McMEEKIN/McNEILLY .....

JustJean · Post by **JustJean** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:12 pm

I’ve dusted off my Ulster files and I’m looking for any advice/guidance/commiseration that is available!

I’m looking for Robert McMEEKIN and his wife Margaret McNEILLY in Ulster and most likely County Antrim. The only surviving offspring that I have found are James, Agnes, Margaret, and Helen in that order. First appearance in Scotland for this family is the 1851 census. Helen is not born yet and all others born Ireland.

Robert died 10 July 1859 in Maryhill Glasgow age 56. Informant is William ALLAN nephew. Parents are named Robert McMEEKIN and Helen McCULLOCH. I think this nephew was raised in the McMeekin household as he appears in the 1851 census living with them in Campsie. At that time William ALLAN is 7 years old.

Margaret (McNEILLY) McMEEKIN dies 10 August 1880 in Maryhill Glasgow age 59. Informant is her married daughter Helen HENDERSON. Parents are named David McNEILLY and Agnes CATHCART.

I have no knowledge of any siblings to either Robert or Margaret other than the existence of the nephew indicating that one of them did have one. I have attempted tracking down various McMEEKIN information in Scotland looking for same parents but to no avail. I also seem to have lost William ALLAN after 1859. Would really like to have that 1861 census index.

Beginning research in Ireland I have a Robert McMEEKIN listed in Townland of Coggay, Parish of Grange of Doagh in 1834. This might be my Robert or his father. I can’t find any David McNEILLY anywhere. There is however a Jeremiah McNEILLY listed as a freeholder in Fernisky. Jeremiah McNeilly McMEEKIN was the name given to the firstborn son of the above James son of Robert and Margaret. I can’t help but see this as a critical clue.

Further research in the Griffiths Valuation shows me that in County Antrim, Parish of Connor the surnames McNELY/McNEILLY/McNEILY and one ALLEN appear in Fernisky and nearly next door in Lislunnan there are McMICKEN , CATHCART, and one more ALLEN. Connor is a bit of hop over from Grange of Doagh though. All the McMEEKINs from the IGI are mostly from around Ballyclare/Ballyeaston area.

I’ve had contact with a CATHCART one name researcher who confirms that this name was central to the Connor area. He had no knowledge of an Agnes that fit my time frame. Have had contact with another McNEILLY researcher who still has lines living in Ireland today and has several occurrences of the first name Jeremiah in his tree but no David and no knowledge of a Margaret that fits my time frame.

I have no way of verifying the ages of Robert and Margaret but it does appear that he was a bit older than she. It’s possible that she was a 2nd wife although there is no mention of any other parents names for any of the 4 offspring. It looks like I’m in the ballpark but can’t find my seats. Any insights on what I could be overlooking or suggestions for further research?

Here's hoping.....

Jean

HK · Post by HK » Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:25 pm

I think I'll head back to the Library later this week Jean and get the names of those other McMeekin's and their background.Maybe we'll be lucky and find out their related afterall.The whole family was listed if I'm not mistaken.Maybe you'll recognize a patern in the names.
HK

Post by **Merlot** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:19 pm

Jean.
From 1861 Census

McMeiken
Margaret /44/ Ireland/622/1
Margaret /17/ Ireland
Ellen /9/ Stirling, Campsie

I'll have another look for James using McMeiken. Do you have an age for him?
I couldn't see anything for William Allan, was he born Ireland in the 1851 census?

Cheers,
Merlot

JustJean · Post by **JustJean** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:56 pm

Hi Heather and thanks for checking the McMEEKIN surname. It's a real long shot but you never know!

Hi Merlot and thanks for checking the 1861 census. I had found Mother Margaret with daughters Margaret and Helen living in Maryhill from hiring in the 1861 Maryhill census at my FHC. I also have James and wife Jane and family living in Dalry. The other daughter Agnes was married to John Robinson and living in New Kilpatrick. I was only missing William Allan from the census and was hoping for an index of the whole country to search for him!! I suppose he might have enlisted....have never tried to pursue that avenue but have no way of identifying him unless he states something about McMEEKIN or McNEILLY surnames. I even tracked down a William ALLAN that stated he was born in Campsie and found his death but that didn't seem to pan out either. The 1851 census does state that William ALLAN was born Ireland as are all the other family members. In later census years James McMEEKIN changes to saying he was born in Campsie instead of Ireland but this is highly doubtful. James line is my direct one.

I appreciate your efforts!!
Jean

Post by **Merlot** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 10:59 pm

Jean,
While I was looking for your McMeekins I came across a Neil McMillan born Campbeltown living with wife Ann and Daughter Grace. Now, I've been looking for a Neil McMillan for ages so I had a look on IGI to find out when he married Ann then thought I'd spend a few bob on SP to see if he was one of mine and EUREKA it was him

. I've now got his MC and DC. So Jean, thank you very much for your post because I didn't even know he was living in Glasgow and this was a million to one shot.
Cheers,
Merlot

JustJean · Post by **JustJean** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:11 am

Hi Merlot

Well done!! =D> Now about my McMeekins and McNeillys..... 8-[ ....someone?...anyone??? [-o<