John McGregor, born 1811 was a collier. He married Margaret, known as Mary. Their children born in AYR were: Archibald, 1843, Mary, 1845 and John 1847. They emigrated to what became the province of BC in Canada in 1848. John was hired as an expert Collier to help start a mine for the Hudson's Bay Company. I have all family following, but no AYR family.

I'm searching for their family too.
I am their great-great-great grandaughter living in Nanaimo, B.C. Canada where they lived and died.
Were they from AYR or Irvine or Kilmarnock?
I have all details of their family from Canada but none of their family in Scotland.
Do you know Margaret (my family knew her as Mary) maiden name?
Thanks

Hello, Jacqueline.
I haven't found where exactly they came from, just that it is Ayrshire. SInce the Muirs are supposed to be related, and I have seen sources that say they were from the same town, they should be from either Irvine or Kilmarnock. Last summer I was in touch with someone over there who thought his line might be realted, but haven't heard anything.
I have a lot of info once they arrived in Canada.
My line is through Archibald, then William, then Arthur (my grandfather). What is your line?
I do not know Mary/Margaret's maiden name either, we knew her as Mary as well, but apparently her grave stone says Margaret (and I read somewhere that at that time the two names are sometimes interchangeable).
Do you have any pictures?
I had read that someone had pictures in a reference.
Let me know if you'd like to swap Canada info.
Do you have a copy of JC McGregor's book "The Klondyke Gold Rush"? I have been trying to find one. It is mentioned in one book that talks about the family. My Greatgrandfather went with him to Dawson, so I thought he might be mentioned in the book. I found one used book dealer who said he remembered seeing two copies of it a long time ago. I can not find it mentioned anywhere else.
Good to hear from you, Trish

Thanks for the quick replay Trish -
I've been going around in circles trying to find Mary/Margaret McGregor's maiden name.
Mary and John's daughter "Margaret" first white girl born in Nanaimo is my Great-Grandmother. I have photos of her and her husband Thomas Watson Glaholm (two McGregor sisters married brothers which I've been trying to trace too!)
Unfortunately I have no pics of John or Mary,,,,
I have never heard that they were related to the Muirs but will ask my brother if he has heard anything.
Where did you find this info?
The only info not proven for a John McGregor born in 1811 is:
9 Mar 1811 Kilmarnock, Ayr
father John McGregor
mother Mary Steven
but I have no idea if this is THE John McG we are looking for.
All I have on William Arthur ("Duffy"?) Mcgregor is that he was born in Eugene Oregon in 1864 married Nora Ruth Dawson (native of New Zealand??) and they came to Nanaimo in 1890 and their children Florence, Zona, Donald and Arthur who married Helen Dobson who I gather are your grandparents?
So we are related!!!
I would love to trade information!. I have just begun entering info into Legacy (Geneology Program) I also have Family Tree Maker 2005 recently purchased but having probs when I download their upgrade so for now am sticking to Legacy.
I just now signed on to www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
and if you like can email you the list of John McGregor's born 1811?
No I haven't read the book you mentioned.
Dan Egdell was the man you mentioned in one of your posts who married a descendant of the McGregors and began a geneology. I have a copy of his work (he died in 1967)
This is what got me started about a month ago in this new venture. My brother had an old photocopy of the original and gave it to me.
Sorry to babble on so.
Do so hope you contact me and we can exchange info.
Cheers
J

I had run across the reference of that John McGregor born 9 Mar as well and that seemed to be reasonable.
I also have a copy of Dan's notes, they were with my Grandmother's things adn my mom has loaned them to me.
There is a picture of Mary with Margaret, Kate and a child in the book "Black Diamond City, Nanaimo-The Victorian Era", by Jan Peterson, 2002.
The realtionship to the Muirs comes from a few sources which say that John Muir and a cousin, John McGregor came from the coal mines of Ayrshire etc. None of them contain proof, but since my grgr grandfather was left with one of Muir's daughters in Oregon "to get an education" and the two families did not intermarry and they seemd to go to the same places at the same times, I think it is a given.
I have my info entered on the programme from Family Search so far.
There is a book that is titled something like "Pioneer Families of the Metchosin Area". If you haven't looked at it, it is worthwhile. We are a whole chapter.
There is also an old book from the early 1900's about pioneer women of Vancouver Island. There is a wonderful account of early life on the island.
I would love to have the list of the John McGregors born 1811.
I was searching the free 1841 census site, but no one there seemed to match except a wright who was 5 years too young, but did have a wife Mary or Margaret ( but then a few others did too).
Thanks for the reply, T.

Trish,
If you send me your email I will forward the info I found this aft.
Will answer rest of your mail in morning
Great to be in touch!
J

I am related to a brother of John Muir who immigrated with John MacGregor
I would be interested in any information you could share John Muirs brother was .Michael Muir marr Mary Marshall and came to Nova Scotia abt 1840 according to births of his children ,His son Alexander (Sandy)is my ggrandfather In a book I have on the cemetery where Michael and Mary are buried it states that his parents were John and Agnes Muir No source for this information I did contact the Mayor of Sooke who is a MacGregor He doesn't think he is related. What info do you have re Oregon Muirs/Macgregor
bessie