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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Argyllshire => Topic started by: ladyk on Wednesday 22 February 17 05:43 GMT (UK)
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Hi all, just looking for suggestions as to where to go next with this.
I have an ancestor named George Steele who was married, had a family, and died in Nova Scotia, Canada. We do not know where he came from, but on census records his son reports that his father was from Scotland on all but one year's census, where it says England.
I have reason to believe that George is descended from one Alexander Steele, born 1680 in Glen Strae, Argyll. I can see that Glen Strae isn't a town, exactly, but may have been in 1680? Anyway, I did find a genealogy written on this family. The main subject of the book is Alexander's grandson, Robert Steele of Virginia, USA, but it does have some information on Alexander. The author of the book claims that he was a MacGregor (his mother, perhaps), and was influential in the clan early in the 1700's. I have read lots about clan MacGregor and have not seen mention of Alexander Steele or Alexander MacGregor Steele anywhere.
I am trying to authenticate Alexander Steele's name and dates. According to some, his wife was Hannah McClung King who was born in Surrey, England. I do not know if McClung King is a middle and surname, or perhaps a surname and first marriage name. I have one possible baptism record for Hannah in April of 1681 and a sketchy record of a marriage to Alexander Steele in 1710, Argyll. (making Hanna nearly 30 yrs old, so could have been a second marriage)
According to a biographical sketch written by another Steele descendant in 1921, Alexander had three sons, all of whom emigrated to Virginia in the mid-1740's. One remained in Virginia, one moved to North Carolina and the third son, whose name is unknown, left for Connecticut. The descendants of the first two sons are well documented, but the third son was not heard from again.
I am trying to see if perhaps my George Steele comes from the branch of this vanished son of Alexander Steele, but first want to verify, if possible, the existence of Alexander (MacGregor) Steele and his wife and sons. Are there resources that would go back as far as his birth in 1680? Or, where could I look next to find evidence of him?
Thanks for reading!
K
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There are certainly Steele's in South Uist!
Skoosh.
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Are there? Well that's good to know. We thought for a time that our Steele's were from England, but it's looking more like they were Scots! Thanks.
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There are certainly Steele's in South Uist!
There sure are Skoosh ;D
I'm descended from those Steele's but unfortunately there are no records pre early 1820's.
Annie
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I also have the name George Steele (2) in my tree but not far enough back unfortunately.
Annie
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My George Steele was born circa 1795-1800 and ended up in Nova Scotia.
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Ladyk,
Can you list the names of children please?
I know that Uist folks emigrated to Canada in several different eras.
My own 2 x g g/father was an Alexander Steele & his mother was named Hannah although her m/s was Johnston(e) but not far enough back.
I just wondered if the kids names fit with the 'norm' for Uist names.
As your folks married in Canada this would probably have no bearing on the surname MacGregor which wasn't a Uist name i.e. a chance meeting.
Annie
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The Alexander Steele b 1680 had at least three sons. They were named Robert, Reuben and possibly John, though that one is not confirmed.
George Steele, who turns up in Nova Scotia by 1830 when he marries Rebecca Fulton in Upper Stewiacke, has at least three children. Their names were Alexander, Mary and Martha. Martha was likely named for Rebecca's mother whose name was Martha.
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My George Steele was born circa 1795-1800 and ended up in Nova Scotia.
Do you know the name of the ship he arrived on?
Annie
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No, we do not know exactly where he came from! Although all but one of the census records of his son Alexander lists his father's birthplace as Scotland and the one report says England.
If it helps, Alexander of 1680's son Reuben had a slew of children. Their names were:
Jane
Hannah
Jeremie
James
Margaret
Jennie
Lettie
Walter
John
Samuel
Robert
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George Steele, who turns up in Nova Scotia by 1830 when he marries Rebecca Fulton in Upper Stewiacke, has at least three children. Their names were Alexander, Mary and Martha. Martha was likely named for Rebecca's mother whose name was Martha.
This one seems to defy the naming pattern ;D
Normally the 1st son named after paternal g/father, 1st dau named after maternal g/mother.
Annie
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all but one of the census records of his son Alexander lists his father's birthplace as Scotland and the one report says England.
If it helps, Alexander of 1680's son Reuben had a slew of children. Their names were:
Jane
Hannah
Jeremie
James
Margaret
Jennie
Lettie
Walter
John
Samuel
Robert
I would say there's a good probability from son Alexander giving Scotland as his father's p.o.b. so often that would be true.
I have known/seen p.o.b. stated as Scotland, England which/whether they thought Scotland to be in England rather than in the UK which is a wee bit different ;D
Have you managed to confirm any of the children's forenames from the maternal line's names?
There are a few which could be Uist but I can't say any are definitely not as it's too far back from records I've seen but I have highlighted the ones I know to be/could be;
Jane
Hannah
Jeremie
James
Margaret
Jennie
Lettie
Walter
John
Samuel (not common)
Robert (not common)
Annie
Added, 'not common' meaning not unheard of.
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Hello! I am currently researching Alexander Steele. I have that he is from Glen, Scotland about 1680. He would be my 8th great grandfather via his son Reuben. I do not have a lot of information on the Steele's at this time. I am having a hard time with Scotland records. I keep telling my husband we should just move there, but that hasn't worked yet. lol
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I have that he is from Glen, Scotland about 1680.
A glen is a valley in Scotland, and there are literally hundreds of places called 'Glen.....' but I've never heard of one just called Glen.
As for Scottish records, the place to look is www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk, which is pretty much the only online source of original older Scottish records. However there are lots of gaps in the records, and the further back you go the more gaps there are. Realistically, your chances of finding your Alexander Steel(e) with just the information in your post are very small indeed.
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A glen is a valley in Scotland, and there are literally hundreds of places called 'Glen.....'
Agree Forfarian but probably more 1000s than 100s ;D
Annie
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A glen is a valley in Scotland, and there are literally hundreds of places called 'Glen.....'
Agree Forfarian but probably more 1000s than 100s ;D
You could well be right. I didn't want to exaggerate :)
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There is Glen estate, the home of the Tenant family in the Borders but unlikely to be that?
Skoosh.