Hello
I was wondering if the James MConnell that was married to Agnes Mitchell in your query was from Tarbolton also. I have Tarbolton McConnells in my husbands family line. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Hello! My McConnells came from Kirkmichael.
Sandi

Hi Sandi,

All I know about Martha Mitchell Cossar is that she was born on 3 April 1860 at Woodhead Farm in Tarbolton. She was still alive in 1929, in Pretoria, South Africa. I haven't pursued her at all so far.

Re: James Mitchell -- From his death certificate -- He died on 5 April 1884 at the age of 68 in Tarbolton, and is buried in the churchyard there. That certificate gives the names of his parents, James Mitchell and Mary Cameron, both already deceased.

Re: Helen Kerr -- Her birth is recorded in the Parish Register of St. Quivox as 18 April 1816. She died on 23 December 1902 in Tarbolton, and is buried in the churchyard there. On both certificates her parents are given as Robert Kerr (or Carr) and Martha Steel. I have a photo of Helen taken perhaps in 1858 wearing a black Victorian bonnet and shawl with paisley edging.

With her parents, I'm developing a list of possible siblings..always more to look for!

I have always been interested in your Agnes' story. She must have come to the states on her own in 1874, I suppose to join her brothers. Do you have any details on how and why? Travel cannot have been easy at that time.

Did James McConnell have an earlier wife, probably married in Scotland? On the 1880 Illinois census two sons are listed with him, both born in Scotland.

Also would like to know how your husband's family fits into the list of Agnes' children that I have: Agnes, Robert, Albert, Walter, Charles A, David and Allen. Was Charles' middle name Allen? I hope so, as that would explain Allen who I've always had my doubts about.

Hope some of this is useful to you. I'd be delighted with any info about this family you'd like to share!

Mary

Hello Mary!
I found a marriage on the IGI for a James Mitchell and Mary Cameron 18 Dec. 1807, Old Cumnock, Ayr. This is where James (the son) was supposedly born according to the 1881 census.

Thank you very much for the dates of death for James and Helen. I didn't have those.

I have the following children listed for Robert Kerr and Martha Steel taken from FamilySearch (no documentation).
Mary Kerr B. 28 Apr 1809 Kilmarnock (seems quite a bit older than the rest, but not knowing when Robert & Martha were born, it's a toss up.)
Mary Carr c. 10 Aug. 1823 Dundonald, Ayr
William Gibson b. 8 Mar 1821 Dundonald, Ayr
Emma Campbell b. 20 Aug. 1825 St. Quivox and Newton, Ayr
Helen (you have)

Now for Agnes Mitchell McConnell and James. I don't know the story about why she came here. However, James McConnell was married in Scotland to Isabella Pearson in 1864 and they had 6 children. Only the two oldest survived. John C. b. 1864 and James P. b. 1865. Isabella died a month after giving birth to Annie who died 8 days after her birth.

Here are the names of James and Agnes' children,
Agnes Mae b. July 17, 1878
Robert Mitchell b. Dec. 25, 1880
Albert Edward b. Dec. 12, 1881
Walter Francis b. May 10, 1883
Charles Allen b. April 12, 1885
David Barbour b. Dec. 8, 1887

I would love to have a copy of the picture of Helen Kerr Mitchell and will gladly pay for it. I have one of Agnes standing by a bush. Also one of James, Agnes and children Robert, Agnes, Albert and Walter sent to me by another relative.

My husband is the grandson of Walter. He stayed in La Salle county where I live.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sandi

Hello, I believe my McConnells came from Kirkmichael also. Gilbert McConnel b. Nov. 23, 1775 and his siblings, Agnes, Jean, Andrew, Robert, John and Martha were born there then some moved to Tarbolton. Maybe we have a connection?

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get that far back yet. The parents of my James b. 1823 were Hugh McConnell b. abt. 1802 and Helen Chalmers. Hugh's parents were James McConnell and Elizabeth Montgomerie. I have no dates for them or where they originally lived.
Maybe when I keep on digging I will come up with a link.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my query.
Sandi

Hi Dorothy, Hoping that you may have my Mitchell's on your list. Andrew Mitchell, b. in Ochiltree married Anne Kennedy on July 1, 1796 in Ochiltree. Their children were: Grace, b. 1796 in Ochiltree & married George Johnston in Old Cumnock in 1823; John, b. 1798 in Ochiltree, married Mary Gibson, in 1826 in Old Cumnock (moved to Canada); Agnes, b. 1801 in Ochiltree, married James McMoreland in 1822 in Old Cumnock; Helen, b. 1803, Ochiltree, married Andrew Thomson in 1825 in Old Cumnock (moved to Canada); Anne, b. 1805 in Ochiltree; James, b. 1807 in Ochiltree; Andrew, b. 1809 in Ochiltree, married Elizabeth Graham (moved to Canada); Jean or Jane, b. 1811 in Ochiltree, married John Torrance in 1843 in Old Cumnock; Janet McGavin Mitchell, b. 1813 in Ochiltree, d.abt. 1815; Margaret, b. 1817 in Ochiltree, married John McNeish in 1841 in Old Cumnock (moved to Canada). I haven't been able to go back any farther that Andrew & Anne (Kennedy) Mitchell. Can you help? Carol

Hi Dorothy,
Was wondering if you have ever came accross the name William Mitchell married to Mary Mitchell (Bell). They were married on the 11th of March 1904 in Ayr Ayrshire Scotland. They are the parents of my grandfather Edward Millar Mitchell who was born on the 25th of October 1909 at 45 Elba Street Ayr Ayrshire Scotland. I do believe there maybe brother's and sister's but am not sure on how many.
Will welcome any help.
Kind Regards
Ian Conrad
conrad.69@optusnet.com.au

Sorry Irene got your name wrong...
Regards
Ian
:)

Hi Dorothy,
Just a question have you ever came accross the names William Mitchell and Mary Mitchell (Bell) they were married on the 11th of March 1904 in Ayr Ayrshire Scotland. They are the parents of my grandfather Edward Millar Mitchell who was born on the 25th of October 1909 at 45 Elba Street in Ayr Ayrshire Scotland. I believe that there maybe brother's and sister's but am not sure on how many.
Would be grateful for your help.
Kind Regards
Ian Conrad
conrad.69@optusnet.com.au