Hi Jean
When I found this site 2 weeks ago, it was one of your messages that I came across, McGurns & Variants (I think) and you possibly posted it a few years ago, I posted a reply to you
there.
I have only recently started the search and so far all my McGurns have been in Scotland, traced back to 1850's and I have hit that brick wall, although Capricorn has found me a birth extract that may give me another clue..I hope.
The only info I have on my GG Grandfather Dennis is that he was born in Glasgow around 1857 but I cant find his birth records, nor trace him in any census till 1881.
The confusing part is that his father is Martin on his marriage certificate and Patrick on his death certificate, mothers name Margaret Campbell remains the same on both documents.
Martin was a farm labourer.
I also found a death notice for Ellen McGurn who died in Glasgow aged 1yr 4 months, her parents are Martin & Margaret.
The death was registered by Martins brother Patrick.
So do I assume Martin died when Dennis was young and the family moved in with Patrick & his family.
No death records can be found for Martin or Margaret.
Capricorn informed me that there is a birth certificate for the above Ellen, so that may give me a clue about the parents and if they did ever marry. Scotlands People has been offline for a few days so I am itching to get in and view the records.
My McGurns all seem to take the same christian names down the generations, Dennis, John, Margaret, Mary, Isabella, William, Ellen. No mention of Christopher yet !!but I think you are right I am sure they must all be related somewhere.
I dont know if any went to US or Canada although I know my fathers sisters both married canadians and lived there most of their lives.
Also another stumbling block is that children were raised by other members of the family, if parents died and its difficult to trace them.
As for the Mains, I have traced back to 1790 when my GGG Grandfather James Main was a shoemaker in Stranraer, he married Fanny Templeton (born in Ireland) and several years later they moved to Kilmarnock.
Where in Scotland does your "Main" connection come from?
I'd appreciate any advice or websites you can suggest I look at.
Maggie