Tena, I still see problems. The deposition of William Laird states that his father sent Hugh Laird a son up to the Swatara. This date was about 1737 which means that the birth date for Hugh Laird is wrong. The younger James Laird left a will that was probated 22 December 1741, you have his birth date as abt 1769. You have Matthew Laird born 1755 while the first James Laird died before 14 Feb 1737 when Jane Laird the widow of James Laird received a warrant for land in Derry Township so Matthew couldn't have been born after 1737. You have Samuel Laird listed as the son of Samuel Laird and Mary Young. The will of both Samuel and Mary Young Laird indicate that they died without issue. Please don't get frustrated. I think the article in the next issue will clear up a lot of problems with this line. Would you mind just sticking with your direct line for the earliest known Laird ancestor? I do not have the proper time to clear up all the problems now. This is why my my brother and I are writing the article for the next newsletter. However, I can't start on it until I get the earliest known Laird ancestor newsletter finished. As for printed biographies, they are just like any other secondary source: They can have errors and must be proven by primary sources. When I place a biography from a printed history in the newsletter that has an error that I am aware of, I print a note below the written material to correct the error and list my source. This is what I did in the newsletter when I posted material that named Samuel Laird and wife Mary Young as the parents of Samuel Laird. I placed a paragraph below the material indicating that the will of both Samuel Laird and his wife Mary indicated that they died without issue. You have seen this material because you quoted my note directly from the newsletter onto the Cumberland list. I will be gone part of the day and will talk to you this afternoon. Take care. Sincerely, Patricia Laird Howard

In answer to pbj2000, who wrote: <Am I correct to assume that we are the only descendants of our Samuel Lard presently on the list?> Yes, that is correct. I have been astonished and gratified, however, at the number of Lairds who are interested in genealogy. It may be that, as we and they dig further into the past, we may find some connections with the parents of Samuel (David Lard and ?McLaughlin) or descendants of Samuel's brother David (b. probably about 1768), who was "bound out" as a child in the Connecticut/Massachusetts area. Sharon Seaver Wildwood, MO

Does anyone know anything about the Mc business? My ancestor John Laird named one of his sons James Mc Laird. No one can figure out why. My ancestor's name was spelled just Laird as was the last name of his other children. Would be interesting to get some sort of a clue. Mc is a very strange middle name. Mary Szy HKLEA@aol.com wrote: > For Sarah. I changed the subject since not everyone on the Laird > mailing list would be interested in our discussion. William McLeard had > strong > ties to South Carolina. Specifically he enlisted in the War of 1812 at > Marion, SC. > This record also indicates that he was born in Marion, SC. This could have > been coincidence since later census records usually list his place of birth > as NC. However, in the 1870 census his name was spelled "Laird" and his > place of birth was listed as SC. His wife, Elvey, was listed as NC. I have > spent several years trying to find something that would connect him to any of > the earlier Laird's, Leard's and Leaird's with no luck. > Since it seems most likely he was born (1792) in either SC or NC I keep > hoping that someone will provide a clue that will lead to the identification > of his > parents. One theory is that the "Mc" was simply added to his name to indicate > that he was "son of Leaird." If that is true, then it might also be assumed > that > his father would also be named William. Since there was a James Leaird listed > on the 1790 Anson County, NC census and William and Elvey named their eldest > son James I have long felt that it is more likely that this could have been > his father. > I have records of most of their descendants and would be happy to provide the > names if you are interested. If you have anything that might indicate a > possible > connection to your branch I would really like to explore it further. Ken > > ==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== > Laird Resource Page: > http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/l/a/LAIRD/

