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