"UNCLE" CHARLES OGILVIE

The family story is that Susan Ogilvie McFarland's cousin "Charlie" Ogilvie talked James and Susan into moving to Canada and that he traveled with them. Charlie's dad, William, was a brother to Susan's mother. He was known as "Uncle" Charlie for most of his life in Canada and Iowa. We have documentation as to Charlie and the family of James and Susan in Canada and then in Emmet County, IA.

The 1836-1925 Iowa State Census Collection lists personal information for Charles that may be useful in additional research in finding the right Ogilvies for Susan's family. He lists his mother's name as Susan Gilbert and his father as William Ogilvie. Both born in Scotland. The Census date is
1 Jan 1925 and Charlie's estimated birth year is 1833. [Note: Spelled OGILVIE in the Census.] Barbara Jacobson's letter says Charlie was born 2 Nov 1832, South Kirriemuir, Forfarshire (now Angus), Scotland, and died 12 May 1925 at Armstrong, Emmet, Iowa. I know I have his obituary someplace. Will verify.

3/29/07: Located the marriage of William Ogilvy and Susan Gilbert on Scotlands People. Banns/Marriage date: 30 Jun 1828, Ruthven Parish, Angus County. [NOTE: Spelled OGILVY this time.]

Also located the births of four children of William Ogilvy and Susan Gilbert. They are as follows: Robert, b. 10 Jul 1830; Robert, b. 4 Nov 1832 (I think this is "Charlie"); James, b. 31 Aug 1834; Susan, b. 7 Aug 1836. All were born at Kirriemuir, Angus.

My thought is the census taker either wrote it down wrong or the person transcribing the records for the web site messed up. The day is within two of our recorded date. The records on Scotlands People show births and baptisms together with no differentiation.

I remember Genealogist Fenwick in Scotland telling me census takers would take notes and then transcribe them into their books at night. Often would mishandle a date or name. He said you can usually tell by how neatly or uniformly the names are entered on the census pages. If they were actually carrying the book with them there would likely be smears, smudges, variance in style of entry, etc. One has to think of the period and conditions in which these records were created.

Also we have heard that sometimes if a child of a given name died early the next child of that sex would be named the same as the one who died. Not knowing when any of these children died that may be a possibility?

It does cause us to want to look for both a Robert and a Charles as we research ship passenger lists, etc. as he may actually have been a Robert Charles or one or the other. Reminds me of George Foreman naming all his boys George.

EARLY SCOTLAND PARISH MAP

For those wishing to see a parish map showing the relationship of Angus, Kincardineshire, etc. click on the link. This is an early 1800's map I believe. Once the map appears click on it and a small directional icon will appear in the lower right corner that will allow you to enlarge the map.

DAME NELLIE MELBA and KINCARDINESHIRE

In searching the Mitchell surnames and clans I found the following: "Helen Mitchell, the daughter of a Mearns farmer is better known as Dame Nellie Melba...". (www.kilts.co.nz/mitclan.htm). Wikipedia says Mearns is also known as the County of Kincardine or Kincardineshire. The new Mitchell family I found and discuss under the "Change of Direction" post is in Kincardineshire. This poses the question as to whether David of Australia was a farmer in Scotland for awhile before going to Australia? He would have been about 25 years old when he left. I don't think his farming in Scotland was mentioned in Lady Vestey's book (although I will check it)? This curiously places Dame Nellie's family and this new family in the same area. Might this support the "cousin" possibility mentioned in the Barbara Jacobson letter? The David in the newly found Kincardineshire family was born in 1814. We believe the Australia David was born in 1829 so I think these are two different Davids. I am communicating with that web site to see if we can determine the source of that "Mearns" information. NOTE: You may have to click on "Old Posts" or "A Shift In Direction" title to the right to find that post.

VILLAGES OF ANGUS COUNTY, SCOTLAND

To help with our research I have compiled a list of many of the villages in Angus County, Scotland so that we have quick place to refer to as we are researching information and wondering if locations may be proximal to where we think James and Susan originated. The villages are: Aberlemno, Arbirlot, Arbroath, Barry, Brechin, Bridgend of Lintrathen, Broughty Ferry, Carmyllie, Carnoustie, Craichie, Dundee, Easter Meathie, Edzell, Farnell, Fern (Fearn), Forfar, Friockheim, Hillside, Inverarity, Kettins, Kinnell, Kirkhill, Kirkton of Glenisla, Kirriemuir, Liff, Logie, Logie Pert, Lunan, Monifieth, Monikie, Montrose, Muirhead, Newtyle, Old Montrose, Panbride, Rescobie, St Vigeans, Tennadice, Tealing, West Ferry and Westmuir.

NAME VARIANCES

For the purpose of future research I will list name variations here for the families we are following: MITCHELL, also MacMichael, MacMichell, Mechel, Meitchel, Michell, Michill, Michie, Michison, Mitchal, Mitchel, Mitchellson,Mitchill, Mitchison, Mitchol, Mitschael, Mitsschal, Mittchel, Mychell, Mytchell. McFARLAND, also McFarlane, Mac Farlan, MacFarland, Macfarlane, MacFarlene, MacFarlin, MacFarling, MacFarquhar, MacFarran, MacFarren. OGILVIE, also Ogelbie, Ogelby, Ogilbie, Ogilby, Ogilvy, Oglesby.

SUSAN & JAMES OBITUARIES

The obituaries for Susan and James provide some relevant details. The obituary for Susan McFarland Mitchell says in part: "She first saw a new light of day among the picturesque scenes of Forfarshire, Scotland, born in April 1830. Her maiden name was Susan McFarland...in 1851 married James..lived two years in England....16 years in Canada and remainder in eastern Emmet County." ( James was alive at the time this was written; it seems to set the last version of the spelling of her last name; month and date of birth; Forfarshire connection; marriage date; verification of time in England.) The obituary for James Mitchell says in part: "...was born in Forfarshire, Scotland on the 22nd of August 1822. " (Again, verifies a birthdate and the Forfarshire (now Angus County) connection.)

RE: ANDREW McFARLAND AND SUSAN OGILVY

Fellow researcher Lois Riekens reports that pictures of Andrew McFarland and Susan Ogilvy are at the town museum in Armstrong, IA and are noted as parents of our Susan Ogilvy McFarland. James and Susan lived in Armstrong after moving from Canada and are buried at the Armstrong Grove Cemetery.