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Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
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Message Board Post:
Hi John, good to hear from you! Yes I have been in touch with Stan quite a lot and I think
we've filled a few holes in for both of us - George was the missing 10th child of my
GGGG grandparents and our common ancestors. I'm still trying to trace back from them
but so far no joy, all I have is that Betsey McLennan died at her daughter Betsey
Riddell's home in Marshall County, Illinois in 1878 (probably late Feb). John died in
Scotland in 1839, before statutory death registration so nothing on him so far. I'm
pretty sure the Camerons weren't originally from Lochcarron as even in 1841 before the
mass emigrations from that area there were only 3 Cameron families in what was a very
large parish. I have a bit of circumstantial stuff but certainly clues rather than
evidence at this stage which might eventually lead me to the right place. One of the three
other families in 1841 originated in Fortingall and there are some similar christain names
plus a connection with Glensheildaig w!
here my GGG grandfather Hugh and his siter Harriet were in the 1841 census. There's
also a possible Kilmallie connection - your George seems to have lived in Kilmallie for at
least some time and married there before going to NZ, and I've just found out that
there was another Cameron family (Donald & Janet Melrose) who had a daughter Harriet
at about the same time as John & Betsey also had a Harriet ( and Harriet seems to have
been a very unusal Cameron name). I think I also found a connection with this couple and
George Cameron's wide Christina a few months back but didn't follow it up. Will
try and dig it out again and see if it leads anywhere and let you know if it does - maybe
is we're really lucky Donald and John were brothers and if Donald lived past 1855 we
can get his parents from his death cert. Crossing my fingers and will let you know but
I'm really busy at work at the moment so it could be a wee while.
Don't have any old photos I'm afraid. My GG grandfather (also John) died in 1918.
I have photos of his widow and his daughter Annie, my G grandmother, but she would be a
long way off from your family - the granddaughter of George's elder brother.
It's also just occurred to me that it's possible that the third brother, William,
ended up down under too? Don't suppose you have ever heard of him? He definately went
to Illinois and was there with mother, sister and brother Alexander in 1860 US census.
Betsey then married and mother went to live with her. Alexander went off to Iowa where he
worked as a miner for a couple of years and then headed out West to Washington Territory
where he made it good and became quite a prominent man. But after 1860 there's no
identifiable sign of William in Illinois, Iowa or Washington. I've kind of assumed
that he must have died some time between 1860 and 1870. But I suppose it's just
possible that he joined his brother George in NZ. So if you have heard of him please let
me know - you never know he may have left an obituary somewhere that might answer a lot of
questions, like Alexander's did!
Good to hear from you and will keep in touch if I make any progress - say hi to Stan if
you're in touch!
S