I am new to this particular list and looking for connections to the above families. I have some pre and some post 1855 information. John MCSPORRAN m Mary MCMURCHY 1828 C'Town Child: Duncan b 1839 Duncan McSPORRAN m Elizabeth McGREGOR 1862 Southend Children: John, Archibald, Mary, Rachel, Donald John McSPORRAN m Mary MCCAIG ms MCKINNON 1886 Southend Child: Thomas Thomas McSPORRAN m Isabella Isabella HARVIE or GIBB 1918 Glasgow Children: John, Thomas John McSPORRAN m Elizabeth SWEENEY Glasgow ca1941 Ruth in Sydney

Hello Ruth, Welcome to the list. I have a Susan McSporran daughter of John and Mary (cousins both McSporran) who were married in 1844. Susan, who ws born in Killean and Kilchenzie, married John McNeill in 1870 and they eventually went to Canada. But one of John McNeill's brothers went to Australia on his 21st birthday in 1869 and died in Victoria in 1871. As far as I know he went alone but I am wondering if he had friends or cousins somewhere in Australia. His death certificate is very sad - they didn't know much about him. Some of my McNeills went to Campbeltown and some had connections with Southend. Best wishes, Mary in Perth, WA

Calendar's have always been an important part of the holiday season too. My mother got three Scottish ones for 2007. Although we are allowed to look at the pictures as the calendars arrived, we are absolutely not allowed to put them up before New Year's Day. It would be very bad luck to do that. The other traditon is that we phone each other right after midnight. With the five or six hour time change between Ontario and Scotland, it can be quite a challenge phoning just after midnight has struck with the person you are phoning. And finally, almost every year, our Scottish relatives send us Highland Tablet, made with sweetened condensed milk, not to be confused with fudge. And yes, we have the New Year's dinner and bring out the crackers and hats again. Cheers, Margaret

Having read thius email, I must apologies as I did not name my uncle Isaac. He was the Rev.Dr.Isaac L.Graham. John Dr.I.L.Graham was inducted to the Hamilton Charge on January 3, 1918. Isaac Lester Graham was born at Wauchope, New South Wales, in1888, and studied for his Master of Arts degree at the Universities of Sydney and Edinburgh in Scotland, before taking his theology degree at Edinburgh Free Church College. Hamilton was his first and only permanent charge, and he stayed for 46 years. Mr Graham established Free Presbyterian Churches at Byaduk and at Mt Eccles, and travelled to services there, as well as at Branxholme, at first with a horse and buggy, conducting three or four services every Sunday. The car must have made a tremendous difference to the time and the comfort of the miles travelled, even though the roads were not very good. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathleen Van Heuit" <[email protected]> To: "Les Horn" <[email protected]> Cc: "Argyll Rootsweb" <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 2:56 AM Subject: Re: [ARGYLL] Christmas customs > Amen to Les's comments. My mother, the 2nd generation Graham > descendant, wouldn't talk about the family at all. I learned far more > about them from her cousins who rather liked their family, but of > course I really regret not asking more questions--and writing things > down. My advice would be to talk with all the relatives. > > Kathleen VH > > On Jan 21, 2007, at 7:00 AM, Les Horn wrote: > > > Margaret wrote > > > >> My mother who just turned 96 and has an excellent memory, was in > >> Toronto > >> at Christmas and talked about Christmas "at home" in Aberfeldy, > >> Perthshire. She said that they would have a beef stew and as a > >> special > >> treat her mother would put sausage in it. That's it - no tree, no > >> presents. The family was Wee Free or Baptists. I believe she > >> said that > >> Christmas and Boxing day were not holidays (unless they fell on a > >> weekend) > >> and she worked those days. She is a very good source of local > >> history in > >> Aberfeldy, and emigrated to Canada in 1946 > > > > With such a valuable source I trust she's got the tape-recorder, or > > it's > > modern equivelent, out and is recording her mother's memories. I > > regret not > > having done so with my Mum before she died. > > > > Regards > > Les > > > > > > > > ------------------------------- > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to SCT-ARGYLL- > > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > > in the subject and the body of the message > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.4/643 - Release Date: 21/01/2007 5:12 PM > >

Wondering if anyone knows the death dates of this couple who lived and died at Campbeltown, Argyll...probably buried at Kilkerran, Cemetery? Anyone researching this family? Jen

I had an idea that even earlier, Hogmanay was pagan in origin. Janet ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> > > I've just had a look at the archives and realised I'm only receiving about > half the replies to this topic and in the wrong order it seems. > > I found an interesting web page regarding Scottish New Year at: > > http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A10358165 > > It is lists more but the part I was interested says:

