This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: LSandy1790 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.canada.novascotia.antigonish/197.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Mac Donald Family History This information was found in an old family book where it appears to have been written (copied) by a typewriter from another article. The narrative closely follows the information my mother use to recite. My family was originally from Nova Scotia (NS) prior to settling in the states. Based upon my ongoing research it appears that my family may first have come to Prince Edward Island (Ships, Lucy and or Jane) before going to NS. Although I may be wrong..This is one of the many links I am trying to verify. Article "The longevity of John Mac Donald, late of the Back Settlement of Baileys Brook, Pictou County and of his wife and children and their numerous families, are worthy of mention. He, with his wife and family, emigrated from Ardnish in Invernesshire G.B. in the year 1790, and settled on a large lot of land granted him by the crown for his services in the British army that fought in the American war of Independence; and on which the greater number of his numerous descendants now living yet reside. All his family outlived himself and his wife who died at the ages of 88 and 87 years respectively. This worthy couple left 8 children, whose ages, issue, and periods of their deaths are as follows: Lachlan died June 12, 1865, aged 99 years, issue 6boys and 4 girls: Angus died January 1858, aged 98 years, issue 6 boys and 4 girls: Mrs. Sarah Mc Adam died January 1858 aged 94 years, issue 5 boys and 6 girls: John died April 16, 1860, aged 90 years, issue 8 boys, and 5 girls, Ronald died D! ecember 31, 1861, aged 88 years, issue 8 boys and 3 girls: Donald died January 1, 1863 aged 84 years, issue 10 boys and 3 girls: Roderick died December 14 1849, aged 74 years, issue 7 boys and 3 girls: Mrs. Mary Mc Gillivary died December 1853, aged 73 years, issue 2 boys and 9 girls. It will be seen that the combined ages of Mr. Mac Donald's children are 700 years, making an average of 87 ½ years to each. Again if the ages of the parents be added to the ages of their children, the average age of each will be the same 87 ½ . The number of grandchildren is 89; the number of children 8, making in all, including the parent stock, the respectable family of 99 in number. We doubt whether such longevity in one family can be found in the Province." As you can see if one does the math all the children named would have been born in Scotland starting with Angus in 1760 until Mary in 1780. Of additional interest is a obituary from a relative Mrs. Angus Mac Gillivray, her maiden name was Catherine Mac Donald who was the sister of my great grandmother Sarah Mac Donald. Catherine died in 1941 at the age of 91. (The year of her birth would be approx 1849/1850 I also know that her mothers maiden name was Sarah Gillis) In her obit the following is written, Her father was John Mac Donald (Iian Mac Ruairidh 'ic Iian ' ic Lachainn. I was told that this reads John son of Roderick, Son of John, Son of Lachainn. Is this the same as the Lachlan above.?? What makes me believe that this is all related is that I think I found where Catherine and Sarah's parents were married. On February 5, 1847 at St. Margaret' Church in Arisag, NS a notation was made that John Mac Donald (Rory's son Back Settlement Knoydart) & Sarah Gillis (near Cape) were married. So any connections, information and verifications that can be made would be helpful..thanks in advance ..Lionel Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.