Captain John McNab (McNabb originally)

[Lisasuehelgi]

Would someone be able to help me find my great great grand father Captain John McNab.  From what i understand he left Scotland to go to England where he left his marriage and moved to Canada with a Dora Day.  They had a son together John Adam McNab...........My understanding is that my great great grandfather changed his last name from a double bb to one b as there were two Captains with the same spelling and names........I would greatly appreciate it if anyone can help me find information, as i am trying to piece my family together for my Aunt who has no way of searching for herself.......i can also be contacted by email....^(*).....thank you to anyone and all who can help. I look forward to hearing
from anyone!!!

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[maggbill]

Hi Lisa,

I too, am of McNab(b) descendancy, but don't have any info which may be relevant to your Captain John McNab.  My "McNabs" were from Glasgow as from about 1860's, (having come across from Ireland, possibly Co. Tyrone).  We used to think that our McNabs were of the "Killin McNabs" - the original clan being from a lovely little town in Central Scotland called Killin, - but it turns out we are more Irish than Scottish.  I presume you will have some knowledge of the original McNab history?  And of the "McNabs" who a strong presence in your native Canada?
(by the way, we sort of believe that the McNabb with double B was more of an Irish version of the name, but many changed it to McNab after moving over to Scotland - often after the Irish Famine in mid 19th century)..??

Anyway - sorry, I can't offer much help - but wish you all the best in your research.
Maggs

[Lisasuehelgi]

I will keep asking for more information over here....and researching.  i am heading to our BC museum where there is an apparent letter written from my great great grand father, or great grandfather.  Will let you know!
Cheers! lisa

The attached picture is my great grand father John Adam McNab.....

[Gali]

Just linking this to your other thread on this topic:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,522494.0.html#msg3774750

[Gali]

So ... the other post mentions that his father was an Adam McNab and that John was born in Leith in c. 1844

LDS has an Adam McNab and a Janet McDonald marring in South Leith in Nov 1845, father's name David McDonald

Freecen 1851 has a Jannet McNab, Seaman's Wife with sons John, aged 6 and William, aged 1 living with her parents, David, a tailor, and Catherine (both born Caithness) and her brother John in South Leith ... no mention of Adam!

[Lisasuehelgi]

From what I am told, this man in the picture was born Adam John McNab and referred to as John.......Adam was a name given to distinguish between his father and himself.........again...i am at the mercy of aging memories.....unfortunately no one in my fathers family thought to write things down and are now coming to me and asking me to link the pieces together........

Very confusing as i have comprehension dyslexia.....and all these names and years and bdays become obstacles of me hahahahaha.....but i am determined to get this story right! .......... Thank you so much for you information!! I really do appreciate it!

[ajaj]

I do not have any information concerning Captain McNab, but I was just doing some research on a writing box that belonged to my maternal grandfather that had the following written inside in pencil:

"Captain McNab
to
M(or N)S Robbins
thru to
Geo O Burton
Nov 8 15"

My grandfather, Edward "Teddy" Morgan, lived in Neyland, Pembrokeshire, Wales, until his death ~1976.  I "googled" Captain McNab and up popped this post.

aj

[VictB]

Captain John McNabb b1732 Dollar Scotland d 1802 London, left a legacy of £60,000 (£10m in todays money) that eventually became Dollar Academy built in 1818.  His legacy sustained the education of the local poor for over a hundred years and the school still thrives today.  Was this the other Capt John McNabb that your gggg-f changed his name spelling because of?   I wonder if you have come across any other reference to him during your research.  All we know is he eventually became a wealthy ship owner.

[Lisasuehelgi]

Wow, since the passing of my grandfather in 2015, i stepped away from my searches, and now have come back to your response Vic!.  That is incredible information.......however, being i cannot seem to get anyone in my family on this side to tell me anything about my McNab family....i am at a loss.....Since my last entry here, i am now aware that the man in the picture is my great great grandfather John McNab, merchant mariner, ( I believe his parents may have been Robert and Jane) With his wife Dora Day, son Adam John, baby sister Dorthy, and his older daughter Margaret, (John McNab's daughter from a first, possibly second marriage.) all came to North America in the early 1900's youngest daughter Dorthy died at the age of 29 from an illness. Margaret passed away a few years later and I believe Captain John Mcnab shortly after her passing. .  Dora Day ( England)  and Captain John McNab were not married at the time of leaving England however did marry in Seattle, before coming to British Columbia.??  I have since been to the resting areas of Dorthy (married name Stevens) in Victoria BC, her sister Margaret, who is with her father in a Vancouver Cemetary, however have not been able to find where my great grandfather Adam John was buried(he remarried a woman name Susan after he and my great grandmother Evelyn Tranter separated. and they both lived and had worked in Victoria BC at the time of his death), nor his mother Dora. I also am told and believe Dora remarried after the passing of my great great grandfather.. As i was quite new to genealogy back in 2011, i can see how i must have been very confusing, however, information given to me was very mixed up. Apologies to those still shaking their heads!    Thank you so much for you information Vic! i really appreciate any and all help with the mystery that is my family McNab........I am not even sure where Captain McNab was in Vancouver at the time of his death......