Tena: Don't be hurt. I am sure you worked very hard at making your family tree as accurate as you could. And all of us have made mistakes. But to put mistaken information where anyone can copy it, as on the internet or family newsletter, is just perpetuating the mistake. I have seen lots of bad information in the LDS data. Also in the census records and in published county histories. There is bad information on one of my ancestor's tombstones. So don't be hurt. But live and learn. I have been at this many years and still have a lot to learn. I will look at your web page with interest. Mary Szy Tena Hanna wrote: > Patricia and List Members: > > In a moment of anger I hastily posted Patricia's letter addressed to me re: > my eldest Laird ancestor. I will admit that I was hurt the first time my > eldest ancestor was not posted to the Laird Newsletter in August, but I kept > it to myself and didn't say anything. When I received the reply about my > family tree errors, I was hurt a second time. This is no excuse for my > posting the source of my hurt, but it is the truth. > > I do not question your 25 years of experience or your hard work on the > newsletter, I was only hurt that my family tree that I have work equally as > hard on, and admittedly only for the last three and one half years, was > being rejected when everyone else's seemed to be accepted. > > I have used as my primary sources our own family Bible records up that > provide family information back to the year 1753. My other sources are > copies of the original wills for my family members, land records, and > information provided to me by the Cumberland County Historical Society. My > most frequently quoted documents are: > : > HISTORY OF THE BIG SPRING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Newville, PA. > 1737 - 1898 by Gilbert Ernest Swope, Newville, PA Times Steam Printing House > 1898 > > Seilhamer Collection, Vol. 5A; Pages 306 - 310, Franklin County, > Pennsylvania Historical Society, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania > > I do admit that I have absolutely no training in genealogy, but have learned > good practices through the kindness of fellow researchers on the internet. > > I do admit to not knowing the dates for James Laird and his wife Jane. > Until your email I was not aware of the information that you have quoted > from his son William. I do not know your source, but I do know that my > source for the dates was the LDS church records. I will also admit to > having no knowledge of the fact that these records can be flawed. I was > under the impression that they were quite strict about their genealogies and > a member of their church needs to go through quite a process before their > genealogy is accepted by the church. > > Please accept my apology to you and the list for allowing my personal hurts > to overflow to the list. > > Tena McDowell Hanna > > ==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== > Laird Resource Page: > http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/l/a/LAIRD/

Years ago I did some work on the name Gourley. I ran into so many spellings on that name that I finally asked a Scotsman to pronounce it. His pronounciation of the name was such a tongue twister that I could fully understand how a people, who were spelling phonetically, could spell the name so many ways. Laird seems so straight forward but I guess the same thing could apply. I have never heard a Scotsman pronounce Laird but it would interesting. Sar42gal@aol.com wrote: > Paul, > > You can add LEAIRD to your list also. This is how my gggg-grandfather's > name was spelled. > > Sarah > > ==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== > List archive search engines? See resource page at: > http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/l/a/LAIRD/

