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Archiver > SCT-ISLEOFMULL > 1999-04 > 0923407245


From: "Mary M. Hoff" <>
Subject: Re: Surnames and work in Glasgow
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 07:00:45 -0700


Jennifer Chandler wrote:

<On the emigration entitlement certificate (1838) for my ancestor's wife
<Mary it is written that she is Mary McKINNON daughter of Duncan MacDONALD
<and his wife Anne.
<Would this mean that ANN's maiden surname was McKINNON? and Mary was known
<as that name or would it be an error on the document?

Could be either. It could simply be an error. What you need to do is find
another source to verify the information, such as her marriage or christening
record. If she was from Kilninian & Kilmore, you should be able to find a
christening record. If she was the "lawful" (legitimate) daughter of Duncan
MacDonald, she should have his surname and be Mary MacDonald. If she was the
"natural" (illegitimate) daughter she would have taken her mother's surname.
Another possibility is that she was married before and McKinnon was her first
husband's name.

<2. On the same document (1838), this Mary McKINNON was from the united
<parishes of Kilninian and Kilmore and it states she was "5 years in service
<in Glasgow and neighbourhood". How conceivable is that? Glasgow seems a
<long way from Penmore (which I beleive is where she was from) Given that
<she had 2 children, one 6 years old and one 1 year.

Service in Glasgow is highly likely. Many Mull families sent their older
children to Glasgow--the girls to work in service or the mills and the boys to
the mills or shipyards to supplement the family income. They usually went for
the summer--after the crops were planted--and stayed until harvest time. Those
that were able to find good jobs often stayed on and sent money home. Mary may
have found a good position in service and stayed for 5 years.

Hope this helps.

Mary McLean Hoff
Tustin, California

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