Jonathan McDonald

[Jehane]

Seeking information on a Jonathan McDonald born 1818 Scotland appears in the 1881 census living in lot 60 PEI.  Could possibly be the father of Mary McDonald Matheson born 1849 on PEI and is buried in Caledonia cemetery.  Jonathan McDonald is living with his son John McDonald and his wife Sarah MacKenzie during the 1881 census listed as a widower aged 63.  John McDonald and Sarah McKenzie were witnesses for Mary McDonald and John Matheson when they got married October 23/1877 in Georgetown, PEI just an assumption John McDonald and Mary McDonald could be siblings.

[JDC]

Hi Jehane,

WWhich specific info you after.

JDC

[Jehane]

Hi JDC

Seeking info on Jonathan McDonald.

[Rosinish]

Hi,

The death cert. for Johnathan 1818 needs to be your 1st step to establish his parentage, occupation & maybe a newspaper entry which often, if available can sometimes give specific info. on place of birth in Scotland.

Annie

[polarbear]

The 1881 census has in the same household.....

Jonothan McDonald 63 b. Scotland Widowed Farmer
John McDonald 27 Married Farmer
Sarah McDonald 27 Married
Mary 2
Neil 1
Mary Ann McDonald 23
Christina McDonald 18

Everyone else b. PEI and neither married nor widowed (therefore assumed to be single).

Unfortunately, relationships aren't given but might this Mary Ann be a sister to John rather than the Mary who married John Matheson?

PB

[Rosinish]

Hi JDC

Seeking info on Jonathan McDonald.

I think your reply to JDC was a bit off 

Hi Jehane,

Which specific info you after.

JDC

We know from your "Subject" WHO but What & Where 

Is it from his life in Canada or Scottish info. 

Annie

[JDC]

Hi folks,

Yes you are right annie, we will need as much detail about this fella as possible to help Jehane out as much as we can :-)

I am thinking that the 1851/52 Canadian federal census would be the earliest to be able to access in tracking the family . More info might be found in the 1861 and 71 censuses as well. I am unsure whether or not provincial census would be found prior to 1851 in PEI and maritime provinces, there are some done in Ontario - Upper Canada at the time.

I would contact the local public library to see if they have these provincial census dox. I haven't seen any online. I would also ask the for an obit look up in their newspaper archive looking around and expected death date.

Hope this helps out,

JDC

[Jehane]

Hello

Sorry I should have clarified that I am researching Jonathan McDonald in Prince Edward Island.  Have done some research checked the local archives, several cemetery transcriptions Caledonia, Valleyfield, Belfast and Wood Islands and 1861, 1881 and 1891 census.  He only seems to appear in the 1881 census no trace after that.

thanks, Jane

[Jehane]

This is the Mary McDonald Matheson I am trying to find information on in the 1881 census she was born about 1849 and is married to John Matheson.

John Mathewson   32
Mary Mathewson   32
Mary Ann Mathewson   3
John Mathewson   10/12
Ann Mathewson   10/12

The name is spelled wrong in the census but this is the family.  The other Mary McDonald in the 1881 census of John McDonald and Sarah MacKenzie was born in 1858 and could be a sister of John McDonald.  Mary McDonald Matheson born 1849 could possibly be a sister also it was not uncommon for these families to have two siblings with the same name have run in to that numerous times doing research.