Tena: About the Samuel Laird who was the son of Hugh Laird, and that Samuel's son, also named Samuel. Samuel #1 was an attorney in Carlisle and very well respected. His son Samuel was also an attorney of some reknown. The younger brother of Elizbeth Montgomery (I think his name was John) was an apprentince attorney under his brother-in-law Samuel Laird, and went on to become a well known attorney, assemblyman and city councilman. I'll try to find my information on this and send it to you. They are not of my line, but because of the multiple Samuel and James references I had to check out this family. So I do have a little information on them. Paul Laird -----Original Message----- From: Tena Hanna [SMTP:mjhanna@jps.net] Sent: Monday, February 14, 2000 12:47 PM To: LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [LAIRD] Tena's genealogy Patricia, I am so sorry that I "lost it". I guess I don't have the patience for genealogy. You are right about primary evidence, I depended to heavily on the biographies and printed material I received from Historical Societies. I need to get back tot he hard work of writing for wills, deeds, birth and death records. The 1700's are so difficult. I believe I have corrected the things you asked me to. I deleted the dates on James and Jane Laird. I also, moved Matthew Laird to the position of being James and Jane's Lairds son. There was a duplicate, with him being in the position of Hugh Laird's son, so I deleted that. I have had two different people from our line hotly debate the Matthew Laird article in the Seilhamer Collection. I have compared notes with them and see their points, but when comparing the article to what I have proven with my line, it seems correct. I am beginning to think, I should just have my line and leave off the other lines. Perhaps your posted genealogy will clarify the Matthew problem and the James and Jane Laird details. Thank you again for accepting my apology. Tena McDowell Hanna Descendants of James Laird Generation No. 1 1. JAMES1 LAIRD was born in Ireland, and died in Derry Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He married JANE. She was born in Ireland. Children of JAMES LAIRD and JANE are: 2. i. HUGH2 LAIRD, b. Abt. 1736, Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; d. November 09, 1801, Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. 3. ii. SAMUEL LAIRD, b. Abt. 1732; d. September 27, 1806, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa. 4. iii. WILLIAM LAIRD, b. 1730, Ireland; d. April 11, 1820, Hanover, Deery, Pennsylvania. iv. MARY LAIRD, m. (1) WILLIAM SNODDY; d. Bef. 1736; m. (2) JAMES IRELAND. v. JOHN LAIRD, m. AGNES BLACK. vi. JAMES LAIRD, b. Abt. 1769; d. Abt. 1741; m. JANE. 5. vii. MATHEW LAIRD, b. Abt. 1755, Allen Township, Cumberland, Pennsylvania; d. February 1821, South Middleton township, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. Generation No. 2 2. HUGH2 LAIRD (JAMES1) was born Abt. 1736 in Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and died November 09, 1801 in Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. He married ANNA. She was born Abt. 1740 in Ireland, and died Bef. December 28, 1809 in Allen Township, Cumberland County, PAPennsylvania. Children of HUGH LAIRD and ANNA are: 6. i. JAMES3 LAIRD, b. December 12, 1753, West Pennsboro Township, Cumberland, Pennsylvania; d. October 10, 1834, Newville, Cumberland, Pennsylvania. ii. ARTHUR LAIRD, b. Abt. 1762, Allen Township, Cumberland, Pennsylvania. 7. iii. JANE LAIRD, b. Abt. 1766, Allen Township, Cumberland, Pennsylvania. 8. iv. STEWART LAIRD, b. Abt. 1768, Allen Township, Cumberland, Pennsylvania; d. Juniata County, Pennsylvania. v. WILLIAM LAIRD, b. Abt. 1770, Allen Township, Cumberland, Pennsylvania. vi. SAMUEL LAIRD. 3. SAMUEL2 LAIRD (JAMES1) was born Abt. 1732, and died September 27, 1806 in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa. He married MARY YOUNG, daughter of JAMES YOUNG and ELIZABETH. She was born October 31, 1741 in Carlisle, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, and died February 04, 1833 in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa.. Child of SAMUEL LAIRD and MARY YOUNG is: i. SAMUEL3 LAIRD, b. February 15, 1769, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa.; d. January 15, 1815, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; m. ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY; b. July 17, 1768; d. October 12, 1814, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 4. WILLIAM2 LAIRD (JAMES1) was born 1730 in Ireland, and died April 11, 1820 in Hanover, Deery, Pennsylvania. He married (1) MARTHA WILSON. She was born November 16, 1730 in Ireland, and died in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa.. He married (2) CATHERINE SPENCER. Children of WILLIAM LAIRD and MARTHA WILSON are: i. MARGARET3 LAIRD, b. 1756. ii. ELIZABETH LAIRD, b. 1759; m. MCCLURE. iii. SAMUEL LAIRD. Child of WILLIAM LAIRD and CATHERINE SPENCER is: iv. MARY3 LAIRD, m. JAMES HARRIS. 5. MATHEW2 LAIRD (JAMES1) was born Abt. 1755 in Allen Township, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, and died February 1821 in South Middleton township, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. He married ELIZABETH LAIRD. She was born Abt. 1759 in South Middleton, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, and died Bef. March 02, 1820 in South Middleton township, Cumberland county, Pennsylva. Children of MATHEW LAIRD and ELIZABETH LAIRD are: i. ELIZABETH3 LAIRD, m. HENRY BURKHOLDER. ii. MATTHEW LAIRD. iii. WILLIAM LAIRD. 9. iv. FRANCIS LAIRD, b. Adams County, Pennsylvania; d. April 06, 1854, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. 