FYI
I have researched my Collison branch for several years and so far have
not found a connection to the Collison's, Callison's (etal) who
populated the East coast of the US. It seems most of them came from
England and were more prosperous than my Collison branch.
My early ancestor, John Collison, was purportedly born in Ireland in 1765
? (I know not where) but came to the Americas between 1765 and 1778 when
he enlisted with the British in the American Revolution. For his 5 years
of service to the Crown he was given land in Dundas Co. Ontario, Canada.
That is as far back as I have been able to trace that line. I am a 6th
direct descendant of that John Collison. There were other Collison's
families in Ontario and New Brunswick Canada that were not related and
again my information indicated they were English. They did not mix or
socialize with each other to my knowledge.
Most of the generations that derived from my common ancestor listed their
descent as either Irish or Scotch on all records I have seen. [I saw a
few listed as German but I am convinced that was because of the Spouse's
descendents and probably the one who reported the data]. I never once
saw any reference to being Scandinavian. [Collisson's and other
variations of the name yes, but no relations to us.]
I tend to think this Collison branch came from Scotland at some point in
time to Ireland and then on to the USA. John's parents lived "near
Boston" as reported by a grandson in a document. This would have been
after their migration to America after leaving Ireland. No passenger
lists have been found to verify when they emigrated. I am sure they did
not swim.
Lore has it that John's father was from Ireland and his mother from
England but I have no documentation to support this.
I have corresponded with a Collison researcher in England whose file go
back to the 15th century and he has found no connection to my Collison
branch in his research. So right now I have an orphan branch which
doesn't seem to fit anywhere. So the hunt continues.
Lloyd Collison
Garden Grove, California