Any McConnells Around?

[Midge]

Hello!

I'm trying to find the history of my last name which is 'McConnell'

Anyone help me out?

Cheers
neil

[Polwarth]

Hello!

McConnell is another of those names which are claimed as Irish AND Scots! You have to determine which origins your particular family springs from

The McConnells are claimed as a sept by Clan MacDonald. There is a lot of info on Clan MacDonald (including their septs list) on www.electricscotland.com Another Scottish site which may have more info is www.rampantscotland.com

[Midge]

Thanks for that Info! I am going to look into it a bit more!

[Midge]

Originally Posted by Polwarth

Hello!

McConnell is another of those names which are claimed as Irish AND Scots! You have to determine which origins your particular family springs from

The McConnells are claimed as a sept by Clan MacDonald. There is a lot of info on Clan MacDonald (including their septs list) on www.electricscotland.com Another Scottish site which may have more info is www.rampantscotland.com

How do I determine which origins my particular family springs from ??

[Polwarth]

I'm afraid there's no 'quick' way to determine which you may call 'your' McConnels.

You haven't said where you live, but I am assuming it is not Scotland, as finding out info here is relatively (but only relatively!) easy. So the following info is for someone living in a foreign country, eg USA, Canada, Australia etc.

You must start with your generation, then your parents, then your grandparents and so on, back to the original immigrant to your country. Then, if you are lucky, you may be able to chase them (through either immigration documents and/or passenger lists) back to their port of emigration - and that MIGHT then give you a clue as to where they may be from. But be aware that just cos they left Europe via Ireland, doesn't mean the family wasn't originally Scots - you just then have to focus your search in Ireland and THEN back to Scotland.

Good luck!

[Midge]

Thanks fot the info! I am actually from Newcastle, UK. However, I moved to the US last year, I am 27. My Granmother was born in Scotland, the rest of my family were born in Newcastle. (Didn't Newcastle use to be part of Scotland?) Anyways, I'm having trouble finding out exactly whether I am decended from Scotland or not? McConnell?

[Polwarth]

If your Granny was born in Scotland, and assuming that she is the MacConnell you are seeking, then you can find out details from her birth certificate - from the GRO in Edinburgh... but you'd need to know when she was born and where. Have a look at the GRO site - they charge for enquiries, but as long as you have your questions ready before you log on, it shouldn't be too expensive. The GRO have now changed their historical searches to this address

http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/