Joan Hannah (Finlayson) McLennan (1835 - 1897)

Born 1835 in Lochalsh Plockton Ross-shire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Wife of Alexander McLennan — married 10 Dec 1853 in Kyle of Lochalsh, Ross-shire, Scot

Descendants

Died 1897 at about age 62 in 378 Garscube St Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Bruce Donaldson [send private message]

Biography

Research Notes

Original research by Keith Jordan and Ross McLennan via "The McLennan Family in Australia" 1992: Non published research document.

Family history handed down tells us that Alex Mclennan Senior was a fisherman who worked at sea exiting from Lossiemouth. it is reported that he downed at sea off the coasge of Yarmouth Eng aged 55 in 1891. His wife Joan Hannha described herself as a widower and a house servant in the census of 1891.

Alexander married Hannah Finlayson on 10 December 1853 in Lochalsh Cromartyshire, Scotland, United Kingdom.^[1]

They had the following children:

1. Mary 1855 Died in infancy.

2. John, b 1856 Lochalsh, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

3. Maryanne, b 1859 Lochalsh, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

4. Donald, b 1863 Lochalsh, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

5. Isabella, b 1864 Drainie, Moray, Scotland

6. Alexander, b 1868 Drainie, Moray, Scotland

7. Catherine, b 1870 Drainie, Moray, Scotland

He passed away about 1891 after drowning at sea .

Joan Hannah McLennan formerly Finlayson – 1838 – 1896 Born 1838 in Lochalsh Plockton Scot Died 1897 age 59 in Glasgow at her home at 378 Garscube St Glasgow. Married Alexander McLennan 10 Dec 1853 Lochalsh Cromartyshire, Scot Mother of Mary McLennan, John McLennan, MaryAnne McLennan, Donald McLennan, Isabella McLennan, Alexander McLennan, Catherine McLennan.

From A Story by Sheila Cleary with updated notes by Bruce Donaldson.^[2]

Joan and her children walk from Plockton to Lossiemouth a journey of 100 miles.

The journey was over 100 miles, (160 km). Her husband, Alexander McLennan (1836 –1891 ) was a ships mate on a coastal fishing vessel that was to sail from Plockton to better markets on the East Coast of Scotland. Sailing from the West Coast necessitated a dangerous voyage over the top of Scotland. Because the family was to set up home on the East Coast, Joan took the four children with her and went overland, walking all the way. What is striking is that she was in her early twenties (approx 26 yrs) the children were under 5 years of age, and they travelled on foot. It was the 1860’s (approx 1865), at the time of the Australian gold rushes.

The journey must have taken weeks, (approx 2 1/2 wks.) She would have sought rest and shelter in farm houses through the highlands and along the great glen, pass through Fort Augusta and Inverness and by Bannockburn. The sight of the ruins of Elgin Cathedral would have left a great impression on this highland woman.

Her objective was to reach the fishing village of Lossiemouth to setup home for her husband. She had come from the beautiful village of Plockton, a sheltered clearance fishing settlement on the sea lock across from the Isle of Skye, not far from the village of Balmacarra. Highland and island, mountain and sea would have been her natural surroundings.

The only hill at Lossiemouth is the low headland that shelters the village from the North Sea gales, South is a chain of dunes by the “Long Sea Mouth” of the river that gave the village its name. The small habour was once a wheat terminal for grain shipments from Elgin but in Joan’s time it had become a fish processing port.

Within four years of coming to Lossiemouth her husband was drowned at Yarmouth aged 55 so she had to fend for her young family. She worked in the fish processing factory cleaning and salting fish into barrels. The hours were long and the work hard and she would often end the day soak wet and exhausted.

Her third son Alexander McLennan was born at Lossiemouth in1868, and schooled there by the young student teacher Ramsay McDonald, who became the leader of the first British Labor Government, which possibly accounts for the strong socialist learning of the family to this day. Alexander completed a five year sail making apprenticeship at the Peterkin sail loft at Lossiemouth. His mother appealed to him not to go to sea, having lost her husband to it, but he would not be dissuaded and supported her from then until she died in Glasgow before she was aged 55 in 1896. In Lossiemouth she was never called Joan always Mrs McLennan, she remained a newcomer for 30 years.

Alexander completed seven voyages around the world. Seven times around the horn, on Loch line ships as sail maker and able seaman. Most of the voyages departed Glasgow to Melbourne and discharged at London and took up to approx 180 days. He refused to marry whilst supporting his mother and for 8 years courted Catherine Sloan of Melbourne who he married after his mother’s death in 1896. Last century of Joan Hannah Finlayson had a hard life. She was survived by 7 of her 9 children, 4 daughters and 3 sons, having lost 2 children when they were young.