10. v. JAMES LAIRD, b. May 11, 1761, Allen Township, Cumberland, Pennsylvania; d. February 15, 1846, Montour county, Pennsylvania. vi. JOHN M. LAIRD, b. 1797, Carlilse, Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania; d. March 12, 1849, New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania; m. JULIA POWERS. vii. SAMUEL LAIRD. viii. RACHAEL LAIRD. Generation No. 3 6. JAMES3 LAIRD (HUGH2, JAMES1) was born December 12, 1753 in West Pennsboro Township, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, and died October 10, 1834 in Newville, Cumberland, Pennsylvania. He married (1) JANE MCCLURE Abt. 1786 in Frankford Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, daughter of ROBERT MCCLURE and MARGARET DOUGLAS. She was born August 19, 1763 in West Pennsboro Township, Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania, and died Bef. 1802 in Frankford, Cumberland, Pennsylvania. He married (2) CATHARINE ALLEN May 1802 in Frankford Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. She was born June 1764 in Baltimore, Maryland, and died January 15, 1850 in Frankford, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Children of JAMES LAIRD and JANE MCCLURE are: i. HUGH4 LAIRD, b. January 08, 1787, Frankford Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; d. September 30, 1815, Frankford Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. ii. ROBERT LAIRD, b. November 11, 1788, Frankford, Cumberland, Pennsylvania; d. January 15, 1848, Frankford, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. 11. iii. MARGARET LAIRD, b. December 09, 1790, West Pennsboro, Cumberland, Pennsylvania; d. May 30, 1855, Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. iv. ANNA LAIRD, b. December 10, 1791, Frankford, Cumberland, Pennsylvania; d. September 17, 1867, Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; m. (1) JAMES LOGAN, March 23, 1824, Carlisle, Pennsylvania; b. 1782; d. October 26, 1828, Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; m. (2) JAMES DAVIDSON, April 15, 1831; b. 1790, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; d. September 27, 1858, Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. v. THOMAS LAIRD, b. April 20, 1794, Frankford, Cumberland, Pennsylvania; d. April 19, 1830, Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. vi. JANE LAIRD, b. July 26, 1797. vii. JAMES LAIRD, b. July 26, 1797; d. July 31, 1797. Children of JAMES LAIRD and CATHARINE ALLEN are: viii. MARY4 LAIRD, b. Aft. 1802. ix. JOHN LAIRD, b. Aft. 1803. 7. JANE3 LAIRD (HUGH2, JAMES1) was born Abt. 1766 in Allen Township, Cumberland, Pennsylvania. She married WILLIAM MCMEEN. Children of JANE LAIRD and WILLIAM MCMEEN are: i. ANN4 MCMEEN. ii. GRIZZEL MCMEEN. 8. STEWART3 LAIRD (HUGH2, JAMES1) was born Abt. 1768 in Allen Township, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, and died in Juniata County, Pennsylvania. Children of STEWART LAIRD are: i. WILSON4 LAIRD. ii. PRISCILLA LAIRD, m. HUSBAND ROBINSON. iii. THOMAS LAIRD. iv. HUGH LAIRD. v. SAMUEL LAIRD. 9. FRANCIS3 LAIRD (MATHEW2, JAMES1) was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, and died April 06, 1854 in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He married MARY MOORE 1803. Children of FRANCIS LAIRD and MARY MOORE are: i. MARY4 LAIRD, m. WILLIAM B. STEWART. 12. ii. ELIZA M. LAIRD. 10. JAMES3 LAIRD (MATHEW2, JAMES1) was born May 11, 1761 in Allen Township, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, and died February 15, 1846 in Montour county, Pennsylvania. He married (1) MARY MCFARLAND February 12, 1788, daughter of JOHN MCFARLAND and MARY. She was born November 15, 1770, and died July 24, 1796. He married (2) SARAH WATSON May 11, 1797. She was born January 21, 1772. Children of JAMES LAIRD and MARY MCFARLAND are: 13. i. JOHN4 LAIRD, b. August 02, 1789; d. September 23, 1862, Lairdsville, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. ii. WILLIAM LAIRD, b. October 11, 1791. iii. MARY LAIRD, b. March 15, 1794. Children of JAMES LAIRD and SARAH WATSON are: iv. SAMUEL4 LAIRD, b. March 08, 1798. v. JANE MCKINNEY. vi. JAMES LAIRD, b. July 27, 1801; d. Bef. 1806. vii. JAMES LAIRD, b. October 21, 1806. viii. THOMAS LAIRD, b. March 21, 1810. Generation No. 4 11. MARGARET4 LAIRD (JAMES3, HUGH2, JAMES1) was born December 09, 1790 in West Pennsboro, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, and died May 30, 1855 in Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. She married JOHN MCDOWELL March 12, 1818 in Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, son of JOHN MCDOWELL and MARGARET HUTTON. He was born November 13, 1778 in West Pennsboro, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and died June 29, 1829 in Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Children of MARGARET LAIRD and JOHN MCDOWELL are: 14. i. MARGARET5 MCDOWELL, b. June 29, 1819, Frankford Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. ii. JANE MCDOWELL, b. January 23, 1821, West Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; d. February 19, 1892, Carlisle, Cumberland County, PA. iii. JOHN MCDOWELL, b. November 30, 1822; d. July 27, 1857, Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. iv. MARY MCDOWELL, b. October 04, 1824, West Pennsboro, Cumberland, Pennsylvania; d. August 12, 1880, Carlisle, Cumberland County, PA. 15. v. JAMES LAIRD MCDOWELL, b. October 29, 1826, Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; d. December 21, 1904, Elkton, Colorado. vi. SAMUEL ALEXANDER MCDOWELL, b. October 20, 1828, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; d. January 03, 1887, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; m. HESTER MCCLELLAN, September 12, 1860, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; b. Abt. 1830, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa; d. Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. 12. ELIZA M.4 LAIRD (FRANCIS3, MATHEW2, JAMES1) She married JAMES RAMSEY JOHNSTON. He was born October 29, 1803. Children of ELIZA LAIRD and JAMES JOHNSTON are: i. FRANCIS LAIRD5 JOHNSTON. ii. WILLIAM JOHNSTON. 13. JOHN4 LAIRD (JAMES3, MATHEW2, JAMES1) was born August 02, 1789, and died September 23, 1862 in Lairdsville, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He married MARGARET SMITH November 22, 1810. She was born June 02, 1790. Children of JOHN LAIRD and MARGARET SMITH are: i. MARY5 LAIRD, b. December 26, 1811. ii. HUGH LAIRD, b. February 18, 1813. 16. iii. JAMES LAIRD, b. April 01, 1814; d. January 1882, Hughesville, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. iv. ELIZABETH LAIRD, b. September 07, 1819. v. JOHN LAIRD, b. February 19, 1822. vi. WILLIAM LAIRD, b. January 03, 1832. Generation No. 5 14. MARGARET5 MCDOWELL (MARGARET4 LAIRD, JAMES3, HUGH2, JAMES1) was born June 29, 1819 in Frankford Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. She married ISAIAH GRAHAM MACFARLANE January 01, 1845, son of JOHN MACFARLANE and MARTHA GRAHAM. He was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, and died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Children of MARGARET MCDOWELL and ISAIAH MACFARLANE are: i. ELIZABETH6 MACFARLANE, b. April 03; m. JAMES I. BUCHANAN. ii. JOHN FINLEY MACFARLANE, b. October 22, 1845; d. Abt. 1874. iii. ANNA MARY MACFARLANE, b. September 25, 1847; m. ELIAKIM TORRANCE, September 22, 1868. iv. JAMES GRAHAM MACFARLANE, b. December 02, 1848. v. MARGARET LAIRD MACFARLANE, b. April 18, 1851; m. JOHN MITCHELL PATTERSON, October 29, 1874. vi. MARTHA ALICE MACFARLANE, b. June 14, 1853; d. May 15, 1889. vii. SAMUEL STARRETT MACFARLANE, b. April 22, 1860; m. IDA WILLET, June 27, 1887. 15. JAMES LAIRD5 MCDOWELL (MARGARET4 LAIRD, JAMES3, HUGH2, JAMES1) was born October 29, 1826 in Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and died December 21, 1904 in Elkton, Colorado. He married (1) MARY ISABELLA BLEAN August 12, 1862 in Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, daughter of ROBERT BLEAN and MARGARET SCOULLER. She was born March 07, 1836 in Pennsylvania, and died February 12, 1865 in Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 28 years 11 months 5 days. He married (2) DORCAS ROSELINA COLLINS October 10, 1867, daughter of DAVID COLLINS and MARY MANIFOLD. She was born October 22, 1837 in Pennsylvania, and died July 26, 1894 in Manhattan, Riley County, Kansas. Children of JAMES MCDOWELL and MARY BLEAN are: i. MARGARET LAIRD6 MCDOWELL, b. July 29, 1863, Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; d. April 07, 1884, Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 20 year 8 months and 8 days. ii. ROBERT BLEAN MCDOWELL, b. January 25, 1865, Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; d. February 01, 1865, Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Children of JAMES MCDOWELL and DORCAS COLLINS are: iii. RALPH EWING6 MCDOWELL, b. October 01, 1868, Leavenworth, Kansas; d. August 12, 1902, Fort Clark, Texas. iv. JAMES LAIRD MCDOWELL JR., b. May 30, 1871, Nortonville, Jefferson County, Kansas; d. Abt. 1951, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona; m. TENA WAYNE KNOX, January 03, 1899; b. November 23, 1873, Clyde, Cloud County, Kansas; d. December 12, 1963, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona. v. DAVID COLLINS MCDOWELL, b. April 09, 1873, Nortonville, Jefferson County, Kansas; d. May 26, 1949, Billings, Montana; m. ELIZABETH LEE STINGLEY, March 1899, Cripple Creek, Colorado; d. Billings, Montana. vi. ROSE EDITH MCDOWELL, b. March 20, 1875, Nortonville, Jefferson County, Kansas; d. 1966, Freemont, California; m. GEORGE HELDER, November 16, 1914, Victor, Colorado; b. October 29, 1872; d. 1942. vii. SAMUEL ALEXANDER MCDOWELL, b. April 14, 1877, Nortonville, Jefferson County, Kansas; d. May 23, 1959, Billings, Montana; m. DAISY DAY, October 16, 1912, Onaga, Kansas; b. October 15, 1876, Onaga, Kansas; d. April 19, 1982, Billings, Montana. viii. GEORGE GARFIELD MCDOWELL, b. May 18, 1879, Nortonville, Jefferson County, Kansas; d. Russia; m. TONY, Unknown, George Married in Russia, his old mother-in-law was a baptist--unhappy; b. Russia. ix. EDWARD PURCELL MCDOWELL, b. January 12, 1882, Nortonville, Jefferson County, Kansas; d. February 02, 1949, Billings, Montana; m. FREDIA PATTERSON. 16. JAMES5 LAIRD (JOHN4, JAMES3, MATHEW2, JAMES1) was born April 01, 1814, and died January 1882 in Hughesville, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He married RUTH A. CARVER. She died June 07, 1891. Children of JAMES LAIRD and RUTH CARVER are: i. E. LIVINGSTON6 LAIRD. ii. MARTHA LAIRD, m. J. K. RISHEL. iii. WILLIAM L. LAIRD. iv. H. NEWTON LAIRD. v. JOHN C. LAIRD, b. May 21, 1844; m. SOPHIA S. TALLMAN, June 06, 1867. ----- Original Message ----- From: <PLairdhoward@aol.com> To: <LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2000 2:20 AM Subject: [LAIRD] Tena's genealogy > Tena, > I have been waiting to send the newsletter to Robert in hopes that > I would hear from you. Please e-mail me, lets work on your first generation > and then post your information to the newsletter. I am sorry that we did > not get this taken care of back in August when I first planned to write to > you but I got so busy that I forgot. I am so glad that you did not leave > the Laird list. We are a very nice family that believes in helping each > other. > > With Love, > Patricia Laird Howard > > > ==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== > List problem or question? > e-mail Russell Laird at rlaird@1starnet.com > > ==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== Laird Family Association Website: http://www.qcsi.net/lfa