Kathleen. First of all I must thank Jack mills for his email containg the tree Presbyterianism in Scotland, it saved me hunting through all my files. An aunt of mine married a"Wee Free" minister, which I had just took to b e another type of minster until his eldest daughter came to be married in her husband's old school chapel. My uncle helped to officiate at the ceremony. We walked into the chapel [which by the way was at a Church of England college and having been at a Presbyterian college was in "enemy territory. Imagine my surprise, no flowers and when the firs hymn started, no organ just my uncle leading the singing. He was 46 years the minister at the church in a large Victorian country city. Uncle Isaac had 3 children and his 2nd daughter also married a Wee Free minister. Whilst not knowing a great deal about the church, I know that NO work was carried out on the Sabbath, all meals being prepared the day before. I suggest to have some idea you might read a good book by Compton MacKenzie "Whisky Galore" and hopefully see a re-run on TV of the film of the same name. John ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathleen Van Heuit" <[email protected]> To: "MARGARET KIPP" <[email protected]> Cc: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 3:58 AM Subject: [ARGYLL] the "Wee Frees"? > Margaret Kipp has wisely suggested that I put my question to the > entire list. I had asked her what The "Wee Frees" were, as I had > never heard the term. > > She said she believed that it was the "... the Free Presbyterian > Church, they were extremely strict and were again things like > dancing (which is why my mother stopped going to church)." > > Does anyone have anything to add to Margaret's definition? Perhaps > my mother's family were "Wee Frees", which would explain why my > mother wasn't too crazy about them. > > I can't get over the different Christmas/New Year's celebrations. > Maybe the reason why Christmas has been such a big occasion in the US > for so many years is the fact that we have so many German > descendants, and Christmas has traditionally been a big deal in > Germany for a long time. I'm delighted to learn about Hogmanay and to > know that it has survived, and even survived Oliver Cromwell. > > Cheers, Kathleen VH > WA state > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.4/643 - Release Date: 21/01/2007 5:12 PM > >

Hi Ruth, You just got me wondering. When I saw MCGREGOR & Southend, I began to think more about something that has until now been only a small fact, but is possibly a clue. My ggggrandparents, Hugh MCGREGOR (1802 - 1874) & Mary HOUSTON (1809 - 1893) were married in Balquhidder, Perth, were natives to there (I believe) & had 3 sons there in 1833, 1834 & 1835, before moving to Southend sometime before 1839 when daughter Janet was born. By 1842, they were in South Knapdale, later in North Knapdale. The Southend stay was just a stop over we thought, but now I'm wondering - why Southend, Argyll in the first place? Were there other related MCGREGORs there? Any chance there were MCGREGORs (or others) from Balquhidder to be found in Southend in the early 1800s? We do know our MCGREGORs were very closely allied with CAMPBELLs. Hugh worked as over seer for CAMPBELLs at Taynish & at Inverneill (maybe at some Southend property too - very likely) & some of the MCGREGOR children were given CAMPBELL middle names. We figured it was the CAMPBELLs who brought Hugh & Mary to Argyll, but that still doesn't answer the question - why to Southend in particular? Any early history for your Elizabeth MCGREGOR, Ruth? Thanks very much! Mary Fletcher Harris Canada > Duncan McSPORRAN m Elizabeth McGREGOR 1862 Southend

Kirsten: Thanks for the photos of Susan & Henry. I don't know whether it is your Boyd family ?? But, I found a Mary Eleanor Douglas Boyd on the LDS - Family Search website, as follows; IGI Individual Record: Birth: 27 April, 1874 - Killarrow, Argyll, Scotland Parents: Gilbert Boyd & Susan Stewart. Hopefully, I will be going to the LDS - Family History Centre tomorrow & will search for a marriage regn. for Susan & Henry. John

Hi Morag, All that you said about Christmas & New Year's exactly coincides with what I know of my Argyll family & the holiday celebrations. My father was born in the 1930s, in a little cottage near Tyndrum in Glenorchy. His father was Argyll born too, in the 1890s. Again both were shepherds! My mother was Argyll born too, but spent some of her childhood with relatives in Fife. I don't remember Christmas being as big a deal as New Year's either. I remember our 1st Christmas in Canada (I was nearly 4) - my Canadian relatives were apalled that my parents weren't going to bother with a tree etc. & all arrived with lots of decorations, to give the children a Christmas. I do though remember the tartan tins of lovely shortbread that arrived from Scotland for New Year's. Another thing that I didn't connect to the importance of New Year's among the Scots until recently - the exchange of calendars. My parents used to send & receive probably 2 dozen calendars at one time (until everybody died off, I suppose). Christmas is a big deal now, with us here in Canada - my parents have 9 grandchildren & we have lots of decorations, food & presents. New Year's Day might be just a day off, like Boxing Day, for the most of us if it weren't for my parents, I think. We always have another big meal & get-together because they like to "keep" New Year's - it's important to them. Just wanted to add to that it was few years in this country before we really jumped on the Thanksgiving band wagon, being a North American tradition & not one we were used to. Another good excuse for a big turkey dinner & get-together, so it has stuck rather well! lol Sorry, this is starting to look rather off topic, but not really as everything we can learn about our ancestors' experiences - immigrant or otherwise - helps to flesh out the big story, I think. Mary Fletcher Harris Ontario, Canada formerly of Tayvallich, Argyll

