SCT-ISLAY-L Archives

From: Dixie Cutler <>
Subject: [SCT-ISLAY] Catherine McArthur, Kildalton, circa 1810
Date: Sat, 10 Aug 2002 20:38:59 -0700

Hi List,
Can any one help me solve this mystery?
My GGG grandmother was Catherine McArthur. All I know FOR SURE about her
is that she gave birth to a son (Colin McCaig -- illegitimate) in 1831
and that his baptism (13 years later) said she was "a native of
Kildalton."
Colin married in 1859 and put his mother down as "Catherine McCaig, m.s.
McArthur, dec."
Perhaps Colin never knew that there was no (at least by official church
standards) marriage between Lachlan McCaig (McCoag, etc. born 1809) and
Catherine. Also, perhaps, he only thought she was dead. As I said, the
baptism for him is the closest thing I have to a bit of solid information.
I have puzzled over this lady's identity for 6 years now and am no
closer to an answer. In June, we visited Kildalton, but the now-roofless
church refused to tell me what it may well know!
Searching the census information only told me that Colin was raised by
his father's parents (Alex McCoag and Flora McNeil at Nosebridge) and,
as Lachlan's next older brother was Colin (and none of the Catherines
had a Colin as father), I suspect even his first name leads only back to Lachlan.
In a last-ditch attempt to identify her, I have collected a list of
suspects -- all Catherine McArthur, all christened at Kildaton and
within a reasonable time frame to be her. Please glance over this list.
If any of these Catherines are yours, let me know what you know of them.
Obviously, if yours married someone (or died) before 1831, I can cross
that Catherine off my list. Maybe I can get it down to one or two!
Of course, I may never know. Unless I can cross off all but one, it is
just guesswork! Still, as she has been left in the weeds all these 171
years, I feel I owe her one last chance at an identity!
So, the list, in descending order of probability:
D.o. Duncan McA. and Mary McArthur -- 31 Dec 1814
D.o. Alexander McA. and Janet Reid -- 3 Oct 1813
D.o. Alexander -- 28 Oct 1811
D.o. Archibald and Margaret McNab -- 19 Jun 1808
D.o. Peter McA and Peggy Graham -- 21 Jun 1807
D.o. Duncan -- 23 Feb 1805
D.o. John -- 30 Nov 1803
D.o. Hugh -- 3 Nov 1802
D.o. Neil -- 14 Feb 1802
I know this list in incredible -- but if you can help me crack this, it
will be a miracle.
Dixie Cutler (AKA Sherlock Cutler)
Vancouver, Canada

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• [SCT-ISLAY] Catherine McArthur, Kildalton, circa 1810 by Dixie Cutler <>