My McDonald Roots

[LJMcDonald]

I am starting to look back at my family history particularly on my fathers side. This is really an attempt to see If I can trace back far enough to to determine which branch of the Clan Donald we belong to.
My grandfather (Alexander McDonald) was born in Muiravonside parish in 1916, and from what I can gather his father, also Alexander was a miner at Crosscroes pit. My great grandfather was married to Margaret Walker in 1915 at The Manse, Reddingmuirhead. From that marriage certificate I found his parents, again Alexander McDonald who married Agnes Wilson at New Monkland in 1887, residing at Meadowfield. From that certificate I found the names of my GGG Grandparents John McDonald and Mary. It is with Mary that I have hit my first problem as I can't determine her maiden name from the downloaded certificate. Looks very much like Wood or Hood but could just as easily be Herd.
As I'm quite new to this I would appreciate any advice on the the best way to proceed. And also if anyone has any Information about any of the places I mentioned that would be great.

Many Thanks
Lee McDonald
Edinburgh

It's thanks to the David Mitchell episode of Who do you think you are? that I found out about this site

[fionamurray]

According to the IGi her name was Mary Wood and they married about 25th Sept 1853, Bathgate, West Lothian.

Best wishes

Fiona

[LesleyB]

Hi LJMcDonald
..and welcome to Talking Scot

The IGI that Fiona has mentioned can be found at www.familysearch.org, then click on Search REcords > Adnvanced Search, then International Genealogical Index.
It is a very useful free resource which can be a great help with your research, especialy for Scottish research if used in conjunction with the official records at Scotlands People.

Best wishes
Lesley

[LJMcDonald]

Fiona and Lesley, many thanks. I wasn't even aware of the IGI but I'll certainly be using it now.

Thanks again

Lee

[gareth barr]

I am starting to look back at my family history particularly on my fathers side. This is really an attempt to see If I can trace back far enough to to determine which branch of the Clan Donald we belong to.
My grandfather (Alexander McDonald) was born in Muiravonside parish in 1916, and from what I can gather his father, also Alexander was a miner at Crosscroes pit. My great grandfather was married to Margaret Walker in 1915 at The Manse, Reddingmuirhead. From that marriage certificate I found his parents, again Alexander McDonald who married Agnes Wilson at New Monkland in 1887, residing at Meadowfield. From that certificate I found the names of my GGG Grandparents John McDonald and Mary. It is with Mary that I have hit my first problem as I can't determine her maiden name from the downloaded certificate. Looks very much like Wood or Hood but could just as easily be Herd.
As I'm quite new to this I would appreciate any advice on the the best way to proceed. And also if anyone has any Information about any of the places I mentioned that would be great.

Many Thanks
Lee McDonald
Edinburgh

It's thanks to the David Mitchell episode of Who do you think you are? that I found out about this site

[gareth barr]

Hi LJ McDonald

My name is Gareth Barr and i think we may be related.
Your greatgrandfather Alexander McDonald,was i think
my grandmother Elizabeth McDonalds brother.If you
wish we could exchange information. That would be
nice.

Thanks for your time

Gareth

[Russell]

Hi Gareth
Welcome to TalkingScot. Its very satisfying for us when a family name on our website brings in a new member. Lynn hasn't posted for a couple of years but if she still has the same e-mail you could try sending her a Personal Message (The PM button under her name on the right of her last post) If she is still working on her family tree she will be delighted to hear from you.

Russell