Hello everyone. I've started a website!! Just something to do in my mid-seventies!! Naturally it is still "a work in progress" and the 'contact me' button doesn't work - I think! I have a list of all my McKellar names, to date, on there and if you are interested in McKellars, please go to www.lornamack.com I hope to have other family names there soon. Nothing like making a website to keep one out of mischief!! There's some other stuff on there, however I'm really trying hard to get the family tree in an acceptable form - watch that space!! Regards to all Lorna NZ

Thanks to all of you who are contributing to the various discussions of Scottish culturalk history. It is bot hinteresting and helpful, genealogically speaking. My Morrison GGgrandfather was a faramer and among other things a brewer of whiskey. His brother owned a tavern I am told. My question is, were most 18th century farmers in Argyleshire also brewers? That is, was this just a common thing that most farmers did (liked butchering hogs in the U.S.), or was it a more specialized activity, like "milling" perhaps? Glenn Morrison [email protected] EarthLink Revolves Around You.

I would be very interested in the illustration you speak of. Looking over the marriage certificates of my maternal and paternal ancestors, there is something of a mixture going on. The most recent I have is that of my Grand parents which states After Banns according to the Forms of the Church of Scotland, others I have refer to the "Established" Church of Scotland, another After Banns according to the Forms of the United Free Church of Scotland, and After Banns according to the Forms of the United Presbyterian Church and one After Banns according to the Free Church"....... nothing else. Others I have mention Wesleyan and Congregational, the latter of which I understand today is the United Reformed Church. I've wondered if they might not have been fully written up. It would certainly be useful if we could find some clarification on the matter. Janet Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, January 21, 2007 6:24 PM Subject: [ARGYLL] Celebrations? - the church. > > I am definitely no expert in this subject (I wish my dad was computer > literate as he so knowledgeable in all aspects of Scottish history) but..... > as far as I gather, the free church of Scotland emerged from the "disruption" > in 1843. and as far as I know the Free church of Scotland was reunited with > the established church of Scotland the - United Presbyterian Church of > Scotland to form the United Free Church of Scotland in 1929. > > My father has told me in the past that the "Free's" (in their pure form) are > still in existence (in a theological sense) on the Isle of Skye (or were), > they would demand that nothing was done on sunday's including travelling to the > island (of which is now beyond there control with the new(ish) bridge). > > I once saw a wonderful Illustration of scottish religion, over the years. I > will try and find it and post it here, I have a feeling it's on a website > connected to ayrshire. > > Regards > Morag > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hi Kathleen, David Greenhalgh has a very interesting page on Scotland's Churches. http://website.lineone.net/~davghalgh/churchhistory.html A rather complicated subject.... Jack

Hello list, I was surprised my previous post on Christmas traditions inspired so much comment. I do want to clarify my comment about my family being Wee Free or Baptists. I am descended on my grandfather's side from the Stewarts who lived in Craggantoul, Cragganester and Balnasuin near Lawers on the north side of Loch Tay. Prior to 1850 the Stewarts were known as the McCombichs (which means the companions in Gaelic). They came from Appin in the 1600's, we believe, accompanying the Lady of Lawers to Lochtayside. They were not Roman Catholic. Around about 1850 it seems quite a few of them were Baptists and I understand they held their meetings in houses. My mother's "old Aunt Kate" Stewart, 1844-1932 was a Wee Free and had a certain amount of influence over my mother when she was a child. How the Stewart/McCombichs made the jump from Baptists to Wee Free is something I don't know. I doubt if the answer is simple or straightforward. Margaret

Some interesting entries here in Wikipedia. Sheila in Missouri

First of all, let me say that I am a very new person to genealogy and I fully expect to be frustrated and embarassed by my lack of knowledge. Having said that I am searching for information concerning Jacob Patrick and wife Mary (Taylor) Patrick) As far as I can track, their son, Thomas J. Patrick, b. 1780 in Campbeltown, Argyll, is my ggg grand father. I have no idea as to when Thomas immigrated to the States, and I really would like to have additional information about Jacob and Mary. Any ideas??? Allison Things I learned in Ireland: Two make the road short.

Check out their website: http://www.freechurch.org/index.htm Sheila in Missouri

Margaret wrote > My mother who just turned 96 and has an excellent memory, was in Toronto > at Christmas and talked about Christmas "at home" in Aberfeldy, > Perthshire. She said that they would have a beef stew and as a special > treat her mother would put sausage in it. That's it - no tree, no > presents. The family was Wee Free or Baptists. I believe she said that > Christmas and Boxing day were not holidays (unless they fell on a weekend) > and she worked those days. She is a very good source of local history in > Aberfeldy, and emigrated to Canada in 1946 With such a valuable source I trust she's got the tape-recorder, or it's modern equivelent, out and is recording her mother's memories. I regret not having done so with my Mum before she died. Regards Les

Hi I may have missed someone posting this before. A diagram of the splits in the Scottish church from 1560 to 1929 can be found at: _http://uk.geocities.com/[email protected]/chart.html_ (http://uk.geocities.com/[email protected]/chart.html) Jo