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

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

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