John 'Brown' MacNeil b. Barra ca. 1756.....

[DonnaMarilyn]

Seeking details of my direct ancestor John MacNeil, born on Barra ca. 1756. In 1778 he enlisted in the 82nd Regiment and travelled to the US where he fought under General Cornwallis in the American War of Independence. In ca. 1783 he travelled to Halifax, NS, Canada, where the Regiment was disbanded. He then took up a land grant in a place called Malignant Cove.

He was known as John 'Brown' Macneil because of his hair colour and to distinguish him from the three other John MacNeils from Barra who were in the same Regiment. In NS he married a Mary Grant. They had several children. I have plenty of details regarding his descendents but am keen to find - if possible - details of John 'Brown' MacNeil's parents and place of birth on Barra.
The story goes that when he enlisted in 1778 it was to take the place of a brother who had been conscripted and was subsequently 'released' when John enlisted.

I understand that in Scotland no BMD records prior to 1805 exist, but am hoping against hope to come across someone from Barra or with knowledge of Barra history who might be able to help. I'm an incorrigible romantic who still believes that somewhere there might be an old shoebox full of pre-1805 documents/letters about Barra MacNeils.

Any assistance much appreciated. Thanks!

Donna

[AndrewP]

I understand that in Scotland no BMD records prior to 1805 exist, but am hoping against hope to come across someone from Barra or with knowledge of Barra history who might be able to help. I'm an incorrigible romantic who still believes that somewhere there might be an old shoebox full of pre-1805 documents/letters about Barra MacNeils.

Hi Donna,

Welcome to TalkingScot,

According to the list of Old Parish Records for Scotland, you won't get as far back as 1805 in Barra. The list quotes: births: 1836-1854; marriages: 1847-1854; and deaths: 1849-1854. There should be complete civil registration records since 1855 available from the General Register Office for Scotland. As for older records, the possibilities that I can think of are the Kirk Session minutes or if you can find any records pertaining to the Roman Catholic Church on Barra.

All the best,

Andrew Paterson

[DonnaMarilyn]

Thanks, Andrew. I'll have to see if I can track anything down via the Church on Barra.

Donna