McKiggan in South Uist?

[lisagarnham]

Hi everyone - looking for a little guidance please.

A lot of my family tree is in Barra and South Uist, which has both its blessings and its frustrations.  I've hit a brick wall with moving backwards on Mary McKiggan/McGiggan b.29/10/1867 in Glendale, South Uist.
Her birth certificate states her parent's as John McKiggan and Ann Robertson, married on 23rd January 1867 in Stoneybridge, South Uist - almost exactly 9 months previous to her date of birth, very convenient 
Her name is spelled McGiggan on her marriage to Archibald McCuish on 29 Dec 1891 on Barra.  Both parents are deceased by this time, but her mother's name is Mary Robertson.  Have I got the wrong one?  I'm working backwards, so if so, its the birth that is wrong...

I can't find her parent's marriage or any record of them on the census, either together or apart.  I also can't find a census entry for Mary before she is married (1871, 1881 and 1891).  McKiggan is quite rare in South Uist (from what I can tell) and has quite diverse variants.  Although Mary was born on South Uist, I have no clue where her parents are from.

Anyone got any thoughts on this?  Many thanks in advance!!

[Skoosh]

Lisa,  might this name not be MacEachan. Black in his "Surnames", also gives MacKichan (MacFhitheachan).

Skoosh.

[ev]

Hi all ,

Mary McKeggan(MacKeggan) 13 born S Uist with parents(?) John(46) and Catherine(30) Island of Helisa , Barra(1881 Census)
That is the best match I can find on the 1881 Census.
Given the age difference between John and Catherine it may be a second marriage 
John is down as a Shepherd
Think Catherine may be nee Beaton.

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XT5N-KYQ

ev

[ev]

Found this -

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XT5N-K3N

ev

[lisagarnham]

Hi Skoosh - I think that's a good call actually and explains why I can't find many BDM's - need to search using this next time I'm in Edinburgh or feeling flush enough to buy myself some Scotland's people credit!

After searching McEachan (etc) on census returns, you inspired me to do a blind search for 'Mary', blank surname, born 1867 in South Uist.  After some trawling, in 1871 I found:

3 Glendale, South Uist:
John McKirgan b.1833, Sheepherd
Mary McKirgan b.1867, daughter, Domestic servant (!)
Mary McLean b.1803, aunt, domestic servant

The transcription doesn't say he's a widower, but, living with his aunt - must be, right?  If this is them, which I think it is, I think your 1881 is a good call, Ev.  Need to dig around a bit more.  A re-marriage explains why Mary moves from South Uist to Barra also....

I can't quite believe the timing of that marriage!!  The most convenient truth I've ever seen I think!!

Thank you!!!

[ev]

SP has -

Ann McKiggan(other surname Robertson) death 1868 Boisdale Inverness born c1845.
Think Boisdale is the Parish for South Uist.

ev

[lisagarnham]

Ev - you are most kind.  Boisdale is indeed the parish for So Uist - this must be them.

Seems a little strange that Mary doesn't know her mother's first name is Ann, not Mary, but does know her maiden name at her marriage.  Then again, she does call her first daughter 'Mary Ann'.  Its a close enough fit for me for the time being.

Thanks again!

[Rosinish]

Hi,

Seems you have the correct people. It's amazing how transcriptions differ enormously. The transcription I have is:

1871 (Glendale)

John Mackiegan       Head,      W 38  Shepherd              b S/U
Mary       "              Daughter       4                                  "
Mary MacLean         Aunt         U  64 Domestic Servant      N/U
Catherine MacAskill  Lodger     U  64        "            "          S/U

Good luck on the next rung of the ladder.

Regards, Anne Marie

[lisagarnham]

Hi Anne Marie - thanks for this, very interesting.  Was this from SP?

Given this has the marriage statuses, I'm wondering if John McKiggan's mother's maiden name could have been MacLean...?  His 'aunt' is unmarried, so must have been born a MacLean.

I know the details on these census returns can be a little sketchy, but I currently have no clue as to his parent's names, so this is at least a good starting point.  Thanks!