I'm trying to track down one of my maternal 2nd great-grandfathers, Edward McDermott, and the line seems like it hits a wall in Ottawa.
He was born around 1850 (likely on 18 May, 1849) and came to the US sometime between 1860 and 1870 (3 different censuses say 1860, 1866, and 1870, respectively).
He settled in Escanaba, Michigan, married Elizabeth Doyle, had several children, and worked for decades on the Chicago and North Western Railway, eventually passing on 15 July, 1934.
His death certificate lists him as being from Ottawa, Canada and says his parents are unknown. The census records I have for him say his parents were either Irish by birth, or that his mother was Irish and his father was Canadian of Irish descent. His obituary says he had a brother who survived him, so still living in 1934, named Hugh McDermott who was living in San Francisco.
So far I've hit a wall going any further with these leads. Does anyone have any insight on how to proceed?