Looking for help to trace my Great Grandfather before he appeared in UK 1909

[Gadget]

FindMyPast have marriage indexed under Kate McDuff/Martin Powhan

So does the GRO typed index and FreeBMD.

[Alan of Kaslo]

Catherine McDuff's mother Marguerite from Scotland... her maiden-name is Brown

Name:    Mother's Maiden Surname:
MCDUFF, CATHERINE        BROWN     
GRO Reference: 1883  D Quarter in MIDDLESBROUGH  Volume 09D  Page 555

[Alan of Kaslo]

Because it is the only entry with those names I believe this is the marriage of Marguerite Brown.
   
MARGARET BROWN
   
TERENCE JOHN MCDUFF

1869
652/2 104
Old Monkland (Middle District)

This is very close to Coatbridge where Marguerite Brown is from.

I will continue to cross-reference and double-check. This would only make her 15 according to census age , but that could be out by some years.

[scotmum]

DNA may be helpful given potential for the surname to have been originally somewhat different from Powlam/Powlan/Powhan.

Some Finnish surnames starting P, in case it could be an anglicised version of one:

https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Finnish-language_surnames&pagefrom=Metsola#mw-pages

http://www.americanlastnames.us/last-names/Finnish/P/P-1.html

Have you tried any of the resources listed at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Finland_Online_Genealogy_Records ?

[SarahMacleod]

Yes Alan that’s right Margaret’s surname is Brown. From census records I can see Terence was born in Ireland but again I just hit a dead end with him. Without any facts I would just be guessing which ancestors are mine. It’s so frustrating

[SarahMacleod]

And yes Scotmum I am just waiting on my DNA results. Should hopefully only be 2 or 3 weeks now until they are ready.

I had a look at some of the Finnish resources and there were names that could fit Martin Powlam but again I would just be guessing or making them fit with no real facts to base them on

[MonicaL]

So, with the details that Alan has mentioned (the family in 1891 www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7RMF-Y3Z), your next step would be to look at the marriage reg for Terence and Margaret. You can view this online on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk  Scottish marriage certs include the names of both parents for bride and groom.

Monica

Added: Welcome to RootsChat from me too 

[MonicaL]

Sarah, Terence died 1912? Wonder where he was for 1911 as he was not with wife Margaret by the look of it.

Monica

[Alan of Kaslo]

Also listed under Catholic marriages 1869 on SP site

   
TERENCE JOHN MCDUFF
   
MARGARET BROWN
11/9/1869
Coatbridge, St Patrick's