thanks for the reply hope our searches intersect -----Original Message----- From: Dutch5352@aol.com <Dutch5352@aol.com> To: LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com <LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Monday, February 14, 2000 11:00 PM Subject: [LAIRD] Re: LAIRD-D Digest V00 #20 >My earliest known Laird is - M.C Laird (his first and middle initials are all >I have) was born in Arkansas approx 1877. He married Pearl Hopkins, also >from Arkansas. She is said to be part or full blooded Cherokee. Together >they moved to Truckee, Nevada County, CA, where they were found in the 1910 >census with their olderst child, Viola Mae. They had two more children, >Orville Manuel and Horace Dean. In the early 20's Pearl took the three >children and moved to Phoenix, Arizona. From that point on, M.C. was seldom >heard from. >Thanks!! >Karen Laird-Olson > > >==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== >Laird Resource Page: >http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/l/a/LAIRD/ > >

Hi! I live 30 miles west of Winfield, but I am not familiar with searching in the Winfield area. I do know that the courthouse is on East ninth street, and that the library is not far from it, about a mile and a half. There is a nice libary at Arkansas City if your family came from around that area, and Ark City is south of Winfield. These towns are on the west edge of the beautiful Flint Hills ranch region. If you have any questions, I'd try to help, but may not have the answers you seek. Wish our Lairds connected! Sherry At 03:55 PM 2/14/00 -0700, you wrote: >Well James died in Indiana and Julia headed west with her kids Jabez Hammond >and Maria Hammond to Cowley County, KS I believe. I think that they all are >buried south of Winfield in the Tannehill Cemetery. Jabez married Nancy >Tannehill and Maria married Richard Tannehill (Nancy's Dad). > >Jabez died 12/27/1883 in Winfield according to my notes. Julia died 9/4/1883 >in Winfield too. > >I have received no replies to my query to the Laird list yesterday. Iam I >correct to assume that we are the only descendants of our Samuel Lard >presently on the list.? Wondering if you have made other contacts through >this list. > >I am envious of your trip to Kansas. Hopefully someday I will able to go >back there too and dig.You lucky retired girl.Have you been to the Kansas >History Museum in Topeka? There has to be some good stuff on the family >there. > >Pat >----- Original Message ----- >From: <Sharon4mus@aol.com> >To: <LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Monday, February 14, 2000 2:55 PM >Subject: Re: [LAIRD] Samuel Lard > > >> Hi, Pat! Welcome to the Laird list. That was my post you answered. By the >> way, I am planning a research trip to Kansas, and to order some microfilm >on >> interlibrary loan. Let's communicate about things we both need. What >township >> did James and Julia Hammond live in? I want to search the Kansas State >Census >> - knowing the township will certainly help cut down lost time. >> Your "Cousin", >> Sharon Seaver >> Wildwood, MO >> >> >> ==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== >> Laird Resource Page: >> http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/l/a/LAIRD/ >> > > >==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== >List archive search engines? See resource page at: >http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/l/a/LAIRD/ > >