Research Notes

Family history handed down tells us that Alex Mclennan Senior was a fisherman who worked at sea exiting from Lossiemouth. it is reported that he downed at sea off the coast of Yarmouth at the age of 59 in 1895, however it is thought that it may have actually been 1891 as his wife Joan Hannha described herself as a widower in the census of 1891.

widow Mary in 1871 has names, ages, locations similar to 1861 with Alexander. This may be different family that has similar names and dates. In 1871 Mary, age 36, was a widow in Commerce, Drainie, Moray.[19] Census for Joan McLennan . - no previous sources has her name as Joan, so this could be a different family with similar names In 1881 Joan, age 46, was the head of household at 11 High St, Drainie, Moray. She was a General Serv Domestic.[20] In 1891 Joan, age 57, was the head of household at 378 Garscube Rd, Glasgow St George, Lanarkshire.[21] There may be other children born in Ross and Cromarty, including some born when other listed / linked children were born in Moray. There are other children born in same location as earlier children. Possibly they are different family with similar parent names. These other births indicate there are probably other McLennan married to Finlayson and having children in same area.

Janet McLennan was born in 1862. Her birth was registered in Lochalsh. Mother's maiden name Finlayson.[22] Alexander McLennan was born in 1862. His birth was registered in Lochalsh. Mother's maiden name Finlayson.[23] Duncan MacLennan was born in 1864. His birth was registered in Lochalsh. Mother's maiden name Finlayson.[24] John MacLennan was born in 1865. His birth was registered in Lochalsh. Mother's maiden name Finlayson.[25] Duncan MacLennan was born in 1865. His birth was registered in Lochalsh. Mother's maiden name Finlayson.[26] Christina MacLennan was born in 1867. Her birth was registered in Lochalsh. Mother's maiden name Finlayson.[27]

