Genealogy Chat

I am asking for assistance to find details of my McLean families in the USA. Until now all my searches have been within the UK, primarily Scotland. Now I have identified a Donald McLean, born c.1900 in Edinburgh but who emigrated to the USA sometime before 1928. His father Lauchlan b.1874 in Dunbar & son David Shier McLean c.1912, went out on the Tulsa in 1929 disembarking at Savvanah, Georgia & declared they were joining Donald. Donald was living at 628, Ander Street, Jacksonville, FA. Some family "myths" indicate he may have been a well-known wrestler.

My basic query is how do I find out about these family members in the USA, as Ancestry doesn't seem to be able to provide any further information.

Alistair, do you have this information:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~larrimore/akc10_12.htm
"2. Edith Lora Bibby, born at Sylacauga, AL on September 17, 1909 and died in Brunswick, Georgia May 3, 1985. Buried on St. Simon's Island, GA. Edith married April 25, 1936 in Jacksonville, FL, David Shier McLean, born in Edinburgh Scotland on July 2, 1911. He was the son of Lachland McLean and Ann Frazer Shier."

Their two children are also listed on this site.

Social Security Death Index
Name: David S. McLean
SSN:
Last Residence: 31520 Brunswick, Glynn, Georgia, United States of America
Born: 2 Jul 1911
Died: 12 Feb 1993
State (Year) SSN issued: Florida (Before 1951 )

Georgia Deaths, 1919-98
Name: David SDavid S Mclean
Death Date: 12 Feb 1993
County of Death: Glynn
Gender: M
Race: W
Age: 81 years
County of Residence: Glynn
Certificate: 004286
Date Filed: 17 Feb 1993

May have found his son's address. Sending that to you by pm.

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Donald Mc Lean
Home in 1930: Jacksonville, Duval, Florida
Age: 30
Estimated birth year: abt 1900
Birthplace: Scotland
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's name: Lauchlin
Race: White
Occupation: Office Clerk, Steamship Co.
Age at first marriage:
Parents' birthplace: Scotland
Household Members:
Name Age
Donald Mc Lean 30
Lauchlin Mc Lean 56
James Shura Mc Lean 29
Mary Mc Lean 27
David Mc Lean 18
Donald Immigrated 1925
Lauchlan was a watchman, steamship co., immigrated in 1929
James was a bookkeeper, steamship co. He immigrated in 1926
Mary was Donald's sister; immigrated 1929
David was a sister, same immigration year as Mary

New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
Name: Mary McLean
Arrival Date: 1 Jul 1929
Estimated birth year: abt 1903
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Port of Departure: Glasgow, Scotland
Ethnicity/Race-
/Nationality: Scottish (Scotish)
Ship Name: Cameronia
Search Ship Database: View the Cameronia in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Nativity: Scotland
Line: 6
Microfilm Serial: T715
Microfilm Roll: T715_4525
Birth Location: Scotland
Birth Location Other: edinburgh
Page Number: 205
Joining brother Donald McLean: 311 West 4th Street, Jacksonville, Fla
5'4", Fair, Dark Brown Hair, Blue Eyes

Dear Lisa,

I cannot begin to thank you enough for your responses. You have identified the families correctly within less than 2 hours! How did you do it?

Unfortunately I have to go out now so cannot analyze all your information and reply properly to your messages, but I wil be back in touch again within 24 hours. Thanks again for all your efforts

Best regards,

Alastair

Dear Lisa,

Sorry for the delay in replying further but haven't managed to do any GR "work" these last couple of days.

This is the first time to venture into US research so I would be grateful if you can point me at the best resources. Ancestry is very good, particularly the older research, but I am having problems with accessing information after 1900-1930. Apart from the BMD Indexes which don't say very much and the expensive Private Eye's who charge US$39.95++ to tell you lots of personal info you don't need to know, what is the best open/public source of info?

I am trying to find details of the rest of the McLean family - Mary, Donald and James - just like you managed with David; what do you suggest?

Again many, many thanks for your speedy, accurate and helpful responses, and if I can help you on Scottish searches please let me know.

Best regards,

Alastair McLean Torrance.

Hi Alastair:

Thank you for the kind offer of lookups; my ancestors were from Ireland and England, though. :)

I'm not too sure about American records, as I'm Canadian (just living in the States). I tried searching for Mary, Donald and James on Ancestry, but didn't see them.

I also tried cemetery records:
http://www.interment.net/
http://www.findagrave.com/

I believe there are only "social security death" records after 1940's - and not everyone who has passed away recently is listed.

There are several people on here who know quite a bit about American records and research - they may be able to help. I will look a bit more tonight, in case I missed something (which I have done in the past!).

PS I have found a few things about my ancestors by trying various google searches, using their surnames, occupations, places they lived, etc. Perhaps you may have luck doing the same?

Also, if you try contacting the Bibby people (mentioned in a prior posting), they may know something about the McLean's:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~larrimore/akc10_12.htm

Sending you an address for a David McLean.

for living people try zabasearch