SCT-ISLAY-L Archives

Archiver > SCT-ISLAY > 2002-11 > 1036414348


From: "Toni Sinclair" <>
Subject: Re: [SCT-ISLAY] marriage Archibald Sinclair to Catherine McKellar or Johnston
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 07:52:28 -0500
References: <003001c2833e$f7773170$abb6e2d1@woody> <004001c28354$2d4a97f0$a0af9c18@cr832957a> <000801c283f1$c915c7c0$1e427ad5@JOHNMACFARLANE>


I AM STUNNED!!!

Valerie,
This is such amazing information! I just have to keep reading it over and
over again. Most of our trip to Scotland last summer was focused on
researching this branch of the Sinclairs, because I was at a brick wall with
our branch (who lived across the road, and were probably cousins). My plan
of attack was to get farther back in the Archibald branch, since they were
involved in printing and publishing, so hopefully I would find a
biography,or (wishful thinking) even an autobiography.

I've researched in the Mitchell Library, where I couldn't find much except
the Post Office Directory, which at least showed where they lived at certain
times. That was helpful with census searches. Further research at the
Museum of Islay Life uncovered several copies of the annual programs of the
Glasgow Islay Association, of which Archibald Sr. was the first president in
1862. His son, Archibald, was also a founding member at the age of 12.
These programs gave quite a good accounting of some of their early members,
and someday I hope someone will write a History of the Association, which is
still very active in Glasgow today. (I even dropped in on one of their
meetings last June).

Very recently, after to a tip off from our list member, Helen Campbell
Blair, I discovered that there was an article written about Archibald
Sinclair and the Celtic Press, in a 1990 issue of a magazine called
"Scottish Book Collector". After several tries to order a back issue, Roger
McWee came to the rescue and obtained it for me. (Thanks to both these
friends! This list is SO great!). I'm now trying to contact the writer, a
Mr. Coventry to see what reference material he might still have. (I've
spoken with several people by that name in the last couple of weeks, and I
think I've narrowed the search down -but he's either on the phone/internet a
lot, or he's not at home. I'll get him.

Well, that doesn't tell you very much, but I will get this family history in
order (since I just learned so much more this weekend), and will be
delighted to share what I have. By the way, Im sure that the Johnston
researchers are also buzzing with excitement. You've contributed a lot of
great information, Valerie. Thank you so very, very much!

This is what I call a "champaign day."

Cheers!
Toni Sinclair, Niagara, Canada




----- Original Message -----
From: "John Macfarlane" <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2002 6:03 AM
Subject: Re: [SCT-ISLAY] marriage Archibald Sinclair to Catherine McKellar
or Johnston


> Hi Toni
> I am a grand -niece of Catherine Johnston and am researching the Johnston
> family from my home here on the West Coast of Scotland. Here are the
details
> as known by us regarding the Islay Sinclairs and Catherine
> Johnston.Catherine was born in 1848 , possibly at Neriby Islay. The family
> later farmed Tallant near Bowmore. Her brothers and sisters were Janet b.
> 1841 (fate unknown) Archibald b. 1845 d. 1921, a doctor/surgeon in Glasgow
> who retired to Islay, farmed Cladville and later built the house called
> Abbotsford at Bruichladdich now a hotel, James b. 1850 d. 1919 unmarried
who
> farmed Wester Ellister near Portnahaven,Margaret (also possibly known as
> Jessie) b. 1853 d. 1919 unmarried and lived as housekeeper for brother
> James, Isabella b. 1856 d. 1943 in Bowmore unmarried and sent me a
> christening gift on my birth in 1941,and finally my grandfather Alexander
a
> doctor b. 1858 and died 1931 in Methven Perthshire. Catherine Johnston's
> parents were Alexander Johnston b 1805 in Neriby or possibly Corrary
d.1874
> in Tallant and her mother was Margaret Cowan b. 1820 Bothwell Lanarkshire
d.
> 1901 at Wester Ellister. Alexander(1805)'s parents were Archibald Johnston
> b. 1777 and Catherine Keith born(?) m. 1805 at Neriby.Archibald's parents
> were Alexander Johnston b. 1750 and Isa(bell) Dallas(dates currently
> unknown) and Alexander's parents were Ronald Johnston and Martha Graham m.
> 1748.I have a note of other siblings in the relevant generation and can
> provide if required!
> Turning to the Sinclairs, as well as daughter Margaret, Archibald and
> Catherine had two sons that we know of, both unmarried, Archibald b. 1880
> Rutherglen Lanarkshire and Islay Sinclair. Archibald took over the Celtic
> Press after his father and we have many fine books printed by the firm.
His
> brother Islay Sinclair was a Doctor in Stepps Lanarkshire. My father
Doctor
> Oswald Johnston was in touch with both his cousins.They appear to have
been
> lay-preachers and noted contributors to Highland society in Glasgow - so
> much so that Professor Donald Meek of Edinburgh University Celtic
Department
> is doing research on them for a short biography of them in a monograph on
> the contribution of Highland stock to the life of 19th/20th Century
> Glasgow. We will keep you posted on the progress of that.
> Any information on the Sinclairs or on the above Johnston family tree
would
> be gratefully received!!
>
> Valerie Macfarlane (nee Johnston)
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Helen Campbell Blair" <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Sunday, November 03, 2002 4:15 PM
> Subject: Re: [SCT-ISLAY] marriage Archibald Sinclair to Catherine McKellar
> or Johnston
>
>
> > Toni
> > Have you looked for Arch's death - or was he still in Scotland ? If he
> was,
> > and if you can narrow the search down to one likely candidate, the
images
> > for 1855-1851 are available on-line and would likely be very revealing.
> > Lots of 'ifs'
> > Helen
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Toni Sinclair" <>
> > To: <>
> > Sent: Sunday, November 03, 2002 8:43 AM
> > Subject: [SCT-ISLAY] marriage Archibald Sinclair to Catherine McKellar
or
> > Johnston
> >
> >
> > > Hi all,
> > > I'm having lots of fun with Scotlandspeople.gov.uk, and have found
quite
> a
> > lot of answers to some of my more-burning questions, except this one:
> > >
> > > I found in the 1891 census Archibald Sinclair, age 40, and his wife,
> > Catherine (age not legible), but she was born on ISLAY, with their
> children,
> > starting with Maggie, age 13. Therefore, they probably married in the
mid
> > 1870s.
> > >
> > > I did a search for marriages in that timeframe, and found 2:
> > >
> > > 1875 to Catherine McKellar, at Greenock West, and
> > > 1877 to Catherine Johnston, Hutchesontown.
> > >
> > > Do any of you McKellar or Johnstons have a Catherine who married
> Archibald
> > Sinclair (Jr.), printer of Glasgow?
> > >
> > > Toni
> > >
> > >
> > > ==== SCT-ISLAY Mailing List ====
> > > To find an Excel Spreadsheet with many 1855-1870 deaths on Islay go to
> > > http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~steve/islay/ftp/ted/tedswork.xls
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > ==== SCT-ISLAY Mailing List ====
> > To find an Excel Spreadsheet with many 1855-1870 deaths on Islay go to
> > http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~steve/islay/ftp/ted/tedswork.xls
> >
>
>
>
> ==== SCT-ISLAY Mailing List ====
> Here are some links related to the Isle of Islay:
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~steve/islay/links.htm
>
>


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