Re: McNees from Perthshire to Wisconsin to Minnesota in mid 1800's
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In reply to:
McNees from Perthshire to Wisconsin to Minnesota in mid 1800's
Brian Becker 6/14/05
I believe that Jeanette McNee McCallum was part of a broader McNee migration west in the summer and fall of 1853. My McNee ancestor - James (born Perthshire 1776/1777 - probably Port of Menteith, but not sure) - originally migrated to the US in the late 1790s, I believe along with his cousin William (born 1770 Perthshire). They entering the US at NYC, then moved as many Scots from Perthshire did to Delaware County, New York (Andes), where they married other native Scots from Perthshire (and probably from families they knew back in Perthshire). There is at least one McNee family still living in Delaware County, NY. However, many of the McNee's from this early migration, combined with some additional McNee who migrated from Scotland that year, started west in 1853.
Apparently, they made it to the shores of the Mississippi by the fall (Rock County, Wisconsin), but had to wait until the river froze to cross. During this wait, the family history has it that they argued, and the larger group split up upon crossing - some heading north to settle in or around Spring Valley, Minnesota (where the McNee's I'm descended from orginate), others settling in Iowa, and some reaching the original destination in California. I surmise this as my father tracked down some McNee's in the late 1960s who were cattle ranchers in the central valley - and I remember riding horses on a visit. In addition, there is a State Park aptly named "McNee Ranch State Park" on the pacific highway just the other side of San Fran airport on the pennisula.
Back to the migration - I believe the leader at least of my wing of the McNee migration was Peter, son of James, who did not make the trip as he was in his 70s at the time of the trip. I do believe James's wife Jennette made it though, as I believe she is burried out in or around Filmore County/Spring Valley.
Please contact me directly as I am confident that we can help each other fill in some holes.
Bill McNee
1-203-227-7612
[email protected]
More Replies:
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Re: McNees from Perthshire to Wisconsin to Minnesota in mid 1800's
Michael Hollander 1/18/13