McConnell Ancestry in Canada – An Overview

Flag of Ireland

The McConnell Ancestry begins with an explanation of their emigration from Ireland to Canada in the 1800s. The four generations of the McConnell ancestors in the direct lineage are as follows:

1. The Story of James McConnell (1783-1827) and Margery Moncrief (1800-1872);
2. The Story of James Allen McConnell (1824-1892) and Mary Quinn (1825-1905);
3. The Story of William Harold McConnell (1846-1930) and Mary Ann Bloomer (1856-1932);
4. The Story of Harold William McConnell (1900-1988) and Marjorie Uldean Latta (1905-1988). 

Ancestry records show that James McConnell (1783-1827) was born in Northern Ireland and served in the British military for about 20 years, stationed mainly in India. After being wounded, he was discharged at the age of 38. He married Margery Moncrief (1800-1872) in 1821 in the village of Scotshouse, County Monaghan, Ireland.

James and Margery had three children – Ann (1822-1895), James Allen (1824-1892) and Donald (1826-1827). Apparently, baby Donald died in 1827 on a sailing ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean while en route from Ireland to Canada shortly after his father James had died. Making a new life in Canada, Margery (Moncrief) McConnell remarried and had four more children by her second marriage. 

James Allen McConnell (our direct line ancestor) was only 3 years old when he came to Canada with his mother and other members of the Moncrief family. He grew up near Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. In 1844, he married a bonny Irish lass named Mary Quinn (1825-1905). It was about that time that Ireland was suffering through the period of the Irish Famine. James Allen died in 1892 at the age of 67. Mary died in 1905 at the age of 80.

James Allen McConnell and Mary Quinn, circa 1844

The 1852 Canada Census indicates that James was a farmer and Mary was a housekeeper, and that they had two boys. By the time of the 1871 Canada Census, they had ten children: Robert Henry (1845), William Harold (1846), Marjorie (1849), Mary Elizabeth (1852), Samuel John (1855), Thomas James (1856), Annie Isabel (1857), Margaret Edith (1861), George Alexander (1864) and Charles Joseph (1868).

William Harold McConnell and his horses circa 1915

William Harold McConnell was the next generation in our lineage. He was born on May 7, 1846 in Northumberland, Ontario and died on March 28, 1930 aged 83. On April 8, 1874, he married Mary Ann Bloomer (1856-1932), at Peterborough, Ontario. From 1876 to 1900, they had 10 children (7 girls and 3 boys).

 

Harold William McConnell, circa 1968

Harold William McConnell was the youngest of the 10 children. The Canada Census data shows that he was born on July 30, 1900 in Hastings, Ontario, became a farmer, and died in April 1988, aged 87. Harold married Marjorie Uldean Latta (1905-1988) on January 9, 1924 at Campbellford, Northumberland, Ontario. From 1924 to 1949, they had nine children, several of whom are currently interested in their family legacy. Together with their children and grandchildren, they can now explore their McConnell ancestry back to Ireland in the 1700s and the fateful journey to Canada from Ireland in 1827.

(Note: McConnell Ancestry updated to November 1, 2016.)

Duff Ancestry – Scotland to Canada

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The Duff family has a long history in Scotland. According to the 1881 England Census, Alexander Duff and his father, Archibald Duff, a shipfitter, were both born in Glasgow, Scotland. Alexander Duff (born in 1875) was married to Elizabeth McKenzie (1882-1954). His father, Archibald (1852) was married to Elizabeth Georgina Campbell (1852-1930), In turn, Archibald’s parents were Alexander Duff (1821-1876) and Janet Boyd (1824-1901). The 1881 Census suggests the two families were friends, since the Boyd family lived next door to the Duff family.

The Duff family migration to Canada begins with Peter Duff (born in 1898) and his wife Margaret Davies (born in 1901), who lived in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland. The Canadian Passenger List and Canadian Immigration Form dated April 25, 1928 states that Catherine Duff was 5 years old (born in 1923 at Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland). It also states that Catherine arrived on the ship Antonia departing from Greenock, Scotland and arriving at Quebec, Canada. The passenger list includes her mother Margaret (age 27, born 1901) and brother Alexander (age 4, born 1924). In addition, it notes that the immigration contact at arrival is Catherine’s father, Peter Duff (already settled in Toronto), who was married to Margaret. The contact at departure is the mother of Margaret, Catherine Davies (Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland).

Furthermore, the Canadian Passenger List and Canadian Immigration Form dated July 17, 1926 states that Peter Duff was born in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland and he was a miner by occupation. Peter arrived on the ship Letitia departing from Glasgow, Scotland and arriving at Quebec, Canada. The immigration contact at arrival is Peter’s father Alexander Duff. The contact information also lists Peter’s wife as Margaret Duff (Hamilton, Scotland).

Catherine (Kay) Boyd Duff (Apted), 1968

Catherine Boyd Duff (1923-) married Ralph Douglas Apted (1920-). They had two sons. The 1957 Canada Voters List states that Ralph Apted (a manager) and his wife Catherine lived in the Electoral District of Danforth, Toronto. By 1972, the Voters List states that Ralph and Catherine lived in Scarborough, Toronto. Their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren can now explore their Duff ancestry for the past 200 years back to Scotland in the early 1800s.