"Mac" - Scots Gaelic or "Mc" - usually Irish means "son of". In Scots Gaelic "Nic" means "daughter of", but is usually only heard in spoken Gaelic e.g. a man would use the surname MacAulay = literally "son of Aulay", but a woman would describe herself as Nic Aulay = "daughter of Aulay", even when used as a surname. Laird is old Scots not Gaelic, so the usage "Mac" is unusual. Yours aye Iain http://ourworld.cs.com/INSLaird/

Up north "Laird" spoken sounds pretty much like "Layurrd" or "Leyrrd" depending on where you are. I am sorry you cannot hear me talk! Best regards Iain A Scot in England!

Tena and Patricia, Can I just say how great you both are? No long message...just a "well done" for each of you. Best, Elizabeth -----Original Message----- From: PLairdhoward@aol.com <PLairdhoward@aol.com> To: LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com <LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Monday, February 14, 2000 6:25 PM Subject: [LAIRD] Tena's genealogy >Tena, > I have been waiting to send the newsletter to Robert in hopes that >I would hear from you. Please e-mail me, lets work on your first generation >and then post your information to the newsletter. I am sorry that we did >not get this taken care of back in August when I first planned to write to >you but I got so busy that I forgot. I am so glad that you did not leave >the Laird list. We are a very nice family that believes in helping each >other. > >With Love, >Patricia Laird Howard > > >==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== >List problem or question? >e-mail Russell Laird at rlaird@1starnet.com > >

We all make mistakes Tena. A good genealogist remembers the errors but no the stupid mistakes that led to them. The LDS website is as only as good as the person who submitted the information. You'll do better to go to a LDS research center in person. Paul Laird -----Original Message----- From: Tena Hanna [SMTP:mjhanna@jps.net] Sent: Monday, February 14, 2000 6:56 AM To: LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [LAIRD] Open Letter Patricia and List Members: In a moment of anger I hastily posted Patricia's letter addressed to me re: my eldest Laird ancestor. I will admit that I was hurt the first time my eldest ancestor was not posted to the Laird Newsletter in August, but I kept it to myself and didn't say anything. When I received the reply about my family tree errors, I was hurt a second time. This is no excuse for my posting the source of my hurt, but it is the truth. I do not question your 25 years of experience or your hard work on the newsletter, I was only hurt that my family tree that I have work equally as hard on, and admittedly only for the last three and one half years, was being rejected when everyone else's seemed to be accepted. I have used as my primary sources our own family Bible records up that provide family information back to the year 1753. My other sources are copies of the original wills for my family members, land records, and information provided to me by the Cumberland County Historical Society. My most frequently quoted documents are: : HISTORY OF THE BIG SPRING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Newville, PA. 1737 - 1898 by Gilbert Ernest Swope, Newville, PA Times Steam Printing House 1898 Seilhamer Collection, Vol. 5A; Pages 306 - 310, Franklin County, Pennsylvania Historical Society, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania I do admit that I have absolutely no training in genealogy, but have learned good practices through the kindness of fellow researchers on the internet. I do admit to not knowing the dates for James Laird and his wife Jane. Until your email I was not aware of the information that you have quoted from his son William. I do not know your source, but I do know that my source for the dates was the LDS church records. I will also admit to having no knowledge of the fact that these records can be flawed. I was under the impression that they were quite strict about their genealogies and a member of their church needs to go through quite a process before their genealogy is accepted by the church. Please accept my apology to you and the list for allowing my personal hurts to overflow to the list. Tena McDowell Hanna ==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== Laird Resource Page: http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/l/a/LAIRD/

Ooops, for got about the "Macs". There are McLeard, McLaird, MacLeard, and MacLaird. Paul Laird -----Original Message----- From: HKLEA@aol.com [SMTP:HKLEA@aol.com] Sent: Monday, February 14, 2000 1:14 PM To: LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [LAIRD] An Open Letter Hi Sarah. Have we exchanged info before? I do not recognize your screen name as one on my contact list. Your response to the Laird list of names on the Roots-L Mailing List about the "Leaird" spelling caught my attention. For obvious reasons I am very interested in who your gggg-grandfather was. I am a descendant of William and Elvey McLeard and our branch of the family spell our name "Leaird" today. Ken Leaird ==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== Laird Resource Page: http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/l/a/LAIRD/

Thanks, I guess. I'm gathering quite a variation of spellings. What is interesting is the group spelled Lehr or Lahr. Paul Laird -----Original Message----- From: Sar42gal@aol.com [SMTP:Sar42gal@aol.com] Sent: Monday, February 14, 2000 10:46 AM To: LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [LAIRD] An Open Letter Paul, You can add LEAIRD to your list also. This is how my gggg-grandfather's name was spelled. Sarah ==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== List archive search engines? See resource page at: http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/l/a/LAIRD/

