John & Jane McKinnon

Buteshire

John McKinnon, my wife's 4th great grandfather and father to Donald McKinnon, was born in 1800 in Bute Scotland.  Buteshire is a county on the western coast of Scotland consisting of the isles of Bute and Arran and the small isles of Inch-Marnock, and Great and Little Cumbray [mostly uninhabited], in the Firth of Clyde. John was from Kilbride parish within the county. This parish is situated in the mouth of the River Clyde and forms the smaller of two very extensive parishes, which divide between them the magnificent and strikingly picturesque Island of Arran, and some surrounding lands.

He married Jane (unknown maiden name) about 1825.  Jane was also born in Kilbride parish about 1805.  They had eight children:  Susan, John, Donald, Eliza, Jean, Adam, Jane, and William.  John worked as a fisher in 1841, then is referred to as a mariner in 1851-1861, and a master mariner in 1871.

Jane appears on the 1881 census as well, living with her daughter Jane.  John likely passed away about 1875 and Jane after 1881.

It appears some researchers have confused this John McKinnon with another John that was also born in 1800 and was also a sailor.  This has caused a confusing mass on information that is difficult to sort out.  I present here only the portion that I feel is strongly supported.

 

Donald McKinnon & Catherine Crawford

Isle of Bute (Scotland)

Donald McKinnon, my wife's 3rd great grandfather, and father of Mary Mckinnon was born in Kilbride, Buteshire an Island off the coast of the Scottish mainland, on Oct 15, 1835.  He was one of 7 children.  His father John was a fisherman.

Donald lived in Buteshire (also known as Bute) until 1860 when he emigrated to Canada.  He was 25 years old at the time.  On August 28, 1866 he married Catherine Crawford at Inverness, Quebec.  Catherine was born in 1844 in Quebec to Scottish parents.

They settled in Megantic, Quebec and raised 8 children, James (Jamay), Anne, Jenne, Mary, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Donald C., and Bella.  About 1900 they moved to Dauphin, Manitoba (Mary lived nearby with her husband Vincent and their three grandchildren).  They resided in Dauphin with their daughter Bella in 1906.

Donald and Catherine likely passed away between 1906 and 1911.  I have not found the place or date thus far.