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Author
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Topic: Iochdar Records Uist (South) (Read 285 times)
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HelenO
RootsChat Extra
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Posts: 13
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Am attempting to trace a Donald McPhee who emigrated from his native home in South Uist or Benbecula bound for Cape Breton, NS about the year 1827 or 1828. There are several possibilities that help identify this particular Donald McPhee among many others of that surname at that time and in that area. Quite likely, “my” Donald is married to a Mary MacLean and lived in small settlement in South Uist known as ‘Garryfluich’; their records might be in the area known as ‘Iochdar’ and the parish of Ardkenneth. Based on his story here in Canada, Donald McPhee was born in South Uist about 1795. My quest now is to try to confirm the identity of my Donald McPhee and, if at all possible, to learn the names of his parents. If there is anyone who could offer advice or suggestions I would indeed be grateful.
Helen
Ottawa
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ADP
RootsChat Senior
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Posts: 265
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All of the placenames you mention are in the Civil Parish, and Established Church of Scotland Parish of South Uist and Benbecula. As with many of the island parishes, the records do not go that far back. The Old Parochial Registers (OPRs) for the South Uist part of that parish don't go any further back than 1839 for marriages. There are no birth OPRs at all for South Uist - thus no records until civil registration started in 1855.
However there is another option. South Uist is predominantly Roman Catholic, so it may be that you have to seek Roman Catholic church records. I am unsure where best to turn for these records - the church, the diocese or the National Archives of Scotland. Ardkenneth is a Roman Catholic parish - the Church is St Michael's.
In your searching you may need the Gaelic spelling of the places.
Uibhist a Deas = South Uist
Iochdar = Eoch(d)ar
Aird Choinnich = Ardkenneth
no sign of Garryfluich, but in general Gearraidh... = Garry...
ADP
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HelenO
RootsChat Extra
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Posts: 13
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Thank you, ADP. I appreciate your considerate answer and your additional help supplying the Gaelic spelling of these placenames. [I blush to think of the blunders I make sometimes of even English spelling. When it comes to Gaelic -- yikes!] And of course you are right: my McPhee / MacLean ancestors were Roman Catholic, and I know it is almost impossible to get anything from those records, especially as early as 1820s. I am a little hopeful, however, that I might find some cemetery or burial records in South Uist that would indicate the possible parents for this couple who left at that early date. My Donald McPhee died 'over here' in 1878 at age 84 (b. 1794); his wife, Mary MacLean, gave birth to two children in Cape Breton: Donald John (1828) and Christy (1831), before she apparently died and Donald married again later in the 1830s. Possibly the Scottish naming pattern might indicate that Donald's father was a John McPhee in the area of (gulp!) Gearraidh Fliuch. So, my need is for suggestions and advice as to the chances for local Catholic burial records in South Uist. Again, thanks for your response to my initial inquiry.
Helen
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ADP
RootsChat Senior
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Posts: 265
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Hi Dollard,
There is no good match for Buldher or Buldha, or Ouldha. The nearest that I saw was Boisdale (Baghasdail). That is at the other end of the island from Ardkenneth. Looking at various maps, there is nothing local to Ardkenneth (Aird Choinnich) or Howmore (Tobha Mor) that looks hopeful.
Can you find any sign of the bride's family on the censuses? That could give you another offering of the placename in different handwriting.
ADP
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