Lookup Eleanor Macdonald in Wooler

[kirstyc]

Hi there
I'm trying to trace the family of an ancestor born in Wooler in 1752.

The name on her birth /christening record is Eleanor MackDonald, dau of Duncan Mack Donald and Christiana.

Her name is recorded on her marriage record in Wooler in 1774 as Elender McDonald, so I've tried all the various spellings of both names. MacDonald with an 'a' was used as a middle name in the family for several generations afterwards as there is some story of a link to Flora MacDonald but I'm very sceptical.

There is no other link to Wooler and I don't know this area at all.

  I can't find any trace of her family apart from that so would really appreciate any tips / hints.

thanks!
Kirsty

[robo196]

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JWVF-FX9

[robo196]

did she marry 1774 a james church wooler northumberland

[c-side]

Hi Kirsty

The Bishop's transcripts on family search don't go back far enough to cover the baptism and the year of the marriage is missing 

I'll be at the archives tomorrow so I'll have a quick look at the parish records - see if there's anything useful that might help you

Christine

[2zpool]

The marriage (from transcript) says 9 Dec 1774 James Church of (unreadable) Moss Tower, Co. Tiviotdale in Scotland  and Eleanor Mackdonald of this parish by license. Wit: Alexander Smith and John Church

Janis

[c-side]

Good to know  . So the chances are that I could be looking for a Presbyterian baptism.

I'll see what comes up.

[kirstyc]

Hi there
Thanks all. Yes that's right. James Church was a farmer at Mosstower, Eckford. John Church was his brother.

Good luck at the archives today!

K

[2zpool]

I found that baptism of Eleanor Mack Donald (sic) in the Dissenter births of the Wooler parish records

On that record it says 1 Dec 1752  is a birth date or "said to be born".  The recording was probably placed there at the request of the parents and it would be in a special section or page  I didn't see any other MacDonalds in those records. 

Later today I will have a look at the burials for Wooler for burials of anyone with the surname of MacDonald.

Janis

[kirstyc]

Thanks Janis - that's very interesting.

I think 'dissenters' included Presbyterian at that time in England, which sounds right if they were of Scottish ancestry, but I'll have to read up.

Kirsty