I have been researching my Dow ancestors in Canada for several years now and have yet to break down a frustrating brickwall.

I was recently speaking to my maternal grandmother's cousin, who is also related to this line of Dow's and he told me that his grandfather told him that his "grandfather (this cousin's Great-X2 Grandfather) was one of 3 brothers who came from Scotland and settled in Montreal in the 1700's, their name was McDow/MacDow and they changed it to Dow".

I'm not sure if what this cousin told me was correct but his grandfather could have lived during the lifetimes of these immigrant brothers if the story is true. If the surname was originally McDow or MacDow then that could explain why I never found any information on them!

This cousin and I share a common Dow ancestor in James Alexander Dow, born in April 1820 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His parents were very likely Thomas Dow and Helen/Ellen Grant. I cannot find anything about this Thomas Dow and Helen/Ellen Grant other than a marriage that took place 7 December 1815 at St-Gabriel Presbyterian Church in Montreal: "Marriage entry for Thomas Dow of Montreal and Helen Grant (spinster) married by license 7 Dec 1815. The signatures given were Thomas O Dowd .. Helen Grant .. Peter Grant .. John Nicklson"

Does anyone reading this have any information on a branch of McDow's or MacDow's who changed their name to Dow after settling in Canada? This is the most frustrating brickwall I have!

Thanks!

Maggie Barron