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William John McGregor, b Beckwith, Ontario, m. Helen Van Valkenburg

William John McGregor, b Beckwith, Ontario, m. Helen Van Valkenburg

Maria Barnhardt (View posts)
Posted: 7 Sep 2004 4:58PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 11 Sep 2004 5:40AM GMT
Surnames: McGregor, Van Valkenburgh
Hello, I am hoping someone can help me find out more about this couple's background, family, etc.

I have recently found his daughter's birth record, and it lists him as being born in Beckwith Ontario. He married Helen Van Valkenburgh in September of 1869, and on the same birth record (of their 4th child) she is listed as being from Charleston, Ont.

I would really like to find out where they were married, i found the date from the 1870 census for Chicago, Ill. Charleston may be Carleton, as I see there was an Ennisville(sp?) in Lanark County. Family history states she had lived in a place with a name similar to that, and that the town no longer exists?

If any one can help me, please do. Family history also states that we are traceable to Rob Roy McGregor, and I would really like to prove/disprove that rumor. Finding William's parents is the key.

Thank you very much in advance! Maria Barnhardt, North Dakota

Re: William John McGregor, b Beckwith, Ontario, m. Helen Van Valkenburg

Posted: 16 Oct 2004 4:39PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 12 Mar 2006 2:37PM GMT
Clues? places they lived....from your post would we assume in 1870 they were no longer in Canada? You mention children...their names?

If finding his parents is the last key to connecting to Rob Roy....can you not work the other way? ie; did the ancestor have children/gchildren born in Upper Canada?When? Where? Then look there for your fellows records. It is a well documented line, presumably quite simple to confirm or eliminate you r fellow.

1869 was the year civil event reg became mandatory, what does the marriage registration say? It *should* list his parents, occupation, etc etc

Re: William John McGregor, b Beckwith, Ontario, m. Helen Van Valkenburg

Maria (View posts)
Posted: 18 Oct 2004 4:56PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: McGregor, Van Valkenburgh
Thank you for your reply, Jamie!

Here is what I know about William & Helen (together):
I have them placed in 1870 in Chicago, Ill. William age 27 born Canada, occupation a carpenter & builder. Helen age 23 no occupation born Canada. This is where i get their marriage date: married within the previous year, in September. No place stated. On this census page, William states his father is of foreign birth, his mother is not.

In 1880 they are found in Peoria, Ill. William is 37, Helen is 33, both born Canada. They have 4 children in 1880: Edith, born in Chicago in 1870, William born in Chicago in 1872 (I am descended from him), Maude born 1874 (place not known yet), and Ellen born 1880 in Peoria. They would have another son, Sam born in 1882 in Peoria.

From there they moved to Omaha Nebraska, had 2 more girls: Grace born 1887, and Lillian born 1890. Here is where the family starts to split.

In 1900 i found Helen with Grace and Lillian in Seattle, Washington. She is widowed. I am still trying to find William's death date and place.

I have been trying to get all of the childrens' birth records, as that sometimes has the parents' place of birth. The only one that has them listed (besides just Canada or Ontario) is Ellen's in 1880. Her father is listed as being William John McGregor, born Beckwith Ontario. Her mother is listed as Helen Van Valkenburgh McGregor, born Charleston Ontario.

This is most of what i know about William. I do not know his parents' names, number of brothers & sisters, etc.

My family has had a lot of rumors, theories, stories, etc. about where "the McGregor's" as they call them, are from and what the lineage is. One of those rumors has always been the descendency from Rob Roy McGregor, and i would love to either prove or disprove it. So far some of the rumors have been right.

Do you know where i can find some info about the descendents of Rob Roy in the US or Canada?

Thanks again, Maria Barnhardt

Re: William John McGregor, b Beckwith, Ontario, m. Helen Van Valkenburg

Posted: 18 Oct 2004 5:19PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 12 Mar 2006 2:37PM GMT
Surnames: McGregor, MacGregor
There are lots of historical sites, most synopsize;
Has he any living descendants? James had 14 children recorded; Coll had a son and daughter recorded; Ranald married his cousin Jean, daughter of MacGregor of Glengyle and the Glengyle line descended from them; Robin Oig's wife died young and there are no records of legitimate descendants from him. But many persons alive now claim descent from Rob Roy.
http://www.stronvar.co.uk/strobroy.htm

http://www.almac.co.uk/stronvar/strobroy.htm

just google "rob roy macgregor" +descendants +genealogy

cut and paste that string in google

Re: William John McGregor, b Beckwith, Ontario, m. Helen Van Valkenburg

Posted: 20 Jan 2015 2:45AM GMT
Classification: Query
Hello Maria,
I realize it has been many years since you posted this question. I teach a history of photography class at the UW and collect old photographs.
I recently came across a photograph of the McGregor family that has the family names written on the back, including the Helen Valkenberg McGregor. Since that is a very identifiable name, I put it into a google search and found this discussion.
I am wondering if you are still doing research on your family, and if so, if you would like a scan of the photograph. It must be from the 1890s, and has both parents and six of the children in it. It's large and very beautiful. Please let me know if you are interested.
Best,
Deborah Caplow
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