I have a problem with a missing ancestor. My gr grandfather Donald was orphaned by the time he was 16 and had to notify his father's death (also Donald) in 1879. He put 'Charles' as his father's father's name, but nothing for his father's mother. I have found Donald Snr in census data since 1841. I also found his marriage in 1838, however no mother is mentioned. He married in Brechin Angus. All census data says he came from Rosskeen, Rossshire and census and death certs give a poss birth year from 1812 to 1816. 1812 is the most consistent. The only birth I have found for a Donald to a Charles McDonald in Rosskeen Rossshire, is 19 Dec 1809 which includes a twin sister, Margaret McDonald. The mother is noted as Katherine Ross. I have found their marriage on 24 February 1809 in Rosskeen. I cannot find proof that Charles and Katherine are Donald Snr's parents, however some interesting coincidences are that 2 of Donald's daughters were named Isabella Millar Macdonald and Georgina Ross Macdonald. Isabella's middle names seems to have been given to her as it is her mother's mother's maiden name. Similarly if Georgina had been given her father's mother's maiden name 'Ross' - that is a possibility. Donald did call his first born son Charles, however there are no Katherine's that I have found. His first wife Margaret died as did their 2 children and he had Isabella Georgina and Donald Jnr (who was my gr grandfather) with his sister in law, Ann Sinclair. Isabella and Georgina died as well as Ann by 1879, leaving Donald Jnr on his own. Unless I can find confirmation for Charles and Katherine and any possible other children they had (of which I have found some) - I can't be sure they are my ancestors. I have used Scotlandspeople for my searches and have all census and certs - birth, marriage and death - for both Donalds and the children.
Can anyone offer any suggestions on proving Donald Snr's parentage?
Thank you
Anne
