th great-granddaughter of William Morrison (b. ~ 1823 in Nova Scotia) and Eliza Munro (b. 1824). Based on Canadian census records, I know William's father was born in Scotland, and am fairly certain these ancestors were from the western isles. Looking on ancestry.com, some people have William's parents listed as Daniel Morrison and Catherine, however, with no sources. I have found some military records for a Daniel Morrison of Harris who possibly immigrated to Nova Scotia in the early 1800's, though I cannot find a record of his marriage or children to confirm.

Any information on good resources that could help me track this side of the family down (either from Scotland or Nova Scotia) would be much appreciated! Was it common for people to emigrate after or during serving in the British army?

[DonM]

There were land grants available to soldiers who served in the war.

I would look at the Land Grants both N.S. and the Federal database.

https://novascotia.ca/archives/landpapers
https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/land/Pages/land-records.aspx

Then the UEL website http://www.uelac.org and other records online pertaining to those who served and stayed. 

Finding the correct Daniel Morrison during late 18th/early 19th C will be difficult.  Unless you can see the actually original record on Ancestry it is not definitive proof. 

So, go to Scotland's People https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk register (free) Search for People select Church Records enter Morrison select Inverness then Harris.  Not much there.  Many of the early records for Harris are long lost. 

Don

[Forfarian]

Bear in mind that the names Daniel and Donald were used interchangeably, so your Daniel may have been a Donald.

[Rosinish]

I would advise having a look at the list of books published by Bill Lawson & buying some for the areas of your interest as they are worth every penny & more & not too expensive for the content within.

http://www.billlawson.com/

I have several of his publications which have more than paid for their cost by using the info. I've found to narrow down possibilities & connections although I can't guarantee you will find your own connections but certainly something to consider.

I know Bill Lawson travelled to Canada to record info. from several Canadian 'sources' prior to his published books which are listed on certain entries.

I would like to add...'sources' & resources are 2 different things!

Forfarian has pointed out the Donald/Daniel thing but 'Donald' on Harris is more likely.

'Daniel' seems to have been an 'accent' thing as 'Donald' in an island accent would sound like 'Daniel' i.e. 'Danal' to Canadians/Americans etc.

What is more likely is, in the era you're looking at, most would have spoken Gaelic which was harder to translate.

Annie