Any MacNiven Family Information out there ?

[SarahND]

Mind you AnBette could be the new 2012 most popular baby name after my very poor typing skills .

I agree that it is not obvious to find Dorcas Fraser in the census before her marriage. Have you seen her death certificate?

Dorcas McNiven, other surname Fraser died in Bothwell, Lanark in 1930, age 81.

The marriage between Duncan McNiven and Dorcas Fraser took place in Kilfinichen, Argyll in 1872.

Both of the above records should give her parents' names and help you track her down.

Regards,
Sarah

[nelmit]

This is the only census I can find what looks likely for Dorcas at the moment -

1851 Bolnaluib, Gairloch

Murdo Fraser 30 Slater born Ross shire
Margaret Mclean 21 born Ullapool
Dorcas Fraser 2 born Ullapool
Anna Mckenzie mother in law born Ullapool
Mary Campbell house servant

Like Sarah says a look at the marriage should give her parents names.

Regards,
Annette

[SarahND]

Hi Annette,
That's the only one I found too, and although she says (or the Ancestry transcriber says) in 1891 that she was born on Mull, in 1881 she says Lochbroom, Ross and in 1901 Stornoway, Ross... So I think it stands a good chance of being her in 1851. It would be nice to get confirmation by a look at her marriage and death certs.

Cheers,
Sarah

[speleobat2]

Hi all,

Had a few extra credits and with husband in the hospital, some extra time so I looked up Dorcas' death cert. from the post above. She is shown as widow of Duncan MacNiven, shepard. Parents are Murdock Fraser, missionary and Margaret McLean. Daughter Mary was the informant, but I couldn't read Mary's last name. It didn't look like MacNiven so she must have married.

Carol

[SarahND]

Parents are Murdock Fraser, missionary

No wonder he couldn't be found!! I wonder where he went as a missionary?
Interesting!!!

Sarah

[speleobat2]

Mary McNiven's parents were John McNiven and Mary McDougall. She is shown as wife of James McNiven, laborer and Lachlan, grandson was the informant on her death cert.

Carol

Wonder if she and James were cousins? Though there were probably a lot of McNivens about.

[nelmit]

Hi all,

Had a few extra credits and with husband in the hospital, some extra time so I looked up Dorcas' death cert. from the post above. She is shown as widow of Duncan MacNiven, shepard. Parents are Murdock Fraser, missionary and Margaret McLean. Daughter Mary was the informant, but I couldn't read Mary's last name. It didn't look like MacNiven so she must have married.

Carol

I had found the missionary in 1881 but wasn't too sure about the change of occupation from slater to missionary but it's definitely the right family.

Here they are in 1881 at the schoolhouse Lochbroom.

Murdo Fraser 57 Missionary
Maggie Fraser 55
Alexanderina Fraser 22
Annabella Fraser 18

Their son John was also a Missionary.

Regards,
Annette

ps Hope your husband gets well soon Carol

[speleobat2]

Thanks, Annette,

My husband had diverticulitis which perforated his intestine. The surgery went fine, but his intestine is being slow about waking up and functioning properly. Hope to have him home in a couple of days.

Good find for the missionary! I think he is shown as a teacher on his death cert. I mean on Mary's death cert.! OK, now I've confused myself! I'm sure that I saw him as a teacher somewhere!
Aha! He was a teacher on the marriage cert. for Dorcas and Duncan!

Carol

[DeborahM]

Hi All,
How does one chase the travels of a missionary ? I have bought credits on Scotland's people and accessed find my past. I will try immigration or outgoing passenger lists . Would there be an area I can access from the past that documented Scottish missionaries , or could anyone be called a missionary without any religious documentation ?
Hope I am not stretching the friendship on this great site by asking too many questions .
Deborah

[DeborahM]

Hi Carol,
Best wishes for your husband. Difficult times . Many thanks for your help. I appreciate your assistance especially during this trying time for you.
Deborah