Balfron - McDonald/McLean

[Beckey]

Any information on James McDonald & Mary McLean, married 1828 Balfron.
Only children found so far Isabella ca.1839 & Mary 1832 both born Balfron.

Isabella married 1860 at Bonhill, Dunbarton, James shown as Carter (dec).

Any information gratefully accepted.

[apanderson]

Hi Beckey,

I had a wee look at the British Vital Records CD's but didn't find any children to a James McDonald and a Mary McLean.

I did find however, two daughters born to parents Alexander McDonald and Mary McLean in Campsie.

Margaret McDonald born 27 Jan 1834 and
Mary McDonald born 7 Jun 1835, christened 26 Jun 1835

Strangely enough, the births for Balfron stop at 1813 on these CD's - I don't know the reason why as normally they are listed right up to around 1855 but perhaps this would explain the reason for not finding James and Mary?

Not much help - sorry!

I had a look for the births of a James McDonald and a Mary McLean, thinking that as Balfron is a tiny wee place, they would be easy to find - I didn't expect 2 possibilities for both of them!!

There are 2 James McDonalds born in Balfron:

James McDonald , born 17 Jul 1805, christened 4 Aug 1805, parents Roderick MCDONALD and Catharine MCMILLAN

James McDonald, born 3 Sep 1811, christened 8 Sep 1811, parents Ducan MCDONALD and Margaret MURRAY

There are also 2 Mary McLean/Mclaines born in Balfron:

Mary Ann   McLaine, born 12 Mar 1800, christened 23 Mar 1800, parents Alexander MCLAINE and Mary CAMPBELL

Mary McLean, born 19 Jan 1819, christened 14 Feb 1819, parents Alexander MCLEAN and Jean LOCKHART

Anne

[Beckey]

Hi Anne,

Thanks for the info. had found the first one but not the others, though the Mary Ann might be a good bet as she was named in a marriage cert. for her daughter Isabella as Mary Ann.

James was dead by that marriage in 1860 and so far have not found a death cert. could have been before 1855 which will not help and am still looking for Mary Ann.

Beckey.

[JAP]

Hi Beckey,

There is also in the IGI:

Daniel MCDONALD, b 25 Apr, bap 28 Jun 1835, Balfron, parents James MCDONALD & Mary Ann MCLEAN.

Have you looked for the family on SP in the 1841 and 1851 censuses?

JAP

[Beckey]

Hi Jap,

Thanks for that, another child!
Have just got 1841 for Balfron.
Buchanan Street.
James 45 Cowfeeder    No
Mary    40                      Yes
Mary     8                       Yes
Isabella 2                      Yes.

The daughters agree with ages I found, no David, have so far not found them on the 1851 census, not in Stirling nor Dumbarton, no death for James so must be before 1855 and can't even get one for Mary, at least not the right one.

Beckey.