Missing Great-grandma

[miw]

I am looking for help, please!!! My great-grandmother was Hannah Wilson nee McLean - Father Duncan Mother - Catherine Boyd. She was born at Shiaba, near Bunessan on the Island of Mull, ca 1840 (accordingto the age on her Marriage and Death Certificates). However she does not appear on the 1841 census with the family at Shiaba. The family appears on that census return as McLaine. The next sight I have of her is her Marriage in Cardross, Dunbartonshire on 31st December, 1867. I can find no trace of her or the family on either the 1851 or 1861 census. Also according to her Marriage Certificate both her parents are still living (at least they do not appear as deceased) but many hours of research can find no Death Certificate for either. I know that Shiaba was 'cleared' in the 1840s and that many of the residents went to Canada but I cannot believe that the family went to Canada and that she was either left behind or returned to a wee place like Cardoss where she met her husband Peter Wilson.

Another member of the family has done this same research independently and has had the same result and the same frustration.

We would both be grateful to be put out of our misery.

[SarahND]

Hello miw,
Have you had any success tracing any of Hannah's siblings? If you can find where they went it may shed light on where Hannah was also. I assume Hannah is not a version of the name Una who does appear on the 1841 census...

All the best,
Sarah

[AnneM]

Hi there

Could this be her in 1861 in Mearns

Hannah Mclean
Age: 22
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1839
Relationship: Servant
Gender: Female
Where born: Arras, Mull
Registration Number: 571
Registration district: Mearns
Civil parish: Mearns
County: Renfrewshire
Address: Balgray Mains
Occupation: Farm Servant
ED: 7
Household schedule number: 8
Line: 7
Roll: CSSCT1861_79
Household Members: Name Age
William Fleming 40
Janet Fleming 36
Margret Fleming 16
Alexander Fleming 14
Isabella Fleming 11
Thomas Fleming 11
Janet Fleming 4 MO
Donald McKenacher 24
George Logan 17
Hannah Mclean 22

That would fit with her marrying in Cardross. Not sure what Arras is really but don't have any sP credits to check.

Anne

[AnneM]

Could this be brother Hector in 1851?

Hector Mclean
Age: 22
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1829
Relationship: Lodger
Gender: Male
Where born: Mull, Argylshire
Parish Number: 564
Civil parish: Greenock Middle
Town: Greenock
County: Renfrewshire
Address: Minister's C
Occupation: Ap Ship Carpenter
ED: 38
Page: 8 (click to see others on page)
Household schedule number: 29
Line: 4
Roll: CSSCT1851_118
Household Members: Name Age
Hector Mclean 50
Catharine Mclean 35
Ann Mcfail 40
Hector Mclean 22
Hugh Mckinnon 20
Donald Mckinnon 28
Neil Fletcher

Anne

[miw]

Sarah and Anne,

Very many thanks for your thoughts and suggestions. I will certainly have a look at the census records you suggest.
Hannah's sister Margaret also died in Cardross but she was unmarried. I know that Una is the Gaelic form of Agnes but is it also another version off Hannah?

Thanks again

Maureen

[nelmit]

They did have a daughter Una in 1835.

If you have Ancestry - go to the old search, then 1851 Scotland - put Argyll in the county box and Seaba in the address box - no need for any names. The transcription is all over the place and I'm wondering if the original is the same. The only 'maybe' I can see is a Duncan McLean age 12 living with his aunt Ann Mclean. It's certainly worth a browse anyway.

Regards,
Annette

[SandySandilands]

I know that Una is the Gaelic form of Agnes but is it also another version off Hannah?

I have found this website useful http://www.whatsinaname.net/

It never fails to surprise me the different variations perople used in those days. I have often come across:

Peter/Philip/Patrick
Jane/Jessie/Janet/Mary/Agnes
Hugh/John/George.

11 names but only 3 people! Talk about confusing

Sandy

[miw]

Annette

Many thanks for the information. I don't have Ancestry at home but I do use the facility at the Mitchell Library. Shall have a look next time I'm there.

Sandy

Did as you suggested and sure enough Una is a 'Lesser Synonym' for Hannah so maybe the baby born in 1835 is great-grandma McLean.

Every small step forward is a bonus. Thank you both

Maureen

[nelmit]

Annette

Many thanks for the information. I don't have Ancestry at home but I do use the facility at the Mitchell Library. Shall have a look next time I'm there.

Remember you can use ancestry at any Glasgow Library

Sandy

Did as you suggested and sure enough Una is a 'Lesser Synonym' for Hannah so maybe the baby born in 1835 is great-grandma McLean.

Every small step forward is a bonus. Thank you both

Maureen

John and Catherine did have a daughter born 1834 called Una.

UNA MACLEAN

Birth:
17 DEC 1834
Christening:
23 APR 1835 Kilfinichen And Kilvickeon, Argyll, Scotland

Parents:
Father: DUNCAN MACLEAN
Family
Mother: CATHRINE BOYD

Regards,
Annette

[miw]

I have been thinking about this Family McLean and also Hannah and Peter Wilson's children and it strikes me as strange that among their 8 children there was no sign of a Duncan or a Catherine. We have researched and accounted for all Hannah and Peter's children and their descendants and neiher Duncan nor Catherine appear in any of the family lines. This brick wall just keeps getting higher and thicker.

Would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions

Maureen