Thanks tena, I will check what i already have but I think it will amount to the same thing. No connection. :(( Bummer Lila

For Sarah. I changed the subject since not everyone on the Laird mailing list would be interested in our discussion. William McLeard had strong ties to South Carolina. Specifically he enlisted in the War of 1812 at Marion, SC. This record also indicates that he was born in Marion, SC. This could have been coincidence since later census records usually list his place of birth as NC. However, in the 1870 census his name was spelled "Laird" and his place of birth was listed as SC. His wife, Elvey, was listed as NC. I have spent several years trying to find something that would connect him to any of the earlier Laird's, Leard's and Leaird's with no luck. Since it seems most likely he was born (1792) in either SC or NC I keep hoping that someone will provide a clue that will lead to the identification of his parents. One theory is that the "Mc" was simply added to his name to indicate that he was "son of Leaird." If that is true, then it might also be assumed that his father would also be named William. Since there was a James Leaird listed on the 1790 Anson County, NC census and William and Elvey named their eldest son James I have long felt that it is more likely that this could have been his father. I have records of most of their descendants and would be happy to provide the names if you are interested. If you have anything that might indicate a possible connection to your branch I would really like to explore it further. Ken

Can you tell me more about Wm. and Elinder My Ashley Laird b 1816 NC moved at some point to SCto marry then to AL--He is my brick wall. -----Original Message----- From: Sar42gal@aol.com <Sar42gal@aol.com> To: LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com <LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Monday, February 14, 2000 4:52 PM Subject: Re: [LAIRD] An Open Letter >Ken, > > I do not believe we have been in contact before. My gggg-grandparents >were William and Elinder LEAIRD. The family name has been spelled in a >variety of ways. The family spells it Laird today. William and Elinder were >from South Carolina and moved to Alabama in the early 1800's. The second >oldest son migrated to northwest Florida and was found in the 1860 federal >census for Walton County. Ring any bells. I do not know if the LEAIRD >spelling was a misspelling on the part of the official recording the name or >if that is the way it was spelled originally. I have wondered if the McLeaird >family were related, but since William and Elinder are my brick wall, I have >no idea. > >Sarah > > >==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== >Laird Resource Page: >http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/l/a/LAIRD/ > >

My earliest known Laird is - M.C Laird (his first and middle initials are all I have) was born in Arkansas approx 1877. He married Pearl Hopkins, also from Arkansas. She is said to be part or full blooded Cherokee. Together they moved to Truckee, Nevada County, CA, where they were found in the 1910 census with their olderst child, Viola Mae. They had two more children, Orville Manuel and Horace Dean. In the early 20's Pearl took the three children and moved to Phoenix, Arizona. From that point on, M.C. was seldom heard from. Thanks!! Karen Laird-Olson

Well James died in Indiana and Julia headed west with her kids Jabez Hammond and Maria Hammond to Cowley County, KS I believe. I think that they all are buried south of Winfield in the Tannehill Cemetery. Jabez married Nancy Tannehill and Maria married Richard Tannehill (Nancy's Dad). Jabez died 12/27/1883 in Winfield according to my notes. Julia died 9/4/1883 in Winfield too. I have received no replies to my query to the Laird list yesterday. Iam I correct to assume that we are the only descendants of our Samuel Lard presently on the list.? Wondering if you have made other contacts through this list. I am envious of your trip to Kansas. Hopefully someday I will able to go back there too and dig.You lucky retired girl.Have you been to the Kansas History Museum in Topeka? There has to be some good stuff on the family there. Pat ----- Original Message ----- From: <Sharon4mus@aol.com> To: <LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 14, 2000 2:55 PM Subject: Re: [LAIRD] Samuel Lard > Hi, Pat! Welcome to the Laird list. That was my post you answered. By the > way, I am planning a research trip to Kansas, and to order some microfilm on > interlibrary loan. Let's communicate about things we both need. What township > did James and Julia Hammond live in? I want to search the Kansas State Census > - knowing the township will certainly help cut down lost time. > Your "Cousin", > Sharon Seaver > Wildwood, MO > > > ==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== > Laird Resource Page: > http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/l/a/LAIRD/ >

Tena, I have been waiting to send the newsletter to Robert in hopes that I would hear from you. Please e-mail me, lets work on your first generation and then post your information to the newsletter. I am sorry that we did not get this taken care of back in August when I first planned to write to you but I got so busy that I forgot. I am so glad that you did not leave the Laird list. We are a very nice family that believes in helping each other. With Love, Patricia Laird Howard