Possible Sources

↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 10 January 2024), Alexander McLennan born or baptised on 23 Jan 1837, son of John McLennan & Isobel, in Keith, Banffshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 159, Ref 50/252. ↑ "Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," database, (Ancestry Record 60143 #10152203 : accessed 10 January 2024), Alexander Mclennan baptism on 23 Jan 1837 (born 24 Nov 1836), son of John Mclennan & Isobel, in Keith, Banff, Scotland; citing Original data Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950. Salt Lake City, Utah FamilySearch, 2013. ↑ "Scotland Marriages, 1561-1910". FamilySearch Record: XYQV-TP2 (accessed 3 May 2022). Alexander McLennan marriage to Hannah Finlayson on 10 Dec 1853 in Lochalsh Cromartyshire, Scotland, United Kingdom. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Banns and Marriages," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 10 January 2024), Alexander McLennan marriage to Hannah Finlayson on or after 10 Dec 1853 in Lochalsh, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland; citing Parish Number 074, Ref 20/81. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQKP-Y2P : 12 February 2020), Alexander Maclennan in entry for John Maclennan, 1856. ↑ "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 10 January 2024), John MacLennan birth registered 1856 in Lochalsh, mother's maiden name Finlayson; citing Ref 074/46. ↑ "Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," database, (Ancestry Record 60143 #19262935 : accessed 10 January 2024), John Maclennan born to Alexander Maclennan and Hannah Finlayson on 7 Oct 1856 in Lochalsh, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland; citing Original data Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950. Salt Lake City, Utah FamilySearch, 2013. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQ73-RDS : 12 February 2020), Alexander Mc Lennan in entry for Maryanne Mc Lennan, 1859. ↑ "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 10 January 2024), Mary Anne McLennan birth registered 1859 in Lochalsh, mother's maiden name Finlayson; citing Ref 074/23. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQKP-18X : 12 February 2020), Alexander Mc Lennan in entry for Donald Mc Lennan, 1863. ↑ "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 10 January 2024), Donald McLennan birth registered 1863 in Lochalsh, mother's maiden name Finlayson; citing Ref 074/3. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQ9W-VX8 : 12 February 2020), Alexander Mc Lennan in entry for Isabella Mc Lennan, 1864. ↑ "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 10 January 2024), Isabella McLennan birth registered 1864 in Drainie, mother's maiden name Finlayson; citing Ref 130/122. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQXD-4ZX : 12 February 2020), Alexander McLennan in entry for Alexander McLennan, 1868. ↑ "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 10 January 2024), Alexander McLennan birth registered 1868 in Drainie, mother's maiden name Finlayson; citing Ref 130/49. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQ9W-T61 : 12 February 2020), Alexander McLennan in entry for Cathrine McLennan, 1870. ↑ "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 10 January 2024), Catherine McLennan birth registered 1870 in Drainie, mother's maiden name Finlayson; citing Ref 130/54. ↑ "1861 Scotland Census," database, (Ancestry Record 1080 #858835 : accessed 10 January 2024), Alexander Mclennan (29) lodger, Seaman, in household of Ann Mcdonald (36) at 25 Harbour St in Lochalsh registration district. Born in Lochalsh, ross shire; citing Parish Lochalsh, ED 1, Page 6, Line 9, Roll CSSCT1861_9, Registration Number 74, Household schedule number 30, Roll CSSCT1861_9. Ann Mcdonald Head F 36 Joiner's Widow Plockton, ross shire Christian Mcdonald Daughter F 18 Plockton, ross shire Ann Mcdonald Daughter F 11 Plockton, ross shire Mary Mcdonald Daughter F 9 Plockton, ross shire Murdoch Mcdonald Son M 7 Plockton, ross shire Margaret Mcdonald Daughter F 5 Plockton, ross shire Alexander Mclennan Lodger M 29 Seaman Lochalsh, ross shire Hannah Mclennan Lodger's wife F 28 Lochalsh, ross shire John Mclennan Lodger's son M 5 Plockton, ross shire Mary Ann Mclennan Lodger's dau (lodger) F 2 Plockton, ross shire Mary Matheson Visitor F 64 Servant Plockton, ross shire Farquhar Matheson Lodger M 44 Seaman Plockton, ross shire Eliza Matheson Lodger's wife F 40 Shieldaig, ross shire ↑ "1871 Scotland Census," database, (Ancestry Record 1104 #3683204 : accessed 10 January 2024), Mary Mclennan (36) widow in household of Mary Mclennan (36) in Commerce in Drainie registration district. Born in Lochalsh, balmacarra; citing Parish Drainie, ED 4, Page 9, Line 8, Roll CSSCT1871_24, Registration Number 130, Household schedule number 36, Roll CSSCT1871_24. Mary Mclennan Widow F 36 Lochalsh, balmacarra John Mclennan Son M 13 Scholar Lochalsh, plockton Alexander Mclennan Son M 3 Morayshire, branderburgh Cathrine Mclennan Daughter F 11 Mo Morayshire, branderburgh ↑ "1881 Scotland Census," database, (Ancestry Record 1119 #2402737 : accessed 10 January 2024), Joan McLennan (46), General Serv Domestic, head of household at 11 High St in Drainie registration district. Born in Lochalsh, Ross; citing Parish Drainie, ED 4, Page 3, Line 19, Roll cssct1881_38, Registration Number 130, Household schedule number 18. Joan McLennan Head F 46 General Serv Domestic Lochalsh, Ross Donald McLennan Son M 18 Tailor Lochalsh, Ross Isabella McLennan Daughter F 16 Serv Domestic Drainie, Elgin Catherine McLennan Daughter F 10 Scholar Drainie, Elgin Alexander McLennan Son M 12 Scholar Drainie, Elgin ↑ "1891 Scotland Census," database, (Ancestry Record 1108 #3681675 : accessed 10 January 2024), Joan McLennan (57) head of household at 378 Garscube Rd, Glasgow St George, Lanarkshire in Milton registration district. Born in Lochalsh, Rosshire; citing Parish Glasgow St George, ED 32, Page 4, Line 6, Roll CSSCT1891_271, Registration Number 644/8, Household schedule number 21, Roll CSSCT1891_271. Joan McLennan Head F 57 Lochalsh, Rosshire Donald McLennan Son M 27 Tailor Lochalsh, Rosshire Bella McLennan Daur (daughter) F 24 Domestic Servant Lossiemouth, Morayshire Alexander McLennan Son M 22 Sail Maker Lossiemouth, Morayshire Kate McLennan Daur (daughter) F 20 Domestic Servant Lossiemouth, Morayshire Maggie McLennan Grandchild F 9 Scholar Lossiemouth, Morayshire Ann Ross Visitor F 46 Lossiemouth, Morayshire Maggie Ross Visitor F 17 General Servant Lossiemouth, Morayshire ↑ "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 10 January 2024), Janet McLennan birth registered 1862 in Lochalsh, mother's maiden name Finlayson; citing Ref 074/20. ↑ "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 10 January 2024), Alexander McLennan birth registered 1862 in Lochalsh, mother's maiden name Finlayson; citing Ref 074/48. ↑ "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 10 January 2024), Duncan MacLennan birth registered 1864 in Lochalsh, mother's maiden name Finlayson; citing Ref 074/47. ↑ "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 10 January 2024), John MacLennan birth registered 1865 in Lochalsh, mother's maiden name Finlayson; citing Ref 074/44. ↑ "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 10 January 2024), Duncan MacLennan birth registered 1865 in Lochalsh, mother's maiden name Finlayson; citing Ref 074/50. ↑ "Statutory Register of Births," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 10 January 2024), Christina MacLennan birth registered 1867 in Lochalsh, mother's maiden name Finlayson; citing Ref 074/25.

Sources

1. ↑ "Scotland Marriages, 1561-1910". FamilySearch Record: XYQV-TP2 (accessed 3 May 2022). Alexander McLennan marriage to Hannah Finlayson on 10 Dec 1853 in Cromartyshire, Scotland, United Kingdom.
2. ↑ A Story by Sheila Cleary with updated notes by Bruce Donaldson.